 Another week with Gunner Helmcken in France from January 8 to 14. He is back from his leave in England but has been attached to Headquarters as an orderly. The weather is cold with some snow and a lot of mud. He was nearly hit by enemy artillery and there are sounds like tunnelling from the ground underneath the position. Read the latest entries here.
 Training continues with riding, gun drill and signalling. But there is also plenty of opportunity for travelling and a busy social life . https://www.vancouvergunners.ca/gonnason-diary.html
 A new video has been uploaded to the 2006 Cougar Salvo page. It shows some action at the gun line. I can hear Lieutenant Andrew Grieves in the box, but I can’t identify anyone else. Are you in the video? Did I place it on the correct page? Email me at [email protected] More to follow…..
Gunner Norman Bailey Clark started his militray career with the 29th Battalion, NPAM and then joined 15th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery, RCA, NPAM before the Second World War. Going Active, he enlisted with the 31st Heavy Battery, 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade, RCA, CASF at Stanley Park. A desire to join the fight in Europe prompted him to volunteer for overseas service and he transferred to the 3rd Medium Regiment, RCA, CASF; He died of wounds 8 Aug 1944 and is interred at the Beny-Sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, Reviers, France.   Added an additional member to our list of Fallen. Gunner Frederick Barrett was taken on strength with the 85th Battery, 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade, RCA, CASF on 2 April 1940. He subsequently volunteered for an overseas draft and was taken on strength with the 4th Light Anti Aircraft Regiment, RCA, CASF. He was killed in action 25 July 1944 and is interred at Beny-Sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, Reviers, France. He left behind a wife and child in England. Lest we forget.   The group photo from the Soldiers' Appreciation Dinner in December, 2021 has been updated with names. Did we get your name and rank correct? Send me an email at [email protected] for any corrections.   Horses have been acquired and equipment for the Battery is finally starting to arrive. However, the Battery Commander of 60th Battery appears to have run into some issues and has been replaced. https://www.vancouvergunners.ca/gonnason-diary.html
 The special leave in England is over and it's time to head back to the war in France. Looks like it's going to be tough transitioning back to the damp and cold. The train system has gone from having a porter prepare your bed to being herd into a box car! Check out the diary here.
 Is this preparation for war?
Lieutenant Gonnason goes on leave in London. Dinner at Frescortis; the Savoir, lunch at the Piccadille, dinner at the Queens; the Alhambra, finished up at the Savoy, Madame Tussauds Wax Works, tea at the Elysie, the Empire in the evening, dinner at the Strand Palace. Went to West Surrey Golf Club & had a game. Check out the details here. |
Archives
October 2024
|
RSS Feed