1st Cdn Parachute Battalion - Nominal Roll - 2359 hrs, 11 Feb 1945

[Interestednephew]

Thank you for this information.

[Temujin]

My uncle was a member of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion. I have his war records. He enlisted on March 28, 1944. He attended the Canadian Parachute Training School in Shilo between June 22, 1944 and September 6, 1944. He qualified as a parachutist on September 6, 1944. He was sent to England on October 12, 1944 and joined the 1st Canadian Parachute Training Company on October 27, 1944. It appears that he joined the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion sometime in early 1945 (the date is unreadable). The next entry in his war record has him back in Calgary on June 13, 1945. I can’t find him on any Nominal Roll for the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion between October 1944 and February 1945. My questions are: (1) do the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion War Diaries include the 1st Canadian Parachute Training Company?; (2) where can I find Nominal Rolls for the 1st Canadian Parachute Training Company?; and more generally, how much interaction occurred between the Training Company and the regular Battalion in England?

Kuhgar, as far as I know the 1st Canadian Parachute Training Companyies “war diaries” are NOT included in the 1st Cdn Parachute Battalion…….but let me check further.

And in respect to the interaction between training and the regular Parachute Battalion, their would have been lots of communication, to ensure each new how many men were needed, what types of training, when openings in the Parachute Battalion were coming and replacements for them etc etc. In fact instructor’s for the training company were mostly likely from the 1st Can Para Battalion (and other British Para Battalions) etc

I’ll see if I can find anything on the Training Company for you

[Temujin]

Follow up. I was incorrect, I found info on the Training Company and they were a seperate unit, BUT under the command of the 1st Cdn Para Bn (while it was in England) and received rations and quarters with the Battalion. Info below and a link to the document (which you can download if you wish)

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https://www.canada.ca/en/department-nat ... -1944.html

[Temujin]

Another follow up. I DID find info on the Training Company in the War Dairies of the 1st Cdn Para Btn

Below is a link to the war diaries from Feb 1944 to end of war. I’m looking now for early WD for you. All the diaries can be downloaded from these links

https://recherche-collection-search.bac ... ber=928089

[Temujin]

In the 1st Cdn Para Bn War diaries, I am finding information on the Training Company. Examples below…….but their is lots more (this is just Feb 1944)

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[Temujin]

Below is link to the Battalion from 1943 to Jan 1944.

The Training Company was formed in Jan 1944, so again info in that month of the War Diaires

https://recherche-collection-search.bac ... e011268263

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[Temujin]

You mention that he went to Training Coy on 19 Oct 1944. So far all I could find for Oct 44 is his name on the nominal roll for HQ Coy in Oct 44

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[Interestednephew]

Thanks for your reply. I may have typed in the date wrong. I will have to double check. He ( Vic) qualified as a paratrooper on October 18th 1943. I think on his service records it indicates this. I have attached this service record form. Some things on the service records i still have a hard time to interpert.

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And yes i have also found his name on a nominal roll for October 1944. He was also Batman during the exercise FOG under Mj Hilborn on Oct. 10th 1944. Ive attached this also. Thanks again. When the rememberance date for D day is approaching fast, im always thinking about what he did for us.
I hope im not confusing the matters, there was also another brother that was a paratrooper but was in the Training company and did not get to see action. The dates for him are still schetchy. Im still trying to find out more about him as well from other family members.

[kuhgar]

First, my apologies to Interestednephew. I did not intend to interfere with your enquiries regarding your uncle V.W. Hodge. I wasn’t sure where my separate enquiries regarding my uncle (who joined the 1st Canadian Parachute Training Company on October 27, 1944) should be posted. Second, many thanks to Temujin for your replies to my original post!

Frustratingly, I am unable to find any Nominal Rolls for the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion after February 11, 1945 OR any War Diaries after January 1945. My uncle was given credit for 243 days of overseas service (consistent with arriving in England on October 13, 1944 and leaving England on June 13, 1945). I understand that members of the 1st Canadian Parachute Regiment reverted back to their military district designations before leaving England on June 15, 1944 (in my uncle’s case #13DD), which is consistent with the entry in his war records which have him posted back in Calgary on June 13, 1945. Ultimately, what I would like to learn is whether he deployed to Europe with the regular Battalion in either January or March 1945, but the trail is cold. Thanks again!

[Interestednephew]

To Khugar, No problem. Any information is good information. I know how things can be confusing. I also had the stumbling block of the nominal rolls and war diaries. I did though interpret from the War diaries that in June of 1945, All Bn personnel were sent to a repatriation camp and from there they left the UK June 13th 1945 on the ISLE DE France and sailed back to Halifax where they were given a parade as the first battalion back into Canada. I did find in my uncles case, his repatriation sheet showing his berth, regiment number etc. It was found on the https://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/ooci ... kan_133700. I cant tell you exactly where i found it now, but it was in these set of reels ( there are a lot). I also found a memorandum showing the layout of the reception that the Bn would receive. I hope this helps.