Mackenzie King Barracks, Berlin

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

I received the following email inquiry yesterday... can anyone help this gentleman?

In 1950 I was stationed in Berlin at Mackenzie King Barracks and I wondered if you could tell me what Canadian unit occupied the barracks in 1945. I should be grateful for any information that you can supply me with reference to units, dates, when the unit(s) moved in and if possible what unit(s) they handed the barracks over to.

Patrick Howlett Ex Royal Horse Guards (The Blues) 1949-1954

[Ed Storey]

The Canadian Berlin Battalion was only in the city for a short time in June-July 1945. The Battalion consisted of one company from each of the following Infantry battalions: Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and The Loyal Edmonton Regiment. The Pipes and Drums of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders participated in the Victory Parade which was staged in the city on 21 July, 1945. This Battalion gave Canada some recognition in Berlin during the mid-summer of 1945 and at teh parade. An article on the Battalion was published in Vokume 8, Number 4 Canadian Military History Magazine, Autumn 1999.

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Supplied by Paul through the other Germany thread:

http://baor-locations.com/mackenziekingbks.aspx

[Jim Camirand]

Geoff

Re Canadian Berlin Battalion..........

As noted by Ed, The Loyal Edmonton, Les Fusiliers Mont Royal and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise) Canada Regiments represented Canada in the victory Parade in Berlin in July 45.....

My father was in the Argylls and participated in this event .......... they (Can. Berlin Battalion) were housed at 32-35 Berkaerstrasse.... they were only there for about 3 weeks then returned to Holland...

There was another unit, the Canadian Occupation Army, which was also sent to Berlin, I believe this unit was made up of personnel (who voluntered or did not have enough "points" to be rotated back to Can.), from various units from the Canadian Army and stayed in Berlin until spring of 1946......

Hope this helps

Jim Camirand