Description
Physical description
badge
An upward curve of "waterproof" cotton with a rectsngular extension centrally above, (Waring shape 12), all with squared ends, in red material with blue printed sans serif capital letters N.B. above, RANGERS below and CANADA in smaller capitals below again.
Label
This particular title dates to after November 1942, which is when the printed cotton material was introduced. Versions of this title exist in embroidered form.
Unit history: Regiment mobilized 1 January 1941 and served initially in a coast defence role at Goose Bay, Labrador. In September 1943 it was earmarked for service overseas and embarked for the UK to join 4th Canadian (Armoured) Division to form 10th Support Group, effectively a machine gun company and at some stage they were renamed the 10th Independent Machine Gun Company, 4th Canadian (Armoured) Division. They landed in this role with the Division in Normandy on 26 July 1944. Their first major operation was the second phase of Operation Totalize, beginning 8th August 1944. For the Reichwald battle, Operation Blockbuster in February 1945, the Regiment formed part of Lion Group, the battlegroup based on 11th Infantry Brigade where they partnered the South Alberta and Algonquin Regiments.
(A second Battalion served in the Reserve Army.)
Formation history: for a summary history of 4 Division, see INS 16. (To be completed)
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: CANADA'S ARMY IN WORLD WAR II: Badges and Histories of the Corps and Regiments. F. R. Tripp. Unitrade Press, Toronto, 1983. FORMATION AND UNIT SIGNS OF THE BRITISH REGULAR ARMY AND TERRITORIAL ARMY. Major John Waring. Identification Pamphlet No. 1. Privately published, no date (c. 1950s) Key to Shapes of Shoulder Titles. THE CANADIAN SOLDIER In North West Europe 1944 –1945. Jean Bouchery. Histoire & Collections, Paris, 2003. Official History of the Canadian Army in the Second World War. Volume III: THE VICTORY CAMPAIGN, Operations in North West Europe 1944 –1945. Col. C. P. Stacey. Ottawa, 1960.
Inscription
N.B. / RANGERS / CANADA