HISTORY OF THE S.A.R.V.A.

 

The following is the letter sent to all members of the Regiment inviting all to the 25th Reunion.  It has been reproduced exactly as written.

 

South Alberta Regt. (29 CARR)

25th REUINION – JULY 3-4TH, 1965

MEDICINE HAT, ALBERTA

 

This follow up letter to our 25th Reunion Call will be in the form of a brief Regimental History, drawn up by Bill Webb, Reunion Chairman, in hopes it will bring back memories.

 

Do you remember – the Regt. Mobilized June 4, 1940 under Lt. Col. J.H.Carvosso and R.S.M. Seal in Edmonton’s Prince of Wales Armories – dress fatigues or civies- then to Dundurn Camp in August 40 with flies, heat sand and dysentery.  Who can forget Nanaimo, September 40 with its wonderful people, tents, rain, cinder pile, Christmas Leave, the retirement of Lt. Col. Carvosso and take over by Lt. Col. Britowe as our new C. O.  Then the send off at the docks in Nanaimo in May 41 and east to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Chippawa, Queenston Heights, Allenberg, Thorold and the company that went to the C.N.E.- the peaches and the falls.  Then east again to Derbert Camp in November of 41, the cold winter, Christmas leave.  Turned Arm’d Jan 26/42 and became the 29th Cdn. Armd Regt (SAR)-then schools, ram tanks and so to England after two years and two months in Canada.

 

Sailed on theStrathcona, arrived Glasgow Sept. 2/42 and by train to Headly near Bordon and you remember the Headly Hollybush and 300lb. Nelly, Ludshott Frensham Commons and our first Christmas in England.  Then to Aldershop January 43, and the Talvers Barracks, here we became the 29th Cdn. Armed Recce Regt (SAR), and you must remember Farnham, Frensham- the lovely towns where training was light and the people friendly.  It was here so many of us went to the Scheme “Spartan” March 3/43.  Early in May 43 Lt. Col. G de S Wotherspoon took over Command of the Regt. And was to be the Col. To take us through the many Battles that lay ahead.  It was due to his great ability and devotion to duty that many of us are here today.  Now on the south of England, Preston Park, Brighton June 43, Beachy Head Range, Brighton Commons, July 43 Minehead Ranges and the Somerset Cider- boy, what a drink.  Worthing August 43 and remember the Hit and Run Air Raids.  Then north and up to Brandon in September 43 and driving those tanks on the railway flat cars and off again- then West Tofts Camp.  Here you will remember the Padre Keeping busy getting girls for our dances as the population was very few and far between.  South again to Haywards Heath and Maresfield our Sherman Tanks here and off the Lydd Ranges Dec. 23/43 and spent our 4th Christmas here and still no action.  Back to Maresfield Camp Dec. 31/43 and by Sqn. To Warcop Ranges Feb. 1/44 –Saw us with C.V.S.M. – our first medal.  On May 21/44, we started to waterproof our vehicles and were 10 C.I.B. with the Lincoln and Welland Reg, Algonquin Regt., Argyle and Sutherland Regt. And the New Brunswick Rangers with Tac Signs 61, 62, 63, 64 and our 45.  We left Maresfield July 18/44 for London – ship July 19- arrived Arromanches July 24/44 and so to War.

 

“A” Sqnd. was the first to see Action outside Caen at Till-La-Campayne, other places there Tilley-Troteval-Verriers.  August 7th stated us moving through Rocquan-court, Cinthequx-Hautmesnil Langannerie-Bretteville, Le Rabet-Dainblainville-Trun-ST. Lambert Chamboia-Quesnay Wood – Rouvres.  It was through this last part that we attacked with about 250 tanks side by side and the germans had never seen anything like it.  Off again St. Lambert sur Dvies-St. Lamber and Major David V. Currie won the Victoria Cross in this action.  This was also the area “Falaise” that we took 7000 prisoners, 2000 killed, 3000 wounded.  Off again to Le Sap-Bernay-Seine River, Criquebeuf-Boos-Igoville-Somme River- Prot Remy Ailly le Haut Clocher- and on Sept.7, 1944, we entered Belguim near Dixmude-Bruges-Moerbrugge here awe had bitter fighting.  On again to Lekkerhoch-Veldcappele-Leopold Canal-Phillipine-Bresken Pocket-Conk-Malegem-Moerker-Eecloo-Ghent.  It was at this time that Sgt. Halkyard and his troop slipped over the Dutch border and sighted a Railway Gun, and we quote his wireless transmission “Have crossed the Dutch Border and sighted a Railway Gun. Am engaging same.”  Then on to Sas Van Ghent-Assenede-Hulst and a two week rest.  On to Leopold Canal, Fort Brasschart-Brecht –Turnhout-Wousche Plantage-Huibergen-Bergen Op Zoom-Halsteren- Moestraten-Steenbergen-Capelle-Taamsonk- Vaught-Maas-Dongen and back to Vaught for our 5th Christmas.  Then on again to Breda-Etten-Kapelsche Veer Island remember how tough this Island was to take.  February 21st – into Germany at Best-Cleve-Xanten-Udem Hockwald Forest-Siegfried Line- all through here very heavy fighting.  On again to Balberger-Walf-Veen-Labbeck-Haneshof- then back to Tilberg on March 12th for a rest.  Off again to Oudenhout and on March 24th back to Germany at Cleve-Geone-Emmerick-Twente Canal- Lochem-Delden-Alemelo-Rijssen-Meppen-Vrees-Freisoyth  Kiesten Canal-Cloppenburg-Varrelbusch-Garrel-Wardenburg and Oldenburg.

 

“V.E” Day May 8/45, and the end of the WAR.  You must pick out the places mentioned and remember the ones you were in and what they mean to you.  If you remember these places how in the HELL did you forget to send in your Reunion Form.  There are about 100 coming so far, so please fill in the form we sent you or write to Bill Webb, Gen. Del. Medicine Hat, and let me know if you are coming and what reservations you will need.  See you there Fellows and your good wives.

 

 

 

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Thursday February 07, 2013