Help researching Canadians in Sussex

[Mark W. Tonner]

Jo;

Some information and answers regarding your questions:

1. - Below are the file references for the War Diaries of the units you have stated that you would like to “look further into their activities,” copies of which are held by your National Archives (Kew, Richmond, Surrey), in the United Kingdom:

- for the 5th Infantry Brigade (4 Jul 1941 to 11 Aug 1941 and again 14th Oct 1941 to 31st Jul 1942):
WO 179/385 - Headquarters, 5th Infantry Brigade - War Diaries for Jan to Aug 1941
WO 179/386 - Headquarters, 5th Infantry Brigade - War Diaries for Sep to Dec 1941
WO 179/1139 - Headquarters, 5th Infantry Brigade - War Diaries for Jan to Dec 1942

- for the 8th Infantry Brigade (1st Aug 1942 to 9th Aug 1942):
WO 179/1143 - Headquarters, 8th Infantry Brigade - War Diaries for Jan to Dec 1942

- for No. 5 Field Ambulance (14th Apr 1943 to 5th May 1943):
WO 179/2188 - No. 5 Field Ambulance, RCAMC - War Diaries for Jan to Dec 1943

- for No. 9 Field Ambulance (9th Aug 1942 to 14th Apr 1943):
WO 179/1395 - No. 9 Field Ambulance, RCAMC - War Diaries for Jan to Dec 1942
WO 179/2191 - No. 9 Field Ambulance, RCAMC - War Diaries for Jan to Dec 1943

2. - In regards to Dieppe, the only elements of the 5th Infantry Brigade involved in the Dieppe raid were:

- from the 1st Battalion, The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada: four officers and one-hundred and seven other ranks.

- and from The Calgary Highlanders: one officer and twenty-one other ranks.

- the 8th Infantry Brigade was not involved with the Dieppe raid, they were a component part of the 3rd Canadian Division.

3. - A Field Ambulance consisted of a headquarters and two bearer companies. The headquarters of a Field Ambulance provided the administration for the unit and also formed an Advanced Dressing Station which could accommodate approximately one-hundred to one-hundred and fifty casualties. Bearer companies consisted of three sections, with each section consisting of one officer and twenty-two other ranks, which provided stretcher bearers and ambulance cars, and could also provide a Casualty Collecting Point forward of the Advanced Dressing Station.

Cheers