Description
Physical description
badge
An upward curve of red wool with a large rectangular extension centrally abovea, all with squared ends , (Waring shape 3) on which embroidered in white serif capitals CANADIAN above and GRENADIER GUARDS below.
Label
There is at least one variation to this title with rounded corners.
Unit history: Regiment mobilized 24 May 1940 and joined the 12th Infantry Brigade of the 4th Division, which had been authorised to form on 27 May. When the Division was converted to an armoured formation in January 1942 the Regiment, along with the five other infantry battalions of the 10th and 12th Brigades, converted to armour. The Grenadiers became 22nd Armoured Regiment (Canadian Grenadier Guards) in 4th Armoured Brigade. They embarked for the UK in September 1942. The Division landed in Normandy on 26 July 1944 and their first major operation was the second phase of Operation Totalize beginning on 8 August. For the Reichwald battle, Operation Blockbuster in February 1945, the Regiment paired up with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada to form two of the 'Tiger' Battle Groups based on 4th Armoured Brigade. Battle Group Snuff comprised two squadrons with two companies in extemporised a.p.c.s and Battle Group Jock had one squadron with two companies with wheeled transport.
On 1 June 1945 the Regiment began to re-mobilize for service with the 6th Canadian Division, Canadian Army Pacific Force, where it was to provide the armoured support unit for the Division. The war ended before the re-mobilization was completed.
(A 2nd Battalion served with the Reserve Army.)
To be completed)
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: CANADA'S ARMY IN WORLD WAR II: Badges and Histories of the Corps and Regiments. F. R. Tripp. Unitrade Press, Toronto, 1983; FORMATION AND UNIT SIGNS OF THE BRITISH REGULAR ARMY AND TERRITORIAL ARMY. Major John Waring. Identification Pamphlet No. 1. Privately published, no date (c. 1950s) Key to Shapes of Shoulder Titles. THE CANADIAN SOLDIER In North West Europe 1944 –1945. Jean Bouchery. Histoire & Collections, Paris, 2003. Official History of the Canadian Army in the Second World War. Volume I: SIX YEARS OF WAR: The Army in Canada, Britain and the Pacific. Lt. Col. C. P. Stacey. Ottawa, 1955. Volume III: THE VICTORY CAMPAIGN, Operations in North West Europe 1944 –1945. Col. C. P. Stacey. Ottawa, 1960
Inscription
CANADIAN / GRENADIER GUARDS