Canadian Military Lanyards

[GregN]

Hi all, one of the interesting items I picked up at the gunshow was a nice selection of whistle or clasp knife lanyards worn by Canadian Soldiers. I had read about these in J.Bouchery's The Canadian Soldier - From D-Day to VE-Day" as well as small sections in "Dressed to Kill" by M. Dorosh and the chapter on Ist Can Para lanyards in "Into the Mealstrom - The 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, History-Insignia-Uniforms" by Ken Joyce.

With these sources in mind I picked up this small collection which, I hope will grow with time. Of the 14 I have so far only 4 I have been able to identify. I would ask the help of the forum to help me in identifying the remainder.

1. Veterans Guard
2. Royal Canadian Army Service Corps - Thanks Al
3. Winnipeg Rifles - pre-WW2 militia - From the Hasted estate with photo documentation
4. Royal Canadian Artillery
5.
6. Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps - Thanks Al
7.
8.
9. Black - Rifle Regiments
10. Regina Rifles - officers
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17. Purple - Royal Canadian Army Chaplain Corps
18. Maroon Colour - St. John Fusiliers, Fusiliers du St. Laurent, Regt. de Quebec, Le Regt. de la Chaudiere
19. Red, twisted and knotted - RCAMC
20. Royal Canadian Signals Corp
21. RCSC
22. RCSC
23.
24. Royal Canadian Army Service Corps


Greg

[geezer#199]

The knot on number 3 looks very much like the knot on the lanyard that is issued to the RCMP.

Jack

[regimentalrogue]

You may be able to match some lanyard colours to regimental camp flags:

Camp Flags - http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-.../index-eng.asp

Camp Flags: Infantry Regiments - http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-...nterie-eng.asp

Camp Flags: Armour Regiments - http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-...giment-eng.asp

[QSAMIKE]

Greg......

Number 3 looks like a Royal Canadian Navy lanyard...... Had to clean many of them.....

Mike

[Bill A]

Morning, Thanks for the link to the camp flags site, Mike. It is an excellent reference, but use it with a bit of caution. The correlation between the camp flags and lanyard (and shoulder titles) colours is strong but, does deviate for some. Some regiments wore the lanyard of their parent corps. For example, the Algonquin Regiment wore a scarlet lanyard which represented the Infantry Corps, and the G & SF lanyard included the maroon and green shown on the camp flag, but also included yellow, for their time as an armoured regiment. Note many of the Scottish units use the cross of St.Andrew as the background, while their lanyard colours are quite different.
Lanyards are certainly an area with little background research, and merit more attention.

[rkcampbell]

#6 is similar (and may indeed be) the one worn by certain overseas regiments of the RCA. I know from the history of 13 RCA that the red and blue was approved for wear, but I believe it was only allowed when serving overseas (returning the traditional white when back in Canada).

Indeed, worthy of more research.

Bob

[soldier1]

I sure that #6 is in fact RCOC Bob.

#2 looks RCASC

Cheers Al

[geezer#199]

For comparison purposes, attached is a photo of my Father in Laws lanyard, it is khaki in colour and he was overseas with the 17 RCA from 1939 to 1945.

Sorry for the poor quality photo.

Jack

[servicepub]

Good luck with your project. These are very badly documented and styles/patterns are next to impossible to date. Nonetheless, I look forward to the results of your research.

[rkcampbell]

Thanks Al. I wonder what "red and blue" combination 13 RCA wore when in Europe? I have yet to see a period photo of one.

[soldier1]

Originally Posted by geezer#199

For comparison purposes, attached is a photo of my Father in Laws lanyard, it is khaki in colour and he was overseas with the 17 RCA from 1939 to 1945.

Sorry for the poor quality photo.

Jack

Hi Jack; I speak fm inexperience here. From the weave pattern and the slide knot and the fact it is khaki; could this be a pistol lanyard as opposed to a corps/regimental lanyard?

Cheers Al

[geezer#199]

I too am speaking from inexperience. This lanyard was in my father in laws khaki pack, along with a rubberized ground sheet, a web style belt, web suspenders and some leather belts. It is a lot like my RCMP lanyard, which we used for a revolver/pistol with one end having a sliding knot.

Jack

[shootemup]

I don't recognize any of them...sorry. Try emailing Myles Penny at Penny's of Thunder Bay as he continues to produce lanyrds for army cadet corps, and he might be able to help you out.

[Tanker Mike]

The last one looks like it may belong to the Yukon regiment.

[GregN]

Thanks for the contributions so far guys, I picked up another 9 different lanyards over the weekend - all different, This will take some time. Does anyone have uniforms with a lanyard? Perhaps this is an easier way to associate the lanyard to the regiment?


Greg