Canadian Troops-the Horsham connection

As a resident of Horsham West Sussex I have heard many stories of Canadian troops based in this area in the war years. Indeed I know the museum has a number of photos which I will try to see. Any leads on this subject?

 

Do you know Gary Cooper? He is working on Horsham in WW2. I'm seeing him this weekend and will point him to this thread.

 

Susan -
not exactly sure about this but I think the Canadian 2nd division was in
Horsham prior to further training on the Isle of Wight before the Dieppe fiasco- as all five Cdn Divisons spent time on the South Coast from Hampshire to Kent from 1940 - with 1st div. elements going back into France with Alanbrooke AFTER Dunkirk...

The 1st Cdn Dvision left the South Coast prior to embarking for Sicily in late May '43- along with 1st Armoured bde - followed by 5th Cdn Armoured Div. to Italy in late November '43.

The 2nd - 3rd Inf.- 4th Armoured Div and 2nd Armoured bde stayed in the Uk and took part in the NWE campaign- with 3rd Div landing alongside Brit.50th Div on D Day.

All Cdn. units finally joined up in Belgium in February '45 to finish the war as 1st Canadian Army
Cheers

 

Another West Sussex research project that I have helped a bit with, from the Maple Leaf Up forum.

Canadian Servicemen WW2 in West Sussex - MLU FORUM

I will PM you her contact info.

Here is her website:
Canadian Memories WW2 | Information required for a new book about the Canadian Servicemen stationed in West Sussex during WW2

 

Thanks-am pleased its being researched-was struck by a great photo of a group of Canadians in what appeared to be Horsham Park which was published in the West Sussex County Times.

 

Thanks-am pleased its being researched-was struck by a great photo of a group of Canadians in what appeared to be Horsham Park which was published in the West Sussex County Times.
Hi Susan
Have you visited Crowborough East Sussex there is a memorial park there for those Canadians who were killed by a doodlebug during the war, they also practiced on Ashdown Forrest
rotherfield

 

1st Battalion Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa were in Slinfold near Horsham 1942/43 if thats any help.

 

1st Battalion Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa were in Slinfold near Horsham 1942/43 if thats any help.


Thats very interesting. Slinfold being just down road and also ironically a place with family connections.

 

Hi Susan
Have you visited Crowborough East Sussex there is a memorial park there for those Canadians who were killed by a doodlebug during the war, they also practiced on Ashdown Forrest
rotherfield

Thank you so much for this-no I havent visited but will.

 

A number of Canadian units have been identified as being in the Worthing and surrounding areas in 41 - 43 - such as;-

1st Armoured Bde - Ontarios - Tre Rivieres - Calgary Regt..

1st Inf Div - West Novas - Plugs - Seaforths

2nd Inf Div - Essex Scots - Royal regt - Camerons - Mont Royals- La Chauderie-Toronto Scots - H.L.I.

3rd Inf Div - Dundas - Cdn Scots

No signs of the 4th or 5th Armoureds

Cheers

 

A number of Canadian units have been identified as being in the Worthing and surrounding areas in 41 - 43 - such as;-

1st Armoured Bde - Ontarios - Tre Rivieres - Calgary Regt..

1st Inf Div - West Novas - Plugs - Seaforths

2nd Inf Div - Essex Scots - Royal regt - Camerons - Mont Royals- La Chauderie-Toronto Scots - H.L.I.

3rd Inf Div - Dundas - Cdn Scots

No signs of the 4th or 5th Armoureds

Cheers

Quick Draw Tom, was gonna mention the West Novies were in the area.

 

There was also a Canadian hospital in Horsham. It was the No.9 Canadian General Hospital, which was before that, the Horsham Union Workhouse.
It became the hospital for Canadians in 1941, it was outfitted with approx. 600 beds, and was designated for casualties of the D-Day landings. The hospital had its windows blown out early in the war, and Canadian troops that were camping out on Denne Hill, were tasked to carry out the repairs.

 

Just read that 1st Camerons of Ottawa were at Wiston house, Steyning August 1942.

 

My Dad was in the 18th anti tank battery of the 2nd division Canadian army and spent a lot of time on the south coast of England in 43 and 44 til he crossed the channel in July of 44. I have a photo of him and a group of soldiers outside the Tollgate Inn at Bramber, Sussex.

 

My Dad was in the 18th anti tank battery of the 2nd division Canadian army and spent a lot of time on the south coast of England in 43 and 44 til he crossed the channel in July of 44. I have a photo of him and a group of soldiers outside the Tollgate Inn at Bramber, Sussex.


I will pass this on to the curator at Horsham museum and see what he says about this thread

 

There was also a Canadian hospital in Horsham. It was the No.9 Canadian General Hospital, which was before that, the Horsham Union Workhouse.
It became the hospital for Canadians in 1941, it was outfitted with approx. 600 beds, and was designated for casualties of the D-Day landings. The hospital had its windows blown out early in the war, and Canadian troops that were camping out on Denne Hill, were tasked to carry out the repairs.

I look out towards Denne Hill everyday. ..This is something I am sure our local museum will shed light on

 

Not a million miles away
From my History of 2Cdn AGRA
Rob

As of 1st June 1944.
1) HQ 2 Cdn AGRA - “The Moyle House “, CATERHAM
Signals Section
18 Cdn Met Section
2) 3rd Cdn Med Regt – “Holly Lodge”, COULSDON
Signals Section
90 LAD
3) 4th Cdn Med Regt – “Little Selkirk”, CATERHAM
Signals Section
91 LAD
4) 7th Cdn Med Regt – “Briers Cross”, LIMPSFIELD
Signals Section
28 LAD
5) 15th Med Regt RA – Newlands Corner, GUILDFORD
Signals Section
LAD
6) 1st Heavy Regt RA – Marden Park, WOLDINGHAM
Signals Section
LAD
7) ‘C’ Flight 661Sqn RAF – Hamsey Green, WARLINGHAM
8) 82 Arty Coy RCASC – GREAT BOOKHAM COMMON
9) HQ 2Cdn Field Svy Coy – SOUTHEY HALL, nr. BOOKHAM

 

Susan,
A great thread on Canadians. Thanks for launching this.
From the colony....

Randy

 

Susan
My dad's regiment 17th field regiment RCA 5th Canadain armoured division spent much of its time in west sussex in Nutley at Chapelwood Manor however he travelled often to Worthing were my grandfather grew. not close by UK standards (25 miles) but around the corner here.
Matt

 

My mother worked at the hospital and met my father there