Changed days – For some five years - I have been assisting many people to find their relative’s path through – mainly the Mediterranian Campaigns with I say in all modesty, a fair degree of success, now the shoe is on the other foot and I am appealing for much assistance. Recently a BBC producer contacted me in order to assist in finding a woman’s Father whom she has never met ! When we talk about needles in haystacks – this has to be the mother of all haystacks. The only clues in this saga are the facts that he was French Canadian – a soldier – called Vernon - and stationed in the vicinity of Bury St Edmunds – during the period Oct.- Nov. 1943 – when he went off to war ! Aha I thought – the 5th Canadian Armoured Division went off to war in Italy at that time - so I spent weeks trolling through their ranks - to no avail ! My next thought was that possibly the reason he never returned to meet his child was that he had been killed – so an extensive ( 20,000 names ) search of the dead was then carried out for even more weeks – and astonishingly very few Vernon’s turned up as Infantry but many more in the RCAF - particularly Officers - indicating that there was an element of social status in the choosing of that name . Three possibilities were found and are being followed up at this time but the producer has gone off for Maternity leave and so we await delivery ! If anyone can assist I shall be most grateful – Thanks ! So here we sit without a further clue and hoping that someone will know of which Canadian Units were in the vicinity of Bury St. Edmunds at that time ! Cheers
Tom, Several Needle in Haystack questions have been solved with the help of members on this forum, so there is hope. Here are some links that may prove helpful with contacts. Bury St Edmunds Past and Present Society: Photographs of Bury St Edmunds and Pictures of Bury St Edmunds http://www.suffolk.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/4C4E39C7-7C19-493D-AE3F-BD6FEEA50921/0/Accessions20022004.pdf Suffolk Local History Council - Organizations Regards Tom
Tom Here's a name - from Montreal Search Details - Veterans Affairs Canada The only downside on this notation is that the regiment landed on Green Beach Sicily, 10July43. Did he go with the regiment or was he a re-inforcement for their losses, which included their CO, LCol Bruce Sutcliffe who was killed on 20July43. On the hopeful side, Tom, part of my Maternal family comes from a place in Newfoundland on Long Island in Placentia Bay called Haystack. Things are easier to find there.... though the town has been lost for a long time. cheers, phil
Tom, 144 canadians with the first name of Vernon killed during the 2nd World War. Here they are with a list of units served in (obviously a lot can be discounted as deaths prior to 1943) 001 , ADSHEAD, HV, M/478651, - , 02/11/1944, CALGARY HIGHLANDERS, R.C.I.C. 002 , ANDERSON, V, H/17897, - , 14/12/1943, PRINCESS PATRICIA'S CANADIAN LIGHT INFANTRY, R.C.I.C. 003 , ANGUS, VJ, M/68534, 6 LT AA REGT , 10/03/1943, ROYAL CANADIAN ARTILLERY 004 , ARNOLD, VC, R/120636, - , 26/10/1943, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 005 , AYLWIN, HV, B/118787, - , 02/04/1945, GENERAL LIST, CANADIAN ARMY 006 , BLAKE, VA, R/78573, - , 29/04/1941, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 007 , BOLTON, VH, J/40378, - , 26/08/1944, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 008 , BOUCHARD, VJ, J/85054, - , 22/12/1944, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 009 , BOUDREAU, VW, F/30011, 22ND ARMD REGT , 28/08/1944, CANADIAN GRENADIER GUARDS, R.C.A.C. 010 , BOX, VE, CDN/331, ATTD 6TH BN , 22/02/1945, ROYAL CANADIAN INFANTRY CORPS 011 , BROWN, VE, L/105258, - , 21/07/1944, QUEEN'S OWN CAMERON HIGHLANDERS OF CANADA, R.C.I.C. 012 , BUTLER, VBG, J/16525, 136 RAF SQDN , 17/03/1944, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 013 , BYERS, VW, J/17474, 617 SQDN , 17/05/1943, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 014 , CABLE, GV, L/2413, 2ND ARMD REGT , 13/09/1944, LORD STRATHCONA'S HORSE (ROYAL CANADIANS), R.C.A.C. 015 , CAMPBELL, VF, F/82667, - , 08/08/1944, NORTH SHORE (NEW BRUNSWICK) REGIMENT, R.C.I.C. 016 , CARRIERE, VV, H/14906, - , 24/10/1944, ROYAL REGIMENT OF CANADA, R.C.I.C. 017 , CHADBURN, LV, J/2976, CDG 416 SQDN , 13/06/1944, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 018 , CHETWYND, KV, F/64709, - , 13/12/1943, WEST NOVA SCOTIA REGIMENT, R.C.I.C. 019 , CLARK, VK, 40809, HMCS ST CROIX , 20/09/1943, ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY 020 , CLARK, VE, R/205305, - , 07/08/1944, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 021 , COATS, VC, M/17278, - , 27/07/1944, TORONTO SCOTTISH REGIMENT (M.G.), R.C.I.C. 022 , CONNAGHAN, VJ, K/75368, - , 03/12/1943, ROYAL CANADIAN ENGINEERS 023 , COOKE, SV, -, - , 01/08/1941, ROYAL CANADIAN ORDNANCE CORPS 024 , COOPER, VJ, C/48678, - , 13/12/1944, HASTINGS AND PRINCE EDWARD REGIMENT, R.C.I.C. 025 , CROCKETT, WV, R/98771, 280 RAF SQDN , 13/11/1943, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 026 , DARNELL, RV, L/26272, 13 FIELD REGT , 18/09/1944, ROYAL CANADIAN ARTILLERY 027 , DAVEY, JV, R/74906, 112 RAF SQDN , 19/05/1942, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 028 , DAVIS, V, C/5024, - , 04/10/1943, HASTINGS AND PRINCE EDWARD REGIMENT, R.C.I.C. 029 , DE PALMA, VR, B/67281, 1ST BN , 19/08/1942, ROYAL REGIMENT OF CANADA, R.C.I.C. 030 , DEERING, VJ, R/102121, - , 01/05/1943, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 031 , DODDS, VF, J/89743, 405 SQDN , 21/07/1944, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 032 , DOUPE, RSV, J/35582, - , 05/07/1944, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 033 , DUCKLOW, VR, R/122084, - , 19/01/1946, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 034 , DYMOND, CV, J/87125, 434 SQDN , 13/06/1944, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 035 , EASTON, EV, M/45667, 25TH ARMD DELIVERY REGT , 23/10/1944, ELGIN REGIMENT, R.C.A.C. 036 , ENGLISH, VW, A/11493, 11TH INDEP MACHINE GUN COY , 05/09/1944, PRINCESS LOUISE FUSILIERS, R.C.I.C. 037 , ERICKSON, EV, K/75301, 6 ANTI TANK REGT , 08/08/1944, ROYAL CANADIAN ARTILLERY 038 , ESTABROOKS, VW, 2870, HMCS MARGAREE , 22/10/1940, ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY 039 , FAULKNER, WV, -, 12TH ARMD REGT , 29/10/1944, THREE RIVERS REGIMENT, R.C.A.C. 040 , FORD, VF, A/108107, - , 28/12/1944, HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY OF CANADA, R.C.I.C. 041 , FRANKTON, MV, B/22078, 1 SURVEY REGT , 23/05/1945, ROYAL CANADIAN ARTILLERY 042 , FRENCH, AV, -, - , 28/07/1943, SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS OF CANADA 043 , FULLER, VW, M/103474, - , 14/04/1945, LOYAL EDMONTON REGIMENT, R.C.I.C. 044 , GERRIE, VC, J/90091, 424 SQDN , 04/08/1944, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 045 , GIBSON, GV, J/8415, 267 RAF SQDN , 11/07/1943, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 046 , GIBSON, JV, J/6942, 224 SQDN , 02/09/1943, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 047 , GILSON, VB, J/26151, 408 SQDN , 02/11/1944, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 048 , GOODWIN, VA, J/89866, 630 RAF SQDN , 22/05/1944, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 049 , GREEN, VL, M/104919, - , 14/12/1944, SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS OF CANADA 050 , GRUNDY, TJV, B/155254, - , 24/07/1944, QUEEN'S OWN CAMERON HIGHLANDERS OF CANADA, R.C.I.C. 051 , HALL, WV, J/6221, 125 SQDN , 01/01/1943, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 052 , HALSTEAD, VH, J/36270, 626 RAF SQDN , 15/01/1945, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 053 , HARVEY, RV, R/67086, 242 RAF SQDN , 01/03/1942, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 054 , HARVEY, CV, G/37104, - , 21/10/1944, CANADIAN SCOTTISH REGIMENT, R.C.I.C. 055 , HEBNER, CV, A/19360, 1 FIELD COY , 05/10/1944, ROYAL CANADIAN ENGINEERS 056 , HOVEY, VE, J/95257, 408 SQDN , 25/04/1945, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 057 , IRELAND, WV, R/210291, 101 RAF SQDN , 17/06/1944, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 058 , ISENOR, VL, A/4015, - , 05/12/1944, ROYAL CANADIAN REGIMENT 059 , JOHNSON, JV, A/70051, - , 27/02/1945, ALGONQUIN REGIMENT, R.C.I.C. 060 , JOHNSTON, VA, H/1098, - , 13/09/1944, BLACK WATCH (ROYAL HIGHLAND REGIMENT) OF CANADA 061 , KEDDY, VT, F/79091, 7TH RECONNAISSANCE REGT , 04/09/1944, 17TH DUKE OF YORK'S ROYAL CANADIAN HUSSARS, R.C.A.C. 062 , KEYES, JV, C/361, - , 02/05/1942, ROYAL CANADIAN ARTILLERY 063 , KILPATRICK, VF, -, - , 19/07/1944, CALGARY HIGHLANDERS, R.C.I.C. 064 , LAMSON, VG, B/24432, - , 02/05/1945, LINCOLN AND WELLAND REGIMENT, R.C.I.C. 065 , LAZIER, VJ, J/95161, 77 RAF SQDN , 02/11/1944, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 066 , LE MOINE, VA, R/152741, - , 15/11/1947, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 067 , LONGLEY, LV, J/6709, - , 03/08/1942, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 068 , LOVE, JV, -, 1ST BN , 06/06/1944, REGINA RIFLE REGIMENT, R.C.I.C. 069 , LYNE, VA, B/131472, - , 27/09/1944, 4TH PRINCESS LOUISE DRAGOON GUARDS, R.C.A.C. 070 , MABBETT, CEV, A/21914, - , 03/04/1941, ESSEX SCOTTISH REGIMENT, R.C.I.C. 071 , MACLANDERS, VE, V/409, HMCS SHAWINIGAN , 24/11/1944, ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY VOLUNTEER RESERVE 072 , MARTIN, TV, B/74022, - , 25/10/1943, 48TH HIGHLANDERS OF CANADA, R.C.I.C. 073 , MARTIN, VDB, R/74454, - , 07/12/1941, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 074 , MATTSON, VG, R/202907, - , 13/02/1945, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 075 , MAYHEW, VE, J/24001, - , 05/06/1943, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 076 , MCCLUNG, VF, J/37017, 442 SQDN , 18/06/1945, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 077 , MCDOUGALL, VE, R/73006, 419 SQDN , 06/05/1942, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 078 , MCHARG, VF, R/118176, 424 SQDN , 26/01/1943, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 079 , MILES, VL, J/22210, 10 RAF SQDN , 29/01/1944, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 080 , MILLER, VR, R/196677, - , 16/09/1943, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 081 , MILLER, VL, R/161298, 624 RAF SQDN , 01/12/1943, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 082 , MISCAMPBELL, GV, C/1570, - , 15/05/1943, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 083 , MITCHELL, EV, B/63763, 1ST , 29/05/1944, CANADIAN SPECIAL SERVICE BATTALION, R.C.I.C. 084 , MITCHELL, HV, C/1181, 7 MEDIUM REGT , 28/04/1945, ROYAL CANADIAN ARTILLERY 085 , MORRIS, VL, R/73169, - , 08/04/1942, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 086 , MUDFORD, V, J/85719, 426 SQDN , 09/05/1944, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 087 , MULHERN, EV, K/51677, - , 11/06/1944, QUEEN'S OWN RIFLES OF CANADA, R.C.I.C. 088 , MUSSER, JV, J/19898, 432 SQDN , 29/06/1944, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 089 , NEILSON, VA, M/11463, - , 08/02/1945, CALGARY HIGHLANDERS, R.C.I.C. 090 , O'BRIEN, PV, R/118136, 38 RAF SQDN , 17/08/1943, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 091 , OBRIGHT, VP, J/90421, 431 SQDN , 17/06/1944, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 092 , PAGE, VH, B/65968, - , 10/08/1944, ALGONQUIN REGIMENT, R.C.I.C. 093 , PATTERSON, VF, J/3257, 411 SQDN , 20/11/1942, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 094 , PEARSON, VL, J/87426, 48 SQDN , 18/09/1944, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 095 , PLOOF, VJ, M/17351, 7 LT AA REGT , 26/10/1942, ROYAL CANADIAN ARTILLERY 096 , PRATT, HV, R/138493, - , 14/12/1942, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 097 , PRITCHARD, VR, H/59546, ATTD 2 CDN BASE REINFORCEMENT DEPOT , 01/05/1944, ROYAL CANADIAN ARTILLERY 098 , QUINLAN, VB, R/58012, 149 RAF SQDN , 07/08/1941, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 099 , RAMEY, VB, F/40670, ATTD 1ST CDN DIV , 25/05/1944, ROYAL CANADIAN ARMY SERVICE CORPS 100 , RANDALL, V, H/13113, 11 FIELD COY , 02/10/1944, ROYAL CANADIAN ENGINEERS 101 , RASMUSSEN, V, -, SS TORVANGER NORWAY , 23/06/1942, CANADIAN MERCHANT NAVY 102 , RATTEE, WV, R/75092, 203 RAF SQDN , 23/03/1943, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 103 , RECTOR, VF, R/113223, 432 SQDN , 16/07/1943, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 104 , REEVES, CV, B/158727, - , 08/03/1945, ALGONQUIN REGIMENT, R.C.I.C. 105 , RENO, GV, D/27252, 27TH ARMD REGT , 08/07/1944, SHERBROOKE FUSILIERS REGIMENT, R.C.A.C. 106 , REYNOLDS, VE, R/79679, 607 SQDN , 04/01/1942, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 107 , RHODES, RV, F/60034, - , 12/12/1943, WEST NOVA SCOTIA REGIMENT, R.C.I.C. 108 , ROY, VS, J/86214, 427 SQDN , 14/02/1945, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 109 , SAWLER, MV, F/9244, 3 LT AA REGT , 15/07/1944, ROYAL CANADIAN ARTILLERY 110 , SEWELL, VYH, R/54577, 10 RAF SQDN , 17/08/1941, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 111 , SHERVEN, VT, R/211938, - , 01/06/1944, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 112 , SHUFELT, GLV, E/4290, - , 27/07/1943, ROYAL 22E REGIMENT, R.C.I.C. 113 , SIMONSON, VL, R/85420, - , 01/08/1942, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 114 , SIMS, RV, B/42065, - , 14/09/1944, ALGONQUIN REGIMENT, R.C.I.C. 115 , SKIDMORE, FV, G/2265, - , 21/08/1944, NORTH NOVA SCOTIA HIGHLANDERS, R.C.I.C. 116 , SMALLWOOD, RV, C/78071, - , 25/07/1943, HASTINGS AND PRINCE EDWARD REGIMENT, R.C.I.C. 117 , SMITH, VA, B/38058, - , 16/12/1944, WESTMINSTER REGIMENT (MOTORS), R.C.I.C. 118 , SMITH, WV, -, - , 20/02/1945, ROYAL HAMILTON LIGHT INFANTRY, R.C.I.C. 119 , SMITH, VB, J/95491, 424 SQDN , 15/02/1945, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 120 , SMITH, LVO, J/9513, 1 RAF SQDN , 03/10/1942, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 121 , SODERSTROM, CV, J/90388, 434 SQDN , 17/06/1944, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 122 , SPARKES, LV, 334, - , 26/10/1942, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 123 , SPEARN, VA, R/153630, - , 20/02/1944, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 124 , SPIERS, VE, B/55130, - , 14/09/1944, ALGONQUIN REGIMENT, R.C.I.C. 125 , STEWART, EV, H/82066, 10 FIELD SQN , 26/05/1944, ROYAL CANADIAN ENGINEERS 126 , STINSON, HV, J/19157, 35 RAF SQDN , 02/12/1943, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 127 , STORDY, VC, J/43646, - , 15/08/1944, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 128 , STORVIK, VE, M/105698, 29TH ARMD RECONNAISSANCE REGT , 10/09/1944, SOUTH ALBERTA REGIMENT, R.C.A.C. 129 , STOWE, SV, R/87673, 419 SQDN , 02/10/1942, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 130 , SYMONS, VH, L/13367, - , 04/05/1944, 1ST CANADIAN PARACHUTE BATTALION, R.C.I.C. 131 , TAYLOR, VE, L/13466, - , 23/07/1944, QUEEN'S OWN CAMERON HIGHLANDERS OF CANADA, R.C.I.C. 132 , TICE, VE, -, 14 FIELD REGT , 09/06/1944, ROYAL CANADIAN ARTILLERY 133 , TIPPING, VR, F/95431, 22ND ARMD REGT , 10/08/1944, CANADIAN GRENADIER GUARDS, R.C.A.C. 134 , TOOMER, VW, B/133834, - , 07/10/1943, SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS OF CANADA 135 , TRACEY, HV, R/84804, 158 RAF SQDN , 30/03/1943, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 136 , TREMAINE, AV, K/52637, 14TH ARMD REGT , 20/02/1944, CALGARY REGIMENT, R.C.A.C. 137 , VEIRA, BVL, J/10677, 12 RAF SQDN , 29/04/1943, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 138 , WARD, VM, 2275, HMCS VIERNOE , 20/10/1940, ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY 139 , WELLS, VO, F/65868, - , 18/01/1947, ROYAL CANADIAN INFANTRY CORPS 140 , WHALEN, VG, J/88871, - , 20/02/1944, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 141 , WHITNEY, V, G/18121, - , 18/04/1941, CARLETON AND YORK REGIMENT, R.C.I.C. 142 , WOOD, JVO, J/22547, 61 RAF SQDN , 13/05/1943, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 143 , WUNSCH, VF, J/24960, 149 RAF SQDN , 25/06/1944, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 144 , YEULETT, WVG, J/11187, 502 RAF SQDN , 26/03/1943, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE , , , , , ,
Carriere is one of the only French Canadian names, Royal Regt of Canada may be a candidate. Shufelt is listed as R22eR, ie the Vandoos, so could be French Canadian too, but the last name is not French unless may originally from Alsace-Lorraine... The 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade, originally 1st Canadian Army Tank Brigade, was for a time stationed in Suffolk I believe. Faulkner in the list above fits that, 3 rivers regt... Therefore the other logical guess would be Reno, from Sherbrooke Fusiliers. My guesses!
The bad news of course is that the BBc producer went off to have a baby many months ago and since then I have not had one word from her - except a 15 minute telephone interview by Sally Magnusson - nor do I know if and when the producers baby was born Must have been really important to someone ... Cheers
In wartime, meeting a girl didn't necessarily mean that you'd be coming back to her..... Is Vernon known to be his real name, or could he just have called himself that while he was with her? Not casting aspersions, but did Vernon know his girl was pregnant, did he do a runner because of that, or simply never return because he had no idea she was pregnant.... Of course, another explanation is that he may have been seriously wounded and simply unable to get in touch with her, especially if he had been sent back to Canada to recover.... I've come across these situations before and whilst I'm prepared to find out what I can, I always feel a reluctance to interfere, maybe he was engaged before coming to Europe, and subsequently married his fiancee, so a child turning up from oats sown whilst abroad may not be a welcome reminder of his youthful indiscretions.
Kevin I think it fair to assume that all of the points you make were considered at the time of the initial request of the BBC producers setting up the programme to assist people in finding their parents etc.....not living in the Uk - I had no idea the extent of the programme hosted by Sally Magnusson who in her own right as opposed to her more famous Father - carried some weight which surprised me in that there was no follow up to the interview and that the producer just allowed it all to die and went off to have her baby So it is not a question of interfering but rather a request to assist in bringing some peace to a person in need - which is what this forum is all about - quite rightly in my view as it is very easy to just turn away and NOT become involved - which is much too common these days.... Cheers
The following extract from Hansard appears to be relevant where the mother sought some support for the child. The Suffolk Record Office should know where the records of the Bury St Edmunds Magistrates Court are and whether they are open for inspection. I imagine any proceedings would be listed under the name of the applicant. With the usual apologies and acknowledgements to Hansard: Oral Answers to Questions — Canadian Forces (Affiliation Orders) Next debate »« Previous debate All Commons debates on 3 Dec 1945 Viscount Turnour (Horsham) asked the Undersecretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he is aware that instances have occurred where affiliation orders made against members of the Canadian Forces have not been carried out owing to the soldier or airman concerned having returned to Canada; and if he will communicate with the Government of the Dominion of Canada with a view to seeing if such orders can be made enforcible in Canada. Mr John Parker (Dagenham) If an affiliation order is made by a court against a Canadian soldier, the Canadian military authorities make such deductions as they deem appropriate from the pay of the soldier concerned for the benefit of the mother. These deductions cease on the man's discharge from the Forces, and there is thereafter no way in which payment of the order can be enforced by the Canadian military authori- ties. Civil proceedings can, however, then be taken in the appropriate Canadian court. It would be difficult to ask the Canadian Government to pass special legislation for the enforcement of affiliation orders made in this country, since no provision exists in United Kingdom legislation for the enforcement here of affiliation orders made in Canada. Viscount Turnour (Horsham) Surely the hon. Gentleman must realise how profoundly unsatisfactory his answer will be to these unfortunate people. How can some poor girl institute proceedings in Canada? I desire to give notice that I shall raise the matter at the earliest possible moment, as I think a gross injustice is being done. Mr John Parker (Dagenham) Very few cases have arisen up to now, but we are keeping a watch on the matter. (Ends)
Kevin I think it fair to assume that all of the points you make were considered at the time of the initial request of the BBC producers setting up the programme to assist people in finding their parents etc.....not living in the Uk - I had no idea the extent of the programme hosted by Sally Magnusson who in her own right as opposed to her more famous Father - carried some weight which surprised me in that there was no follow up to the interview and that the producer just allowed it all to die and went off to have her baby So it is not a question of interfering but rather a request to assist in bringing some peace to a person in need - which is what this forum is all about - quite rightly in my view as it is very easy to just turn away and NOT become involved - which is much too common these days.... Cheers Tom - I think you show remarkable patience and fortitude indeed in your dealings with this case. I have perhaps a rather too jaded view of television, having spent 20 years in the film and TV industry. Sadly, with severely limited budgets and few well trained staff, producers are left to their own resources to do a great deal of primary research. A friend of mine recently made a ilm about the Battle of Britain with the glorious allowance of six weeks to make over an hour's TV. I gave him as much of a hand as I could but all of this work is often done for free. He is an exceptionally polite gentleman who makes a point of contacting all who helped him in writing -as I was taught to do. However, in the days of e-mail and instant messaging, sometimes all you get these days is a text, if that - for what might be days or weeks of painstaking work. Simply put, there aren't the people and there isn't the resource within TV to do the kind of work you describe. When faced with such rudeness or silence as we think impolite, might I suggest a large invoice at the rate of say, £400 per day plus expenses. That is very cheap at the price I assure you. Of course I understand that you are primarily concerned to help an individual who is in that unenviable place of knowing relatively little of what became of their loved ones. Still, when we do this work, we are providing a service and ultimately viewing entertainment for millions of people - I've said it before and I'll say it again, we are the footsoldiers of history and even footsoldiers deserve credit every now and again. Best wishes, Brian
Brian Thank you for your kind comments - but I have had some other experience with the BBC when they asked me to drive the 75 miles to Vancouver to be interviewed at some ungodly hour in the morning to be interviewed - I objected saying that I had already been interviewed by phone on a different production - so at yet another ungodly hour I was telephoned by Sally- the BBC do not seem to be aware of the 8 hour time differential between London/ Manchester/Edinburgh and where I live in British Columbia- and I have advised that our day time for e-mails is much more satisfactory to me Incidently for a 20 minute interview on "Music in Wartime - I was sent a cheque for all of 50GBP's- which I thought was about all they could afford ! Cheers
I know the woman Tom is speaking of. After hearing the initial BBc interview with Anne, I have also been trying to help. I live in New Brunswick and am from a military family. I also have experience as a genealogist. I have been in touch with Anne and got the chance to meet her in London, UK in August 2010. As part of my effort, I had an e-mail "poster" done in french and english. My husband, who is a soldier, sent it out to everyone on his contact list. Last year, the CBC radio in Saint John NB interviewed Anne. Vernon is not an uncommon french name in the Bathurst area of NB and so I thought perhaps he may have been Acadian. I would really like to help her. Here is a breakdown of the facts as she knows them: -She was conceived likely in Nov of 1943. -Her father was a tall, blonde Canadian who spoke English with a French accent -His FIRST NAME WAS VERNON -His unit was camped between Mildenhall and Icklingham in Suffolk UK -He left quickly in late Nov/early Dec of 1943 for a major campaigne -He frequented the Plough Inn pub in Icklingham where he enjoyed dancing If anyone here would be interested in the bilingual pdf that I have about Vernon, I would be happy to pass it on so you can forward it to your contacts. I am still in touch with Anne. She will be so thrilled to know that others are still looking for her needle in a haystack ;o) Thanks so much! Valerie, NB
Vallysue: If Vernon left the area suddenly in Nov/Dec of 1943, he may well have been a member of the 5th Canadian Armoured Division, which deployed to the Mediterranean at just that time. At least one of the division's units, the 5th Armoured Regiment (8th Hussars) was from New Brunswick.
In wartime, meeting a girl didn't necessarily mean that you'd be coming back to her..... Is Vernon known to be his real name, or could he just have called himself that while he was with her? Not casting aspersions, but did Vernon know his girl was pregnant, did he do a runner because of that, or simply never return because he had no idea she was pregnant.... Of course, another explanation is that he may have been seriously wounded and simply unable to get in touch with her, especially if he had been sent back to Canada to recover.... I've come across these situations before and whilst I'm prepared to find out what I can, I always feel a reluctance to interfere, maybe he was engaged before coming to Europe, and subsequently married his fiancee, so a child turning up from oats sown whilst abroad may not be a welcome reminder of his youthful indiscretions. Anne's mother did not find out she was pregnant until after Vernon's unit left. Anne went away with her family for a few days and when she returned she found out Vernon's unit was gone. Soon after she discovered she was pregnant.
Thanks, TTH I did find mention in some recently released documents on the LAC website ( or maybe collectionscanada) of some canadian units near Suffolk at that time. I don't have that info right at hand but will post it tomorrow. It seems to me that the 4th armoured division was one as well. Thanks very much for the solid lead!! When I contacted the War Museum and asked if they could find the names of Canadian units camped in that area at that time, I was told that if I already knew the unit they could check where they were but they didn't have the information indexed in such a way to search an area and find a unit. I thought I found Vernon last year but Vernon Boudreau from Guysborough County Nova Scotia wasn't blonde and didn't speak french (according to his great nephew). I would love nothing more than to solve this mystery for Anne. Thanks so much for taking the time to reply.
My mistake. It was an National Defence site. This is a link to Canadian Military Headquarters (CMHQ) Reports 1940-1948 Situation of the Canadian Military Forces Overseas, Autumn, 1943. Part I: Position and roles of the Canadian Forces in the United Kingdom
TTH / Valerie If you will refer to my initial posting - you will see where I had thought of the 5th CAD but they did not come up to expectations - so I looked elsewhere Cheers
Thanks, Tom. What I was able to glean from the Oct. 1943 report was that the 4th Canadian Armoured Division HQ was at Cockley Cley, Swaffam which Anne says is very close to the Mildenhall/ Icklingham area. Also, 4th Canadian Armoured Brigade HQ was camped at Lynaford Hall, Mundford, again very close to Icklingham.
