2 Can AGRA

[ARTY-BOY]

Having just finished my first book on 10th Med Regt (RF) RA 42-46, my next project is a short history of the 2 Can AGRA-WW2.
Just wondering if it has already been done in Canada and if there would be any interest?
Am not doing this for any financial gain at all, purely a personal thing, any monies to go to the Firepower Museum Woolwich.
Regards
Rob

Edit 10/6/10
Hmm, seems there's more interest in the 2 CAGRA in the UK & NL than here !!!

[Doug Knight]

Hi Rob

so far as I know, nobody has written a history of 2nd Canadian AGRA recently - ie since the war. I am not sure if they did a history at the end of the war - if so the Canadian war museum would probably have a copy in their library. Of course they show up in the Gunners of Canada and have passing mention in the History of RCEME to 1946 and in the RCEME unit histories. As far as publication interest, I would suggest you contact Clive Law at Service Publications as a possible inclusion in the Weapons of War Series.

Doug

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Originally Posted by ARTY-BOY

Having just finished my first book on 10th Med Regt (RF) RA 42-46, my next project is a short history of the 2 Can AGRA-WW2.
Just wondering if it has already been done in Canada and if there would be any interest?
Am not doing this for any financial gain at all, purely a personal thing, any monies to go to the Firepower Museum Woolwich.
Regards
Rob

Edit 10/6/10
Hmm, seems there's more interest in the 2 CAGRA in the UK & NL than here !!!

Nigel F Evans has a good web site on the AGRA and touches on the Canadian Artillery here..
http://nigelef.tripod.com/cdnregt.htm
My father was also in the Canadian Artillery on 25 pounders..started the war in '39 and ended up a SSgt in '45..
I still have his papers around somewhere..
too old with flat feet and a hernia to go overseas..ended up in the reserve serving in Saint John NB dueling with the German submarines at night that would surface just off the harbour mouth ,to recharge their batteries..looking for a fat ..slow convoy to decimate..

[Doug Knight]

In a fit of commercialism - no I do not get royalties - may I suggest The Fortifications of Saint John New Brunswick by Sarty and Knight? The CWM has a copy in their library. Part of the New Brunswick Military Heritage Series.

Doug

[ARTY-BOY]

Doug & Alex
Thanks for the replies and advice.
In my research for the first book i did a lot of work from their war-diaries, so thought i'de get something down on them as there was nothing i could find in print or on the net that was of mutch help.
The Nigelef Atry site is exellent have used it for years.
Regards
Rob

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Doug Knight

In a fit of commercialism - no I do not get royalties - may I suggest The Fortifications of Saint John New Brunswick by Sarty and Knight? The CWM has a copy in their library. Part of the New Brunswick Military Heritage Series.

Doug

Hi Doug..
Mr dad was telling me stories of trading fire with U boats off Saint John Harbour..
I think that Saint John was over looked as a secondary target to Halifax,but even so as is stated here..
I don't remember the fortifications of Saint John as I left when i was 8 years old but do remember the Fortifications of Halifax very well...

As the authors note, Visitors today can trace the evidence of this great commercial port's military, past. If more attention is usually given to the larger Halifax, this book reminds us that Saint John too had a role in the Second World War, and fortifications were not put in place without a reason. It's on record that U-boats did check out the area.

[Mark W. Tonner]

The only known history written was the: History of the Headquarters 2 Canadian Army Group Royal Artillery, Holland, July 1945 (unpublished). According to the Library and Archives Canada website, the Canadian War Museum, Hartland Molson Library as a copy of this that is available for an interlibrary loan.

Also available for an interlibrary loan from Library and Archives Canada on Microfilm reels, is the War Diaries of HQ 2 Cdn AGRA under the file title: Headquarters, No. 2 Army Group, Royal Canadian Artillery. These reels cover the period from September 1942 to July 1945.

Headquarters, No. 2 Artillery Group, R.C.A. was authorized effective 7 September 1942 and was converted and redesignated: Headquarters, No. 2 Army Group, R.C.A., effective 20 May 1943. Headquarters, No. 2 Army Group, R.C.A. was disbanded effective 11 July 1945.

I hope this helps.

Cheers

[ARTY-BOY]

Mark
Thank you, thats very interesting information.
It seems it has been done then (although unpublished), i did e-mail the archives i while back and was told they had nothing after waiting weeks for a reply.
Nothing avalible in Europe though so i may still give it a go.
Cheers
Rob

[ARTY-BOY]

The limited edtion of The History of the 2nd Cdn AGRA is now published.
A few avalible on EBay here:
Best
Rob
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/History-2nd-C...item27c73f2504

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally Posted by ARTY-BOY

The limited edtion of The History of the 2nd Cdn AGRA is now published.

Just bought a copy.

[Bill Alexander]

Purchased mine just now. Looking forward to reading it.

[ARTY-BOY]

I'de like to thank all of you who purchased the book
& for your very kind comments!
Best
Rob

[John McGillivray]

Well I ordered a copy of the book. I think that my German uncle had served with one of the medium regiments of 2 Cdn AGRA. When I was much younger I saw a photo of him standing with a 5.5in gun. After the end of the war he was with the Canadian occupation forces in 2/12th Fd Regt RCA.

[ARTY-BOY]

Many thanks John.
Book dispatched Mon 21st May.
It's a shame you don't know his Medium Regt
As i have all their diaries.
Best
Rob
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/History-2nd-C...item27c73f2504