Summer 1945, Eibergen, Holland: please identify

[Michael R.]

The rank appears to be identifiable as both being Snr NCO's, one CWO the other MWO, perhaps the RSM and CSM from the French Canadian infantry unit there at time? Le Régiment de Maisonneuve fought in Gronigen with the FGH and BCD's, which is a long way off, but I do not know the movement history of that unit. Due to the rank of these two there should be very few names to pick from. Le Régiment de Maisonneuve remained in Netherlands through December, 1945.

I am discounting the neck ties as not identifiable to colour between black and OD. I am not suggesting the Unit association based on the Province of origin for Claude being PQ, but I believe with that Francophone name and original information indicating he is from Quebec it is a common sense starting point.

There is a private museum in Neede that is dedicated to Canadian infantry and armoured units involved during 1944-1945. That resource, combined with help from Lt. Col. Bergeron here on MLU may be a good start. As well as Archives Canada and the Regimental museum(s).

Where did the picture come from, are there others with it that may give more detail, what is marked on the back, if anything, who knows the billeting history in the local area?

[David Dunlop]

For what it is worth, 'Mitch' looks older of the two and he is wearing a wedding band. Also quite likely his first name is probably 'Mitchell', but as far as a search of Regimental Records goes, be sure to consider 'Mitchell' not being his first name, but rather his preferred name. Military records frequently have the name in full.

David

[Robert Bergeron]

Thanks Ross for the heads up.

I have seen that picture somewere before... i will search my library.

Not enough information for now to make a determination .

Le Régiment de la Chaudière ended the war in Emden. They then moved on to Utreck to wait for repatriation.

Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal, Le Régiments de Maisoneuve and the Van Doos ( R22R ) all had French speaking members and were in the general area in 45.

Good luck with your search.

Robert

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Thank you for the leads!

I have passed on this link to Wilco, if he has anything to add I will post it here.

H.

[Grant Bowker]

Since "Mitch" came from Quebec, you should also consider Michel for his name, along with Jean-Michel. It was also common to have Jean or Joseph (or both) ahead of the name commonly used.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Grant Bowker

Since "Mitch" came from Quebec, you should also consider Michel for his name, along with Jean-Michel. It was also common to have Jean or Joseph (or both) ahead of the name commonly used.

Agreed. "Mitch" might be an English-version of the French nickname, Mich' which would rhyme with MEESH.

[Robert Bergeron]

Gents,
A little detail regarding the tie these most proud NCO's are wearing.
The famous canadian author Farley Mowat page 298 in his book ''The Regiment'' calls this tie the ''Zombie tie ''.
He recalls that during most of WW2 , Canadian NCO'S wore their battldress tunic buttoned up as officers wore open collar with shirt and tie.

Only from april 1945 onward were dress régulations changed for cause of uniformity.Reinforcements coming from Canada called 'Zombies '' because they had spent comfortably most of the war in Canada , wore the shirt and tie so everybody was ordered to do so .Them nobody., at first glance could differentiate an old hand from a newcomer .

The question of draftees vs volonteers was very controversial then.

Mowat adds that the tie was black wich is confirmed by the picture..

So the date of the picture is unquestionable. The identity of the two brave canadians is still unknown at this point.

Maybe if someone could enlarge the picture and figure out a unit ...

Happy New Year. Health and remembrance.