The Royal Canadian Artillery
Vancouver, BC
1939
Vancouver, BC
1939
as at 19 October 2021
The year 1939 was a tumultuous year for the country and for the Brigade. The 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade, The Royal Canadian Artillery had been reformed from the 15th Field Brigade, The Royal Canadian Artillery the previous year and was settling into it's new role as Coastal Artillery. On the 5 May 1939, the Brigade lost the 68th Heavy Battery and the attached 5th Battery to the newly formed 1st Anti-Aircraft Regiment, The Royal Canadian Artillery. Two and a half months later, on 25 August 1939, the Brigade was mobilized.
The 1st Anti-Aircraft Regiment was formed on 5 May 1939 consisting of the 9th Anti-Aircraft Battery (formerly 68th Heavy Battery, 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA), 10th Anti-Aircraft Battery and 11th Anti-Aircraft Battery (formerly 5th Medium Battery, 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA).
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Regimental Christmas Party
The 15th (Vancouver) Coast Regiment RCA, 1st Anti-Aircraft Regiment RCA and the 1st Searchlight Regiment RCA were treated to the largest Christmas Party in town. |
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Soldiers' Play
The 15th Coast Brigade RCA and the BC Hussars seemed to have gotten together to stage a play at the Orpheum Theatre. We know very little about the event. In the Accessions Ledger, it only states that Sergeant F. DeWest is at the organ. The other facts that we know are that the BC Hussars were reroled as the the 1st Searchlight Regiment in May of 1939. Could we make an assumption that this play was produced prior to that event, although World War 2 did not begin until 10 September 1939. See more...
The 15th Coast Brigade RCA and the BC Hussars seemed to have gotten together to stage a play at the Orpheum Theatre. We know very little about the event. In the Accessions Ledger, it only states that Sergeant F. DeWest is at the organ. The other facts that we know are that the BC Hussars were reroled as the the 1st Searchlight Regiment in May of 1939. Could we make an assumption that this play was produced prior to that event, although World War 2 did not begin until 10 September 1939. See more...
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BC Hussars
Prior to being re-roled as a searchlight unit, the BC Hussars were a reconnaissance unit. Originally with horses, the unit became motorized by renting MGs (Morris Garages) such as the ones pictured here parked in front of Bessborough Armoury. These photos may actually have been taken in 1938. |
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Obituaries
Bombardier Norman Stanley Bajus
Passed away Sept. 14, 1939, in city, Norman Stanley Bajus. Survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Norman J. Bajus, and 1 brother, Douglas. Funeral this afternoon, Sept. 16th, at 1:15 o’clock, from Center & Hanna’s Chapel, Rev. George Biddle officiating. Committal in Returning Soldiers’ plot, Mountain View Cemetery. Full military honors will be held.
Passed away Sept. 14, 1939, in city, Norman Stanley Bajus. Survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Norman J. Bajus, and 1 brother, Douglas. Funeral this afternoon, Sept. 16th, at 1:15 o’clock, from Center & Hanna’s Chapel, Rev. George Biddle officiating. Committal in Returning Soldiers’ plot, Mountain View Cemetery. Full military honors will be held.
Driver Peter Brass
Passed away suddenly at Mission Memorial Hospital, July 12, 1939, Peter Brass, age 57, resident of Ruskin for many years; native of the Orkney Islands. He leaves to mourn his passing, 3 sisters and 1 brother, all residing in the Orkney Islands. Funeral services will be held in Gillies Mortuary Chapel, Mission, on Sat., July 15, at 2:30 p.m. Members of Fidelity Lodge No. 25, I.O.O.F., will attend. Rev. Currie-Thompson officiating. Internment is Hatzic Cemetery.
Peter enrolled with the 68th Overseas Depot Battery, Canadian Field Artillery in 1916, embarked for England with the 15th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery and served in France and Belgium with the 4th and 5th Divisional Ammunition Columns.
Passed away suddenly at Mission Memorial Hospital, July 12, 1939, Peter Brass, age 57, resident of Ruskin for many years; native of the Orkney Islands. He leaves to mourn his passing, 3 sisters and 1 brother, all residing in the Orkney Islands. Funeral services will be held in Gillies Mortuary Chapel, Mission, on Sat., July 15, at 2:30 p.m. Members of Fidelity Lodge No. 25, I.O.O.F., will attend. Rev. Currie-Thompson officiating. Internment is Hatzic Cemetery.
Peter enrolled with the 68th Overseas Depot Battery, Canadian Field Artillery in 1916, embarked for England with the 15th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery and served in France and Belgium with the 4th and 5th Divisional Ammunition Columns.
Driver James Parr Cunliffe
Passed away at his residence, 136 Hythe St., Capitol Hill, Aug, 27, 1939, aged 71 years. Survived by his wife; one daughter, Edna, at home. Funeral Wednesday, at 3 o’clock, from Chapman Funeral Home, Broadway at Willow, Rev. W.H. Newman officiating. Interment Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
James enrolled with the 68th Overseas Depot Battery, Canadian Field Artillery in 1916, embarked for England 1 May 1916 but returned to Canada 26 May 1917 due to arthritic pain. He was about 44 years old when he enrolled.
Passed away at his residence, 136 Hythe St., Capitol Hill, Aug, 27, 1939, aged 71 years. Survived by his wife; one daughter, Edna, at home. Funeral Wednesday, at 3 o’clock, from Chapman Funeral Home, Broadway at Willow, Rev. W.H. Newman officiating. Interment Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
James enrolled with the 68th Overseas Depot Battery, Canadian Field Artillery in 1916, embarked for England 1 May 1916 but returned to Canada 26 May 1917 due to arthritic pain. He was about 44 years old when he enrolled.
Lieutenant Wilfrid Thomas Dawson
Pharmacology Teacher Dies
GALVESTON, Sept. 19 (AP). – Dr. W.T. Dawson, professor of pharmacology at the University of Texas medical branch here for the last 13 years, died Tuesday. He was a native of Canada and a graduate of Oxford.
Lieutenant Dawson served with the 5th Siege Battery as a Gunner during World War I.
Pharmacology Teacher Dies
GALVESTON, Sept. 19 (AP). – Dr. W.T. Dawson, professor of pharmacology at the University of Texas medical branch here for the last 13 years, died Tuesday. He was a native of Canada and a graduate of Oxford.
Lieutenant Dawson served with the 5th Siege Battery as a Gunner during World War I.
Gunner James McDonald
James McDonald, Sportsman, Dies
Funeral services for James McDonald, 47, Richmond pioneer, of Ewen Farm, No. 9 Road, Lulu Island, were conducted by Rev. J.R. Wilson, Monday, in Harron Bros. chapel; interment, family plot Mountain View cemetery. Pallbearers were A. Gilmore, Q. Crawford, P. Murphy, J. Cooney, O. Massey, S. Kearns.
Mr. McDonald was born on Sea Island, where his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. John McDonald, farmed for many years. He died in Royal Columbian Hospital, New Westminster, March 23, after a short illness. Surviving are three sisters and one brother.
He served overseas in the great war with the 16th Battery, 2nd Canadian Division Field Artillery for three and a half years. After the war, with his brother, he farmed land which is now part of the City Airport, until its purchase by the city of Vancouver.
He was a member of the B.C. Clydesdale Horse Association and an active sportsman, having played lacrosse for Eburne, the Native Sons and the first Richmond lacrosse team. He was a follower of amateur sports and had many friends in surrounding districts.
James McDonald, Sportsman, Dies
Funeral services for James McDonald, 47, Richmond pioneer, of Ewen Farm, No. 9 Road, Lulu Island, were conducted by Rev. J.R. Wilson, Monday, in Harron Bros. chapel; interment, family plot Mountain View cemetery. Pallbearers were A. Gilmore, Q. Crawford, P. Murphy, J. Cooney, O. Massey, S. Kearns.
Mr. McDonald was born on Sea Island, where his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. John McDonald, farmed for many years. He died in Royal Columbian Hospital, New Westminster, March 23, after a short illness. Surviving are three sisters and one brother.
He served overseas in the great war with the 16th Battery, 2nd Canadian Division Field Artillery for three and a half years. After the war, with his brother, he farmed land which is now part of the City Airport, until its purchase by the city of Vancouver.
He was a member of the B.C. Clydesdale Horse Association and an active sportsman, having played lacrosse for Eburne, the Native Sons and the first Richmond lacrosse team. He was a follower of amateur sports and had many friends in surrounding districts.
Lists
The following pages contain additional information relating to the 15th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA
Honours and Awards
Trophies
Commanding Officers and Regimental Sergeants Major
Honoraries
Battery Commanders and Battery Sergeants Major
Band Appointments
Nominal Roll
Guns of the Regiment
Memorial Page
The following pages contain additional information relating to the 15th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA
Honours and Awards
Trophies
Commanding Officers and Regimental Sergeants Major
Honoraries
Battery Commanders and Battery Sergeants Major
Band Appointments
Nominal Roll
Guns of the Regiment
Memorial Page