Canadian Reinforcement Unit (?)

[Michael Ockenden]

A soldier in the UK (Gunner) who appeared in court on a charge of burglary in 1943 is referred to as being of the ‘Canadian Reinforcement Unit’. Was this an actual unit, or a name given to the press because his real unit could not be mentioned for reasons of security?

Comments appreciated.

Mike

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally posted by Mike
Was this an actual unit, or a name given to the press because his real unit could not be mentioned for reasons of security?

Hi Mike;

There were several different 'Canadian Reinforcement Units', ie:

- Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit(s)
- Canadian Artillery Reinforcement Unit(s)
- Canadian Armoured Corps Reinforcement Unit(s)

etc.....

Cheers

[Michael Ockenden]

Thanks, Mark.

Perhaps they were some kind of pool of new arrivals awaiting posting (?)

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally posted by Mike
Perhaps they were some kind of pool of new arrivals awaiting posting (?)

Hi Mike;

Yes, originally new arrivals awaiting posting, but as the war went on, it would have been returning wounded going back up or 'remustered' personnel from other branches going up.

Cheers

[Michael Ockenden]

Thanks again.

I've also come across 'Canadian 1st and 2nd Div Reception Units' and guess these are the same kind of thing.

Mike

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally posted by Mike
A soldier in the UK (Gunner) who appeared in court on a charge of burglary in 1943 is referred to as being of the ‘Canadian Reinforcement Unit’. Was this an actual unit, or a name given to the press because his real unit could not be mentioned for reasons of security?

Comments appreciated.

Mike

Hi Mike;

Since your first question concerned a 'Gunner', thought this may be of interest to you:

Canadian Artillery Holding and Reinforcement Units 1939-1945:

Serial No. 292 - No. 1 Artillery Holding Unit, C.A.S.F.
Authorized: GO 32/40 - Effective 1 Sep 39, Redesignated: GO 62/41 - Effective 18 Sep 40 - Redesignated: Serial No. 292 - No. 1 Canadian Artillery Holding Unit under GO 62/41 - Effective 18 Sep 40

Serial No. 292 - No. 1 Canadian Artillery Holding Unit
Authorized: GO 62/41 - Effective 18 Sep 40, Redesignated: GO 127/43 - Effective 1 Nov 41 - Redesignated: Serial No. 292 - No. 1 Canadian Artillery Reinforcement Unit (Field) under GO 127/43 - Effective 1 Nov 41

Serial No. 292 - No. 1 Canadian Artillery Reinforcement Unit (Field)
Authorized: GO 127/43 - Effective 1 Nov 41, Disbanded: GO 354/45 - Effective 30 Jun 45 (Note: Also Disbanded under GO 359/45 - Effective 30 Jun 45)

Serial No. 1132 - No. 2 Canadian Artillery Holding Unit
Authorized: GO 61/41 - Effective 18 Sep 40, Redesignated: GO 127/43 - Effective 1 Nov 41 - Redesignated: Serial No. 1132 - No. 2 Canadian Artillery Reinforcement Unit (Medium, Anti-Tank, Survey) under GO 127/43 - Effective 1 Nov 41

Serial No. 1132 - No. 2 Canadian Artillery Reinforcement Unit (Medium, Anti-Tank, Survey)
Authorized: GO 127/43 - Effective 1 Nov 41, Disbanded: GO 321/45 - Effective 30 Jun 45

Serial No. 1137 - No. 3 Canadian Artillery Reinforcement Unit (Anti-Aircraft)
Authorized: GO 289/42 - Effective 1 Jan 42, Disbanded: GO 464/44 - Effective 27 Mar 44

Cheers

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally posted by Mike
Thanks again.

I've also come across 'Canadian 1st and 2nd Div Reception Units' and guess these are the same kind of thing.

Mike

Hi Mike;

Canadian Reception/Reinforcement Camps 1939-1945:

Serial No. 254 - No. 1 Reception Camp, C.A.S.F. (Headquarters and two Divisional Sections)
Authorized: GO 135/39 - Effective 1 Sep 39, C.A.S.F. designation dropped: GO 273/40 - Effective 7 Nov 40

Serial No. 254 - No. 1 Reception Camp (Headquarters and two Divisional Sections)
Authorized: GO 273/40 - Effective 7 Nov 40, Redesignated: GO 274/41 - Effective 16 Apr 41 - Redesignated: Serial No. 254 - No. 1 Reception Camp under GO 274/41 - Effective 16 Apr 41

Serial No. 254 - No. 1 Reception Camp
Authorized: GO 274/41 - Effective 16 Apr 41, Redesignated: GO 283/43 - Effective 14 Jan 43 - Redesignated: Serial No. 254 - 1st Corps Reinforcement Camp under GO 283/43 - Effective 14 Jan 43

Serial No. 254 - 1st Corps Reinforcement Camp
Authorized: GO 283/43 - Effective 14 Jan 43, Converted & Redesignated: GO 486/44 - Effective 29 May 44 - Converted & Redesignated: Serial No. 254 - 1st Canadian Corps Reception Camp under GO 486/44 - Effective 29 May 44

Serial No. 254 - 1st Canadian Corps Reception Camp
Authorized: GO 486/44 - Effective 29 May 44, Disbanded: GO 253/45 - Effective 15 Mar 45

Serial No. 254A - 1st Infantry Division Section Reinforcement Camp
Authorized: GO 281/43 - Effective 14 Jan 43, Disbanded: GO 464/44 - Effective 29 May 44

Serial No. 254B - 2nd Infantry Division Section Reinforcement Camp
Authorized: GO 281/43 - Effective 14 Jan 43, Disbanded: GO 122/45 - Effective 1 Aug 44

Serial No. 254C - 3rd Infantry Division Section Reinforcement Camp
Authorized: GO 281/43 - Effective 14 Jan 43, Disbanded: GO 122/45 - Effective 1 Aug 44

Serial No. 254D - 1st Corps Troops Section Reinforcement Camp
Authorized: GO 281/43 - Effective 14 Jan 43, Disbanded: GO 464/44 - Effective 29 May 44

Cheers

[Mark W. Tonner]

Hi Mike;

The rest of the Canadian Reception/Reinforcement Camps 1939-1945:

Serial No. 1706 - 2nd Corps Reinforcement Camp
Authorized: GO 281/43 - Effective 14 Jan 43, Disbanded: GO 122/45 - Effective 1 Aug 44

Serial No. 1706A - 4th Armoured Division Section Reinforcement Camp
Authorized: GO 281/43 - Effective 14 Jan 43, Disbanded: GO 122/45 - Effective 1 Aug 44

Serial No. 1706B - 5th Armoured Division Section Reinforcement Camp
Authorized: GO 281/43 - Effective 14 Jan 43, Disbanded: GO 464/44 - Effective 29 May 44

Serial No. 1706D - 2nd Corps Troops Section Reinforcement Camp
Authorized: GO 281/43 - Effective 14 Jan 43, Disbanded: GO 122/45 - Effective 1 Aug 44

Cheers

[Michael Ockenden]

Thanks for all those details, Mark.

Very helpful, as ever.

ATB

Mike