Description
Physical description
A dark blue printed strip of "waterproof" cotton on which printed in red sans-serif capitals 13RCA
Label
Stitched into a loop and worn over the epaulette, in conjunction with a plain 3rd Division patch, for which see INS 30, or plain 3rd Division CAOF patch, for which see INS 34.
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: the Regiment mobilized on 24th May 1940 with two paired Batteries, 44th/62nd and 22nd/78th, and was designated as 3rd Canadian Infantry Divisional troops. Effective 1st January 1941, the Batteries regained their individual identity and the Regiment re-organized on a three battery basis, retaining 22nd, 44th and 78th Batteries. 62nd Battery moved to 4th LAA Regiment in the same Division.
The Regiment arrived in the UK in November 1941. 3rd Division was selected as an assault formation for the D-Day landings and the Regiment, in support of 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade, came under a special establishment and was armed with 105mm SP guns ('Priests'). These were fired on the run-in to the beaches on 6th June 1944. After the beach-head was established the Regiment exchanged its SP guns for the standard towed 25pdrs of an infantry division on 1st August 1944.
The Regiment was authorized to disband with effect from 14th November 1945.
A reconstituted second 13th Field Regiment was formed, effective, 1st June 1945, for service with the Canadian Army Occupation Force. This Regiment was disbanded with effect from 13th April 1946.
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.