Halifax Hundred 1938-1946

[manchester48]

Thanks Charlie.  Simple when you know how eh

[manchester48]

Find a Grave search - Forest Hill Cemetery, Fredericton. Grave stone DOD certainly different for Emily. 1999 not 2001. I shall amend my records accordingly.

[Dave1212]

I hope everyone is well. I was wondering if to remain with this original post or start a new one with all of the updates & new info received over the past couple of years. I figure continuing where we left off.

A couple of years back it was recommended starting a Facebook page to reach more families. While not a FB fan, it seemed like a good idea - it has worked out & today we'll start with the most recent family to find us - that of Arthur John Caleb Smale from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

Arthur enlisted March 21, 1939. We have a photo of him from France 1940 which places him in 'A' Company yet post Dunkirk newspaper accounts have him in 'D' Company. He remained with the 2/Mancs & in December 1943 Sgt. Smale received an 'Emergency Commission' to that of 2nd Lieutenant. Newspaper accounts have him finishing the war as a Captain however a recently shared photo from August 1945 (Karachi) lists him as a Lieutenant (12th Frontier Force Regiment).

The family is still sorting through the documents they possess, so the questions posed here might soon answer themselves but just in case...
1) How long was Officer Training in cases like Arthur's & where would it have taken place knowing where they were stationed during this time period?
2) After training would the man return to his old unit or would he be re-assigned? Almost seems a waste taking a good NCO out of the line & not have him return.
3) Could Arthur have been at Kohima & Imphal with the 2/Mancs?

The first post features the August 1945 Karachi photo (in 3 attachments). The scan of the men isn't of the best quality but Arthur is 1st row standing, far right
Can anyone add detail to this unit (as well as 12th Frontier Force Regiment)?

Thanks in advance as always & more to follow...

[Dave1212]

Additional photos featuring Arthur Smale:

1) Various shots Ladysmith Barracks Spring 1939

2) Date/location of photo unknown. Private Smale back row, middle. No other men identified.

3) Shared several years ago by Thomas McCarthy's family + previously posted here, this photo was taken in France 1940 & has Tom McCarthy back row, far right. Tom you'll recall was KIA May 24, 1940 France age 25.

Just prior to this past Christmas, the family of William Frederick 'Bill/Chalkie' White identified him as standing back row, to Tom's right. After Dunkirk, Bill transferred to the RAF to be a pilot in Bomber Command. On a training flight September 3, 1942 Bill's plane crashed into a mountain in Scotland which killed his co-pilot. Seriously injured, lying in the open for 28 hours Bill was eventually rescued spending the next few months in hospital (Kingseat Hospital Abderdeenshire). He recovered, albeit with a permanent limp and resumed flight operations. Bill transferred from the RAF to RCAF prior to the end of the war or at least prior to returning to Canada. At RCAF Station Claresholm, Alberta on the morning of January 4, 1956 the Harvard II aircraft Flying Officer White was piloting crashed shortly after take-off. He was 37 years old.

Standing directly behind the Sergeant who is front middle, is Arthur Smale.

4) 2nd Lieutenant Arthur John Caleb Smale from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

[Dave1212]

Arthur's date of discharge from the ranks was December 11, 1943. This document is dated April 26, 1944 in Bombay. Does this mean Arthur completed the training or does it mean he is about to start it?

[Dave1212]

Photograph of Arthur Smale taken about a month prior to his passing in Ottawa, Ontario 1985 age 70. He rests in Saint Paul's Cemetery, Mushaboom, Nova Scotia.
RIP

Thanks again to Arthur's family for sharing these treasures & offering us a glimpse into his incredible life.

[Dave1212]

Syd Goodman from Ferguson's Cove, Nova Scotia served in 'B' Company 2nd Battalion Manchester Regiment (M.G.) from 1939-1946. These are a couple of items his family shared with us. Syd passed away December 2, 1998 age 78 & is buried Fort Massey Cemetery, Halifax, NS.

[Dave1212]

These are the men currently identified in the 100 story who rose through the ranks & became Officer's by the end of the war in 1945.
L-to-R George O'Handley, Winston Ploeg, Arthur Smale, Noble Sproule, William White

Notes: Winston Ploeg resigned his Commission in 1946 reverting to the ranks later retiring as RSM of his regiment in the RCA in 1966.
Bottom photo of Bill White was taken shortly prior to his tragic death in 1956 age 37 RCAF Station Claresholm, Alberta.

[Dave1212]

2/Mancs tug-of-war competition India 1943. Sgt. Clary Hook from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia front 2nd from the left is shown encouraging his team.

[timberman]

Thanks for sharing Dave

[Dave1212]

A photo of Arnold Carver (from Italy Cross, Nova Scotia) taken in England August 1942 while he was serving in 'D' Company West Nova Scotia Regiment. In 1943 the unit shipped out with the 1st Canadian Division (3rd Infantry Brigade) & Arnold fought through Sicily & Italy before being wounded in Holland in 1945. At the time of his discharge later that year he held the rank of Acting Company Sergeant Major.

April 4, 1939 Arnold along with Skip McCarthy & Gerald Crouse enlisted in the 2/Mancs. All three men had served with the 75th Lunenburg Regiment. In 1936 this unit merged with the 69th Annapolis Regiment to forge what was to become the West Nova Scotia Regiment. Skip had created its new insignia.

With slim pickings available for steady employment in Nova Scotia at this time, the three friends travelled from the South Shore to Halifax when they heard men were being recruited in Halifax for the British Army.

After recruit training the friends were assigned to 'D' Company & sent to France after war was declared in September 1939.

In January 1940 Arnold along with Norm Eisener, Jack Foster, Don Morrison, G. Neville, Ric Serrick and Edward Vere-Holloway (perhaps others) volunteered for a new unit being created after the call for experienced skiers was circulated to all regiment commands & HQ’s. According to Don Morrison boredom of trench life in the front lines in France compounded by it being one of the coldest winters in recent memory motivated the men for the new challenge.

This unit was to become the 5th (Ski) Battalion Scots Guards. Nicknamed ‘The Snowballers’ its intent was to assist the Finns in their fight against the Russians. Lead by Lord Lovat, training took place in Scotland & France however following Finland’s armistice with Russia in March 1940, the unit was disbanded. Six of the seven soldiers (including Arnold) had returned to the trenches they have vacated a couple of months previously.

Evacuated from Dunkirk June 1940, Arnold transferred to the West Novas in 1941. Gerald Crouse came with him but Skip (along with Clyde Cruickshanks) had been captured May 26, 1940 in France performing rearguard actions.

Arnold ‘Slim’ Carver passed away December 26, 1988 in Bridgewater Nova Scotia. He was 69 years old.

[Dave1212]

Glad & relieved this site was able to be saved with what I hope was minimal loss. Attached a photo from Art Rodgers collection that features two unidentified recruits taken at Ladysmith Barracks probably in the April/May 1939 timeframe.

What are the men wearing? Was this standard recruit issue? Any insight is appreciated as always. Thanks.

[Dave1212]

This photograph was kindly shared by Billy Delaney's family. It shows Bill, back row 4th from the left, while with the Toronto Scottish Regiment (M.G.).  He transferred from the 2/Mancs in 1941.

Despite the condition issues, it's a wonderful shot. The soldiers from different units indicates it was probably a training course of some sort. There are men from the Manchester Regiment included so I'm thinking perhaps a course specific to machine gun battalions since Toronto Scots & Mancs (maybe others) are represented.

There are some names reportedly written on the back but I haven't seen them yet. No date indicated either so we don't know if this was pre/post Dieppe (Bill was there - August 19, 1942).

Thank you again to the Delaney Family for sharing this & I'll include any additional info once it becomes available.

[charlie]

Dave,
Thanks for sharing the photo.

The three Sgts on the far left of the back row are all wearing what looks to be the ribbon of the 1939-45 Star. The Star was instituted on 8th July 1943 and the ribbons were available to wear by the end of 1943. This combined with the lack of leaves on the trees and some of them wearing gloves, leads me to believe the photo was probably taken at the end of 1943 - beginning of 1944.

Charlie

[Dave1212]

Thanks Charlie - I appreciate that. I'm hoping to receive a scan of the back of the photo shortly to hopefully add some more names to the mix. Cheers.