January 1944 B Company, 1st Canadian Parachute Bn annotated photograph there is only one missing name. 1st ROW: Cpl.Renwick, W.J., Cpl. Kemp, J., Cpl. McWilliams, G.A., Cpl. Huard, C.E., Sgt. Stammers,A.N., Sgt. Beaudoin, D.N., Sgt. McIsaac, R.M., Sgt. Trenholm, J.H., Lt. Rousseau, J.M. (UNKNOWN) Capt.Griffin, P., Lt. Toseland, N., Sgt. Irvin, W., Sgt. Pasquill,T.H., Sgt. Outhwaite, R., Sgt. Capraru,G., Cpl. Pearson, A.P., Cpl. Barlow,W.M., Cpl. Ellefson, O.M., Cpl. Mero, P., Cpl. McKettrick, D.E. 2nd ROW: Nicholls, T.W., Martin, T.J., Isley, B.M., Heggie, A.Y., MacPherson, J.R., Connaghan, G.C., MacKenzie, Smith, H., Willsey, I.D., Symak, J. Stephanko, J.P., Milne, J.H., Pauk, W., Boyce, H., Kane, W.A., Currie, D.A., Crowe, B.W., Price, D.T., Sumons, V.H., Melenius, J.J., Ticknor, D.S., Makela, E., McGarry, J. 3rd ROW: Tyson, R.G., Pledger, K.M., Colbert, G.C., Sutherland, R.C., Blunt, A.T., Dunn, B.H., Shulist, S.P., Flynn, C.D., MacInnes, A.J., Schillemore, A.A., Nickerson, C.H., Luton, R.H., Sachro, J.F., Hellerud, L.H., Page, E.W., Jenkins, W.C., Roberts, J.E., Brady, W.J., Hodge, V.W., Tedrick, J.R., Baskin, E.N. 4th ROW: O'Leary, L.E., Sargent, J.M., Blower, A.S., Pastorius, M.K., Wilson, R.M., Broadfoot, J.G., Anderson, B.M., Christison, G.M., Gismondi, P., Davies, T.J., Turner, D.G., Humes, A.W., Adam, A.W., Thompson, J.L., Harvey, K.R., Fengstad, C.O., Elgaard, T.U., Bartko, P., Armstrong, H.N., Geddes, R.A. TOP ROW: Brewer, W.A., Dray, F.A. Mendzat, M., Smith, P.A., Novel, W., Church, L.G., Warnock, L.G.S., Sangster, W., Kivinen, H.W., Ross, L.D., Harrington, A.N., Jones, R.V., Partington, A.N., Reid, C.H., Patterson, C.W., Boulet, C., Lajoie, L.L. http://airborn3.tripod.com/
The 10th man from the left ? I'll go with Company Sergeant Major W. I. Blair ... Regards ... Edit: Changed pic title to "Unknown".
I was just looking that over. The Pegasus Archive says he is Sergeant G. L. Slipp ..? Just noticed that the January 1944 "C" Coy photo shows a CSM W. I. Blair and it doesn't look like the same fellow. The same photo also has a CQSM W. J. Stahl and CSM R. F. Johnston. You have to wonder about the insignia for the CSMs. According to the Pegasus Archive Orbat for Normandy the CSMs for the rifle companies were: A Company - CSM G. W. Embree B company - CSM W. I. Blair C Company - CSM R. F. Johnson So I don't know at this time, could be on a completely wrong track ? Regards ...
Hi britannique, CEE , In "OUT OF THE CLOUDS", by John Willes, There are several pictures of the different companies. For B company first row the 10th man from the left is G L SLIPP. The picture was taken in january 1944, and not all the men involded in the d Day operations are on it. Some joined the battalion in March 1944 (Private G Robertson for exemple). ludo
Hi Ludo, So that's the same photo as brithm's above and also as found on the Pegasus Archive? I just thought it was a bit odd that a Sergeant should be seated between the CO and a Lieutenant for a formal group photo. Regards ...
I think it's the same picture.an interesting comment about that picture: the Rousseau on the picture is Joseph Maurice; his brother Joseph Philippe took over his position. J-P Rousseau died at Goneville Sur Mer early morning 6 june 1944.J-M Rousseau died in eastern france in september1944. Both of thème are buried à Ranville War Cemetery.
Thanks Ludo, There's a very good write-up on the Rousseau brothers on this fellow's blog: https://athabaskang07.wordpress.com/tag/the-rousseau-brothers/ Regards ...
You note in the photo of January 1944 B Company, 1st Canadian Parachute Bn annotated photograph there is only one missing name. That missing name is in the 1st ROW, between Lt. Rousseau, J.M. (UNKNOWN) Capt.Griffin, P. The name of this soldier is Sergeant George L. Slipp, as noted by others in this thread, as well as in this photo: http://www.pegasusarchive.org/normandy/Photos1/Pic_1stCdnBCoy.htm He was my father (died 24 January, 1972). He was involved in D-Day activities, jumping into France the night prior and being shot through the neck by a Nazi sniper the day after. He was taken to England to convalesce. There was an entry hole for the bullet but no exit hole. He found the bullet in the back of his left arm when scratching the area a few weeks later, while on a bus being transferred, as I recall him saying. A younger brother of mine now has that bullet. George’s superiors wanted him to go to officers training school but he wanted to get back with his squad. When he was ready for service again, the war in Europe was over. I trust this confirmation will be enough to get the UNKNOWN changed to Sergeant George L. Slipp. Thanks!
Hi Marke and welcome, Thanks for the firm confirmation on the man being that of your Father and the excellent photos of him while with the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion. That's quite the souvenir your younger brother has of your Father's wartime service. Regards ...
Thanks Marke for adding that information. Your father's wings were awarded to him on the 6th February 1943 at Fort Benning Georgia and the 'Airborne Canada' badge shows he was one of the original Canadian paratroopers. Think he may have been wounded on the 8th June 1944. brithm
Thanks for the specifics, brithm. I knew he got his wings at Ft Benning, Georgia, but not the date. And I expect you have access to his records showing he was wounded on June 8th, 1944, so thanks for that as well. mls p.s. I would've replied sooner but didn't know there was a reply.
I have the full list of Canadian paratroopers and these details were included. They may have been ascertained from the Battalion book Out of the Clouds by John Willes brithm
Lads and Ladies, This thread shows how great this forum is when assisting those that have a unique connection to WW2.
Slightly off topic has anyone seen a photo of Pte Quigley who was 'B' Company and was awarded the MM forhis actions on the Rhine crossing. I think he joined the company to late for Normandy. Any help greatly appreciated. Cheers Arnhem
Hi Arnhem, I couldn't find a pic of Pte Quigley. Of the few books I have on I Can Para he gets mentioned briefly in Boys of the Clouds (amusing River Mass patrol incident) and Paras Versus the Reich. His citation as you know is on The Pegasus Archive. If no one comes forward try contacting Ken Joyce or the Canadian Airborne Museum. There are a lot of photos covering the Battalion, unfortunately the men in them are often unnamed. Regards ...
