Quote:
Originally posted by FV623
As you know this privately organised memorial to commorate the parade and inspection of 21st Army Group before King George VI on 22 May 1944 was a huge but military only event and as such details are scarce. Of course none of the troops would have known at the time what was to come in a few days hence.
Our best research endeavours suggest it was largely Canadian being well in the area of Canadian only "occupation" although 21st AG was officially composed of British and US troops too. The larger mass of 21st AG was indeed composed of the 1st Canadian Army and reading the extensive composition of 1st Canadian is a real eye-opener.
One large element of the 1st Canadian Army is of course the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, so its not impossible that Carman's uncle Eddie Smith may just possibly have been part of the parade, I'd like to think so, but we'll probably never know.
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Carman/Richard;
According to the history of The Canadian Scottish Regiment, King George VI, last inspected the 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade (Royal Winnipeg Rifles, Regina Rifle Regiment and 1st Bn, Canadian Scottish Regiment), before the D-Day landings, near the very end of April 1944, when the entire Brigade was drawn up along a roadway within Movement Control's 'Camp 7', which was located at Hiltingbury Common, five miles south of Winchester. After that, the Bde took part in Exercise "Fabius III", which was a full dress rehearsal for D-Day (Apr 27-7 May 44). The Bde, did march through Southhampton, to the docks for loading for this exercise. After "Fabius III', the Bde returned to Camp 7, were they remained until their various serials left for loading for the actual invasion. I have attached a picture of the Commanding Officer, Royal Winnipeg Rifles and King George VI, taken during the above mentioned Bde inspection. (Apr 44)
Cheers
