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Topic: D Day Dodgers (Read 1290 times)
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george burrows
redpatch43
Veteran 100+ Member
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Posts: 195
2002
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Hello to all RCR assoc members, . I am just reading all the news and catching up with what is going
on with each of you.
You mentioned that the D Day Dodgers Assoc. in Orillia were having their Final meeting as the member ship attendance is now to small.You also mention that there are not to many of us WW2 Vets left. I
am sorry to hear that as most of you are but it is true. Those of us still around are dwindling very fast.I am sure that a lot of you have bought Col. Galloway's book Road to Ortona etc. In the book he mentioned a specific number of RCR SURVIVORS as at Dec./44 who were in the Invasion of Sicily.
I do not mention the specific number because it happens to be incorrect. The actual count is located in the large book titled ' THE D DAY DODGERS. All stats have been verified by DND at the point of writing. The writer, Mr. Daniel G. DANCOCKS ( now deceased) states on page 401 the following comment. TO CARRY OUT THE FULL-SCALE ASSAULT, THE FIRST BRIGADE'S DESMOND SMITH HAD TO COUNT ON THE SAME BATTALIONS,THE ROYAL CANADIANS AND HASTY P'S WHICH HAD BEEN CRUSHED ON THE LAMONE RIVER AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN NO SURPRISE THAT THE RESULT WAS REMARKABLY SIMILAR. THE RCR WAS A MERE SHADOW OF IT S 'FORMER SELF; IT HAD SUFFERED FIVE HUNDRED CASUALTIES IN THE PAST FIVE MONTHS, ONLY NINE OFFICERS AND TWENTY FOUR OTHER RANKS REMAINED OF THE MEN WHO HAD LANDED IN SICILY IN JUNE 1943 '
Of the 24 survivors, I am one. For further speculation (I cannot prove it) my revision of the 24 men
would seem to indicate that only 6 or possibly 7 were actually from the rifle companies, with the remainder composed of H.Q personell. I do not know whether Cap't Oleary has any figures availabale of a more solid nature or not.
I wrote to him 2 years ago and asked if I were the only survivor of the 24. He advised me that there was one more also still living. I am sorry I cannot remember his name. Perhaps Cap't O'Leary can update
us on his situation.. I still hope he is around and in reasonable health.
I said we travel a lot. Well we have. We celebrated our 60 th Wedding Anniversary in April / 08 and my 85 th birthday on MAY 4 / -08 by going on a cruise to the Mediterranian. We went to Rome, MonteCarlo,Naples, then to TURKEY, 3 stops in Greece, then ended up up for 2 days in Venice before returning home. Had a super trip. My wife and I (so far) are in good health. I broke my back last Sept/07 and am now just getting back to normal. Other than that I am doing quite well.
Thought you might enjoy the above info, especially for those who may not have been aware of our
WW 2 experiences.
Pro Patria.
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Regt Adjt
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There's nothing more that I can add at this time.
Regt Adjt
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ranrad
Ron [Andy] Andrews
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Hi George, thanks for the update , and its great to see you and your wife are enjoying things as you like.. keep at it Dodger..ranrad
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RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
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Doug Clarkson
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Great story Mr Burrows, alot of excellent information, and your cruise sounds like it was a great trip, sorry to hear about you back, but glad to hear of your speedy recovery. Take care Sir! PRO PATRIA!
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Cornwallis 78 - 79, 1 RCR 79 - 84, Cyprus 84 - 85, 1 RCR: 85 - 89, Cyprus 89 - 90, 1 RCR 90 - 92, Kingston 92 - 94, 1 RCR 94,
Croatia 94 - 95, 1 RCR: 95 - 97, 3 RCR 97 - 98, Bosnia 98 - 99, 3 RCR 99, CFJSR Kingston 99 - 04, DAT Kingston 04 - 07, Retired: 07, Class "B" BCWO Assistant CFB Kingston 07 - Present
UNFICYP 2, UNPROFOR, NATO Former Yugo, CFPSM, QGJM, CD1
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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George, how are you? I was wondering where you have been. Sounds like you had a good trip, ha, last time I was in Monte Carlo, we ran out of money and had to sleep at the end of the harbour mouth on these huge boulders. Ah, to be a private again, eh? Adventure around every corner...
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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Stephen MacDonald
Guest
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My dad Emerson is a survivor of Sicily also. Reading all the entries here on the board makes me very proud of him and the Regiment he served. He lives about 30mins from Mr.McIntyre's campground too. He doesn't talk of Sicily/Italy very often because of the devestating losses. He doesn't have a computer,but I tell him about the great people here on the board and how much pride you people take in being a part of such an establised Regiment. Thank you for all your sacrifices and for a place like this. Respectfully, Stephen MacDonald (proud son of a Royal)
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obie
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George
Ian Hodson who is one of your group lives here in Kingston. I thank
you and your buddies for your service to Canada and the Regiment. God Bless.
Jack O'Brien
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Al Hocking
Guest
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Hi George...
I to am a D day doger,I joined the Regiment in 1939 and stayed in until my retirement in the Late 60s landed in Sicily with the Regiment and am a survivor of the action at Sterlin Castle,I was Lt Quayle's Platoon Sergent at the time,As you say there are not many of us left,I also served a Tour in Korea.I will try to contact you at the reunion,am Stayng at the Peach tree Inn.All the Best.Al Hocking.MM.ED. CD.
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ranrad
Ron [Andy] Andrews
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Wow , another old comrade , George.. hope you guys have a great time at your reunion..and thanks to you all for all you have done, given to the world..ranrad
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RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
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george burrows
redpatch43
Veteran 100+ Member
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Posts: 195
2002
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Al Hocking (guest )
Sorry I missed your M/S Al. Would liked to have talk to you. Also sorry I was unable to attend the Kingston Reunion. I fractured my back last fall so was not in condition for the travel and reunion activities..
When you get a minute , email and we can talk that way. TKS George.
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rtwalshrcr
Guest
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Hello George:
The survivors of the Italy campaign who made it through from the first day, July 10 1943, to the last day are hard to find. In London we have Capt J.C. "Spin" Reid, MM, CD who recently turned 90 years of age. His ship was torpedoed en route to Italy so he got there a bit later than July 10 via North Africa after being rescued from the Mediterrainian.
This past summer a man from Toronto told me about his father who is named Nutt who, he said, went through Italy with the Royals. Mr. Nutt lives in Toronto.
Jack Naylor is member of the London Branch and is an Italy veteran. He tells me he joined the RCR with the "1st Flight" in Italy. I am guessing that was a reinforcement draft.
Best wishes, Old Soldier George
R.T. Walsh, Chairman, The RCR Association
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george burrows
redpatch43
Veteran 100+ Member
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Posts: 195
2002
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Thanks R.T . for your comments. Always nice to hear about a regimental brother.
Yes you are correct, there are not many of us left anymore.Mr Nutt is 90 years old, I am 85 years old- 86 may 04/09.To the best of my knowledge, I believe I am supposed
to be the LAST SURVIVOR of THE JULY 10/43 LANDING FORCE who fought all the way through Sicily / Italy. According to Col. Strome Galloway, who I knew, stated in his book that in the middle of December/44, of the 751 force that invaded, only 34 of us survived which included 14 officers and 25 or's, of which I am one.
The second last survivor died this year and lived in St Catherines,Ont.
The regiment should inform all of the MEDIA that the longest fighters in WW 2 were from the 1 st Divison , in Italy. Quite a feather in our Cap I'd say. Anyway, R.T. At the present time I am still healthy ( with God's help) and continue to travel . Leaving for 1 month out west for Xmas and New Years with family.Looking forward to it.
I wish you, your family and ALL RCR's a very Merry Xmas and Happy New Years for
2009.
Pro Patria.
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ranrad
Ron [Andy] Andrews
Ultimate 2000+ Member
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Hi George , and thanks for the Christmas wishes, and may you and yours have a very merry Christmas, and Happy New Year.. and may your health stay as it is for a long , long time..ranrad
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RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
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