Description
Physical description
A dark blue wool strip on which embroidered in red sans-serif capitals 6RCA.
Label
Stitched into a loop and worn over the epaulette. Worn in conjunction with the plain 2nd 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 6th Field Brigade and was assigned to 2nd Canadian Infantry Division. On 1st June 1940 it became 6th Field Regiment and took under command 13th/21st and 91st/111th Field Batteries. Divisional field regiments at that time were two-battery units. The Regiment arrived in the UK
on 5th September 1940 where, effective 1st January 1941, the Batteries regained their individual identities. The Regiment re-organized on a three-battery basis, with 13th (Winnipeg), 21st and 91st Field Batteries under command. 111th Battery became joined 7th Anti-Tank Regiment.
One member of the Regiment managed to participate in the Dieppe raid on 19th August 1942, was wounded and awarded the MC.
The Regiment landed in Normandy on 8th July 1944 and came into action first at Carpiquet on 13th July, in support of 3rd Canadian Division. The Regiment fought throughout the North West Europe campaign, principally in support of 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade.
The Regiment was authorized to disband effective from 23rd September 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.