question

[Billy]

Hello everyone.I'm a new member and I have a question about finding military information from the government. My father served in the Third Infantry Division, Royal Canadian Engineers in 1945, Holland and Germany. He's had alzheimer's for the past 12 years and I never had the opportunity to find out the details of his service in WWII. Where do I start?

Thanks, Bill

 

[BDG.CalgHighrs]

Hello everyone.I'm a new member and I have a question about finding military information from the government. My father served in the Third Infantry Division, Royal Canadian Engineers in 1945, Holland and Germany. He's had alzheimer's for the past 12 years and I never had the opportunity to find out the details of his service in WWII. Where do I start?

Thanks, Bill

Finding government documents can be done, but it isn't fun. Reading them is even less fun. I would go that route only after exhausting other sources. My own recomendation is to look up some books first. If nothing else this can give you some background. (when I get home today I can make some recomendations)

Veterans Affairs has recently become considerably easier to navigate. I haven't done much poking around, but you can always see what there is.
http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/general/sub.cfm?source=history/secondwar

If you are looking for specific information about your father, I would call veterans affairs and see if they can help or at least point you in a direction where  you might find something.

1-877-604-8489 is the number for general inquiries through Canada Remembers.

Cheers.

 

[Danjanou]

You might want to start with some research on the Engineer units assigned to 3rd Div:

Headquarters RCE
Third Field Park Company, RCE
6th Field Company, RCE
16th Field Company, RCE
18th Field Company, RCE
One bridge platoon

Spr Earl a regular on this site may be able to help you with info on 6th Fd (he's not that old, but may have access to unit histories)

(Thanks to Mr Dorosh and his detailed site which made this little piece of research easy 8))

 

[A Derby]

Bill,
Did you find your father's RCE unit? My Dad was in 18th Field Company, RCE, 3rd Canadian Division and me have some information for you.

 

[3rd Herd]

Billy,
for general information there are several good and quite readable books by Copps for example "Opening up the Channel Ports", Whittaker, Graves, Fowler etc. Also "Old Sweat" has written a book on in this sort of area in this I mean Canadians fighting in Europe and he maybe be able to help.

A quick poke around the nether world:

"The Canadian engineers landing at D-Day consisted of 5th, 6th, 16th and 18th Field Coys, Royal Canadian Engineers and the 3rd Field Park Coy. The 16th Field Coy was assigned along with 6th Field Coy to support 7th and 8th Canadian Infantry Brigades landing at "Mike" and "Nan" beaches." http://34gbc3fd.ca/histuniteolden.asp

"In Boulogne, attempts to cross the River Liane were foiled by blown bridges until 18th Field Company Royal Cdn. Engineers improvised a bridge, fitting timbers together without benefit of nails. By dawn on the 19th, the Highland Light Infantry was across to begin clearing the remaining coastal gun batteries. Boulogne finally surrendered on the afternoon of Sept. 22, 1944." http://www.legionmagazine.com/features/canadianmilitaryhistory/00-05.asp

Also you can peruse:

http://www.dnd.ca/dhh/history_archives/engraph/cmhq_e.asp?cat=1
http://www.dnd.ca/dhh/history_archives/engraph/ahq_e.asp?cat=1

 

[Michael OLeary]

question
« on: May 01, 2005, 17:01:42 »

Billy's post was a long time ago, his account is now dead, and so is this thread.

Usual caveats apply.

Army.ca Staff