Proud Daughter of a Canadian Veteran - Page 3

Tom Canning · 22-06-2008, 07:27 PM

To those whom the reference to a parade is something of a mystery - I should explain that every year - the Ex Cavalry Regiments have a reunion dinner and parade in London around the middle of May.
The dinner for my second regiment - the 16/5th Lancers was held at the RAC club in London where many old acquaintances are renewed - and Toasted - which leads the next morning to a fair degree of discipline in standing still for sometime while being inspected - at one time always by HM The Queen Mother.
The reason for my joining the Lancers was that the 145th RAC were broken up at Cesena for spares as we were running out of manpower- and Gerry's NIH took our place in 21st Tank bde and carried on in support of the Candian Corps until the 1st and 5th Cdn Divs moved to Belgium to join the other three Divisions in that theatre.
The NIH also qualify's for that reunion as they were also a "horsey " set until the war
Cheers...Tom

macrusk · 22-06-2008, 10:23 PM

Thank you all for the warm welcomes to this Forum.

Diane, glad to give you some female support. I was mostly on my own for awhile at the other forum, so know how you may have felt some of the time - although, they also made me feel quite treasured at times too!

Mr. Canning and Mr. Chester thank you for your posts. I am assuming that you were with the British 8th Army? I have been hoping to find out information on two friends of my Mother's who were with the Middle East Forces and then in Italy. She kept their letters and photos all her life. Unfortunately, the last aerographs end in 1944. The return adddress for Fred Boulton was B. Sec. 558 W.T. Coy, R.A.S.C. M.E.F. and the other E.T. (Tom) Nunn. Can you tell me what the Water Tank Company would be? I have a couple of photos I would need to scan. One of Fred has him standing in front of the Sphynx.

I am inserting a couple of Christmas/New Year aerographs from Tom Nunn, for your interest.

Owen · 22-06-2008, 10:28 PM

W.T Coy, it says on here.

Water Tank Company.

macrusk · 22-06-2008, 10:32 PM

Thanks, Owen. I was editing my post after seeing that as well!

Actually, until I was relooking at the aerograph from Fred, I had not realized I had his last name until now! Every time I look at something that my parents kept I seem to observe something new which gives me more information than I thought I had!

Tom Canning · 22-06-2008, 10:39 PM

Michelle -
Owen is quite right - also very observant - the Water Tank company's brought the water from source - ie - filtration plants - wells - wherever they could steal it etc - up to usually Corps or Div H.Q's and from there by brigade and regimental echelons up to the various regiments and were always welcomed...
have noted in your initial introduction that your Father - or your friend's Father served in a Light Anti-Aircraft unit in Italy - this is the 2nd LAA which landed with 1st Cdn Div on the beaches of Sicily on July 10th '43 - thought you might like to know that !

Owen · 22-06-2008, 10:41 PM

Here's a Bedford OY Bowser as used by the Water Tank Companies.
Bedford OY tanker on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Someone was trying to research one of their vehicles on here.
BBC - WW2 People's War - 558 coy

Quote:

Iam trying to research the R.A.S.C 558 coy from 1943 until 1945 as i have Bedford oy water tanker,the 558 used in the western desert.I belong to the Military Vehicle trust.and just found this website. So if any one can help please do

Tom Canning · 22-06-2008, 10:57 PM

Michell - et al -
Further to the bowser of the Water Tank Companies - the regimental ones were quite bit smaller with piping and six spigots at the rear - in those far off day - we then filled our 4 gallon cans from this source - now and again the echelon drivers were nervous at being so far up front and would do some odd things as I wrote for the BBc series a long time ago here is an example :-

BBC - WW2 People's War - Green Envelopes for Tank Brigade, Rimini

macrusk · 25-06-2008, 06:33 AM

Mr. Canning,

You shared some great stories on that link. What condition was the driver in after his bouncing ride down the mountain?

Thanks!

Gotthard Heinrici · 25-06-2008, 10:53 AM

Hiya Michelle! Welcome to the boards and I see you've made yourself at home already!!!

22-06-2008, 10:32 PM	#24 (permalink)
macrusk Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Posts: 43	Thanks, Owen. I was editing my post after seeing that as well! Actually, until I was relooking at the aerograph from Fred, I had not realized I had his last name until now! Every time I look at something that my parents kept I seem to observe something new which gives me more information than I thought I had! __________________ Regards, Michelle

25-06-2008, 06:33 AM	#28 (permalink)
macrusk Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Posts: 43	Mr. Canning, You shared some great stories on that link. What condition was the driver in after his bouncing ride down the mountain? Thanks! __________________ Regards, Michelle

25-06-2008, 10:53 AM	#29 (permalink)
Gotthard Heinrici Pog mo thon Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 4,019	Hiya Michelle! Welcome to the boards and I see you've made yourself at home already!!! __________________ *"The Eastern front is like a house of cards. If the front is broken through at one point all the rest will collapse."* - General Heinz Guderian

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22-06-2008, 07:27 PM	#21 (permalink)
Tom Canning WW2 Veteran Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 657	To those whom the reference to a parade is something of a mystery - I should explain that every year - the Ex Cavalry Regiments have a reunion dinner and parade in London around the middle of May. The dinner for my second regiment - the 16/5th Lancers was held at the RAC club in London where many old acquaintances are renewed - and Toasted - which leads the next morning to a fair degree of discipline in standing still for sometime while being inspected - at one time always by HM The Queen Mother. The reason for my joining the Lancers was that the 145th RAC were broken up at Cesena for spares as we were running out of manpower- and Gerry's NIH took our place in 21st Tank bde and carried on in support of the Candian Corps until the 1st and 5th Cdn Divs moved to Belgium to join the other three Divisions in that theatre. The NIH also qualify's for that reunion as they were also a "horsey " set until the war Cheers...Tom

22-06-2008, 10:28 PM	#23 (permalink)
Owen Grumpy Old Moose Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Under the stairs Posts: 9,485	W.T Coy, it says on here. Water Tank Company.

22-06-2008, 10:39 PM	#25 (permalink)
Tom Canning WW2 Veteran Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 657	Michelle - Owen is quite right - also very observant - the Water Tank company's brought the water from source - ie - filtration plants - wells - wherever they could steal it etc - up to usually Corps or Div H.Q's and from there by brigade and regimental echelons up to the various regiments and were always welcomed... have noted in your initial introduction that your Father - or your friend's Father served in a Light Anti-Aircraft unit in Italy - this is the 2nd LAA which landed with 1st Cdn Div on the beaches of Sicily on July 10th '43 - thought you might like to know that !

22-06-2008, 10:57 PM	#27 (permalink)
Tom Canning WW2 Veteran Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 657	Michell - et al - Further to the bowser of the Water Tank Companies - the regimental ones were quite bit smaller with piping and six spigots at the rear - in those far off day - we then filled our 4 gallon cans from this source - now and again the echelon drivers were nervous at being so far up front and would do some odd things as I wrote for the BBc series a long time ago here is an example :- BBC - WW2 People's War - Green Envelopes for Tank Brigade, Rimini

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