This Thursday (Nov. 21), Dr. Roland ‘Roly’ Armitage, career veterinarian, decorated soldier, author, builder, mayor, and a force in both his community and the Standardbred racing industry, will receive The Order of Ottawa in a private ceremony in Andrew Hayden Hall at Ottawa City Hall.

The Order of Ottawa celebrates outstanding citizens. The prestigious civic award recognizes exceptional citizens' contributions in the many areas of city life, including arts and culture, business, philanthropy, health care, education, public service, labour communication and media (also, science, sports, entertainment or other fields of endeavour that benefit the citizens of Ottawa).

Dr. Armitage is among 16 distinguished citizens of Ottawa citizens that will receive the 2019 Order of Ottawa award.

A lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to his community, and service to his nation are among Dr. Armitage’s significant contributions to society.

The Order of Ottawa is the latest in a long list of honours for the dedicated Canadian. From his career as a Dunrobin farm boy to World War II soldier at age 17, to veterinarian, racetrack president, politician, author and Standardbred owner, breeder and industry leader, Dr. Armitage attacked all of his undertakings with enthusiasm, persistence and vigour.

He served with the Royal Canadian Artillery in World War II, and took part in the Normandy invasion and the liberation of France. His many medals for meritorious service include the Defence of Britain, the Canadian Volunteer medal, the Normandy Defence medal and the National Order of the Legion of Honour bestowed on him by the Government of France.

Dr. Armitage had many roles in life and in particular in the sport of harness racing. He served as president of the Canadian Standardbred Horse Society (1972 to 1974) and president of the Canadian Trotting Association from 1974 to 1980 (Standardbred Canada). An innovator with foresight and following a long battle with racing authorities, he was responsible for the removal of hub rails on racetracks, saving injuries and death to the nation’s harness drivers and trainers. Along with others, he was instrumental in introducing electronic eligibility to the sport, putting Canada on the leading edge of technology in horse racing. He was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in the builder category in 1999.

Dr. Armitage served as the mayor of the township of West Carleton, Ottawa from 1991 to 1994. He managed the building of the Carp Airport Terminal and for nine years and was president and general manager of Rideau Carleton Raceway while maintaining his skills as a veterinarian. He bred and raced Standardbreds at his Dunrobin Armstead Farm and has campaigned a number of notable racehorses over the years.

Dr. Armitage worked closely with the organizer of the 1979 harness races on the Rideau Canal, an event long remembered as an iconic day in the storied history of the trotting sport in Canada.

Dr. Armitage was inducted into the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame in 2000 and was the recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Medal the same year. He received the Key to the City of Ottawa in 2006 and in 1982 was named veterinarian of the year by the Ontario Veterinary Association.

A strong community builder, Dr. Armitage contributed to the development of the Carp Farmers Market and the creation of various shops and a state of the art retirement residence in the centre of the village of Carp. In 2011, he joined a West Carleton War Memorial Project Committee successfully completing a Carp cenotaph to honour residents of West Carleton-March who died during the First World War and the Second World War.

The Carp Airport Terminal was renamed the Roly Armitage Terminal after its general manager. In 2011, the West Carleton Community Complex was named the Dr. Roland Armitage Hall in commemoration of his outstanding service and achievements.

Now on the sunny side of 90 years of age, Dr. Armitage continues to live life to the fullest with gusto and spirit; as a Standardbred owner and breeder and manager of a public stable trained by his son James (Don) at his Dunrobin farm on the Ottawa River.

An accomplished wordsmith, Dr. Armitage’s trilogy of books, ‘The Way it Was, and Now’ (2014), ‘Now About Yesterday’ (2017), and ‘Straight From the Horse’s Mouth’ (2018) are a reflection of a proud veteran, a dedicated veterinarian and a true Canadian. The trilogy captures his spirited childhood and early devotion to farm animals while growing up on the Dunrobin family farm, and his fascinating and entertaining experiences with farmers and their animals during 50 years as a practising veterinarian. From his chance meeting with one of the heirs of the giant Heineken Brewery in Holland following World War II, to treating the horses of one the Ottawa Valley’s most notorious bank robbers, Paddy Mitchell, Dr. Armitage’s books are an enjoyable read of personal observations and sound country advice and wisdom.

And, not to be overlooked, Dr. Armitage’s culinary talents are not to be overlooked. Each year, his delicious homemade jellies and pickles are ribbon contenders at the Carp Fall Fair.

(Bill Galvin)