Description
Physical description
A dark blue wool strip on which embroidered in red sans-serif capitals 3RCA.
Label
Stitched into a loop and worn over the epaulette. Worn in conjunction with the plain 1st Division patch.
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 on 1st September 1939 as 3rd Field Brigade and was assigned to 1st Canadian Infantry Division. At that time divisional field regiments were two-battery units and the Regiment had under command two composite batteries, 19th/77th and 92nd/109th. The Regiment arrived in the UK on 18th December 1939 and was re-designated 3rd Field Regiment. On 1st January 1941 the Batteries regained their individual identity and the Regiment took under command 19th, 77th and 92nd Field Batteries. 109th Battery became a LAA Battery under 1st LAA Regiment.
The Regiment embarked with 1st Division for the Mediterranean in June 1943. 92nd Battery's Landing Ship was torpedoed and sunk on 4th July, the Battery losing 52 men and its guns, and a quarter of the Regiment's transport was also lost. The Regiment, less 92nd Battery, landed in the assault on Sicily on 10th July 1943. 92nd Battery was able to man captured Italian horse-drawn guns for a few days but had to await replacements to be shipped from Africa to become fully operational. The Regiment crossed to Italy on 3rd September 1943 and fought throughout the Italian campaign until February 1945. The Regiment moved with other Canadian forces to North West Europe under Operation Goldflake and became operational in Holland on 7th April 1945 when they were detached in support of 3rd Division's attack on Deventer. They returned to 1st Division for the remainder of the campaign.
The Regiment was authorized to disband with effect from 27th August 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.