looking for a Canadian veteran of WWII (From France)

J. MONTIER · #1 16-02-07, 23:10

I am French and I live in Normandy. Six years ago, at an antics' fair, I found a Canadian steel helmet near the D-Day landing beaches. Inside this helmet there is an ASN (Army Serial Number) which is B21695, but there is no name. After looking for information with the help of the Library and Archives of Canada, I have been answered that the owner of this very helmet is named John Garnet Gillanders and that he served with the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada during WWII. I am sure this man was alive at the end of the war (he is not listed by the Commonwealth War Grave Commission). So, I would like to know more about this man and his life, what he did in 1944 in Normandy.
If the name of John Garnet Gillanders rings a bell to you, if you know or remember this man, I would be very happy and gratefull if you could send me any information about him and his service during The Second World War.

Thanks for your help.

Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP) · #2 17-02-07, 19:30

We're trying to find this fellow or his remaining family, so far no luck, although his namesake is fascinated by the story.

Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP) · #3 17-02-07, 23:10

He enlisted in Toronto in the Artillery, was transferred to the Rifles as a reinforcement 11 July 44, wounded-in-action (WIA) 14 Aug 44 (which would explain his helmet being left on the field), RTD (returned to duty) 22 Aug 44, WIA again in Dec 44, had leave the same month, finally returned to Canada from Amersfoort, Holland in 1945.

We will find this man or his relatives if we can. He served with honour, and deserves this recognition and his helmet if possible.

Thanks to Peter Simundson for an afternoon's research.

This is one of the many who were poured into battle as untrained infantry to make up for the unexpected casualties in Normandy (well documented by George Blackburn) and MacKenzie King's unwillingness to enforce conscription.

This man faced the dragon as untrained infantry, and lived... wounded not once but twice. I hope we find him. There could be no greater honour than to be able to present him with his helmet 63 years on.

#4 17-02-07, 23:23

Amazing!

Thank you J. Montier for posting here. It's truly amazing that you found this man's helmet, and it will be even more amazing to be able to offer it back to him or his family. You must feel very good to know some of this history of this soldier now.

I thank you to Geoff and Peter for pursueing this. Good jobs!!!

Karmen

J. MONTIER · #5 22-02-07, 22:51

I would like to thank you very much for all you have found about John Garnet Gillanders. I am trully thankfull towards Geoff Winnington-Ball and Peter Simundson for their researchs.

These information are very important to me, in order to determine what this man went through.
I would like to know where you have found these information.
Is it possible to know which Royal Canadian Artillery unit JG Gillanders was from ?
Is it possible to know where this man was WIA exactly (in Normandy and in Holland)?
Every single detail is significant to me.
It would be great to find this man or one of his relatives 63 years later!!

Thanks again for your precious help.

J Montier

peter simundson · #6 23-02-07, 02:40

If you only knew the time it takes to find this. The Regiment through private funding has financed a project at great expense to put all QOR WW2 personnel records and service history on a disc. Anyone who served inWW2 with the Regiment can be located along with his entire history by entering the name or service number. Will make my life much easier. In the meantime I will see what I can find.

Pylon1357 · #7 24-02-07, 04:11

Quote:

Originally posted by peter simundson
If you only knew the time it takes to find this. The Regiment through private funding has financed a project at great expense to put all QOR WW2 personnel records and service history on a disc. Anyone who served inWW2 with the Regiment can be located along with his entire history by entering the name or service number. Will make my life much easier. In the meantime I will see what I can find.

Peter, Please explain this. The WWII Service files are still protected under the Access to Information Act. If the fellow is still alive, or passed less than 20 years, his file is pretty closed.

How can all these files be on a disc assembled by the QOR??

peter simundson · #8 24-02-07, 04:52

Part 1 and Part 2 orders.

Every Regiment has them...Along with War Diaries.

Peter S

peter simundson · #9 26-02-07, 02:41

Further detail.
Wounded 14 Aug 44. Operation Tractable near Falaise in
the town of Mazieres.
Wounded 6 December while patrolling near Nimegen.

Pylon1357 · #10 26-02-07, 03:52

Quote:

Originally posted by peter simundson
Part 1 and Part 2 orders.

Every Regiment has them...Along with War Diaries.

Peter S

Thanks Peter, I guess I misunderstood your post. I thought you were refering to the Personal Service files of each soldier who had served.

I know all to well the Part I Part II Orders of the Regimental Diaries. I have been reviewing the Part I, II Orders for the Irish Regiment of the past 2 months straight.

J. MONTIER · #11 17-03-07, 00:12

Many thanks to Peter Simundson for his answer about the place where JG Gillanders was WIA. Did you have to read all the QOR's War Diary to get these information?

Is it possible to determine from which Royal Canadian Artillery unit JG Gillanders was from, before joining the QOR?

Thanks again

J Montier

J. MONTIER · #12 29-05-07, 22:36

PLEASE FIND HERE A PICTURE OF THIS HELMET

http://profile.imageshack.us/user/normandie18/

peter simundson · #13 29-05-07, 23:21

Nice helmet. Good find. Most reinforcements to 3rd Div. wore this helmet style.
Gillanders B21695
TOS 22 july 44 from reinforcement X4 list
27 Aug SOS to X3 list (wounded.
9 Sept 44 TOS from X4 list
17 Dec 44 SOS to X3 list wounded.
19 Dec 44 TOS from X3 list
25 Feb. 9 days leave to UK
15 Mar RTU from leave 3 Mar 45
31 May 45 SOS to X3 list. (to UK)
dates may differ from previous because of postin in order dates.
Unfortunately there is no way for me to tell which art. Unit he was from but it was likely a LAA Unit.
Peter Simundson

J. MONTIER · #14 30-05-07, 23:05

Good morning,

Thank you for details about JG Gillanders. I don't know very well what "TOS", "SOS" and "RTU" mean, could you help me.

Did you get all these information about JG Gillanders in the Queen's Own Rifles war diary ?

What can you advise me to try and find him back (him or a relative) ?

Thank you very much for your help.

J.MONTIER

peter simundson · #15 31-05-07, 02:46

TOS - Taken on strength
SOS - Struck off strength
RTU - Return to Unit

Names are seldom mentioned in the War Diaries. Just Places , times and events.

I will look for a relative at the time.
Peter S