Worthington Park Stuarts

[Ed Storey]

The BD uniforms in the photograph are of the correct style for 1949.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Ed Storey

The BD uniforms in the photograph are of the correct style for 1949.

What do you say that? The open collar BD, though rare, could date to 1949 (I have one dated 1947)? These look like WW2 pattern but that's not surprising.

[Ed Storey]

Originally Posted by Bruce Parker

What do you say that? The open collar BD, though rare, could date to 1949 (I have one dated 1947)? These look like WW2 pattern but that's not surprising.

They are not open-collar BD, but wartime closed-collar BD that is being worn open-collar with a shirt and tie, which was correct for the period. The first open-collar Canadian BD Pattern was indeed 1947 and this was followed up by the 1949 Pattern. Both people in the photograph are wearing wartime BD Trousers with the small right thigh mounted First Field Dressing pocket.

[Colin Alford]

Jason,

While the image quality is poor, here is a link to another Stuart picture that was apparently taken on 24 Aug 1948, after a mishap in Alliston. (The first town south of Borden for anyone unfamiliar with the area).
Crashed Stuart Tank Barrie Examiner 2-Sept-1948.jpg
https://news.ourontario.ca/Barrie/2920869/page/10?n=


Page nine of this same newspaper edition also has an image of the MND observing an exercise from a Grizzly APC (“Kangaroo”).
Grizzly APC Barrie Examiner 2-Sept-1948.jpg


The book linked in my first reply has an image and date which purports to be the dedication of the RCAC Memorial. However, I am skeptical about some of the image captions in the book, especially those with 1940s and 1950s dates.

This LAC entry indicates the Memorial was under construction in Autumn 1948:
https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/Collec...98902057370280

[Jason Ginn]

Wow Colin i'm blown away!

I've brought both pics here for reference! That is wonderful confirmation of dates!

The driver who went through that bridge with a Diamond T, float and M5 would have had a headache and probably dirty shorts from the 25ft fall!

Love the APC pic as well showing the 19 Set antenna up! Makes me wonder what else is in the Barrie Examiner....

I can't thank you enough!

j

[Colin Alford]

Jason,

I have now found some old notes.

It appears that the memorial was “unveiled” in the fall of 1949.

Please see this Barrie Examiner article from 3 Oct 1949.

https://news.ourontario.ca/Barrie/pa...2908758&po=4&n

It quotes a Borden Citizen article that states the unveiling took place on a Thursday Afternoon, but I don’t know what sort of delay might have been involved between an article being published in the Borden Citizen and then subsequently reprinted in the Barrie Examiner, so the precise date is still in question.

The article also mentions that the event included the annual RCAC Association Dinner, so I can likely consult the RCAC Association minutes to firm up the exact date.

The article also mentions that 6 wreaths were laid during the ceremony. I note that the image in post 3 depicts 6 wreaths. I also note that the post 3 image doesn’t seem like an average December day in Camp Borden. This might indicate that the post 3 image was taken closer to the unveiling date in the fall of ‘49.

It is starting to seem likely that the Stuarts were part of the memorial from the start.

[Jason Ginn]

I totally agree with your findings! The 3rd of October was a Monday in 1949 so it may have taken Place Thursday Sept. 29.

The pic you posted certainly does show the 6 Wreaths and October looks like a better fit than December for sure.

I'm super happy that you could bring this little known bit of history out of the woodwork!

[Colin Alford]

Jason,

It’s my pleasure. This has been a welcome distraction from life’s woes, and provided me the opportunity to actually assemble some of this research into a (somewhat) coherent picture.

As soon as I am able, I will consult the RCAC Association Minutes to see if further info is available to nail down the exact date.

Regards,

Colin