Tom Canning 1924-2016

Discussion in 'Veteran Accounts' started by 17thDYRCH, May 31, 2016.

  1. ritsonvaljos

    ritsonvaljos Senior Member

    I first heard about Tom Canning when he was one of the main 'Site Helpers' for the BBC "People's War" website, a project I also worked on as a volunteer.

    This is from the 'bio' page on the "People's War" website:

    Trooper Tom Canning - WW2 Site Helper

    Tom Canning - born Cowdenbeath, Fife, Scotland in 1924 moved to Lochee near Dundee during the miners strike of '26/'27. Schooling was with the R,C,faith at St,Mary's Infants, St.Mary's junior and St.John's at Dundee. Gained six Higher certs, but War broke out in Sept. '39 which put paid to further education for the time being.

    Went to England and worked in war factories in Coventry and Birmingham. Joined the Army at Bury St.Edmonds in 1942 - the Royal Armoured Corps at Barnard Castle, Co Durham. Went overseas to North Africa and joined 145th Regt R.A.C. then on to Italy where I was badly wounded at the battle of the Gothic Line. Was demobbed from Austria in 1947, back to England, was sales representative for small, now very large tool supplier. Married Veronica in 1950, emigrated to Canada 1957. Three children born in Canada but educated in the U.K.

    Meanwhile, I went to University of Toronto for three years followed by a further three years at University of Calgary. Returned to the U.K. 1971
    and started business in Bournemouth, retiring and returning to Canada in 1987.

    ...........

    Tom Canning (1924 - 2016) R.I.P.
     
    4jonboy, von Poop and dbf like this.
  2. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    I am happy for Tom, he will doubtless have been fortified by his faith and by his hope to be reunited with his beloved Veronica.

    I send my condolences and thoughts to his family whose sense of loss will naturally be far greater than any of us who considered him our friend might feel. But what a loss to the forum, he having been so willing to share his experiences and to encourage those researching the war in which he was so badly wounded and which deprived him of family and friends.

    Once he considered me a friend he never wavered from that: as all good friends should do he never missed an opportunity to set things straight and to offer his opinion. His direct manner reminded me very much of my father's and to know that Tom was around still gave me great comfort. We lost Major Joe last year and now Tom; my father and grandfather also veterans of the same war died in this month too. So May is now an even sadder month in my calendar.

    There's only one Tom C !

    May he rest in peace.
     

    Attached Files:

  3. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    Farewell to Tom and condolences to his family.

    We had no relationship beyond my having read many of his posts and enjoyed them; I'm saddened that there will be no new ones.

    To paraphrase Churchill, being prepared to argue is a sign that you believe in something and haven't merely passed through life as a spectator.

    Ave atque vale.
     
  4. Packhow75

    Packhow75 Senior Member

    RIP Tom. Condolences to your family.
     
  5. Susan Smethurst

    Susan Smethurst Senior but too talkative

    Tom was a very dear friend. We met on the Forum over 8 years ago due to my searching for information about my father and Uncle (both WW2 RTR Officers). What started as kind support in my researches developed into a firm friendship outside of the Forum. He was always forthright ( eg saying "from that last photo it seems you are a bit heavier this summer " ) but he was supportive and kind and when we emailed as we did most days the age difference between us was as nothing. A measure of what he meant to my family was that in his last weeks my 8 year old daughter voluntarily drew pictures in cards to send him. I will miis sending him a card a day from my hols in Portugal when he would laugh at the vagaries of the Portuguese and Canadian postal services when he received 4 cards one day and then the last one 3 weeks after I was back in Blighty. I will miss the family stories and recall the huge pride he had in the achievements of his daughter, sons and " globe trotting" Granchildren.

    I will miss him beyond measure iin so many ways but know in my heart it was time for him to go to the green fields and his beloved wife.

    God Bless you dear Tom.
    X
     
    Owen, 4jonboy, dbf and 1 other person like this.
  6. CTNana

    CTNana Member

    So sad to hear this.

    The BBC site was my first introduction to Tom and he and Ron were both so kind and helpful so many years ago as I endeavoured to find out more about my Dad's service.

    He also reminded me of my Dad and I too enjoyed reading his posts even when I disagreed with their content. Heartfelt condolences to your family and thank you Tom may you RIP.
     
    ritsonvaljos likes this.
  7. Pat Atkins

    Pat Atkins Well-Known Member

    RIP Tom. Condolences to the family.

    Pat
     
  8. Rob Dickers

    Rob Dickers 10th MEDIUM REGT RA

    A very sad day indeed.
    A very special man has left us.
    R.I.P. Tom
     
  9. Lofty1

    Lofty1 Senior Member

    :poppy: R.I.P. Tom Canning, you will be greatly missed, condolencies to your family. :poppy:
     
  10. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    A large gap has opened in this forum for the members that will never be properly filled.

    RIP Tom.
     
  11. Brian Smith

    Brian Smith Junior Member

    Respect. RIP Tom. Brian
     
  12. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Drat and double drat. He knew so much about the Italian Campaign.

    FdeP
     
  13. Jedburgh22

    Jedburgh22 Very Senior Member

    RIP Tom
    Thanks for your insights

    Steven
     
  14. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    I was introduced to this forum by Tom back in 2008 when we corresponded on the BBC History Forum.
    He also helped me unravel my late fathers service records.
    He was also appreciative that my father was in the 4th Recce at the Gothic line and in support of his Tank Regiment. He told me that he could see my father's unit taking a severe battering whilst he was seriously injured in the rear of an ambulance.
    I will always remember Tom's kindness and it really saddened me to learn of his passing.
    RIP Tom.

    The other Tom or TCS to Tom Canning.
     
  15. John Redell

    John Redell Member

    At ease and RIP, Tom.
     
  16. BrianM59

    BrianM59 Senior Member

    "Remember me when I am dead
    And simplify me when I'm dead".

    Goodnight Tom, sleep well.
     
  17. 4jonboy

    4jonboy Daughter of a 56 Recce

    A very sad day indeed. My heartfelt condolences to his family.

    I can only echo the sentiments and tributes by other members; Tom was one of the first people to befriend me when I joined the forum over 5 years ago. I e-mailed him constantly asking stupid questions about my father, also a D-Day Dodger, and he always answered in his usual no-nonsense forthright manner. When I finally decided to make the trip to Italy in 2014, Tom was very encouraging, supportive and very kind to me. And yes, he was a very kind man.

    He used to e-mail and tell me how he always looked forward to the summer and Christmas holidays when his daughter, Elizabeth, would make the trip to see him, and how the house would once again be filled with laughter. A special bond between them, very much like I had with my father.

    Sorry I never met you in person Tom; thank you for your stories and kindness.

    Rest in peace old soldier and D-Day Dodger.

    Lesley x
     
    Steve Mac, canuck, Owen and 3 others like this.
  18. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    Sorry to hear this :( He was the first to welcome my Grandfather to this site.

    Kyle
     
  19. Mags53

    Mags53 Member

    Condolences to his family and friends. I enjoyed reading his posts - my dad's also a D-Day Dodger and I picked up a lot from Tom. RIP x
     
  20. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    I am 100% certain he'd have disapproved of my choice of Vodka and Redbull, but... Here's to you, Tom, wherever you may be.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SE5Cgvc3JqU
     
    Owen, 4jonboy and kopite like this.

Share This Page