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INTELLIGENCE SECTION
In the Spring of 1944 the laborious work of D.U., under the capable leadership of Lt-Col E.M. Drake and Capt J.R. Mackay was given a recognition it had long sought. The men who had been selected from units all over Canada were offered an opportunity to serve overseas as Intelligence personnel with a Canadian Signal unit then forming. First positive information came in May of 1944. Capt Woodsworth was to take charge of the draft. Lt. Larkin and Lt. Burns were named to officer the party with Capt Woodsworth. On the 29th of August the group proceeded on leave before joining the No.1 Special Wireless Group at Victoria.
After completing basic training at the end of September, it was found that the Japanese language classes required instructional aids that could best be obtained at the Japanese Language School in Vancouver. Accordingly the group moved to Seaforth Barracks for a few weeks followed by a similar period on subsistence while attending classes at Seaview School. At the school the group divided in two, one group devoting their time to Japanese language under Capt Woodsworth's direction, the other concentrating on general Intelligence under Sgt Yolleck. At the middle of November our recall to Pat Bay preceded embarkation leave.
The record of the journey from Victoria to Brisbane is dealt with elsewhere. At Brisbane after a short period in Chermside Camp where Lt. Larkin rejoined us, the group moved to Camp Ascot for duty at Central Bureau. The Canadians fitted into this many-sided organization. Let it be said to their credit that they were sought by all departments. On April 7th the major portion of the group left Ascot to rejoin their parent unit, the #1 C.S.W.G.
On Monday, 23 April, a special warning order was distributed to a few personnel in MacMillan's Road Camp. A party of R.C. Signals and Canadian Intelligence personnel were to visit 51 Australian S.W.G. to observe the general operation of an Australian camp at first hand. In addition some excellent parties were given the Canadians by their hosts. In a few days, on return to MacMillan's the combined Australian-Canadian unit was functioning to produce Intelligence. On May 31, Sgt. Handforth flew from Brisbane to join this unit at Darwin. About July 1st Corporal Gardner and Gilmore likewise flew from Brisbane to take up their work with the unit.
Meanwhile, in Canada a second party of Intelligence personnel had been formed. Capt Mackay was able to obtain his release from H.Q. to 0.C. this group. Accompanying officers were Lts. Carrington and Holmes. There were thirteen corporals in this rear party group.
In Brisbane, Lt. Carrington, S/Sgt Ralph, Sgts Boivin and Moore, and Cpl Book have carried on with the remains of the Australian Rear Echelon. In Manila, Capt Woodsworth, Lt. Burns, S/Sgt Van Ert, Sgts 0lmstead and Bourne, Cpls Dennis, Rogers, Veale and Ewing, and Pte Hartwell maintained the good name of this group.
It is unfortunate that the security regulations of Intelligence work prohibit the story of the interesting details of day to day duty in the climactic stages of the war. The contribution of the Intelligence section must likewise be bypassed. However, it is to their credit and to the ability of the operators and staff of the 1 C.S.W.G. that within the narrow limits of Allied Intelligence circles the name of the Canadians invokes considerable respect.
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