Description
Physical description
A dark blue printed strip of "waterproof" cotton on which printed in red sans-serif capitals 8LAA/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 and worn over the epaulette. Worn in conjunction with the 4th Canadian Division patch, for which see INS 16.
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.
When 4th Canadian Infantry Division was converted to an armoured division, effective 26 January 1942, the previously designated Divisional LAA Regiment, the 6th, was removed from the Division's order of battle. The Division at that time required only one Field Regiment and the second Field Regiment, the 16th, was re-designated 8th LAA Regiment. It kept the 70th and the 102nd Batteries, which were converted to LAA, and took over one of the 6th LAA Regimental Batteries, 101st. The Batteries initially served in Newfoundland before going to the UK in mid-August 1942. They trained under 1st Canadian AA Brigade at Colchester before moving to gun sites on the south coast as part of the Air Defence of Great Britain.
The Regiment landed in Normandy between 25 and 27 June, under 4th Armoured Divisional command. It fought throughout the North West Europe campaign.
The Regiment was authorized to disband with effect from 12 December 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 CANADA The 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.