The Royal Canadian Artillery
Vancouver, BC
1939
Vancouver, BC
1939
as at 20 May 2018
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).
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...
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. |
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