Newfoundlanders in the Second World War

[Mike Jackson]

Could a Canadian expert on such matters give me a link (or links) to the decision making that resulted in the decision that led to most Newfoundlanders in Khaki in the Second World War being Gunners RA (as opposed to serving as Infantry in a re-formed Royal Newfoundland Regiment). It's popularly supposed that it was avoid the dreadful effects on Newfoundland of the destruction of the-then Newfoundland regiment on 1 Jul 16. With my co-author I'm trying to write an article on the Newfoundland Gunners of the SWW for the French magazine Militaria. Thanks. Mike

[Blackadder1916]

You could start by checking G.W.L. Nicholson's "More Fighting Newfoundlanders: A History of Newfoundland's Fighting Forces in the Second World War". The Memorial University of Newfoundland has made it easy to find it as they have digitized it and made it available on-line. http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/co...n/cns2/id/7204. It may not provide a cut and dried reference to the thinking behind the governments' (Newfoundland and British) decision to form units in the RA rather than other corps, but it is probably the most comprehensive single work about Newfoundland participation in the Second World War.

[Mike Jackson]

Blackadder,
Very many thanks. Much appreciated
Mike

[Mike Jackson]

On Page 57 of "More Fighting Newfoundlanders" there is an illustration of Gunners of 166 (Newfoundland) Fd Regt RA and a 25 pdr Gun. Two of the Gunners (either in reality or on the doctored photograph) seem to have whitened the word NEWFOUNDLAND on their shoulder titles - to make them stand out. I suppose that in a BW image the red lettering on khaki would not be clear. Is there a title in existence which has been treated with white blanco? Mike
166 Newfoundland Fd Regt_c Apr 42_Dorset.jpg

[Bill A]

Newfoundland titles have been seen in buff lettering on worsted.

[Mike Jackson]

Thanks.. Noted. But when one compares the lettering on the titles with the serial number painted in white on the back of the Quad, the former looks whiter than buff to me. Mike

[Bill A]

Agreed Mike. But the reported "buff" may actually be a faded or dirty white. I have not had one in hand to see the back and compare.

[Mike Jackson]

Originally Posted by Bill A

Agreed Mike. But the reported "buff" may actually be a faded or dirty white. I have not had one in hand to see the back and compare.

Thanks - having given this an airing an example of "buff" may well turn up. Mike

[Eddie Parks]

Hi Mike
No real help to you, but there is an interesting parallel in that when the Newfoundland Regiment was decimated and withdrawn from the line while serving with 29th Div they were replaced by 1st Bn Royal Guernsey Light Infantry.

1 RGLI in turn came to a sticky end at Cambrai and later on the Lys.

In WW2 the States of Guernsey absolutely refused to allow the Guernsey Militia to be embodied in the British army in order to avoid a similar disaster.

Jersey, which had not had the same WW1 experience, sent it's militiamen to the Hampshires.

[Mike Jackson]

Reverting to Newfoundland and the Second World War, can any member please give me a lead to where the photographic archives of the two regiments of Newfoundland Gunners (in UK, Tunisia, Italy and North West Europe) may be found. There are only very few available digitally from the IWM collections. Thanks. Mike

[Blackadder1916]

I should have thought of it before in response to your PM query about the LCol Howell photo, but you'll probably find what you're looking for at The Rooms, which is now the repository of most of Newfoundland's archives. Much more accessible than my experience of visiting the old Colonial Building over 45 years ago when I was doing some very simple research.

I did a quick search using the term "gunner" and found a fair size collection of photos http://gencat1.eloquent-systems.com/...OI30_50222=529. Following some of the links or additional search terms should produce a lot of what you're looking for.

The Howell photo is also there online, but the quality is no better (maybe worse) than than found in the PDF of "More Fighting Newfoundlanders".

[Bill A]

Some nice images at The Rooms. From the black and white images it is tough to tell if the titles are red on khaki or buff.

[Mike Jackson]

Originally Posted by Blackadder1916

I should have thought of it before in response to your PM query about the LCol Howell photo, but you'll probably find what you're looking for at The Rooms, which is now the repository of most of Newfoundland's archives. Much more accessible than my experience of visiting the old Colonial Building over 45 years ago when I was doing some very simple research.

I did a quick search using the term "gunner" and found a fair size collection of photos http://gencat1.eloquent-systems.com/...OI30_50222=529. Following some of the links or additional search terms should produce a lot of what you're looking for.

Thank you very much indeed. Much appreciated. I was particularly pleased to see some members of 166 (Newfoundland) Fd Regt RA wearing the formation sign of 6 SA Armd Div in lieu of (or in addition to?) that of 1 AGRA. I shall follow up on these images with my co-author. Mike

The Howell photo is also there online, but the quality is no better (maybe worse) than than found in the PDF of "More Fighting Newfoundlanders".

Thank you very much indeed. Much appreciated. I was particularly pleased to see some members of 166 (Newfoundland) Fd Regt RA wearing the formation sign of 6 SA Armd Div in lieu of (or in addition to?) that of 1 AGRA. I shall follow up on these images with my co-author. Mike