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Henry Stewart (Stew) Cameron (1912-1970) spent some time in the United States in 1936, working for Disney Studios, though soon returned to Calgary and became the Calgary Herald’s first staff cartoonist. In 1942, Stew enlisted in the army, serving with the Public Relations Office for Military District No. 13, where he drew cartoons on military life published in army paper Khaki and in the Calgary Herald. From his experiences in basic training, he produced the cartoon set Basic Training Daze. While not specifically related to the Artillery, the Gunners would certainly have been able to relate to the experiences depicted in his cartoons. Mind you, the last cartoon does refer to a "Battery," maybe there is a greater connection there than we know! Check out some more of his cartoons in the 1942 Yearbook. Does anyone have memories of the Standdown Party? Who organized it? and what's meant by Group "Muffen"?  Seventy Eight years ago on 25 September 1939 From the War Diaries of 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA CASF 25/9/39 Mob. Plus 21. No change in strength and disposition. From the war diaries of 85 Heavy Battery, RCA CASF a sub-unit of the 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA stationed at Yorke Island, BC 25 Sep 1939 – York Island Naval w/t installation completed. Letter re CASF (see App. "F”). Letter re Medical Board (See App. "F”). Letter re Tractor (see App. "F"). Weather: Fair. The war diaries for the following Batteries of the 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA have yet to be located:
31st Heavy Battery stationed at Stanley Park and Narrows North 58th Heavy Battery stationed at Point Grey and Steveston. One hundred years ago on 25 September 1917 31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of the 9th Canadian Field Artillery Brigade in the 3rd Canadian Division. The 9th Brigade war diary records: The brigade remained at rest at this point until the end of the month, most of the time being devoted to cleaning equipment and grooming horses. 31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery was attached to 10th Canadian Field Artillery Brigade during this period. The 10th Brigade war diary records that: Fine and warm. Quiet on the front. Lieut. T.C. Wood on leave to Blighty. 40th Battery had gun loaned to 45th Battery returned last night. Lieut. Duncan took up new sniping gun to T.20. Lt. Col. Ralston D.S.O. visited Infantry Bde. H.Q. to strengthen the liaison between Infantry and Artillery. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: FORT GEORGE - Visibility has been poor on account of mist for the last few days, interfering greatly with ground observation. Enemy artillery seems to be becoming more active, considerable attention being paid to our roads and positions north of VIMY between village and the railway loop. Ammunition expended: A.31, Incen.99, BX.53. Guns in action: 19 - 18pdrs., 6 - 4.5"hows. 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group. Their war diary records: ANGRES - During the month we were bombarded with Gas shells on several occasions also shelled 8” and 5.9” losing a quantity of ammunition. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: Cabaret Rouge – Period very quiet. Very little firing done whatever during this time. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: In the Field - Artillery inactive. 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA perpetuates the following sub units: 31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 68th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, North Russia Expeditionary Force, was not authorized to be formed until 3 August 1918, and 85th Battery, Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force was not authorized to be formed until 12 July 1918. Looking for information on when the following events took place in our history: 1. 25 Pounders arrived? 2. 105mm C2 howitzers arrived? 3. 105mm C1 howitzers arrived? 4. 1951/1952 model deuce and a halfs arrived? 5. The home made deuce command post was constructed? MLVWs arrived? 6. 5/4 Ton Command Posts arrived? 7. Refurbished 105mm C1 howitzers arrived? (They were camouflage painted for the first time) 8. Iltis arrived? 9. 105mm C3 howitzers arrived? 10. MLVWs were grounded for dustboot issues? 11. MLVWs were grounded for split rim issues? 12. Hewlett Packard 41Cs were introduced? 13. Eproms for the Hewlett Packard 41C was introduced? 14. Milipacs were introduced? 15. What other new vehicles/instruments did I miss? 6 May 1959 - Len Norris was a longtime editorial cartoonist for the Vancouver Sun from 1950 to 1988 and often used the Beatty Street Drill Hall as a back drop for many of his military themed cartoons. The news of the disbandment of the Militia anti-aircraft units across Canada is featured in this cartoon.  Seventy Eight years ago on 24 September 1939 From the War Diaries of 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA CASF 24/9/39 Mob. Plus 20. No change in strength and disposition. Instructions received to stop recruiting. From the war diaries of 85 Heavy Battery, RCA CASF a sub-unit of the 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA stationed at Yorke Island, BC 24 Sep 1939 – York Island Completed documentation. Discussed engineer services and requirements with Lieutenant Cunnington. Medical Board and Lt. Cunnington left at 1400 hours. Weather: Fair. The war diaries for the following Batteries of the 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA have yet to be located:
31st Heavy Battery stationed at Stanley Park and Narrows North 58th Heavy Battery stationed at Point Grey and Steveston. One hundred years ago on 24 September 1917 31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of the 9th Canadian Field Artillery Brigade in the 3rd Canadian Division. The 9th Brigade war diary records: The brigade remained at rest at this point until the end of the month, most of the time being devoted to cleaning equipment and grooming horses. 31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery was attached to 10th Canadian Field Artillery Brigade during this period. The 10th Brigade war diary records that: Fine and warm. Last night 40th Battery moved teo guns from forward position to Battle Position, and also turned over one gun to the 45th Battery for sniping. 40th Battery shelled heavily from noon to midnight with 5.9’s and 8 inch. One gun and pit damaged, one man attached from tunnelling coy and one man from D.A.C. wounded. Gnr Robinson, 40th Battery, and Gnr Casey, 38th Battery wounded. A system of retaliation flares and artillery action was put in force today. This is a new departure, as heretofore flares have been used for S.O.S. only. This new scheme should prove of assistance to the infantry and also reduce needless ammunition expenditure. Probably “lengthen” or “shorten” and “stop S.O.S.” signals will soon be used. Recommendation for V.C. for Gnr H Smith& D.C.M. for Corporal Almand, both of 39th Battery received for saving lives and 5 men during shelling of 40th Bty. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: FORT GEORGE - Enemy artillery was very active, apparently practicing barrages and calibrating. Both sides were much more active in the air than usual. Ammunition expended: BX.35. Guns in action: 19 - 18pdrs., 6 - 4.5"hows. 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group. Their war diary records: ANGRES - During the month we were bombarded with Gas shells on several occasions also shelled 8” and 5.9” losing a quantity of ammunition. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: Cabaret Rouge – Period very quiet. Very little firing done whatever during this time. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: In the Field - Artillery Order, No. 85 issued. Heavy shelling of battery positions near DOUBLE CRASSIER and 5th CDA batteries. 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA perpetuates the following sub units: 31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 68th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, North Russia Expeditionary Force, was not authorized to be formed until 3 August 1918, and 85th Battery, Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force was not authorized to be formed until 12 July 1918. Seventy Eight years ago on 23 September 1939 From the War Diaries of 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA CASF 23/9/39 Mob. Plus 19. No change in strength and disposition. From the war diaries of 85 Heavy Battery, RCA CASF a sub-unit of the 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA stationed at Yorke Island, BC 23 Sep 1939 – York Island 1600 - C.A.S.F. Medical Board, three civilian doctors, arrived Lieut. D. Cunnington, R.C.E. arrived. Attestation completed today. 4 OR found Category "E"., Balance Category "A". 1 OR SOS under age. Weather: Fair. The war diaries for the following Batteries of the 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA have yet to be located:
31st Heavy Battery stationed at Stanley Park and Narrows North 58th Heavy Battery stationed at Point Grey and Steveston. |
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