West Nova Scotia Regiment

Discussion in 'Canadian' started by GeeDubayou, Oct 3, 2011.

  1. GeeDubayou

    GeeDubayou Member

    As you guys know, I am a member of a local WWII living history group and the unit that I portray at our events is that of the West Nova Scotia Regiment, I am in the process of researching this unit, but so far the only things I am finding are what battles they were in and the basic unit info, but I would like to know if anyone out there is able to give me some more advanced info? I would like to know who was head of the West Novies, who commanded them. Was there any West Novies of fame who earned medals? Did the West Novies have a "Smokey" Smith?
    Thank you all for any info you may supply me with. I would like to "WOW" anyone that asks about the unit I dress up with.
     
  2. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Battalion War Diaries are at The National Archives in LOndon UK.
    I'm sure there will be copies in Canada too.

    WO 179/130 West Nova Scotia Regt. 1939 Dec.- 1940 Dec.
    WO 179/1248 West Nova Scotia Regt. 1942 Jan.- Dec.
    WO 179/2011 West Nova Scotia Regt. 1943 Jan.- Dec.
    WO 179/2978 West Nova Scotia Regt. 1944 Jan.-Dec.
    WO 179/4567 The West Nova Scotia Regt. 1945 Jan.- Aug.

    Go here,
    Recommendations for Honours and Awards (Army)

    The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Refine Browse Criteria

    put ''west nova scotia regiment'' in the search box & you'll get 23 results.

    Do not pay for the recommendations, they can be obtianed for free.

    you asked about their CO.
    Recommendation for Award for Bogert, Mortimer Patrick
    Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
    Regiment: West Nova Scotia Regiment
    Award: Distinguished Service Order

    Regimental History available here .
    West Novas: A History of the West Nova Scotia Regiment
    Raddall, Thomas H.

    west nova scotia regiment - AbeBooks
     
  3. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Just went on the LAC website & found 11 Photos of West Novas on there.

    Archives Search Result - Search - Library and Archives Canada

    For Example.
    Infantrymen of the West Nova Scotia Regiment riding on a Sherman tank of the Calgary Regiment during the advance from Villapiano to Potenza, Italy, 18 September 1943

    [​IMG]



    Corporal L. Charette, West Nova Scotia Regiment, in a slit trench during the advance on the Gothic Line near Montelabbate, Italy, ca. 30-31 August 1944.


    [​IMG]
     
    dbf likes this.
  4. GeeDubayou

    GeeDubayou Member

    Thanks Owen! I am not a very good searcher of the internet. I'll be busy for awhile! Thanks again!
     
  5. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    2 threads which should help in obtaining images of the recommendations that Owen mentioned.
    Take a note of each Catalogue reference (WO 373/??) and then use the spreadsheet in post 32 to download the files. Takes a while to get into the swing of it, but worthwhile.

    http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/searching-someone-military-genealogy/14038-national-archives-kew%3B-recommendations-medals-4.html

    Use Geoff's lists to find recommendations by theatre or by catalogue. This helps overcome the problems associated with TNA indexing, ie different abbreviations for unit or transcription errors. Use normal computer search function (Control etc ) to scroll through the lists.
    http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/geoffs-search-engine/30372-tna-wo-373-recommendations-honours-awards.html
     
  6. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Just used Geoff's 1939-1947 Serch Engine & found there are 374 West Novas listed on CWGC website.
    Search results for: + WEST NOVA SCOTIA REGIMENT, R.C.I.C.. records found: 374

    Geoff's 1939-47 Search Engine

    Go to Regiment/Corps: search box, enter WEST NOVA SCOTIA REGIMENT & you'll get links to all 374 of them .
     
  7. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    2 photos on IWM website of West Novas.

    Sgt Walter Lowe of the West Nova Scotia Regiment is shaved by an Italian youth, January 1944.


    [​IMG]

    Infantry and Bren gun carriers of the West Nova Scotia Regiment, 3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Infantry Division, training at Aldershot, December 1939.


    [​IMG]
     
  8. GeeDubayou

    GeeDubayou Member

    You guys are really helpful! Thanks a bunch!
     
  9. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Glann -
    you must always remember that there were only three regiments in the Canadian Army - which was and still is - called the Permanent Force - and they were the Royal Canadians - PPCLI - and 22nd Vandoos representative of the whole country
    all others were reserve units.....

    That being so the RCR were in 1st bde of 1st Division - PPCLI were heading up 2nd bde and the vandoos headed up the 3rd bde.....

    In 3rd bde after the Vandoos - i'm not too sure if the West Novas were second or third...but that is usually the order in which they were employed in battle with 1st bde - then 2nd followed by 3rd - unless the whole division was involved then the 3rd was usually held as reserve to fill in when casualties started to mount- and as you can see - their casualty list was high which indicated much involvment- especially at Casa Berardi and again at the Gothic Line..
    cheers
     
  10. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    Here is a summary of the April to August 1945 War Diaries for the West Nova Scotia's:


    After the Senio Battle, the battalion moved to a rest area in the town of Russi. Then by stages it moved down the Adriatic Coast of Italy and across the country to the area Port of Livorno (Leghorn).

    19/3/45 - Battalion embarked from Livorno, Italy
    21/3/45 - After two and a half days at sea, the battalion disembarked in the French port of Marseilles.
    22/3/45 - After one night of rest in the city, the battalion left Marseilles for Belgium.
    28/3/45 - The battalion arrived at the Belgian town of Berlaer after six days on the road.
    1/4/45 - Berlaer, Belgium - Battalion located in area. Church parade held.
    2/4/45 - Advance Party moved to concentration area for upcoming operation in the Reichswald Forest 8052 and warning order for the battalion to move on 4 April.
    4/4/45 - Battalion moved to concentration area Reichswald Forest in Germany at MR 801524. Training for operation began. The 49th British Division was to clear Arnhem and launch the 5th Canadian Armoured Division on a drive northwards. The 1st Canadian Division would bridgehead the Ijssel River and drive west to meet them.
    10/4/45 - Battalion moved to final concentration area at Hummelo (MR 9684).
    11/4/45 - 3rd CIB prepared to move to 1st CIB area sometime in the morning of 12 April 1945.
    12/4/45 - Battalion moved to Royal Canadian Regiment area at Zutphen (MR 972982) across the Ijssel River on the night of April 12th-13th.
    13/4/45 - Battalion moved across the Ijessel River at 0230 hours and established Tactical HQ (MR 925023) with companies dug in nearby.
    [Details of operations found in Appendix to War Diary for April 1945. During the period of 13-25 April 1945 the battalion was involved in the advance from the Ijssel River, the battle for Apeldoorn, and the closing up to the Eem River.] The brigade plan was to attack from the 2nd Brigade bridgehead with the CYR on the right and the WNSR on the left and the R22R in reserve to cut the main road and railroad southeast of Apeldoorn. The battalion would have 'A' Company lead and followed up by 'C' Company. Attack began at 1100 hours, when 'A' Company with tanks advanced to their first objective but attack. By 1200 hours 'A' was making good progress allowing both 'A' and 'C' to advance on a two-company front. Progress slowed as resistance increased and ended at 1945 hours.
    14/8/45 - Tactical HQ now at MR 8570170 in Zutphen area early in the morning. Companies sent out recce patrols during the night and early morning hours. The battalion was now in brigade reserve with the R22R on the left and the CYR on the right. Battalion attacked at 1530 hours through R22R to clear the woods on both sides of the highway leading to Apeldoorn but was held up by enemy fire and attack postponed. Battalion held position for rest of day.
    15/5/45 - Battalion location now Apeldoorn. At 1130 hours 'A' and 'C' Companies attacked and were later followed by 'B' and 'D' Companies. After the attack, at 1610 hours the battalion moved into brigade reserve in area 831011.
    16/4/45 - After a quiet night, plans for brigade attack with R22R and CYR to bridgehead the Apeldoorn Canal and for the West Nova Scotia Regiment to move through them for a limited exploitation. Attack at 2230 hours cancelled due to rapid advance of 2nd CIB. Attack changed to just WNSR to attack through 2nd CIB bridgehead.
    17/4/45 - At 2400 hours on the 17th the battalion moved off and began moving toward the bridgehead at 0230 hours. The attack then proceeded and the battalion has advanced by 0830 hours with Tactical HQ at 803990 and the other companies in the area. At 1000 a carrier patrol reported Apeldoorn abandoned by the enemy. The battalion then advanced into the south west perimeter of the city. At 1230 hours the battalion left for Barneveld to link up with the 5th Cdn Armd Div. It reached a small village at MR 697994 at 1600 hours and remained there until last light clearing the woods in the vicinity. It moved again at 2100 hours and halted shortly to clear an enemy pocket.
    18/4/45 - Battalion arrived at Barneveld at 0600 hours after a long journey from Apeldoorn at 0600 hours and took up positions. At 1530 hours the battalion left Barneveld and moved to Putten to defend and mop up the town allowing the 5th Cdn Arm Div to continue its advance to the sea. By 1830 hours the battalion was deployed in the town.
    19/4/45 - Battalion at Putten and sent out patrols but no contact with the enemy. At 1930 hours the battalion moved into new positions with Tac HQ established at MR 495079. Comes under the command of 5th Canadian Armoured Brigade.
    20/4/45 - At 0245 hours battalion moved up to the outskirts of Nijkerk and contacted the enemy. Two companies probed the town but brigade had the battalion withdraw from the outskirts of the town since a company of the CYR were already in the town. Mobile columns were sent to see if the bridge over the Eem River was intact. Flooding prevented the columns from approaching the bridge.
    21/4/45 - During the morning another mobile column was sent into Nijkerk toward the River Eem. Flooding again prevented the column from reaching the river but it did enter the towns of Bunschoten and Sparkensburg just north of Bunschoten. Towns were found clear of the enemy.
    22/4/45 - 'A' Company moved to area of Spakenburg and Bunschoten.
    23/4/45 - Battalion held position.
    24/4/45 - A company of Dutch personnel, 'Hollinger Force', relieved 'A' Company. Battalion reserve of brigade.
    26/4/45 - Battalion did reconnaissance of positions of Carleton and York Regiment preparatory to relieving the unit. Unit relieved Carletons starting at 1850 hours. Battalion informed that offensive operations in Holland were over since the Germans would flood Dutch country if offensive continued. Battalion still in Nijkerk area. Battalion has now completely taken over the Carelton's positions and holding line.
    27/4/45 - Ceasefire in battalion area ordered with preparations to receive a German party with white flag or one in a Storch aircraft.
    28/4/45 - Truce called off but later back on.
    1/5/45 - Battalion still deployed at Nijkerk, Holland.
    2/5/45 - Truce back over but companies warned not to take offensive action.
    4/5/45 - News of German surrender heard on BBC.
    5/5/45 - Ceasefire went into effect at 0800 hours. Battalion informed that it is to be relieved by R22R on the night of 6/7 May but this did not take place.
    7/5/45 - Battalion warned of a move to Rotterdam.
    8/5/45 - Battalion left Nijkerk area and moved to Den Hoorn, northwest of Rotterdam for occupation duties.
    10/5/45 - Battalion moved to new location at Voorburg.
    13/5/45 - Battalion moved again to Scheveningen near The Hague.
    Note: Starting in June men began to leave for CAPF and CAOF.
    21/6/45 - Battalion left The Hague area and moved to barracks at Utrecht, Holland on occupation duties.
    18/7/45 - Battalion left Utrecht and moved to Bussum, Holland.
    31/8/45 - Battalion still located at Bussum.

    I was a teacher in Connecticut in the early 1970s. The school principal, a Nova Scotian, remembered the West Nova Scotia's mustering for war in 1939. How are things up in Halifax. My wife and I honeymooned there in 1972.
     
    Owen likes this.
  11. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Here's another book for you to track down.

    Cameron, Susan M
    March to Etna: Memories of the West Nova Scotia Regiment in Sicily
    Convoy Press, Halifax, NS, 1997.

    According to this website , their Arm Of Service sign was 69 on brown square, that would be painted on their vehicles & any signposts relating to the Bn.


    >>> Bibliography
     
  12. GeeDubayou

    GeeDubayou Member

    Here's another book for you to track down.

    Cameron, Susan M
    March to Etna: Memories of the West Nova Scotia Regiment in Sicily
    Convoy Press, Halifax, NS, 1997.

    According to this website , their tac sign was 69 on brown square, that would be painted on their vehicles & any signposts relating to the Bn.
    [​IMG]

    >>> Bibliography

    Image link didn't work..I think I'll be doing up a tac sign for our group :) We have A LOT of West Novies in our group.
     
  13. GeeDubayou

    GeeDubayou Member

    I was a teacher in Connecticut in the early 1970s. The school principal, a Nova Scotian, remembered the West Nova Scotia's mustering for war in 1939. How are things up in Halifax. My wife and I honeymooned there in 1972.

    Things are pretty good up this way....We got our butt kicked by a direct hit from a hurricane in...2001 I think it was, then we got our butt kicked by that hurricane again, but it snow form..We were hit by Hurricane Juan, and then a snowstorm we nicknamed White Juan, THERE WAS SOOOOOOO MUCH SNOW!
    After the attacks of 9/11, the airport I work at received 44 aircraft that was diverted there after the attacks.
    The city is ABSOLUTELY beautiful, I was born out west in Victoria BC, and find that the city of Halifax, reminds me so much of BC, there is SO much history here in regards to WWII, and lots of history in other times as well.
     
  14. canuck

    canuck Closed Account

    Things are pretty good up this way....We got our butt kicked by a direct hit from a hurricane in...2001 I think it was, then we got our butt kicked by that hurricane again, but it snow form..We were hit by Hurricane Juan, and then a snowstorm we nicknamed White Juan, THERE WAS SOOOOOOO MUCH SNOW!
    After the attacks of 9/11, the airport I work at received 44 aircraft that was diverted there after the attacks.
    The city is ABSOLUTELY beautiful, I was born out west in Victoria BC, and find that the city of Halifax, reminds me so much of BC, there is SO much history here in regards to WWII, and lots of history in other times as well.

    Yes, indeed. One of my favourite Canadian cities. If it had the climate of the west coast, people would flock there. Nice people down east!
    Not many people know that 150 Titanic victims are buried in various Halifax cemetaries.
     
  15. GeeDubayou

    GeeDubayou Member

    Yes, indeed. One of my favourite Canadian cities. If it had the climate of the west coast, people would flock there. Nice people down east!
    Not many people know that 150 Titanic victims are buried in various Halifax cemetaries.

    The very first year I moved here, I visited every single Titanic graveyard here and they are absolutely beautiful. More people need to come out this way.
    Where abouts are you from Canuck?
     
  16. canuck

    canuck Closed Account

    Richmond Hill, just north of Toronto.
     
  17. GeeDubayou

    GeeDubayou Member

    Richmond Hill, just north of Toronto.

    I know Richmond Hill very very well..My aunt lives in Richmond Hill, and I used to live in Whitby.
     
  18. gunbunnyB/3/75FA

    gunbunnyB/3/75FA Senior Member

    hey geedubayou, my aunt and uncle used to live in west surry outside victoria BC, i visted them there once ,i coundn't get over the fact icould wear shorts and a t-shirt on christmas day. esp as back home the same day there was about 3 inches of snow on the ground.
     
  19. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Getting back to the West Novas, another one of their COs.

    Recommendation for Award for Waterman, Ronald Stephen Edward
    Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
    Regiment: West Nova Scotia Regiment
    Award: Distinguished Service Order
     
    Lance Waterman likes this.
  20. GeeDubayou

    GeeDubayou Member

    hey geedubayou, my aunt and uncle used to live in west surry outside victoria BC, i visted them there once ,i coundn't get over the fact icould wear shorts and a t-shirt on christmas day. esp as back home the same day there was about 3 inches of snow on the ground.

    haha I know eh..I miss BC. but I love snow way to much.
     

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