CWO Arthur Rest, MMM, CD (Ret'd)
Service & Leadership
Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) Arthur Rest enrolled in the Canadian Army in 1960, initially serving with the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps before transferring to the Corps of RCEME as a Vehicle Technician in 1966. Over a 35-year career, he held a wide range of technical and leadership appointments across Canada and overseas, including technical instructor, Equipment Technical Quartermaster Sergeant, Base Maintenance Officer and senior Life Cycle Material Management technician within the Directorate of Combat Mobility at National Defence Headquarters.
In field units, he demonstrated exceptional ability to sustain equipment under demanding conditions while leading and mentoring soldiers. As EME Branch Chief Warrant Officer from 1991 to 1995, he served as the senior non-commissioned advisor to Army leadership, strengthening technical standards, reinforcing esprit de corps and ensuring the Corps remained effective during a period of significant operational and technological change.
Legacy & Impact
CWO Rest’s influence extended well beyond his formal appointments. As a career manager, he shaped the professional development of thousands of RCEME soldiers, earning a reputation for fairness, sound judgement and steadfast advocacy.
Following retirement, he continued to serve the Corps through leadership roles with the RCEME Association, the RCEME Guild and as a founding Director of the RCEME Foundation. His efforts helped unify serving and retired members and strengthened the preservation of RCEME heritage. His legacy endures in the standards he upheld and the cohesion he fostered across the Corps.
Awards & Recognition
- Member of the Order of Military Merit (MMM)
- Canadian Forces Decoration (CD)
- Director RCEME Coin of Excellence
CWO Arthur E. Rest, MMM, CD (Ret’d) was inducted into the RCEME Museum’s Leaders & Trailblazers on 14 May 2026.
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