Canadian Troops in Fletching during the Second World War
This plaque is placed here by the 5th Canadian LAA Regiment RCA in appreciation of the privilege of worshipping in this church
August 1942 - March 1943
5th Canadian Light Anti Aircraft Regiment Royal Canadian Artillery, were part of the 5th Canadian (Armoured) Division, Based on the colour of its shoulder patch, the division became known as the "Mighty Maroon Machine.
The War Diaries are available online. Selected extracts from the period they were in Sheffield Park have been transcribed in monthly instalments. After periods in Colchester, Brasted in Kent, and Aldershot they moved to Sheffield Park, Sussex in early August 1942. In January 1943 they moved a short distance to Pippingford Park where they remained until the beginning of July
1 July 1943
Preparation being made for forthcoming move. Show in Recreation hut at 1900 hrs. entitled “Kiss the Boys Good-bye”.
They then moved to Ludham in Norfolk
15 August 1943
Weather fine. Special Regtl. Church Parade in Ludham Parish Church. Padre Munro displayed the altar cloth presented to the Regt. by Fletching Parish Church.
After a period at Crawley Court, Hampshire, they sailed to Italy, landing in Naples on 8th November. They were on parade in Dragoni on 31st July 1944 when King George VI made an inspection. They subsequently were in action on the Gothic Line.
6 Jan 1945
Padre J. A. Munro was seriously wounded this afternoon while he was on his way to visit “C” and “D” tps. A piece of shrapnel hit him on his forehead just over and between the eyes. He was taken immediately to 66 British Hospital between Rimini and Riccione.
8 Jan 1945
Weather – Freezing temperature in the morning and cloudy. Snow and rain in the afternoon and evening. News from Padre Munro is much better today.
14 Jan 1945
Our Padre came back today. He has a scar of about 3 inches on his forehead above his right eye and there are about 9 stitches across. But what is bothering him the most is the loss, or rather because part of his hair has been cut to the skin, and he doesn’t like to show it. He is still in as good a humour. Good old POP!
On 28 Feb 1945 they sailed from Leghorn to Marseilles and travelled across France and Belgium to the Western Front.
1 May 1945 Groningen
The big event of the day was at 0230 hours when it was reported over the A.E.F. Broadcasting station that Adolf Hitler had died.
4 May 1945 Groningen
Weather cloudy with many showers throughout the whole day. This evening 2035 hrs. we heard over the radio the grandest news of the war. The German Army has surrendered in NW Germany, Holland, Denmark and the Frisian Islands to General Montgomery’s 2nd Army. Unbelievable but quite true.
After the announcement was made there was a big air of celebration everywhere in town. Flares, Verey lights and S/A fitted with tracer were shot in the air and the Dutch people were out in the street “en force”.
Cause of this great news there was a double issue of rum this evening.
Major Builder and the Padre are having their portraits painted by a Dutchman who lives across the street. They spend most of their time mornings and afternoons sitting.
26 June 1945 - Winschoten
Personnel of this regiment are very pleased to hear that Padre Munro has been awarded the MC for gallantry in the Italian campaign.
11 Jul 1945 - Winschoten
Col. E.T. Winslow left for England today where he will attend an investiture where he will officially receive the M.B.E. that he won while serving in Italy. Our old Padre H/Major Munro is to receive the M.C. at the same ceremony.
Aldershot
2nd August 1942
Weather – rain in morning, clear in afternoon. Unit received notice to prepare for move to Sheffield Park Sussex.
5th August
Weather – Fine. Main parties of Regiment left Salamanca Barracks Aldershot for Sheffield Park. 88 Bty. in two sections at 0650 hours and 0720 hours consisting of 33 vehicles 18 motorcycles, 163 all ranks arrived at 1130 hours. RHQ consisting of 40 all ranks 12 vehicles 10 M.Cs. departed at 1000 hours arrived at 1400 hours. 47 Bty. consisting of 190 all ranks 32 vehicles 19 motorcycles left at 1300 hours arrived at 1700 hours. 41Bty. consisting of 200 all ranks 33 vehicles and 20M.Cs, left Aldershot at 1500 hours and bivouacked east of Handley Common for the night, joining convoy of 1 Cdn.Armd,Bde., at 0630 hours 6 Aug 42 to proceed to their new area at Hove. Excellent arrangements were made by the units advance party at Sheffield Park for accommodation of personnel. All moves were made without incident. 41 Bty. are quartered in civilian houses at Hove. Remainder of regiment are quartered in nissen huts at Sheffield Park,
9th August
Weather cool with showers. R,C. Church parade held at 0930 hours in C.B.H. recreation hut. Protestant Church parade at 1000 hours in Church of St. Mary and St. Andrew at Fletching.
16th August
1000 hrs. Parade Service at Church of St Mary and St Andrew, The Vicar has kindly consented to outline the history of the Church of St Mary and St Andrew at this service.
23rd August
Weather showery. R.C. Church parade held in C.B. Highrs recreation hut at 0930 hours. Protestant Church parade held in Fletching Parish Church at 1000 hours.
24th August
41 Bty. At 1800 hrs two F.W.190 (enemy aircraft) attacked hydro and gas plant at Portslade. “A” troop on duty in position along sea front. Sgt. Murphy identified aircraft and opened fire after enemy started to machine gun target area. Sgt. Murphys’s crew fired 13 rounds and got 1 hit on E/A. Sgt. Jackson’s crew fired one round and got 1 hit on E/A. Aircraft were flying at 25ft above the sea as they approached. One E/A dropped one bomb into factory about 50 yards from Sgt. Murphy’s position. Gnr. Kenyon received slight wound in shoulder from the explosion. One E/A flew low over Bty. lines firing cannon and machine guns. 3 cannon shells hitting M.T. garage and doing slight damage to roof and 3 M/C hit by small fragments with slight damage to wind screen. Report from observers (civilian and coast guards) say plane crashed into the sea some distance out.
26th August
Weather rainy. At about 1530 hours a plane appeared to be in trouble over the camp area. It straightened out and then was seen to come down south west of Newick.
There was a dance for all ranks at Fletching School at 1900 hours.