Description
Physical description
A dark blue wool strip on which embroidered in red sans-serif capitals 7A/T - RCA. The A/T is in small letters.
Label
Stitched into a loop and worn over the epaulette. Worn in conjunction with the 1st Canadian Corps Artillery patch, for which see INS 104.
Being of woollen cloth, this particular badge may date from before the end of 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 1st February 1941. It formed in the UK on 25th July 1941 and was assigned as 1st Canadian Corps Anti-Tank Regiment. It took under command 15th, 104th, 111th (Nelson) and 113th Anti-Tank Batteries. 15th Battery had converted in the UK from a Field Battery in February 1941. In early September 1943 it received twelve M10 3inch SP guns and remained SP throughout. 104th Battery had mobilized as part of 4th Anti-Tank Regiment but had been removed from that Regiment when 4th Division had become armoured and required only three anti-tank batteries. 104th went to the UK in April 1941 as an independent towed battery and joined 7th Regiment when it formed in July. 111th Battery converted in the UK from a Field Battery to Anti-Tank with effect from 1st January 1941 and joined the Regiment when it formed in July. The Battery was armed with twelve M10 3inch SP guns. 113th Battery converted in the UK from a Field Battery with effect from 1st January and joined the Regiment in July.
The Regiment accompanied 1st Canadian Corps to the Mediterranean in November 1943 and was shipped via Algiers to Catania in Sicily before crossing to Italy on 3 January 1944. The Regiment served in Italy until it returned under Operation Goldflake with all other Canadian troops to North West Europe at the end of February 1945. 111th Battery was re-armed with M10 SP 17pdr guns in March 1945. The Regiment became operational in Holland on 17th April 1945 and served as Corps anti-tank to the end of the war.
The Regiment was authorized to disband with effect from 27th 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 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.