Gnr Robert Leo Kavanaugh H100181

[PoppyHomewood]

On page 7 of his file held by Library and Archives Canada it states he was attached to the Arty A.A. Reinforcement Camp for unreadable Q. Does this mean he left the Royal Regina Rifles in April 1943? I am trying to find a pix of him without any success as I am doing an exhibit on Indigenous War Dead in our area of Treaty 3 for an Indigenous centre and the Rifles ones I found the men are not identified and he has no family left in the area to ask for a pix.
Thank you.

[klambie]

He had no connection to the Reginas yet as of Apr 43. Looks like he had been tabbed to move overseas as a Gnr, got sick in Halifax and lost his spot. Temporarily attached to the Arty AA Reinf Camp for R&Q (rations and quarters). He wasn't 'working' for that unit, probably a bit in limbo while they figured out how to get him on another draft, but they were responsible for finding a place for him to sleep and get fed.

A bit unclear but appears he was transferred to the Infantry either when he embarked for overseas of shortly after arriving in the UK.

TOS by the Reginas 28 Jul 43.

I can help with his role with the Reginas, I have done much of the type of research in unit records discussed in the Ogden thread. I have looked at Pt I Orders as far back as summer 43, he is never mentioned with any indication of his Coy. I do have:

• embarkation roll for unit move to Inverary Scotland 9 Aug 43 indicates B Coy

• attended tryouts for the Boxing team 15 Nov 43 for the upcoming Brigade competition. No mention in results, appears he did not make the team

From his personnel file:

• his Soldier Book appears to include officer signatures from Peters, Dickin and Treleaven, all B Coy officers on D-Day. I am unable to easily check that they were in fact B Coy officers at the time of those entries, they could have been with other Coys and posted to B Coy later

He has been identified in the B Coy photo on my site, second row from top, fifth from left. I believe they are NOT counting the two guys at the ends in row 2 1/2 as part of this row. These IDs are from a former member of the Coy, they are not 'official'. It appears my site is offline at the moment (investigating), PM me and we can figure out how to get the photo to you by email

He was killed as part of Operation Charnwood/Abbaye d'Ardennes. B Coy led the RRR assault from Authie to a point about half way to the Abbaye, often referred to as 'the mounds' (an abandoned German AA position)

[PoppyHomewood]

Thanks Kevin. I enjoyed your site and hope you can get it fixed. It will be fabulous to have his picture. It means so much in my work, sadly it makes the men real to many. I really appreciate your help. Many thanks.