Universal Carrier - Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada

Help wanted. A vehicle restorer in Canada is after pictures of a universal carrier from WW2 with the markings of the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada.
So far, he has been unable to locate anything through the regimental association or National archives.

Many thanks,

 

Owen,
Great stuff...Thanks very much.
I will pass it along.

Randy

 

Owen,
thanks very much again. I will pass this along.

Randy

 

Owen,
99.9% sure that the Cameron's were #68. A senior guy from Mapleleafup confirmed this.
And Jean Bouchery's book, the Canadian Soldier from Dday to VEday confirms 68 on brown background.
( re the book, written by a Frenchman! how Canadian ) eh?

 

Not sure if it helps but, Canadian Camerons were, between the wars, a non-Permanent Active Militia unit. September 1939 they mobilised to to full war strength. They went on to partake in the Dieppe raid. They would also land in Normandy 7th July 1944.

 

51Highland, thanks for the info.
Dieppe was an absolute disaster. I willl probably throw the question out to the forum closer to the anniversary...Was it good for the planning of operation Overlord?
Randy

 

Owen,
Your initial findings were correct! Apparently the Camerons had 69 while in England but changed to 68 when they hit the continent.

 

As middle infantry battalion in the junior brigade of their division they'd have a 68 on a brown square.
Infantry Division Vehicle Markings

with blue div sign with yellow maple leaf of 2nd Cdn Div.

http://www.armouredacorn.com/Refs-%20Thumbprints%20&%20Images/CVM/CVM%20Part%2024%20(More%20Universal%20Carriers).pdf


Owen

Here is the completed carrier restored with the correct marking. The project was part of the celebrations concerning the 100th Anniversary of the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada.

Randy

 

interesting positioning of the chorehorse generator. Mk1 stowage should have the rations box there and the chorehorse goes inside the hull on the gunners side against the back armour plate (inline with the canvas cover but on the inside) what is unusual is from the lists i have access to 60404 forms part of a batch of a 1000 unknown carriers who's WD numbers were allocated to South Africa ?

a fantastic and complete carrier none the less. you will notice the star has been put on sqewiff. this was common place by the Canadians who i beleive did not wish to have their vehicles marked up in US insignia. many units would paint over them or as you see place them to the rear end of the side armour to prevent enemy using the star as a target. also noticed he has a few frozen track links.

 

Richard,

Interesting stuff regarding the US insignia.
Was this common in the other Allied forces?

Randy

 

Owen -
sommat a bit off somewhere - on your diagram heading it states that the QOC were the in the 2nd Bde of 2nd Inf Div - not so - the Canadian bdes went in numerical order - i.e - 2nd bde belonged to 1st Inf Div and was of the PPCLI -Seaforths and Loyal Edmontons - 1st bde was head by the RCR - and 3rd bde was with the Vandoos - ergo - the QOC would have been in either 3 - 4 - 5 bdes ....?- all the way up to the 5th Armoured Div with 11th and 12th bdes.....
They might therfore being the "middle" battalion thought of themselves as 2nd in the bde
I think !
Cheers

 

not so much with the brits but the love hate relationship that existed (or perhaps still exists) between the US and Canada, it was their way of overtly showing defiance at being marked up in US liverie

EDIT: just noticed Tom is watching the thread...an ideal person to shed light on this question

 

Randy,

Superb photographs.

Regards
Tom

 

Randy,

Superb photographs.

Regards
Tom

Tom,
I cannot take credit for the photos. The chap who did the restoration had posted on MLU a request for vehicle markings. This led to my enquiry on ww2talk, which got him the answer via the Owen.

It was also nice to see the finished product as well as the parade.

Cheers
Randy

 

Randy,

You posted them for the benefit of the forum members.

Yes, it was very nice to see the finished product. A very fine restoration.

Regards
Tom

 

Must say I am impressed with the turnout of both the parade and the spick and span carrier-we never did see them look like that !...... looks as if it just came out of the original factory - well done to the restorers........good job !

the US white star was always a bone of contention- and usually "just happened " to be covered in mud - the relationship was soured in Italy - initially when the Americans - who had no hand in capturing the city of Naples as that was by the British 7th Armoured's KDg's and 11th Hussars...would NOT allow anyone wearing the red patch of the 1st Cdn division into the City -caused alot of fights - they tried this on again at Rome- and lost - even to threatening shooting anyone who was not American - and other places so much so that when the City of Tombe de Pesaro(Tuvalu) was "liberated" by 5th Cdn Div - a notice was made up with the legend - "THIS is a Canadian City !" there were few Americans to take notice though !

The Americans were always glad enough of our Alexander Club in Rome as they were served real food as opposed to their plastic packges......

Cheers