2nd Canadian Divisional Signals War Diary Photos

From RCSigs.ca
Jump to: navigation, search

This page captures photos that 2nd Canadian Divisional Signals included in their official War Diary. Dates and captions for each set accompany the photos.

January 1940

War Diary entry for 7 January states: 2nd Divisional Signals and Corps Signals, R.C.S., paraded to the Drill Hall, Vimy Barracks, under the Command of Lt.-Col F.S. McPherson, M.C., M.M., V.D., where Church Service was conducted by Honorary-Major, the Rev. W.E. Kidd, M.C. Personnel of C.S.T.C., and A.A. & L. of C. Details attended the service from Vimy Barracks, Captain Gitz Rice accompanied on the piano. After the service all units formed up on the parade ground under the Command of Lt.-Col. E.G. Weeks, M.C., M.M. The salute at the march pass was taken by Col. E. Forde, D.S.A., V.D., Commandant C.S.T.C., Lt.-Col McPherson acting as Aide de Camps.

February 1940

War Diary entry for 4 February states: 2nd Divisional Signals paraded to Vimy Barracks as part of Area Signals Church Parade at 1030 hours. The parade was headed by Cadets from R.M.C. Brig.-Gen. H.E. Boak, D.S.O., took the salute with the staff on the steps at the south end of No. 1 Block, Vimy Barracks. Provision was made for ladies to attend the service, which was conducted by Hon.-Major the Rev. W.E. Kidd, M.C.

March 1940

War Diary entry for 3 March states: A panoramic view of the Barriefield Concentration Camp is shown.

April 1940

The War Diary has no captions but the photos show scenes from the Barriefield Concentration Camp.

May 1940

Barriefield Concentration Camp

Garrison Parade - 19 May

War Diary entry for 19 May states: A Garrison Divine Service Parade was held today in the George Richardson Stadium, Kingston. The Units participating were the 1st Corps Signals, 2nd Divisional Signals, Artillery Signals Course, Canadian Signal Training Centre, "A" "B" "C" and Composite Batteries of the Royal Canadian Artillery and detachments from Headquarters, MD 3.

The 1st Corps Signals and 2nd Divisional Signals, Canadian Signals Training Centre and the Artillery Signal Training Course, under the command of Lt-Col F.S. McPherson, M.C., M.M., V.D. moved of from the junction of the Barriefield Camp Main Road and No. 2 Highway, at 0755 hours, in the aforementioned order.

The route followed by the parade is shown on a sketch attached to Part I Order #138 (see appendix #4).

At the conclusion of the Service the main body was joined by the Roman Catholic personnel who attended a Roman Catholic service in the Kingston Cricket Grounds. On the return march a salute was tendered His Honour the Lieutenant Governor Matthews of Ontario. The Parade was led by the 2nd Divisional Signals Drum and Trumpet Band, which wheeled into position opposite the saluting base at the Court house and played for the 1st Corps Signals and 2nd Divisional Signals during the March Past. On completion of the March Past by these units the band fell in at the rear of the column. Opposite the Royal Military College a halt was called to permit the band to proceed to their original position at the head of the parade. The units then proceeded to their respective parade grounds.

Company Photos

June 1940

Loughborough Lake

During the period of 7-9 June, 2nd Canadian Divisional Signals moved to a Camp at Lake Loughborough. The advance party set up camp and the unit as a whole marched the 17 miles to the lake on the 7th. The 8th was spent in the pursuit of sports, swimming and relaxing and, following Divine Service, the unit marched back to Barriefield Camp.

July 1940

Route March

War diary entry for 6 July states: Clear and warm.

The entire 2nd Divisional Signals, C.A.S.F., with full packs and rifles, accompanied by motor column, under the command of Lt-Col F.S. McPherson, M.C., M.M., V.D. acting under sealed orders, marched out of Barriefield Camp at 0730 hours to-day.

the parade proceeded west on Highway No. 2 to the Village of Barriefield, then north on the Kingston-Ottawa Highway to a point approximately 3 miles north of the Village of Barriefield. From this point after a short rest, the unit returned to camp. A kit inspection and muster roll call took place at 1100 hours.

All store's and Office equipment etc. were loaded on trucks after 1630 hours Friday July 5th. Mens kits were also packed Friday evening to have everything in readiness for the early move.

Between reveille and 0730 hours the time was utilized for dressing, breakfast and final loading of mens kit bags etc. in trucks.

The entire movement, a duplication of an actual embarkation order, was carried out with efficiency and despatch.

Flag Raising

War diary entry for 13 July states: A flag donated to the 2nd Divisional Signals Officers mess, by Mr. A.R. Hughes of Winnipeg, Manitoba was officially raised this afternoon.

Lt-Col F.S. McPherson officiated at the ceremony, at the base of the recently erected flagpole on the lawn opposite the Officers Mess.