A Biography as provided to me by Herb, to go with that 1940 photograph above. I tried to upload the original file he sent me but it's too large. I wasn't able to resize it, so have typed out the biography in here. What is missing is the image of the biography written on special paper and has a drawing on those pages. I will continue to try and get those images in here, but for now ... here is Herb's biography:
Quote:
Herb Danter, Royal Canadian Artillery
Herb Danter joined the 2nd Battalion, Toronto Scottish Regiment (MG) in July 1940, and remained with them until re-enlisting in July 1942 in the newly recruited 117th Field Battery RCA hoping to get a higher medical category which was required for Overseas service. His new Battery was sent to Camp Petawawa for basic training, the second time for Herb.
In October of 1942, Herb was transferred to the 23rd Field Regiment RCA (sometimes known as “Landers Lilies” after a certain CO’s keenness on whitening all cap and rank badges) in Sussex, New Brunswick. The 23rd went overseas as part of the 4th Canadian Armoured Division in July, 1943 and was stationed in Eastbourne in the South of England.
Herb was subsequently attached to the Royal Artillery (for discipline and rations) and was sent to the Royal School of Artillery where he was “fine-tuned” in Gunnery and specialty training as an OP Ack and a GPO Ack. After graduating from the RA School in the “Gospel According To Larkhill”, he returned to his Regiment and practiced his skills from Normandy until the War’s end in Germany.
As part of the 4th Canadian Armoured Division, the 23rd Fd Regt (SP) arrived in Normandy in July, 1944 and relieved a Field Regt of the RA of the 7th (UK) Armoured Division (The Desert Rats) at Caen. At the breakout of the British and Canadians at Caen in early August 1944 the intent was to advance to Falaise to the south and there meet the Americans and thus set a trap for the German Army in France.
For the next 10 months, Herb Danter was either at the OP or out on recce ahead of the fast moving guns as the 23rd Field Regiment (SP) gave a close artillery support for the infantry and the armoured units of the 4th Canadian Armoured Division as
they fought through the rest of France into Belgium, Holland and finally into Germany. The 23rd Field Regiment (SP) ended the war not far from Wilhelmshaven, Germany on 4 May 1945. For a short time after that, Herb was given the job in the orderly room near Amersfoort, Holland processing returning homeward bound troops until his turn came for repatriation.
After his discharge from the Canadian Army in 1946, herb became involved in furniture manufacturing and sales in Toronto until he retired. Herb is a widower and has two daughters and a granddaughter.
He is presently enjoying being the co-Chairman % Secretary of the Limber Gunners Association which is affiliated with the 7th Toronto Regiment RCA stationed in Moss Park Armoury, Toronto.
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More to come as I am able to adjust some great photos and such for uploading ... patience with me please and thank you.
Karmen