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... |
Sergeant Victor Albert Bourne
On Dec. 27, 1943, in hospital, of 2550 Laurel St., aged 58 years. Survived by his wife; 1 son, Victor N., and 2 grandchildren, city. Deceased served in World War I in the C.F.A. Funeral service in Center & Hanna’s chapel, Thursday morning, Dec 30, at 11 o’clock. Committal Soldiers’ Plot, Mountain View Cemetery.
On Dec. 27, 1943, in hospital, of 2550 Laurel St., aged 58 years. Survived by his wife; 1 son, Victor N., and 2 grandchildren, city. Deceased served in World War I in the C.F.A. Funeral service in Center & Hanna’s chapel, Thursday morning, Dec 30, at 11 o’clock. Committal Soldiers’ Plot, Mountain View Cemetery.
Gunner Fred Groves
On March 21, 1943, of 172 W. 4th Ave., aged 62 years. Survived by his wife and 4 daughters. Funeral was held Wednesday, March 24, at 3 o’clock from the T. Edwards Co. Memorial Chapel, Granville St. at 10th Ave., Rev. E. Williams officiating. Internment Mountain View Cemetery.
Gunner Groves enlisted with the Vancouver Volunteer Reserve, Boorman's Battery on 9 July 1915. He served with the 30th Battery, 8th Howitzer Brigade (later known as 22nd Battery, 6th Howitzer Brigade) in France and Belgium. After recovering from wounds suffered in action, he was transferred to 2nd Canadian Division Ammunition Column.
On March 21, 1943, of 172 W. 4th Ave., aged 62 years. Survived by his wife and 4 daughters. Funeral was held Wednesday, March 24, at 3 o’clock from the T. Edwards Co. Memorial Chapel, Granville St. at 10th Ave., Rev. E. Williams officiating. Internment Mountain View Cemetery.
Gunner Groves enlisted with the Vancouver Volunteer Reserve, Boorman's Battery on 9 July 1915. He served with the 30th Battery, 8th Howitzer Brigade (later known as 22nd Battery, 6th Howitzer Brigade) in France and Belgium. After recovering from wounds suffered in action, he was transferred to 2nd Canadian Division Ammunition Column.
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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. Flying Officer Gagnon joined the 68th Battery, 15th Field Brigade, CA in 1932. He was a Sergeant in 15th Field Brigade, RCA from 1937 to 1939 before transferring to the 9th Ant-Aircraft Battery, 1st Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA in 1939 and then the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1940. See more... |
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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. Colonel Macpherson enlisted as a Gunner in 68th Overseas Depot Battery 29 October 1915. Subsequently commissioned, he served overseas with the 12th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery and as a Staff Officer with 4th Divisional Artillery Headquarters. He joined 68th Battery, 15th Brigade Canadian Field Artillery in 1920 and served in the Veterans Home Guard during World War II. See more... |
Sergeant Charles Low McIntosh
Sergeant McIntosh was taken on strength with 58th Heavy Battery 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA on 22 September 1939, appointed Provisional Sergeant on 25 October 1939 and Provisional Battery Sergeant Major on 1 December 1939. He reverted to substantive Sergeant on 6 February 1940 and then to the rank of Gunner on 10 April 1942 prior to being taken on strength with 5th Medium Battery RCA and, once again, being appointed an Acting Sergeant the following day. He disembarked in the United Kingdom on 24 June 1942 with 3 Medium Regiment RCA. He died 5 January 1943 from gas gangrene following an appendectomy and is buried in Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey England . He was awarded the Defence Medal, 1939/1945 star and the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal. He left behind a wife and son.
Sergeant McIntosh was taken on strength with 58th Heavy Battery 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA on 22 September 1939, appointed Provisional Sergeant on 25 October 1939 and Provisional Battery Sergeant Major on 1 December 1939. He reverted to substantive Sergeant on 6 February 1940 and then to the rank of Gunner on 10 April 1942 prior to being taken on strength with 5th Medium Battery RCA and, once again, being appointed an Acting Sergeant the following day. He disembarked in the United Kingdom on 24 June 1942 with 3 Medium Regiment RCA. He died 5 January 1943 from gas gangrene following an appendectomy and is buried in Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey England . He was awarded the Defence Medal, 1939/1945 star and the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal. He left behind a wife and son.
Gunner Griffith John Morris
Served with 6th Australian Field Brigade, taken on strength with 11th Battery 1st Anti-Aircraft Regiment RCA on 1 September 1939 with rank of Bombardier, appointed Lance Sergeant on 1 October 1939, reverted to Gunner on 1 November 1939, transferred to 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA on 12 December 1939, attached to 21st Provost Company from February to September 1941, appointed Acting Lance Corporal 1 April 1942, ceases to be appointed Acting Lance Corporal on 17 June 1942, discharged as physically unfit for further military service on 7 October 1942, deceased 24 December 1943, buried at Mountainview Cemetery.
Served with 6th Australian Field Brigade, taken on strength with 11th Battery 1st Anti-Aircraft Regiment RCA on 1 September 1939 with rank of Bombardier, appointed Lance Sergeant on 1 October 1939, reverted to Gunner on 1 November 1939, transferred to 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA on 12 December 1939, attached to 21st Provost Company from February to September 1941, appointed Acting Lance Corporal 1 April 1942, ceases to be appointed Acting Lance Corporal on 17 June 1942, discharged as physically unfit for further military service on 7 October 1942, deceased 24 December 1943, buried at Mountainview Cemetery.
Lance Sergeant James Stevenson Richardson
Lance Sergeant Richardson was taken on strength with 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade, RCA as a Gunner in 1940 where he was posted to 58th Heavy Battery. He was appointed Lance Bombardier with pay in 1940, qualified as a clerk and reposted to Headquarters 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade, RCA. In 1942 he was made Acting Bombardier without pay, followed by Lance Bombardier and finally Lance Sergeant. He was admitted to Shaughnessy Military Hospital in February 1943 and died on 30 August 1943 from military tuberculosis constrictive pericarditis. He is buried at Mountain View Cemetery.
Lance Sergeant Richardson was taken on strength with 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade, RCA as a Gunner in 1940 where he was posted to 58th Heavy Battery. He was appointed Lance Bombardier with pay in 1940, qualified as a clerk and reposted to Headquarters 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade, RCA. In 1942 he was made Acting Bombardier without pay, followed by Lance Bombardier and finally Lance Sergeant. He was admitted to Shaughnessy Military Hospital in February 1943 and died on 30 August 1943 from military tuberculosis constrictive pericarditis. He is buried at Mountain View Cemetery.
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.
Gunner Watson enlisted with the 68th Overseas Depot Field Battery as a Gunner on 1 March 1916. He served overseas in England, however a bout of chronic bronchitis prevented him from serving in France and Belgium and he was invalided home. See more...
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.
Gunner Watson enlisted with the 68th Overseas Depot Field Battery as a Gunner on 1 March 1916. He served overseas in England, however a bout of chronic bronchitis prevented him from serving in France and Belgium and he was invalided home. See more...
Battery Sergeant Major Henry Witcombe
On July 2, 1943, of 2851 Selma Avenue, Burnaby, aged 67 years. Survived by his wife, Ada. Funeral service Monday, July 5, at 2 p.m., from Central Park Funeral Home, to Ocean View Burial Park. Cremation. Rev. H. Pearson officiating. No flowers, by request.
Battery Sergeant Major Witcombe enlisted with the Vancouver Volunteer Reserve, Boorman's Battery on 9 July 1915. Due to his previous service as Instructor with the Royal Garrison Artillery, he was promoted Sergeant and transferred to Canadian School of Gunnery as Battery Sergeant Major. He subsequently reverted to Gunner's rank and served in 40th Battery, 10th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery in France and Belgium. See more...
On July 2, 1943, of 2851 Selma Avenue, Burnaby, aged 67 years. Survived by his wife, Ada. Funeral service Monday, July 5, at 2 p.m., from Central Park Funeral Home, to Ocean View Burial Park. Cremation. Rev. H. Pearson officiating. No flowers, by request.
Battery Sergeant Major Witcombe enlisted with the Vancouver Volunteer Reserve, Boorman's Battery on 9 July 1915. Due to his previous service as Instructor with the Royal Garrison Artillery, he was promoted Sergeant and transferred to Canadian School of Gunnery as Battery Sergeant Major. He subsequently reverted to Gunner's rank and served in 40th Battery, 10th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery in France and Belgium. See more...
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