The Royal Canadian Artillery
Vancouver, BC
1943
Vancouver, BC
1943
as at 14 November 2020
More info to follow.
More info to follow.
Active Service
The numerous Bofors positions established around Vancouver harbour and the neighbouring airfields were replaced in mid-1943 by sixteen sites for 3.7-inch, heavy anti-aircraft guns. When these guns were fired the concussion caused windows to rattle throughout the city. The air defence batteries were manned by the 28th Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery.
Vancouver Defended, Peter Moogk pg 83
Photos- Vancouver Archives
The numerous Bofors positions established around Vancouver harbour and the neighbouring airfields were replaced in mid-1943 by sixteen sites for 3.7-inch, heavy anti-aircraft guns. When these guns were fired the concussion caused windows to rattle throughout the city. The air defence batteries were manned by the 28th Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery.
Vancouver Defended, Peter Moogk pg 83
Photos- Vancouver Archives
Other Artillery Units in Vancouver
201st, 202nd, and 203rd Batteries; 39th (Reserve) Field Regiment, R.C.A. formed 1 April 1942 became 201st, 202nd, and 203rd Batteries; 11th (Reserve) Anti-Aircraft Regiment, R.C.A. on 13 Nov. 1943. Vancouver Archives provided the following photos of their social “Smoker” held in 1943.
201st, 202nd, and 203rd Batteries; 39th (Reserve) Field Regiment, R.C.A. formed 1 April 1942 became 201st, 202nd, and 203rd Batteries; 11th (Reserve) Anti-Aircraft Regiment, R.C.A. on 13 Nov. 1943. Vancouver Archives provided the following photos of their social “Smoker” held in 1943.
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Wedding
The groom Lieut Angus MacDougall Tierney, the best man Lieut G.J. Manson and two of the Ushers, Lieut J. Homan and Lieut K. Foote., were all members of the R.C.A. Unfortunately, the newspaper did not mention which units. |
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Lieutenant Qualifying Course
15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade: Lieutenants Angus Tierney, John Foote, W.J. Burnett Enroled later in 11th (Reserve) Anti-Aircraft Regiment: Lieutenant G.P. Lyons |
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Canteen Beer
Can't have the soldiers drinking into the civilian quotas. |
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Overseas
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Major George Cowan
Major Cowan was fortunate to have been granted a furlogh after three years overseas. |
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Notifications
In the world of the future there will be smart phones and emails to advise our loved ones when we're returning. In 1943 there were letters, telegrams and friends along the way. I'm sure Mrs Thrussel was ecstatic to receive the good news. |
Obituaries
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Sergeant Benjamin Harrison Bell
Hold Rites Today for B.H. Bell, 54 Mr. Bell was convalescing after a short illness when he had a sudden relapse. He was in his 55th year. Internment will be at Freleighsburg, Quebec. Joining the 51st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery in Ottawa as a signaller, he proceeded to France where he was wounded. After convalescing in England he volunteered for service with the North Russia Expeditionary Force and went to Archangel with the 68th Battery, R.C.A., as a sergeant. See more... |
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Flying Officer Lionel Edmond Charles Gagnon
A former Sergeant in the 15th Field Brigade, Canadian Artillery died in a flight training accident at Bagotville, Quebec on 16 February 1943. He was piloting a Hurricane which was in a mid air collision with a second Hurricane during a practice dogfight. Both aircraft were destroyed and both pilots were killed. He was survived by his wife, Mavis Cecile Gagnon and Mother, Rose de Lima Gagnon, of Vancouver. |
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Colonel Harry Lyall Macpherson
On Saturday, October 16th 1943, in hospital, Colonel Harry Lyall McPherson (Deputy Director of Prisoners of War), a former officer of 15th Brigade Canadian Field Artillery, aged 59 years, husband of the late Virginia Macpherson. Military funeral from the Parlors of George H. Rogers Ltd., 172 Elgin St., on Monday October 18 at 2.30 p.m. Internment Beechwood cemetery. Vancouver papers please copy. The Ottawa Evening Journal October 16th 1943 |
Gunner Charles Burton Watson
Funeral services for a well-known city, clothier, Charles Burton Watson, 56, of 2046 Beach, who died in General Hospital Tuesday, were held today in Mount Pleasant Chapel with Canon Harold G. King officiating.
Born in Calgary, he came to Vancouver 38 years ago. At one time he was a partner in the firm of Kerfoot and Watson, clothiers on Hastings. In recent years he has been associated with Charles Claman Ltd.
Surviving are his wife; two sons, Lieut. Chas. B., and Kenneth D, and two brothers, T. M. and George. The remains were cremated.
Funeral services for a well-known city, clothier, Charles Burton Watson, 56, of 2046 Beach, who died in General Hospital Tuesday, were held today in Mount Pleasant Chapel with Canon Harold G. King officiating.
Born in Calgary, he came to Vancouver 38 years ago. At one time he was a partner in the firm of Kerfoot and Watson, clothiers on Hastings. In recent years he has been associated with Charles Claman Ltd.
Surviving are his wife; two sons, Lieut. Chas. B., and Kenneth D, and two brothers, T. M. and George. The remains were cremated.
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