I’m posting this on behalf of another member who’s having computer issues getting on the site. He sent me this info and questions and ask if I could post it for him, until he gets his computer issues sorted out. I have a question regarding a section in a personnel service file that I am researching for a fellow who will be travelling with me on a tour in June. I have everything nailed down but there is a gap. What was he up to between Jan 13 and May 1 1945. I assume he was on the continent as it says NWE and I know that he was in hospital in early January at 2 CGH. After that he bounces around in reinforcement battalions correct. I would like to know if during Feb, March and April he was just sitting idle in reinforcement battalions not doing much. Any info that you could provide on this would be greatly appreciated.
It looks like he was X4 list. Scroll down on the attached and read the x(iv) list. This may help but I'm sure other members will explain more X lists (Service Records) Lesley
Temujin is aware, but for others, Canadian practice was X3 hospital X4 reinforcement He ended up PPCLI in 1 Cdn Div, so possible he was in the 1 Cdn Div (or at least I Cdn Corps) reinforcement stream to Italy, though I admittedly struggle to understand exactly how that process was organized. Their operations were limited in early 45 as they prepared to move to NW Europe (Op Goldflake), so little need for reinforcements. Arguing against that, he went UK/NWE in Dec 44, possibly implying he was originally somewhere in the II Cdn Corps reinforcement stream. I haven't seen enough Italy pers files to know if they would usually show UK/MEF or similar for those reinforcements.
What does the part after "X4" on 13 Jan 45 mean? It looks like "11 Bn (Inf Sig "C")" unless it's "II" rather than "11". "Bn" could be "Battalion" but that doesn't seem to make sense. I feel like... supposing that he was sent to Italy but it wasn't recorded is a bit of a stretch. PS not to be ghoulish, but if the records of deceased service personnel are available, maybe they could provide data points for comparison.
11 Bn is a common one, think I see 13 Bn and maybe 2 Bn as well. These were reinf Bns of a Cdn Base Reinf Group, they did the admin as reinfs moved through the system. Gullachsen has done some work that helps clarify, he has #9-13 Bns of 2 CBRG that worked in NWE. 1 CBRG was Italy and had 8 Bns, presumably #1-8. 3 CBRG was raised in Mar 45 and had 3 Bns. Reorganization of these at various times makes it more confusing. I think 11 Bn strongly points to NWE. 2 Bn might make sense as leading to PPCLI, though Gullachsen only mentions Italy in passing. I can't logically trace him through all of those reinf Bns, so might require the other forms that show similar entries for clarity. Guys stuck in the reinforcement stream for oddly long periods is not uncommon in my experience. The Reinforcement of the Canadian Army 1944-1945 https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5362&context=etd