Just discovered another regimental history mystery. Let me walk you through the issue. 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA was amalgamated with the 43rd Medium Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA on 15 October 1959 and perpetuated the history of that regiment. The 43rd Medium Anti-Aircraft Regiment RCA was converted from the 43rd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment RCA on 18 August 1955 and the 43rd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment RCA wes redesignated from the 11th (Reserve) Anti-Aircraft Regiment RCA on 1 April 1946.
It's a long trail but it shows the path that our regimental history follows as we consider who was a member of the regiment in the past. On 6 May 1944 the Daily Orders Part II for the 11th (Reserve) Anti-Aircraft Regiment RCA lists those Other Ranks that were granted Subsistence Allowance (a payment for those on full-time service living outside of a base facility to pay for ffod and lodging) for the period 1 May 44 to 31 May 44. On that list is K.415023 RSM Cook, G.P. who was later taken on strength of the 15th Coast Regiment RCA as a Warrant Officer Class II. On ancestry.ca I have discovered a photo of a Percy George Cook wearing an Artillery uniform. Have I connected all the dots correctly? Is this yet another lost RSM from the past? Private Richard Roy Atkins, MM was a member of 4th Machine Gun Company when he was awarded the Military Medal on 23 April 1917. His citation reads:
On the 14th April when on a gun crew in an isolated position, the enemy (during a bombardment) made a direct hit on the position, killing the N.C.O. in charge, and one other man, and fatally wounding a third. Although suffering from the effects of the explosion, he dressed the wounded man, and remained on duty during the bombardment, until finally attracting the attention of some infantry, sent a message for reinforcements to his Section Headquarters remaining alone at duty until these arrived. He has always shown exceptional bravery and devotion to duty. Private Atkins went on to become a Cadet, training in the RAF and a T/Lieutenant with 11th (Reserve) Anti-Aircraft Regiment RCA in 1944.
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