It's been a long time but I have been busy. Following some helpful information and very welcome advice, I have finally received my relative's army history from the Canadian Archives and they have been very interesting. His name was James Redfern and he was kia on 1 September 1944 in Italy (I had some great help with this in a previous post). The records state that he was in the UK from 3.11.41 to 29.9.43. Can anybody help with some details of whereabouts in the UK he'd have been please? Also in the records, it states that his father had served for 13 years "13 years with the Perth Regiment NPAM". Could anyone enlighten me about this please and, perhaps, show me what a Perth Regiment cap badge looked like then. It's a big ask, I know, but I have a photograph of who I believe to be James' father but unfortunately the cap badge in it is very indistinct. Any other uniform details would be much appreciated. Thank you for reading this and, perhaps, being able to help.
A quick follow-up: These are fome of the details I've gleaned from the records above: Enlisted - 17 September 1939 - A/11231, Perth Regiment (Motor), Royal Canadian Infantry Corps, 1 Can Div L/Cpl 24.11.1939 Promoted to A/Cpl - 1.12.40 Lance Corporal 26.2.1940 Reverted to L/Cpl (at own request) 28.8.1941 Cpl (D Coy) 1.3.41 Cpl - October 1941 5.10.1941 - Embarked Halifax, Ship 304 19.10.1941 - Disembarked Liverpool Leave/Privilege Leave 24.10.1941 to 26.11.1941 Good Conduct Badge - 18.9.1942 15.1.1943 Attached to Intelligence Section Awarded Cdn Vol Medal and Clasp 25.3.1943 Att. to 1CG RU Intelligence Course 3.5.1943 Posted to X-4 List, 4th Btn - 1.6.1944 Att. to 4 Cdn Armrd Bdge -2.6.1944 Posted to X-4 List, 3rd Btn - 26.6.1944 Notification of Death and Burial to Father - Plot 1, Row B, Grave 9, Montecchio British Empire Cemetery, Montecchio, (8m SW of Pesaro, Italy)
Steadyeddy You will find that your relative was killed around the area of Montecchio on the 1st September as we were crossing the Foglia River - which alleged to be the actual Gothic Line but was not complete and so the crossing was remarkably and relatively easy and nothing too difficult at that time. The Perths were in 5th AD along with the Irish and the Cape Bretons - we were with 1st Div a couple of miles to the East and we crossed at Osteria Nuova- the big fights are further up at Coriano Cheers
Steadyeddy Forgot to mention that Stan Scislowski was also in the Perths - D company I think and has written couple of books- "Not all of us were brave' and his article on his "Return to Cassino" is well worth googlng for CHEERS
"13 years with the Perth Regiment NPAM". Could anyone enlighten me about this please Non-Permanent Active Militia Non-Permanent Active Militia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Owen Prior to WW2 - Canada had what was known as a permanent force of just three regiments of usually - one battalion each- the 22E regiment from Quebec (Vandoos) the Canadian regiment from Ontario and the Princess Patricia's Light infantry from the west - mainly Alberta /B.C.- ALL other regiments were what we would call Territorials which were activated on the declaration of war in 1939 - they have now reverted to this Permanent Force and still all others including the Perths are NON Permanent Cheers
Defining the Undefinable by Theodore Plautz The Canadian Militia 1920 History of the Canadian Militia
Further to Wills response: Your Perth enlisted in southern Ontario, Canada and embarked at Halifax, NS on 5.10.41 on either TC14 or TC15. I think it was TC 15 because the Regina Del Pacifico (carried ALL the Perths to England) docked in Liverpool , en route to Aldershot, at the same hour/time as TC15. (largest single troop convoy in WW2) (I found conflicting info on convoy number in one document - google TC15 and it lists the Reina del Pacifico as one of the vessels in that convoy.) “privileged leave” was disembarkation leave upon arrival in Liverpool Your fellow left Liverpool, England for Italy via Algiers with Convoy KMF-25A on the John Ericsson. see Action off Cape Bougaroun - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Canadian Volunteer Medal and Clasp was awarded after 18 months honorable service in Canadian Forces overseas. Canadian Volunteer Service Medal - Veterans Affairs Canada X4 list is “unposted reinforcements” – troops ready to be reassigned for duty Sept 1/44 – Point 204, Gothic Line Pesaro on northeast coast of Italy, south of Venice – on Adriatic Further info on Perths : Official History of Canadian Army in Second World War, Vol 1, The Canadians in Italy 1939-45 Official History of Canadian Army in Second World War, Vol 2, Six Years of War – The Army in Canada, Britain, and the Pacific Fifth Canadian Armed Division – Introduction to Battle, Bill McAndrew The Canadian Army 1939-45, E. Stacey Report 121, Historical Officer, Canadian Military Headquarters (all available for free PDF downloads if you google) The Fighting Perths, Stafford Johnston Perth Regiment Master Role (HONOR ROLL and summary of actions) (both of above available for free download on the Perth Regiment of Canada site Wills gave you.) Happy hunting, Norma AND , as Tom advised, Stan Scislowski's Memoir- Not All of Us Were Brave - lots of excerpts online A quick follow-up: These are fome of the details I've gleaned from the records above: Enlisted - 17 September 1939 - A/11231, Perth Regiment (Motor), Royal Canadian Infantry Corps, 1 Can Div L/Cpl 24.11.1939 Promoted to A/Cpl - 1.12.40 Lance Corporal 26.2.1940 Reverted to L/Cpl (at own request) 28.8.1941 Cpl (D Coy) 1.3.41 Cpl - October 1941 5.10.1941 - Embarked Halifax, Ship 304 19.10.1941 - Disembarked Liverpool Leave/Privilege Leave 24.10.1941 to 26.11.1941 Good Conduct Badge - 18.9.1942 15.1.1943 Attached to Intelligence Section Awarded Cdn Vol Medal and Clasp 25.3.1943 Att. to 1CG RU Intelligence Course 3.5.1943 Posted to X-4 List, 4th Btn - 1.6.1944 Att. to 4 Cdn Armrd Bdge -2.6.1944 Posted to X-4 List, 3rd Btn - 26.6.1944 Notification of Death and Burial to Father - Plot 1, Row B, Grave 9, Montecchio British Empire Cemetery, Montecchio, (8m SW of Pesaro, Italy)
Hello steadyeddy, I am James Redfern's great grand nephew. His brother, William, is my Papa (or "Grandfather" as one might say). I would love to share the picture of my Great Grandfather Solomon with the family as both of James' siblings are still alive. Is there any chance you could please scan a copy? I am quite interested in my great uncle James' in his past and I'm sure his brother, my Papa, is too. Although, he never makes it seem as though he is. Deep down, I know he is. He's a Korean War veteran. Sorry, what I meant to say is that I'm slowly learning about the Perth Regiment's history too! And when I find a picture of a regimental cap, I will send it to you. Thank you so much for sharing as it brightened my day, Jonathan McArthur
