Hello I am new to the form and am trying to find out about the first Canadian division. I had a great Uncle who was in the 1st Anti-tank Regiment. I cant seem to find out any information anywhere. I know that he was from New Brunswick and was In England around 1940 and that the unit went to Italy in 1943. I am looking for any other information about the 1st Anti Tank. Any help would be great. I also have a group photo of him in England that says 51st battery? any information about this? Thanks Thomas
Here's a list of their war diaries & ref numbers at Kew in London UK. WO 179/209 1 Anti-Tank Regiment1941 Jan.- Dec .WO 179/1169 1 Anti-Tank Regiment1942 Jan. - Oct .WO 179/1912 1 Anti-Tank Regiment1943 Jan.-Dec .WO 179/3025 1 Anti-Tank Regiment1944 Jan.- Dec. WO 179/4426 1 Anti-Tank Regiment1945 Jan.-Aug. Also suggest contacting the Canadian archives for your Great-Uncle's service records. http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/022/022-909.007-e.html 51st Battery formed part of 1 AT Regt. http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/archive/index.php/t-3940.html 1st Anti-Tank Regiment -27th Anti-Tank Battery -51st Anti-Tank Battery -57th Anti-Tank Battery -90th Anti-Tank Battery
If he was from New Brunswick, he most likely served in the 90th Anti-Tank Battery, RCA, which was raised in Fredericton, New Brunswick. A good general source for information on the Royal Canadian Artillery in WWII is the official history. It should be available in most major Canadian libraries. It is: Nicholson, Colonel G.W.L. The Gunners of Canada: The History of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery: Volume II: 1919-1967. Toronto: McCelland and Stewart Ltd., 1972. You can also find information on the movements and operations of 1st Canadian Division, which the 1st Anti-Tank Regiment, RCA, was a part of in the official histories of the Canadian Army in World War II. These volumes are on-line here: http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/his/oh-ho/index-eng.asp Good luck.
Check out the Canada At War forums and ask there. I found them very helpful too. http://www.canadaatwar.ca/forums/index.php