Description
Physical description
A dark blue wool strip on which embroidered in red sans-serif capitals 2LAA/RCA. The LAA is in small letters set at a 45' angle from the foot of the figure to the top of the R.
Label
Stitched into a loop and worn over the epaulette. Worn in conjunction with 1st Canadian Infantry Division patch, for which see INS 15.
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 was mobilized effective 24 May 1940. It took under command 4th LAA Battery (a Permanent Force battery recently converted from an AA battery) and 5th LAA Battery. The Regiment moved to the UK in March 1941 where it was joined by 2nd (Yorkton) LAA Battery (recently re-designated from 1st (Yorkton) LAA Battery) and 54th LAA Battery (converted from 54th Field Battery effective 1 January 1941). (Divisional LAA Regiments at this time had four batteries.) The Regiment concentrated at Colchester. It was designated as the LAA unit of 1st Canadian Infantry Division but was initially deployed as part of the Air Defence of Great Britain on the south coast and did not join the Division until the spring of 1942.
In March 1943 Divisional LAA Regiments were reduced to three batteries and 4th Battery was removed.
The Regiment moved with 1st Division to the Mediterranean at the end of June 1943 and landed as part of the invasion of Sicily on 10th and 11th July 1943. The Regiment crossed to Italy on 4th September where it fought with the Division until all Canadian troops were transferred to North West Europe in February –March 1945 under Operation Goldflake. It fought with 1st Division in Holland to the end of the war. The Regiment was authorised to disband effective 31st 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.