Description
Physical description
A dark blue printed strip of "waterproof" cotton on which printed in red sans-serif capitals 6LAA/RCA. The LAA is in small letters set at a 45' angle from the foot of the figure to the top of the R.
Label
Stitched into a loop worn over the epaulette. Worn in conjunction with the 2nd Canadian Corps Artillery patch, for which see INS 279.
Being of printed cotton, this particular badge dates from after November 1942.
Formation patches and unit shoulder titles were both originally intended to be of woollen cloth, embroidered where appropriate. Canadian sources were unable to keep up with demand and British firms were contracted to make up the shortfall. UK orders were often placed without the benefit of the proper specifications, resulting in numerous local variations. In addition, under British wartime conditions there were problems in supplying the cloth and in its quality, the colours often fading or running. In November 1942 it was decided to switch to printed cotton patches and titles that were supposed not to fray, run or fade. These had a strong, usually black, backing and are often referred to as 'canvas'. Initial problems with poor colour matching, skewed shapes or sloping letters were overcome and after the end of 1942 most patches and titles were of this kind. Complaints that these badges too faded after use emerged in October 1944, with a request to return to wool. For reasons of supply, labour and cost this appears not to have been realisable during hostilities.
Regimental history.
The Regiment mobilized with effect from 5th September 1941 with 1st, 30th, 101st and 112th LAA Batteries under command. It was assigned to 4th Canadian Infantry Division. When that Division became an armoured formation in January 1942, 6th LAA Regiment left its order of battle and at the same time lost its 101st Battery, becoming a three battery unit, as it remained for the rest of the war. The Regiment had already provided a composite Troop for the defence of Prince Rupert in British Columbia and 112th Battery transferred there in June 1942 to man the Island defences and the airfield on Annette Island, Alaska. At the same time, 30th Battery also moved west, to help defend Vancouver and Yorke Islands.
The Regiment concentrated again in September 1942 and left for the UK the following month. It initially trained under 1st Canadian AA Brigade at Colchester and in mid February 1943 came under command of 2nd Canadian Corps while it manned sites on the south coast as part of the Air Defence of Great Britain.
The Regiment landed in Normandy with 2nd Corps in July 1944 and served throughout the North West Europe campaign.
112th Battery received special instruction in the use of rocket launchers and during November 1944 supported attacks by 52nd (Lowland) and the Polish Armoured Divisions with rockets. 30th LAA Battery and two British batteries also manned launchers with the unit, which became known as 1st Rocket Battery RCA.
The Regiment was authorized to disband with effect 24th June 1945.
History note
Associated person: John Tiffin Murray Stewart b. 1917, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. d. 6 August 1964, 47 yrs., heart attack. Service record: Gunner M 4044 RCA. 1942: Reg. H2, HQ RCA, 1st Administration Corps. RCA CASF (Canadian Active Service Force) 1st Division. 1943: Reg. H3, 3rd Field Regt. RCA CASF 1st Division. 1944: 1st A Wing. No. 1 CARU (Canadian Artillery Reinforcement Unit).
Family history: 11 December 1942, married Elfreda Joan, nee Knight, at Congregational Church West Wickham, Kent. 15 June 1945, returned Canada. 27 June 1946, joined by family (on board 'Letitia'). August 1948, all family return to UK ('Queen Mary'). Moved to family home, Cavendish Way, West Wickham, Kent. Subsequently bought house, Oak Avenue, Shirley, Croydon.
History note
Bibliographical sources: THE GUNNERS OF CANADAThe History of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery. Volume II: 1919 –1967. Colonel G. W. L. Nicholson.McClelland & Stewart, 1972.BATTERY FLASHES OF W.W.II.D. W. Falconer. Privately published in Canada, 1985.