Tuesday, July 13, 2021

Editor's Research: Canadians in Combined Ops Return Home, Parts 1 - 21

The Search for Details About WWII Canadian Sailors Continues

Some Returned Home in December 1943. What Happened Next?

"En route to Canada together on... leave": Had "engaged in combined operations"
Photo Credit: The Ottawa Citizen, February, 1944

Introduction:

The story related to the return home to Canada of some members of RCNVR (who had also volunteered to join Combined Operations beginning in December 1941) has been told in part in this lengthy series of entries.

For example, AB Lloyd Evans ((Able Bodied Seaman, above left) was interviewed by The Ottawa Evening Citizen upon his return and most of the details are provided in the offerings below; some details are missing, i.e., a news clipping provided to me had been cut short. However, when Covid-19 is finished and the University of Western Ontario (London ONT) allows me to enter its library and search its cache of microfilm, I will be able to find the actual news article and add to this bit of research provided here. 

Stoker (M) Thomas Fawdry (above center) was also interviewed by a newspaper reporter (likely from The Windsor Star, Jan. - Feb. 1944); the news clip provided to me - shared below in one of the early entries) was also cut short and I will track it down soon (I hope) and add it to the appropriate post.

The subsequent path of AB Jean Kroon (above right) is not known. Help wanted! 

That being said, the 21 posts below cover a lot of ground (research from The Winnipeg Tribune - and other valuable sources - with many informative links provided), i.e., from January and February, 1944. Readers will learn more about the overseas role (Jan. 1942 - Dec. 1943) of some of the Canadians sailors who had joined Combined Operations as well as what their subsequent responsibilities were once settled into new Navy routines, e.g., at HMCS Givenchy III on Vancouver Island.

Links to the 21 entries are provided below. Questions or comments can be addressed to Editor (G. Harrison) at gordh7700@gmail.com



Canadian sailors served at HMCS Givenchy III (1944 - 45), aka The Spit
Photo Credit - The Crowsnest








Experience with landing crafts at Dieppe, North Africa, Sicily and Italy helped
some Canadian sailors as they instructed troops preparing for D-Day France
Photo Credit - The Crowsnest








I hope readers will enjoy some happy hunting with the above entries.

For more information about the role some Canadians in Combined Operations filled (volunteered for, or, were assigned to) once their leave at home was finished, please link to Editor's Research: In Comox and Courtenay (Parts 1 - 10).

Unattributed Photos GH
Posted by at
Labels:

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)