​​Major Rix OC, 319 pers,  #2 6 inch gun arrived and installed, 4.7” left for Stanley Park, practice shoot 1” and 6” rds, Mess Hall shows – You’re a Sweetheart, The Range Busters, On The Beat, mail censorship, venereal disease, thumbing for rides, saluting, communication of military information, out of bounds, sounding of trumpets, prophylactic stations, gas detector locations. Check out the War Diaries here.

Our recent discovery of documents regarding the 21st Anti-Aircraft Battery has also revealed some more history on Captain John Foote. We're indebted to JKA for all his photographs from the early days of Yorke Island. The latest update is his transfer to the Anti-Aircraft followed by his overseas posting as a CANLOAN Officer in August 1944 with the 4th Battalion, The Dorsetshire Regiment, 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division where he was subsequently wounded at Arnhem in 1945. Does anyone have a copy of the book FROM NORMANDY TO THE WESER The War History of the Fourth Battalion the Dorset Regiment June, 1944 - May 1945 which may shed further light on his service? Nominal Roll.

Another branch of our history has recently been revealed due to some research by Stu McDonald in the West Vancouver Archives.. The 21st Anti-Aircraft Battery was authorized to be formed on 16 April 1942 and concentrated under canvas at Macauley Plains on Vancouver Island. Fifteen other ranks were drafted from the 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade, RCA as prospective Non-Commissioned Officers under the command of Captain RL Buller. The Battery was grouped under command of the 28th Anti-AIrcraft Regiment, RCA and was moved to Boundary Bay on 7 September under canvas. Once equipped with their 3.7" Heavy Anti-Aircraft guns and trained, the unit was deployed to three sites in the lower mainland - Ambleside, Lulu Island and White Rock. The 21st Battery is included in our history as it was later to became the 211th Battery, 43rd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA.. See more here... Would you like to help us research this part of our history? Contact president.vcrgunners@gmail.com

​Major Thomas, OC, cement poured #2 gun emplacement, air spotters, 40mm AA shoot, .50 cal AA Shoot, shows – Vivacious Lady, The Major and the Minor, Call Out the Marines, A Chump at Oxford, correspondence with POWs, Star Spangled Rhythm, A Date with the Falcon, Pacific Blackout, 7 Days Leave, Magic in Music, Valley of the Sun, compassionate farm leave, communition of military information, missing 40mm ammunition, Canadian Legion correspondence courses, service chevrons, fraudulent enlistment, ID Card MFM 182. Check out the War Diaries here.

Major Thomas OC turned over command to Maj Hunter, 6” practice shoot, 40mm practice shoot, Mrs Y. Firkins and her troop of entertainers, Thanksgiving dinner, concrete poured for new water tank, court of inquiry–Gnr Gibbons, lodging complaints, RCAF transfer, electric shavers, shows – Something to Shout About, Yankee Doodle Dandy, Commandos Strike at Dawn, Larceny Inc, It Ain’t Hay, They Died With Their Boots On, Juke Girl, Victory Bond campaign, battle dress conservation, training expedient safety precautions, Board of Survey​. Check out all the War Diaries here.

Join Stu McDonald, Leon Jensen and Ross Keller as we head over to Yorke Island next week. The schedule is as follows:
Wed 14 Jul - drive to Sayward stay overnight Sayward Valley Resort;
Thu 15 Jul - transport to Yorke, island hike, overnight war shelter;
Fri - 16 Jul - 85Vics supervised cleaning activities, overnight war shelter;
Sat- 17 Jul - photo activities, overnight war shelter;
Sun - 18 Jul - Return home.
Main focus of trip is:
A- Assessment of rock facade with focused photographs of damage, and
B - Creation of photographs depicting today's view of historic Yorke Island photos (a collection of then and now pictures)
C- Production of a video on Yorke Island
Interested in joining the expedition? There will be costs for the ferry, transportation, food and lodging. You will need to bring along a rucksack with sleeping bag and camping gear. Donations to help defray the costs would be appreciated.
​Contact president.vcrgunners@gmail.com

Thanks to Brian Cormier, Doug Loney and Stu McDonald we've reached out target and can start on our next set. The theme for the second set will be 15th (Vancouver) Coast Regiment and will consist of a series of 4 cards - Yorke Island Fort, Stanley Park Fort, Point Grey Fort and Narrows North. WOuld you like to help with the project?