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The Canadian Army Order of Battle in the Second World War: Royal Canadian Engineers (RCE), North West Europe 1944-1945

Royal Canadian Engineers in North West Europe, 1944-1945‍ (Author Photo) (New Brunswick Military History Museum Collection) First Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Engineers (RCE) The Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers expanded dramatically in size to support Canada’s war effort. On 31 August 1939, the Permanent Force engineers included 50 officers (with 14 seconded to other branches of … Read more

Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RCNVR)

Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RCNVR) The RCNVR was created in 1923.  The organization was established by Rear-Admiral Walter Hose at a time when the Navy was under drastic budget cuts.  Hose saw the establishment of a reserve force as a great way for the fledgling Canadian Navy to build support from coast to coast. … Read more

The Canadian Army Order of Battle in the Second World War: Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps (RCOC), North West Europe, 1944-1945

RCOC (York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo) 1997.28.599. ‍ ‍ The Canadian Ordnance Corps was redesignated the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps on 29 Apr 1936. In the Second World War, the RCOC had a strength of 35,000 military personnel, not including the thousands of civilian personnel employed at RCOC installations. They … Read more

Canadian Army: Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR)

The Royal Canadian Regiment (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3202714) Lieutenant W. Smith, a platoon commander, and Sergeant F.G. White, a platoon sergeant, both of The Royal Canadian Regiment, resting after the capture of Pontecorvo, Italy, 24 May 1944. Lt Smith is holding a SW Victory or Enfield pistol, and Sgt White is holding … Read more

Royal Cyphers found on Canadian Forces badges

Royal Cyphers found on Canadian Forces badges in the York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection The earliest official Canadian Militia units after 1867 were raised in the reign of Queen Victoria. The badges found in the YSHS, FRM Collection begin with Queen Victoria’s crown, followed by the King’s crowns for King Edward VII, King … Read more

Royal Flying Corps, Canada

(York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum Collection, Author Photo) 1997.28.405. Royal Flying Corps Canada The Royal Flying Corps Canada (RFC Canada) was a training organization of the British Royal Flying Corps located in Canada during the First World War. It began operating in 1917. As the war progressed, Great Britain found that it needed … Read more

Royal Navy Aircraft Carriers: HMS Argus, HMS Eagle, HMS Hermes, HMS Furious, HMS Courageous, HMS Glorious, HMS Ark Royal, HMS Formidable, HMS Illustrious, HMS Implacable, HMS Indefatigable, HMS Indomitable, HMS Victorious, HMS Unicorn

Royal Navy Aircraft Carriers in the Second World War: HMS Argus, HMS Eagle, HMS Hermes, HMS Furious, HMS Courageous, HMS Glorious, HMS Ark Royal, HMS Formidable, HMS Illustrious, HMS Implacable, HMS Indefatigable, HMS Indomitable, HMS Victorious, HMS Unicorn HMS Argus (IWM Photo, A 12882) HMS Argus operating off the North African coast during combined operations for … Read more

Royal Navy Auxiliary Anti-aircraft Ships: HMS Ulster Queen, HMS Foylebank, HMS Palomares, HMS Springbank, HMS Tynewald

RN Auxiliary anti-aircraft ships HMS Ulster Queen anti-aircraft cruiser (IWM Photo, FL12412) HMS Ulster Queen, underway in coastal waters, 8 June 1943. MV Ulster Queen was a passenger ferry operated across the Irish Sea between 1930 and 1940. Requisitioned by the Admiralty as an auxiliary anti-aircraft cruiser, she was substantially modified. Her boat deck and one funnel were … Read more