Research: In Comox and Courtenay, BC (9).

Good Scenes, Good Stories re WW2

My father saw salmon "bank to bank" in the Courtenay River, 1944.

I saw salmon on Courtenay services boxes. Good catch, 2016!

Earlier this year, before an early morning walk, I emailed home to London from Courtenay, BC.

Date: Tuesday, 17 May 2016

I am up early, before seven, and will take a scenic walk before breakfast and research time at Courtenay museum.

Photos from the "scenic walk":

 Great views in Courtenay over tree- and house-tops

I recommend breakfast at Common Ground on Fifth St. west.

More articles follow from The Comox Argus:

'Zombies' became a familiar term on the West Coast (perhaps elsewhere) during WW2, and it appears in my father's memoirs as well as local news. The term was used in some instances in a disparaging way and connected to men who were training on the West Coast but were not used as reinforcements as quickly as some observers expected. There were perhaps disagreements, politically related, between conscription vs no conscription policies and some enlisted men got caught in the crossfire. Your opinions are appreciated.

The Comox Argus, November 23, 1944

The article continued:

....fighting fronts, therefore be it resolved that this meeting of Courtenay branch, No. 17, B.E.S.L. (i.e., the Legion) go on record as favoring the sending of Home Defense Army overseas particularly because it is now apparent that more reinforcements are required than can be secured by voluntary enlistments or transfers from the Home Defense Army."

The second (telegram) was to Colonel Ralston and was congratulatory in tone. 

It read:

"We the Courtenay Branch No. 17 of the Canadian Legion, wish to congratulate you, sir, on the stand you have taken on reinforcements for our men overseas. Resolutions supporting your stand have been sent to our member and to General McNaughton and the Prime Minister." 

One week later the Zombies marched into town.

 The Comox Argus, November 30, 1944

The article continued:

They were shouting something that no one could distinguish very well and few people came out from the stores or other buildings into the pouring rain to see what it was all about. They wandered up Union Street round to the Courtenay Legion Hall none hindering them and there they shouted as far as the few onlookers could make out "Down With Conscription" "Down With the Legion"....

The next day the O/C of the company paraded the paraders and congratulated them on the spirit they had shown in staging a protest at only partial mobilization for overseas service. He said he hoped they would all show the same spirit against the enemy when they arrived in Germany. They left on Tuesday morning for parts unknown....

 The Comox Argus, November 30, 1944

As Christmas approached some concern was expressed for servicemen, perhaps including my father (no mention has ever been seen about a trip home to Norwich, Ontario for Christmas, 1944), who had to stay in barracks over the Christmas season:

 The Comox Argus, Dec. 14, 1944

The article continues:

It was decided that one central depot be set up for lists of hosts and guests. The Red Triangle Club in Courtenay, being the most central spot, was chosen for this depot. YMCA War Services Supervisors, Gordon Bell and Ollie Goldsmith, will prepare lists of servicemen from the navy and airforce, and Ernie Lewis, Legion War Services Supervisor, will handle the army list....

Gordon Bell's name was very familiar to many Canadians in Combined Operations. In my father's memoirs I read, Gordon Bell, a YMCA director, came to ‘the spit’ as it was called nearly everyday and provided piano music, sewed on crests and buttons, repaired uniforms and showed movies.

Well done, Mr. Bell, I say.

A good deal for a gift. The Comox Argus, Dec. 14, 1944 

The Comox Argus, Dec. 14, 1944

Union Bay is across the bay from The Spit and the small community welcomed sailors during the Christmas season.

 The Comox Argus, Dec. 21, 1944

I include the piece below re Air Cadets because, to this day, the site of Givenchy III (now known as HMCS Quadra) is linked to the training of Sea Cadets. As well, Commander Windeyer sent out WW2 landing craft - used for training new recruits at the Combined Operations camp - to pick up the Air Cadets.

 The Comox Argus, Dec. 21, 1944

 The Comox Argus, Dec. 28, 1944

The feature 'Sifting The War News' continued:

The sinking of three ships off the coast in the past month shows that the U-boat cannot be completely written off as a commerce killer. The subs have been routed out of most of their bases and can only now operate with great difficulty, but it is apparent they are patrolling some of the trade routes and the navy authorities say they are superior in design and fitted with new killing devices. The RCAF air patrol of the North Atlantic will have to continue with all its old vigilance with the Canadian Navy.

In the new year, 1945, the following story appeared:

The Comox Argus, January 25, 1945

The story continued:

"Once again I am home among friends and am able to relieve you of your anxiety. I am in hospital resting and will stay there for a few days.

Very likely you know I was a prisoner of war. I was taken prisoner on October 7th and escaped on October 23rd, on my way to Hamburg and got back just six days ago. I was slightly wounded before I was captured and had a bit of a rough go of it. The whole story is very exciting and you will hear all about it later.

My reception at the unit was terrific and I am getting used to dining with generals. It is wonderful to be back where there is no Gestapo hounding me. Reg. Biscoe was in to see me tonight. He looks better than I have ever seen him. I have also seen McIntosh who has visited you in Courtenay. I expect to be going back to England for a month or so very soon and will keep you posted where I am. Give my best to everyone and tell them I am O.K." - Roger

(Reg. Biscoe mentioned in the letter is Sgt. Biscoe, son of Mrs. Biscoe of Courtenay, and McIntosh is Major McIntosh, for years second in command at the Battle Drill and Combined Operations School at Sandwick.)

Another story follows brought to you by Gordon Sinclair and UDL, a well-known distilling company:

The Comox Argus, January 25, 1945

The story about Smokey Smith continued:

Into this desperate position stepped Private Ernest A. "Smokey" Smith of New Westminster, BC, with one anti-tank gun and one companion. Smith's comapanion fell, badly wounded, but Smokey leaped into the open, Tommy gun in hand, and crushed ten Nazis who charged from the tank. Four died in their tracks, the other six crawled away, wounded.

A second tank attacked with guns blazing, but Smith fearlessly fought this armor until he ran out of ammunition. Then, still unafraid, he retrieved other shells from the rain-filled ditch, resumed firing and put the whole German party to route. After dressing the wound of his fallen buddy, Smokey Smith made ready to repel a third assault, but Seaforth reinforcements arrived. The position was held, and a further advance began.

For audacity to the point of contempt, Private Smokey Smith was called to Buckingham Palace and there, in private investiture, awarded the Victoria Cross and home leave by a grateful king on behalf of an applauding empire. Smith was the first Canadian private in this war to win the Empire's most coveted medal, and well he deserved that great honour.

ANOTHER YEAR - A RESOLVE RENEWED

With nearly one man in ten in uniform, and with the output of our war industries greater than ever before, Canada carries on to ultimate victory. We at United Distillers stand pledged now, as in the past, to provide in endless supply all this nation requires of us in high-test alcohol, so vital for munitions, for the protection of our fighting men and for the comfort and healing of the wounded.

More to follow.

Please link to Research: In Comox and Courtenay, BC (8).

Unattributed Photos GH

Research: In Comox and Courtenay, BC (8).

Hank Greenberg Catches for Canadian Team!

Courtenay River. Ball diamond is on right. (Lewis Park).

Yes, I'm still looking over my microfiche and Comox Argus (hard copy of WW2 newspaper) files. Emails related to my trips to Vancouver Island suggest that such research is a suitable rainy day activity. One says, "Wet day here while I scanned newspapers on microfiche, found some articles that help w names, dates, events, etc., related to Combined Ops."

Another time I report a 'close, but no cigar' event: 

All is well at the end of my second day in BC. I had some good luck with WW2 era newspapers today, in that I found good descriptions of combined operations exercises in Comox and area. I also saw photos (concerning) dad's friends and colleagues. But I did not see photos related to dad's first marriage. The photos were of another G. Harrison. (Editor - Call it a "Big Disappointment!")

I will look through microfiche tomorrow for 1943, and hope clippings of value will appear.

PS - I am eating kale salad for lunch, found the same bag you buy, at $8.99, likely more than you pay. But I can stretch mine out because Dee and Brian (Airbnb hosts) grow kale in their back garden. More news as it happens, likely tomorrow.

Below, please find clippings and photos that provide a few more details about Combined Ops history, WW2, or more details of the times, at least.

While some Canadians in Combined Ops were training others at The Spit (i.e., "training zombies on navy cutters" said my father), other Canadians were in the midst of a long, drawn-out battle in Italy:

 As found in the Comox Argus, August 3, 1944

Earlier in the summer of '44 the Navy team was described as a classy squad. I hoped to find mention of my father's performance at third base, but I had no luck. However, his team's performance was regularly mentioned, and occasionally that of one of his teammates: 

 As found in the Comox Argus, August 10, 1944

 Jim Malone - Comox Argus, August 10, 1944

I enjoyed noticing that Jimmy Malone showed up in a clip, but my eyes opened wide when Hank Greenberg was listed, especially as a catcher for an RCAF team. Is this news fit for the Smithsonian or just a coincidence re names?? (Hank Greenberg was a professional ball player who dropped major league ball during the war, then went back to it after WW2 service was completed. Hank also served in the Air Force. Did he visit Canada's west coast as part of his training and play a few games under cover? Oh, there could be a mystery here!)

 As found in the Comox Argus, August 24, 1944

If you know the tune to "Pistol Packin' Mamma" you will be able to sing along to the following ditty:

As found in the Comox Argus, September 21, 1944 

The ditty continues:

We'll push you 'cross the river,

And throu' the fields of grain,

You'll wish that you had never

Heard of the Normandy campaign.

We'll blast you throu' the day,

And mess you up at night,

When we get throu' with you my boy,

You'll be an awful sight.

Lay that luger down, kid,

You haven't got a chance,

Luger, luggin' Ludwig

You're all washed up in France.

 Place your order before prices rise. Comox Argus, Sept. 28, 1944

'With The Forces' was a regular feature found in the Comox Argus and the story below was taken from Flying Officer Dick Anderson's letter home to his mother:

As found in the Comox Argus, Sept. 28, 1944

Details from Anderson's letter continues:

The most irritating part is the continuous attack of mosquitoes and sand-flies. Malaria is not prevalent but sand fly fever is exceptionally bad. Dick says he is bitten from head to foot but in spite of it is as fit as a king and as brown as a berry. The swimming is very good as it is in the whole of the "Med." and he spends as much time as possible on the beaches.

Naval ratings (including several Canadians) off duty enjoying a bathe

on the North African coast at Oran or Mers-El-Kebir. Photo - IWM

Details from Anderson's letter continues:

"Our Room was Really Wizard"

"Malta is not a bad spot but very monotonous. The island has been just about knocked to bits but they have come back from the Blitz and started again. Conditions are excellent, plenty of food, and clothing, and most of the people fairly well educated and clean. The Maltese are very religious."

Before he went to Malta, Dick and his squadron had been at a rest camp in Sicily. "After the sand, rocks and filth of North Africa it was like living in a new world. It is the loveliest spot I've seen since leaving Vancouver Island. The whole place is a huge garden looking on the "Med." with (Mt.) Etna towering behind it. We were in a beautiful tourist hotel with all the pre-war staff looking after us, waiters and servants on every hand - tea in bed in the morning and breakfast if you wanted it. Our room was really wizard, soft spring beds etc. mattresses with sheets, bathroom with bath, hot and cold showers. There was outdoor dancing, moonlight swimming, etc."

Dick drank jasmine tea with a Sicilian family every afternoon. The talk ranged from ranching in Australia to the problems of post-war Europe. That was one side of the picture but "there is no middle class in Sicily and one either lives in a dirty hovel or a semi-palace. Education is practically nil. The farms are rich but the methods are about 1800 style. Flight Officer Anderson concludes by commenting: "How lucky we are to be Canadians or Americans - life is so much easier there."

I include the following photo, of the back of one of my dad's pictures developed in Courtenay in 1944 or '45. (An associated ad re the photo service follows). I have learned that Silvertone burned down many years ago but many photos and negatives were saved, so finding shots from WW2 is not impossible.

 As found in the Comox Argus, Oct. 12, 1944

The Comox Legion, still standing, is mentioned in the article below. It was likely a familiar place to members of the WW2 Armed Forces, including my father and his mates. The adjoining ad re Victory Bonds mentions the Allies' demand for unconditional surrender of Axis forces, a condition that may very well have prolonged World War 2.

As found in the Comox Argus, Oct. 19, 1944

The Courtenay Slough was definitely a busy parking lot for all types of water craft, including landing craft used by the Canadians in Combined Ops stationed on The Spit (i.e., Givenchy III).

 As found in the Comox Argus, Nov. 9, 1944

The Slough is very near Simms Park, a short walk from Courtenay's town centre, and one will find the display board below, including an early picture of the Slough and details related to landing craft, WW2:

The Tanker That Wouldn't Die!

The following story by Gordon Sinclair was found in the Comox Angus, sponsored by United Distillers Ltd.:

As found in the Comox Argus, Nov. 16, 1944

The story continues:

Among the crew ordered to abandon this flaming wreck, was Oswald Preston of Montreal, who had been rejected for enlistment in the RCAF and was now working toward Britain in the hope of being accepted by the RAF. Preston argued against abandoning ship because, he said, she might be saved. 

Through two days and nights of icy drifting on an angry sea, he and his shipmates stolidly watched their tanker burn, but not sink. Red hot plates bulged liked twisted wire, she was low down at the bow and flames leaped higher than her mast, and yet she floated. Preston, the rookie, talked survivors into climbing aboard again and there they battled flames into submission, started the pumps, shored up gaping holes  and with no charts to guide them, sailed the San Demetrio to England, where thousands of barrels of oil were reclaimed from her tanks.

For his determination to see this voyage through, Oswald Preston was given the ship's battered ensign by grateful buddies. Medically rejected by the RAF, he signed aboard another tanker for the homeward, but has never been seen or heard from since. A movie based on the San Demetrio and her gallant crew is being shown throughout Canada.

UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER! The day the Nazis finally admit the defeat that's already inevitable may be a few weeks away, or it might take a few months. There's no thought of relaxing the war effort over there, and over here, management and men of U.D.L. are continuing the all-out production of high-test alcohol for vital war materials in this war-geared plant - twenty-four hours of every day in the year.

More to follow.

Please link to Research: In Comox and Courtenay, BC (7).

Photos GH

Research: In Comox and Courtenay, BC (7).

Let's Cut the Cackle! (Loose Lips Sink Ships).

Another great day in Comox Valley for research.... maybe rain!

[Photo taken while in Comox, looking west. 2015]

During the month of May in both 2015 and 2016 I journeyed to Comox and Courtenay (Vancouver Island, BC) to collect what information I could about the Combined Operations training camp my father was stationed at during the final two years of WW2. I quickly realized, as I took in the surroundings (while walking on The Spit, cycling on roadways between the two towns and kayaking on the nearby river and bay), why he said in his memoirs, "It was like heaven."  

Another great day in Comox Valley for research.... no rain!

[I am in Mission Hill area, Courtenay, looking west. 2016]

I also learned, gradually, that collecting relevant information takes time and energy. And money. Fortunately, 'Eureka moments' are quite rewarding and I came back home feeling my days away were marked 'paid in full'.

I feel now that though there is still much to do (trips to Scotland and Sicily seem necessary) I am developing a clearer picture of the times, i.e., the 1940s on Vancouver Island, what my father saw and did. I think he would have found himself knee deep (as a nature lover) in his favourite elements, while at the same time he would have been reminded every day there was still a war going on - across the Atlantic and Pacific. 

The following news clippings appeared in The Comox Argus:

April 13, 1944: Combined Ops activities supported Victory Bonds

 April 13, 1944: Readers get many reminders of 'Combined Operations'

April 27, 1944: Busy times at Givenchy III

Two articles appeared on April 27 to remind readers of upcoming events on The Spit in support of the war effort, by way of purchasing Victory Bonds. In the first article we read, "Navy ratings will be selling tickets on drawings for bonds." Raffles, a carnival, and a complex invasion exercise were planned for May 3rd, 1944, about five weeks before D-Day Normandy.

The final line above is informative: "All three branches of the Combined Ops School will combine to stage a landing on the Spit in invasion craft...." In the next news clip one will read that new buildings were erected on Mission Hill for the Combined Ops School. A close reading informs us that the buildings were for the Army branch of the school, and not the Navy or RAF branches. So, we can conclude that the three branches worked or practiced exercises together but did not live together in the same buildings or locations. Some readers may already know where each of the services were stationed in the Comox Valley, but for a time I did not.

The second article is headed, 'Veterans of Many Campaigns Buy Bonds' and we read that "over on the Comox Spit, where the navy wing of the Combined Operations school are all veterans of Dieppe, North Africa, Sicily and Italy, they know how badly the troops need equipment and how necessary it is to pay for them with Victory Bonds.... Out at Comox (Editor - likely very near the current air base and airport) the airmen will have to raise their sights."

The following appeared on August 3, 1944:

 New quarters for the "army branch of Combined Operations"

"On the Tsolum" refers to Tsolum River, near Mission Hill

Map as found in Courtenay Library

At the top of the map above one can find the Tsolum River. As the river flows south it would pass through or near the "full assault course" and under the wires that had been rigged to pass over it (as mentioned in the August 3rd news article). The Tsolum then would join with the Puntledge R. (at Lewis Park, in green) and together become the Courtenay River. The Courtenay R. flows past Simms Millenium Park (also in green) and the Courtenay Slough (opposite the symbol of two hikers, centre).

Lewis and Simms parks are home to Combined Ops memorials and the slough, during WW2, was a parking lot for assault landing craft.

More clippings from The Comox Argus that inform us of the times and activities related to the Combined Operations School - Navy:

 Published April 27, 1944

 Published May 11, 1944

Cartoon by Mozel: Published May 11, 1944 

 Photo as found in The Comox Argus: Published May 25, 1944

 Published May 4, 1944

The article above continued:

The people began pouring into the invasion craft as soon as they started running from the float at Comox and continued until well after three o'clock. To most of the visitors the trip in the blunt-nosed speedy vessels was a thrill. As soon as they arrived at the wharf at Givenchy III they were engulfed in a carnival crowd. 

The first of the attractions was the booth raffling Victory Bonds. The "barkers" for this show were all navy veterans and they scarcely needed loud speakers for their patter. Petty Officer Mary Gilroy was kept busy writing out and checking the raffle slips all day long. Behind her was the spinning wheel which recorded the winners of the pigs, hens, baby chicks, codfish and hams that were given as consolation prizes. If a winner found a live hen embarrassing freight the sailor in charge obligingly wrung the neck of the chicken and brought the remains back in a sack. There were concession stands all over the parade ground where sailors extracted coin from the customers for bonds. So great was the rush on the soft drinks and ice cream tent that all afternoon only the persevering were able to get up to the counter, and the tea-tables were full all afternoon long.

The raid on the beach is then explained in detail and appears in full on the previous post. A link is provided at page bottom.

 Peaceful scenes between The Spit and Courtenay, 2016.

Not so peaceful 72 years earlier!

Airborne Kittyhawks shot at landing craft on May 3, 1944

Not peaceful over (two) seas, after D-Day Normandy: Published June 22, 1944

On the same date an article was published about a strange type of riot in Montreal. Indignant sailors were involved. Under the headline "Zoot Suits Are Illegal" one reads:

Recent anti-zoot suit riots in Montreal in which young men wearing such weird garments were chased by highly indignant sailors, calls attention to the fact that under the regulations of the Wartime Prices and Trade Board zoot suits have been "out" for a considerable time and their manufacture is a breach of the law. 

For those who do not know about such things (including me), an Administrator's Order (A-207) specified that a man's suit coat could not go past 29.5 inches for a size 38 "and shall have no trimmings." Pants could not exceed a width of 22.5 inches at the knee, have pleats "or other flights of sartorial fancy."

We also read:

The zoot suiters wear a coat that comes to just two inches above the knee in front and slightly longer than that at the back. The trousers are at least 30 inches wide at the knee and sometimes reach almost to the armpits and the suit has belts and pleats and all sorts of "fixings".

So, you've been warned: Published June 22, 1944

 Published June 22, 1944

 Published June 29, 1944

 Published July 27, 1944

The former Post Office is home to a finely-stocked Museum

More to follow.

Please link to Research: In Comox and Courtenay, BC (6).

Photos GH