1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, Appeal for Photographs and Information

Discussion in 'Canadian' started by SPHODGSON, May 28, 2012.

  1. SPHODGSON

    SPHODGSON Junior Member

    As part of my second year of university, I have been working in conjunction with the Fallen Heroes of Normandy Project (Fallen Heroes of Normandy) in researching the Canadian contribution to Operation Overlord. The aim of the Fallen Heroes Project is to collate and publish as much information as possible about the fallen in Normandy on their free-to-access website, thereby helping preserve the memory of these men for posterity.
    As part of this research I was directed towards the contribution of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion and their role in the Normandy landings. Using available primary and secondary sources I’ve been trying to compile as many photographs, and back stories to go with them, as possible.

    A more experienced hand in historical research has pointed me towards the patrons of this forum to appeal for further information, references and sources of photographs. So far, I have covered the war diaries for the period and 'Out of the Clouds' by John A. Willes, as well as a few other publications and online sources. presently I have identified and collated approximately 30 photographs.

    I'd like to appeal to you all for any help or guidance you could provide in finding further photographs and information about any of the 1st Cdn Para Bn fallen in Normandy.

    All contributors will be duly acknowledged when my research is collated and added to the new Fallen Heroes of Normandy database and website, which is due to be launched later this year.

    Thank you for taking the time to read this thread, and I look forward to any interesting replies or contributions.


    S P Hodgson
    sphodgson2012@gmail.com
     
  2. Cee

    Cee Senior Member Patron

    Hello SP,

    You may have already rummaged through the Canadian Archives ...? There's not a lot there unfortunately for the Normandy phase. Part of the problem from what I discovered through another member on here (brithm) is that the two photographers assigned to the Canadian Paras were sent back to England not soon after D-Day for the sake of a scoop.

    1st Canadian Parachute Battalion - Archives Image Search

    The people at Paratroopers.CA may have suggestions for image sources. They have put together an 8 part DVD set that chronicles the entire history of the Canadian paras from inception to present day.

    Paratroopers - The Canadian Story

    A WW2Talk thread on the battalion:

    1st Canadian Parachute Battlion - WW2Talk

    I imagine though most of the sources mentioned above will not be new. If I can find away to make my 1Can Para bookmarks folder available I'll send them off to you.
     
  3. brithm

    brithm Senior Member

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