Description
Physical description
A dark blue wool strip on which embroidered in red sans-serif capitals 3LAA/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 the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division patch, for which see INS 29.
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 28th September 1940 with 15th, 16th and 17th LAA Batteries under command and was designated as 2nd Canadian Infantry Division's LAA unit. The Regiment arrived in the UK at the beginning of March 1941 and assembled at Colchester where it was joined by 53rd LAA Battery (converted from 53rd Field Battery effective 1st January 1941). (Divisional LAA Regiments at this time had four batteries.) At about this time 15th LAA Battery was re-designated 38th LAA Battery, backdated to 1 January 1941. The Regiment initially deployed along the south coast as part of the Air Defence of Great Britain and did not join the Division until mid March 1942.
A total of 10 officers and 236 other ranks took part in Operation Jubilee, the raid on Dieppe on 19 August 1942.
In March 1943 Divisional LAA Regiments were reduced from four to three batteries and 53rd Battery departed.
The Regiment landed on the Normandy beaches under command of 2nd Division on 7th July 1944. It took part in the fighting around Caen and the breakout battles, then in the closing of the Falaise Gap. It attended a remembrance parade in Dieppe on 3rd September and subsequently fought with the Division through France, Belgium, Holland and Germany to the end of the war.
The Regiment was authorised to disband, effective 24th 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.