Looking for my mum's secret........

Discussion in 'Canadian' started by Dutchie1960, Aug 16, 2020.

  1. Dutchie1960

    Dutchie1960 Member

    Hi everyone,
    The name's Albert and I'm from the Netherlands. Came across this forum looking for some answers regarding my mother, who received an American Motherday item after her town got liberated. Found it only recently in her belongings by accident, she passed away over 10 years ago. (Attached a couple of pictures.)

    As you can see, it was not given by an American soldier, but by a Canadian one. Must have been her "boyfriend", looking at the two x"s at the bottom!
    I would like to know more about this guy, but I get stuck looking for his name. He's not KIA, no trace of him in the records. When I go to the site of the Canadian Military Heritage, I can't fill out the form to get his service-record, because all I got is his name and servicenumber. DOB is required also.

    Anyone any ideas on this?
    Thanks in advance!
    RIMG6672.JPG RIMG6670.JPG
     
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  2. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Putting his name etc up for it to be accessible via internet searches, you never know who's also looking for info:
    D-122986 Pte Robillard, Clement, RCASC


    Requests for Military Service Files - Library and Archives Canada
    • "To identify a file, we require surname, full given name(s), date of birth and/or service number or social insurance number.
    • If you do not have that information, secondary information (e.g., the names of next of kin, postings, dates of service, place of enlistment) can assist in identifying the correct individual."


    Seems to me you have his number and a rough idea where he was and when. So, while his DOB would be helpful, it isn't necessary for an application.

    What's actually more problematic is this:

    • "For individuals still living: Personal information cannot be released without the written consent of the individual concerned.
    • For individuals deceased less than 20 years: Limited personal information will be released to an immediate family member (spouse, parent, sibling, child or grandchild) of the individual concerned if proof of relationship and proof of death are provided. Proof of death is not required if the individual died while serving in the Canadian Armed Forces.
    • For individuals deceased more than 20 years: Personal information will be released on an individual deceased for more than 20 years if proof of death is provided. Proof of death is not required if the individual died while serving in the Canadian Armed Forces.
    Note 2: The following are examples of documents accepted as proof of death: death certificate, newspaper obituary, funeral notice or photograph of the gravestone."
     
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  3. Dutchie1960

    Dutchie1960 Member

    Thanks, I'll try and let you know how things turn out!
     
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  4. klambie

    klambie Senior Member

    You can get a file without proof of death. I believe there is a method via Access to Information, though I've never tried it myself. I can recommend an Ottawa researcher I've used for similar requests. PM me if interested in contact details.

    Note you will get details on his Army service but personal info like home town, next of kin etc. will be censored.
     
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  5. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    Theres two threads going about the same issue so this may be posted elsewhere . The card is from Taunton Mass just like this soldier below but he isnt Canadian?
    44016_02_00092-01548.jpg

    Kyle
     
  6. canuck

    canuck Closed Account

    His place of birth is shown as being Taunton, Mass. in 1912. That would have made him 33 years old in 1945 and unless a divorce had occurred, he was already married.

    He is likely one of thousands of Americans who came north to enlist in Canada before Pearl Harbor. I suspect his parents originated in Canada but were part of a wave of Quebec emigration to the U.S. in the 19th century.

    When an Influx of French-Canadian Immigrants Struck Fear Into Americans | History | Smithsonian Magazine
     
    Last edited: Aug 17, 2020
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  7. Dave55

    Dave55 Atlanta, USA

    Roman Catholic too so good chance he was French-Canadian

    EDIT:

    I couldn't make out his full name before. Definitely a French-Canadian.
     
  8. BFBSM

    BFBSM Very Senior Member

    He, his mother Lottie and three siblings returned to Canada in 1929, when Clement was 16.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
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  9. Dutchie1960

    Dutchie1960 Member

    Oh my God, guys, you're the best! Never came to mind he might be an immigrant, thought it was strange he had an American card but served in the Canadian army!
    I'm sure this is the guy I'm looking for, just look at his first name from his signature on the card from Mr Jinks and compare it with the Clement he wrote on my mum's card, exactly the same!

    I do believe he cheated on his wife though, when the war started in 1939 he was already married... Mhh, wonder if my mum knew........
    Anyways, many thanks to Klambie, Mr. Jinks, Canuck, Dave55, BFBSM, dbf and Wobbler for their hard work, much appreciated!
    My next step will be trying to figure out what regiment etc he was in.
    To be continued.......:salut:
     
  10. canuck

    canuck Closed Account

    Do you know where your Mom lived during this period? That might help narrow down which Canadian units were in the area.
     
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  11. Wobbler

    Wobbler Well-Known Member

    Thank you for including me in the thanks, Albert, but it’s the others whom you mention that have done all the hard work. I just said hello lol.

    As Diane (dbf) said, his Corps looks to be the RCASC, which is the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps, but I don’t know any more than that. The following are just guesses:

    Could HQI (1?). CDN.CORP possibly mean HQ of the 1 Canadian Corps? With regard to what looks like “Troop. C.”, could it be Corps Troop Company (Composite Company)?

    Are the final three letters C.A.O.? Canadian Army Overseas?

    I am just guessing and asking questions instead of answering them, Albert, but I’m certainly not an expert like so many members here, so please forgive any errors. :)
     
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  12. Dutchie1960

    Dutchie1960 Member

    There can be 4 possibilties: She used to live in Maren, a little village near 's-Hertogenbosch with her aunt and uncle because her real parents didn't have enough money to care for her as well, besides her brothers and sisters. I know, bit of a strange story, but that's what she told me years ago.

    Second option would be the village her real parents lived, Wamel, back home for a vacation or something like that.

    Third option can be 's-Hertogenbosch, where she used to work.

    Last option is Oss, also near to 's-Hertogenbosch.
    I've been trying to figure out by email which place was liberated by what country/army, but it takes forever to get an answer.....
    I know Oss was liberated by the English, but perhaps there where Canadians as well for support....
     
  13. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    I do believe CAO = Canadian Army Overseas, as you say.
     
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  14. Wobbler

    Wobbler Well-Known Member

    Cheers Chris, I got one right at least lol.
     
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  15. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD


    That's what I also take it to mean - a unit of CRASC attached to HQ 1st Canadian Corps.


    dryan67 is the Canadian WD expert but via TNA and under 1 Canadian Corps, here are links to RCASC War Diaries

    R.C.A.S.C. Tps. | The National Archives
    Reference: WO 179/1698
    Description: R.C.A.S.C. Tps. [heading states HQ 1 Corps]
    Date: 1943 Jan.- Dec.


    R.C.A.S.C. Tps. | The National Archives
    Reference: WO 179/2674
    Description: R.C.A.S.C. Tps.
    Date: 1944 Jan.- Dec.

    R.C.A.S.C. Tps. | The National Archives
    Reference: WO 179/4128
    Description: R.C.A.S.C. Tps.
    Date: 1945 Jan.- July
     
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  16. Dutchie1960

    Dutchie1960 Member

    Found some pictures taken by civilians during the liberation of Oss. Gonna order them and put them on this site asap. Looks like the English as well as the Canadian were stationed here....
     
  17. Dutchie1960

    Dutchie1960 Member

    The British 1st and 5th Coldstream Guards were stationed in Oss for sure. Have to wait for the pictures for more details....
     

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