Canada Tank Crew Set

[Mooyman]

Hi Folks,

Images: Canada Tank Crew in WW2

Regards,

Ricardo.

[Mooyman]

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[Mooyman]

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[Cam_S]

More Infor

Hello,

Could you give us some more infor on this guys back ground? I see that you have his beret with his Armoured School badge on it but do you have his unit bagde as well. Do you know the history of this guy and how he recieved the Africa Star?? Also that photo is great. At the begining of the war many Cdn Armoured units went through Camp Broden where they were issued this dress but since he has an africa star it could have been there as well, do you know where it was taken?? Love to hear some more on him.

Cam

[Adam H]

He would not have earned an Africa Star with a Canadian unit. Although a common medal it is quite scarce to Canadians. He must have been attached to a Brit unit methinks.

That's a standard WWII Canadian tanker's beret...but interesting not badged to a Canadian armoured unit...yes perhaps issued in Borden or along with my above theory perhaps this was what he wore as a Canadian attached to a Brit armoured regiment?

Cheers,

Adam

[Ed Tainton]

Africa Star

Adam, I believe your right. There was 7,400 Africa Stars issued to Canadians. Most went to the RCAF I think, some navy, but you only needed 1 day service (minimum) from June 1940 to May 1943 (Malta included). The person must have been taken on strength of a unit. I can remember in 1944 a friend of mine was on leave (wounded,this was in Winnipeg) a member of the Fort Garry Horse. He wore the black beret. He must have been a good B.S'er ( he said he was wounded in Africa)as as the Garry's and Strathcona's were never there to my knowledge.

[Cam_S]

Canadian Tanker

Hello Guys,

I am in the Fort Garry Horse and I help run our Museum. I agree with you all, but there is one way that they could have served in Africa as a canadian. We had many of the Senior NCO's and Officers in ww2 serve in Africa and Italy as attachments to British Units to gain "Real Experience" prior to d-day. They did not serve in Combat roles so getting wounded would have been hard. On the picture you can not see any rank so we can not tell if he is one of them. Ed you are right in saying that the FGH and LdSH did not serve in Africa. The FGH only served in NW Europe but the Strats did serve in Italy.

Even if this guy was attached or posted to a brit unit he still would have worn his canadian accoutraments. The Armoured badge that this beret has on it was not commonly worn outside of Camp Bordon.

From your picture Adam I assume that you are in the Black Watch, so it was kind of like the canadian corn flake that newbies have on their berets today.

Ed: what was your friends name who was in the FGH? Is he still alive. Our association is trying to track down any living members before there are none left so if he in not in contact with the rest of the vets maybe we can get him in touch. If you are wondering about his BS i can look him up to see if he was in Africa.

Anyways now that I have gone on for a long time, I think the only way we can find out more info on this very interesting grouping is by the owner passing it on.

Cam

[Ed Tainton]

Medals

Medals look okay but its hard to tell by a photo. If they are Canadian (obviously they are) the medals should be made of silver. The british are cupra nickel.

[Mooyman]

Hi Ed,

Thank you for comment! This Canadian campaing medals are in silver.

You like more photos? (with flash or not)

Best regards,

Ricardo.

[Ed Tainton]

The group does not seem to be mounted properly. Lets see the back of the group and a close up of the Africa bar.

[Adam H]

I know what you mean by the look of the mounting, Ed. But personally I would not be overly concerned about this. I have seen other groups mounted similarly, and while it's not the most attractive style I don't think that on its own is cause for concern.

To me the medals look fine. A close up of the clasp would be helpful just to confirm everything is indeed kosher.

Cheers,

Adam

[Mooyman]

Hi Folks,

Sorry the delay....my son born in March 22 and I´m very busy...

That´s one another image of Canada Set in my display...and I take off anothers images of medal bar.

Regards,

Ricardo.

[leigh kitchen]

......
That's a standard WWII Canadian tanker's beret...but interesting not badged to a Canadian armoured unit...yes perhaps issued in Borden or along with my above theory perhaps this was what he wore as a Canadian attached to a Brit armoured regiment?

Cheers,

Adam

Was this badge worn by Canadians only as a training unit badge?
I have half a dozen or so with the copper wire loop fittings, & one with flat stamped brass loop fittings which I've assumed is Canadian because of the fittings - is that going to be the case?