A Previously Unknown Unit

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

This is news to me... a good friend in Scotland, David Herbert, just called me tonight not only to say hello, but to find out if we can dig up any info on the following unit:

1st Canadian Centaur Battery (Provisional)

OC Maj DM Cooper

Total strength 7 Offs and 103 ORs organized into an HQ element and 3 troops of 4 Centaur tanks each.

Disbanded 30 August 1944

It served in support of the 6th Airborne Division as well as attached Dutch and Belgian troops. It saw action in the area of the Rivers Dives and Beuzeville during something called Operation Paddle.

We'd be interested in any history anyone can come up with, along with staffing details and unit markings. Also, 6 pdrs, or 95mm? David's interest is because he happens to have a Centaur (never mind his Ram and other bits).

Any insights appreciated.

G.