Canadian Parachute Badge Regulations 1950s

[slaird]

When did the Canadian Army regulations for the parachute badge change to allow permanent wear of the badge after basic jump qualification? In Dec 1948 my grandfather earned his parachute badge at Rivers Manitoba as a member of 1 PPCLI. In early 1952 upon return to Canada from Korea with 2 PPCLI he voluntarily declined to continued jumping. This was possibly due to an old war injury to his leg in 1943 flaring up and causing discomfort. The regulations at the time (CAO 84-25) required three years service in a jump battalion to retain wearing of the parachute badge. 2PPCLI was not considered a jump battalion while serving in Korea. However on return to Canada from Korea 2 PPCLI took over jump battalion designation from 1 PPCLI. My grandfather was required to forfeit his para badge in 1952 and was posted out of 2PPCLI. However I have a photograph of him wearing his jump wings in 1956 at the School of Infantry, Camp Borden. By that time he had rebadged to the Canadian Guards and later QOR. Retired in 1966.

 

[exspy]

When did the Canadian Army regulations for the parachute badge change to allow permanent wear of the badge after basic jump qualification? In Dec 1948 my grandfather earned his parachute badge at Rivers Manitoba as a member of 1 PPCLI. In early 1952 upon return to Canada from Korea with 2 PPCLI he voluntarily declined to continued jumping. This was possibly due to an old war injury to his leg in 1943 flaring up and causing discomfort. The regulations at the time (CAO 84-25) required three years service in a jump battalion to retain wearing of the parachute badge. 2PPCLI was not considered a jump battalion while serving in Korea. However on return to Canada from Korea 2 PPCLI took over jump battalion designation from 1 PPCLI. My grandfather was required to forfeit his para badge in 1952 and was posted out of 2PPCLI. However I have a photograph of him wearing his jump wings in 1956 at the School of Infantry, Camp Borden. By that time he had rebadged to the Canadian Guards and later QOR. Retired in 1966.

Your grandfather sounds like an interesting guy. Can you tell us more about his service?

I had never heard of the three-year rule, but a) I can't see all of the Regular soldiers who went to Korea with their respective 2nd Battalions having to forfeit their wings for no other reason than an administrative order and b) their may very well have been an amendment or cancellation of CAO 84-25 in later years which saw soldiers like your grandfather having their wings reinstated.

 

[Blackadder1916]

Your grandfather sounds like an interesting guy. Can you tell us more about his service?

I had never heard of the three-year rule, but a) I can't see all of the Regular soldiers who went to Korea with their respective 2nd Battalions having to forfeit their wings for no other reason than an administrative order and b) their may very well have been an amendment or cancellation of CAO 84-25 in later years which saw soldiers like your grandfather having their wings reinstated.

What the CFAOs were from the 1970s through to 1990s.

CFAO 10-6 -- AIRBORNE DUTY WITH THE SPECIAL SERVICE FORCE

5. Parachutist volunteers for the Special Service Force will serve a minimum three-year tour of duty. Members may be permitted to extend their tour with the Special Service Force provided that:

CFAO 55-10 -- THE CREATION AND AWARDING OF CANADIAN FORCES FLYING AND SPECIALIST SKILL BADGES

PARACHUTE BADGE
22. A qualified parachutist will normally forfeit the parachute badge when:
a. after qualification on a CF-approved parachutist course, the
member refuses to serve as a parachutist;
b. the member requests to discontinue parachuting before completion
two years of satisfactory parachute duty;
c. after volunteering for service in the Canadian Airborne Regiment,
the member refuses to serve there as a parachutist after
qualification on a CF-approved parachutist course; or
d. the member refuses to make a parachute descent at any time while
serving in a position in an airborne unit for which the member is
entitled to draw paratroop allowance.[/URL]

 

[slaird]

Your grandfather sounds like an interesting guy. Can you tell us more about his service?

I had never heard of the three-year rule, but a) I can't see all of the Regular soldiers who went to Korea with their respective 2nd Battalions having to forfeit their wings for no other reason than an administrative order and b) their may very well have been an amendment or cancellation of CAO 84-25 in later years which saw soldiers like your grandfather having their wings reinstated.

I would suspect that CAO 84-25 was amended but I have not been able to find a reference. Certain battalions were designated as para battalions for the newly created Mobile Striking Force. 1 PPCLI was one of the first para battalions with parachute training occurring in 1948/49. When the Korean War broke out 2 PPCLI was raised for Far East service but it was not designated as a para battalion until its return to Canada in late 1951 when it took over the para role from 1PPCLI that was proceeding to Korea. Apparently service in Korea was not considered a parachute role. Consequently when my grandfather (who was still with 2 PPCLI) decided not to jump anymore he was required to forfeit that para badge and was posted out of the battalion to Western Command I&A Cadre.

The following is the contents of a memo in my grandfathers service file from 1952. Please excuse the formatting as I had some difficulting in pasting this from MS Word.

Memorandum

Ottawa, 6 May 52

Entitlement to Wear Cdn Para Badge

Posted in rank Sgt to 1 PPCLI
1PPCLI commenced Para Trg Oct 48
Qualified on course #14 Inf Para Trg course 28 Dec 48
Posted to Cdn Army Special Force (2PPCLI) 17 Sep 50
2PPCLI designated Para Bn Nov 51
If he can count his service in CASF as time served in Para unit he would have more than sufficient time to qualify under CAO 109–1(6)(c). However, if he cannot, he has approximately 24 months to count toward the required time.

FW Oxley, Major, Pers RCIC

Minute 2

1.Under the provision of CAO 84–25 this WO could not retain the parachute badge once he has not served the required time with a parachute unit. 2. Since it will be known in 2 PPCLI that this WO has voluntarily discontinued parachuting, it appears even more mandatory that he relinquish the badge to prevent the establishment of a precedent.

RN Bruce Maj, for D Inf, 7 May 52

Minute 3

1.If this WO has not completed a total of three years active parachute duty on strength of a parachute unit, etc., (as stated in CAO 84–25) he must forfeit his badge, having declared his intention to discontinue jumping. 2. Such declaration must be submitted to his CO in writing.

GWG, Trg6, 8 May 52

Minute 4

A short minute that is not legible.

 

[slaird]

What the CFAOs were from the 1970s through to 1990s.

CFAO 10-6 -- AIRBORNE DUTY WITH THE SPECIAL SERVICE FORCE


CFAO 55-10 -- THE CREATION AND AWARDING OF CANADIAN FORCES FLYING AND SPECIALIST SKILL BADGES

Thanks for those references. Have you ever come across the pre-unification Canadian Army CAOs on this subject?