12th Canadian Armoured Regiment [Three Rivers Regiment]

I am trying to find some information regarding my brother in laws father Charles Pierre Moliere Three Rivers Regiment WW2 No D 36525 he was mentioned in dispatches (MID) in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy. I am trying to find out more about the unit where it was stationed in England and its period in Italy and also possibly what he did to warrant the MID.

What i do know from Canadian web sites is:
MOLIERE, Charles Pierre, Warrant Officer Class II (Regimental Quartermaster-Sergeant) (D.36525) - Mention in Despatches - Armour (12 Canadian Armoured Regiment [Three Rivers Regiment] - awarded as per Canada Gazette and CARO/6074, both dated 22 September 1945

He must have been stationed in the South of England as he Married my Brother in Laws mother in Uxbridge in 1941

Any info would be really appreciated


Hope somebody may be able to help

Regards

John

 

John,

Welcome.

I'm sure you'll get chapter and verse from other members here.

My father can well remember the Trois Rivieres being very helpful to him and his comrades during October 1943 - of course, the MiD was from a much later period.

“In my journeys between Termoli and the farm where the company was, I saw many burnt and knocked out German tanks with the gruesome sight of their crews who had been roasted in their vehicles. During the fighting to the north of Termoli, a troop of tanks approached and an officer leant out and shouted: ‘Any targets, Buddy?’

They were from the Canadian Three Rivers Regiment. E Company commander John Lofting was very grateful for their assistance in shelling suspect buildings.”

best

 

Thanks Richard

Regards

John

 

John.

The Three Rivers Regiment were heavily involved in 1 (CAN) Corps's operation to break into the Liri valley in May 44. The attached shows their progress from right to left.

They were also heavily involved in supporting 4 BR Inf Div at the Trasimeno Line in late Jun 44.

Regards

FdeP

 

http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/his/rep-rap/doc/cmhq/cmhq121.pdf




CANADIAN OPERATIONS IN· THE LIRI VALLEY (ITALY)
MAY - JUNE 1944



The Three Rivers Regiment - Canada at War

 

Here is a history of the regiment in French available online:

Our Roots / Nos Racines

 

Here is another history of the regiment in English as a free download:

Three River Regiment (Three River Regiment.pdf) - Fichier PDF

 

John
the Canadian report on the Liri Valley battle is extremely concise with few errors - apart for pp 9 #33 why it states the 142 RTR - which should of course be142 RAC of the 25th ATB
Cheers

 

Apart from getting Moliere's military file is there anyway to find out what he did to get the Mentioned in dispatches

Thanks

John

 

John,

One stupid question.

Are you clear that the MiD was made for RQMS Moliere's conduct during his time in Italy and not after the 1st CAB transferred north in March 1945 ?

 

Hi Richard

Not a stupid question the London Gazette 10 January 1946 states:


Department of National Defence, Ottawa.
22nd September, 1945
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve
that the following be Mentioned in recognition of
gallant and distinguished services in Italy: —

Canadian Armoured Corps.

036525 W.O.II (R.Q.M.S.) Charles Pierre MOLIERE.

Thats what i know

Regards


John

 

John,

Seems pretty clear..

possibly not really adding much but in the case of the British Army citations, MiDs are notoriously difficult to track down (if indeed they do now exist).

If, as you suggest, RQMS Moliere was active with the Three Rivers Regiment from 1941 onwards, and in Italy alone, would have been present at Termoli and along the Adriatic coast in the autumn 1943, and then in the Liri and beyond from May to July 1944, and then stuck in the mud somewhat in the mountains north of Florence in the latter part of 1944/early 1945, it might be that the MiD reflected his campaign long service and survival. And I suppose as an RQMS, his actions might not have been connected to a specific front line event. Maybe..

Of course, the Canadian archives might be "better" than those in the UK and you can track a document down.

over to the experts...

best,

Have a Go, Joe.

 

Hi

HELP

I have had a look at the Three Rivers Regiment history and Charles Pierre Moliere is mentioned under Honours but what is confusing is the rank give:

S.O.B. (I) C. P. Molière


What is SOB(I) is it a french term

Regards

John

 

Yes it is a French Rank term. It is short for:

Sous-Officier Breveté de 1re Classe

which is a Warrant Officer.

Here is a great reference for Canadian military abbreviations:

http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/022/f2/022-909.007a-e.pdf

 

Thank you
appreciated cleared up another query

Regards

John

 

Just stumbled on this today on the Military History Channel (it's Channel 531 on Sky in the UK), which is repeated on Sunday 27th Jan morning at 3am (ie tonight), so you'll need a PVR.

There's a bit on the 3 Rivers Regiment's actions at Termoli with comments from Cpl Ted Griffiths, and then the Calgary Regiment at the Moro River, and then Ortona - I'm still watching it so assume it'll go onto the Liri Valley campaign.

Greatest Tank Battles
Battle Of Italy, The

Sun 3:00am
The Battle Of Italy: A dramatic look at the violent tank conflicts during the Battle of Italy, as Canadian tankers desperately fought to liberate Rome from Nazi occupation. ...

Episodes - Greatest Tank Battles on History - link to the series background.

 

Thanks Richard.

We have just found out something more interesting about Charles Pierre Moliere. We have obtained his marriage certificate and he was 39yrs old and his UK bride 24 yrs. If the 12th armoured arrived in UK July 1941 they married in Nov 1941 quick
courtship. Was it possible as he was a RQMS he came across early to the UK to prepare for the main troops arriving.

Regards

John

 

John,

Do the service records tell you anything about his dates of movement ?

I would be surprised if he did come across from Canada early for a "recce"...of course, everything would have been accelerated during this period. 4 months sounds like a lifetime.

If you can get to have a look at the documentary (it was Canadian made - 2010), it's pretty interesting. As well as the Adriatic campaign, a little bit more on Aquino and the upper Liri and interviews with a number of veterans.

best

 

Hi richard

Service records requested but it will be a long wait i think
Reagrds

John

 

You'll find your grandfather listed in

Charles Prieur, "War Chronicles 1939-1945, Three Rivers Regiment (Tank), www.12rbc.ca/PDF/Anglais