Well known photo of an armoured car belonging to 17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars. It was taken around July 18th 1944, only a few days after disembarking in Normandy: Trying to figure out what the marking is, directly below the census number. I thought it might be a stencil like an anti-freeze warning, but it has been pointed out as unlikely since the engine is located in the vehicle rear. A few have said they immediately see a lion's head. I suppose some kind of caricature is possible, but I still see what appears to be the numbers 543 right in the center: Also wondering about the numbers within the HQ diamond tactical marking, 11/4 or 11/5? I've not come across any explanation of two tactical numbers separated by a slash like that. Any thoughts on these two items?? regards, Jack
Could it be 1543? 1543 was the number of a Ferry Service from LSI J32 HMS Duke of Wellington to Juno Beach
Hello Robert, I think you well have it! It would make sense the vehicle would still have it's loading codes, just like the weight/dimension card is present as seen right next to the driver's vision port. Even though the regiment's Mobilization Serial is on the fender, it could be repeated at the top of the marking on the hull, so something like this: 1102/1 /1543 /J32 /LSI I think the above needs a bit more research, as LSI only carried troops, but thanks so much! regards, Jack
According to a pdf called Juno Beach Landing Tables, Serial 1543 aboard HMS Duke of Wellington consisted of (see page 85): • 46 men from Headquarters 1 Corps and 777 Corps Car Company • 71 men from Canadian Composite Anti Tank battery • 60 men with 60 folding bicycle from 249 Field Company, Airborne RE. 6 Airborne Division • 25 men and 4 bicycles from 176 Workshop and Park Company. Advanced Headquarters • 4 men from 104 RAF Beach Section • 15 men from 240 Petrol Depot, RASC • 2 men from 139 Detail Issuing Depot • 14 men from 140 Detail Issuing Depot • 3 men Port Section, RAMC • 61 men from 5 Royal Berkshire Regiment. Beach Group • 33 men from 15 Ordnance Beach Detachment This serial landed on D-Day at Nan White or Nan Red. No idea at which beach or from which ship the 7th Recce Regt landed, but the pdf is 220 pages long, so help yourself. I think you're on the right track... just have to find the correct serial. Cheers, Dan. PS: The pdf is too large for me to upload as an attachment, but you can download it from here: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5b8b02de697a983fd6b0cb41/t/5b8c69610ebbe8ab9fff3761/1535928686085/Juno+Beach+Landing+Tables.pdf
Hi Dan, thank you for that link, lots of detail in that. Using my browser function to search numbers, 154x range results in 1540 and 1541 of the LCT4 type. Exchanging the four for a six, a search of 156x results in Serials 1562, 1563 and 1564 of the LST(2) type. Coincidentally, this entry indicates these carried 3rd Canadian Infantry Div. ashore, the very unit the 17thDYRCH were officially paired up with. Not saying this the answer, but probably will influence my decision as it's highly unlikely much more will be found on this. regards, Jack
You might have a possibility, but this pdf has a dearth of information on the 17th DYRCH / 7th Recce Regt, other than a few jeeps being used as Control Parties. I would contend (which is to say I'm guessing) that the vehicles of the regiment did not land on D-Day but on one of the days after. I think a regimental history would answer all our questions. Cheers, Dan.
Thanks, Chris. For those of you who wish to read the Juno Beach Landing Tables pdf, use Adobe Pro. It gives 276 pages and way more photos etc. The free Adobe version only provides 220 pages and fewer extras. I don't know why. Cheers, Dan.
The war diary shows that the Regiment did not land in France until July 14 to 16. It traveled on the SS Fort Covington before the vehicles were transferred to LCT's. Didn't find any information about loading tables but, again, at 221 pages for July 1944 alone, I wasn't able to go through all the appendices. Cheers, Dan.
Looking back at Jack's original post, he actually noted the July arrival. I would guess they were a unit in 4 Canadian Armoured Division. I think the whole division landed around the dates he mentioned.
Thanks, yes have looked through the online diaries for 7th Recce last year, but it never hurts to have extra eyes on it. Any stabs at the tactical marking? Seems RHQ only had the one Humber Scout, so that 11/5 is really odd - maybe was just code to deceive the enemy? regards, Jack
