x

ENGL\ND
Ald,ershot-C anberley Se/s ey Denrue Park
-Möddleton-
d- - -
W est C híltingtoru- scotlan Angmnri,ng M untham C ourt-
Rusti,n gturc-TY em,ysr
-
oscombe-B ortnrustacey-Hurs-
B W-B
IrU C amp-Hilsea B arraclts-Roche C m,rt-Rookesbury C amp
bg H.M. Tlae Ki,ng-Creech Walk-Stokes Ba,y.
-I*pecti,on
"To seek their fortunes further tltan at hanue,
Where small euperience grw)s."
(Taming of the Shrew)

30 JuI ],94l -4 Jun l9M

The officers who aecompanied the Battalion overseas were
as follows:
Lieut.-Colonel Hicks-Lyne, R. T. E. (Bn. HQ)
Major Beattie, C. A. (HQ)
Major Cockburn, E. (A)
Major Maenab, A. R. (C)
Major Mason, H. G. (D)
Major Turnbull, J. (Bn. HQ) @ i/c)
H/Capt. Brair, R. T. F. (Bn. HQ) (Chaplain)
Capt. Christiansen, G. H. (B)
Capt. Falkner, G. (Bo. HQ) (Adjt)
Capt. Fraser, B. (Bn. HQ) (Paymaster)
Capt. Gray, R. F. (D)
Capt. Hall, A. E. (A)
Capt. Hood, R. J. (HQ)
Capt. Rose, \ry. H. (Brr. HQ) (M.O.)
Lieut. Allin, R. S. (C)
Lieut. Baker, R. E. (C)
Lieut. Brunette, J. (A)
Lieut. Cardwell, ïY. H. (HQ)
Lieut. Clarke, M. E. (A)
Lieut. Fisher, F. L. (A)
Lieut. Foster, L. D. (D)
Lieut. Gemmell, Ir[. M. (C)
Lieut. Gillespie, J. E. (IIQ)
Lieut. Hamilton, A. M. (HQ)
Lieut. frvine, A. M. (D)
Lieut. Kingston, K. N. (Bn. HQ) (I.O.)

759
 Lieut. Lander, F. \ry. (A)
Lieut. MacDonald, A. I). (D)
Lieut. MacNaughton, J. P. (B)
Lieut. McMartin, A. A. (HQ)
Lieut. Meiklejohn, A.F. (HQ)
Lieut. P. (ts)
lVIilligaï], R.
Lieut.Morden, R. E. (ts)
Lieut.Peterson, J. F. (C)
Lieut.Scott, D. A. (D) (Att. s CIB)
Lieut.Stern,art, A. C. (ts)
Lieut.Willis, H. (HQ)
Shortly after the arrival in England a cable arrived from the
Mayor of Peterborough (James Hamilton) and was promulgated
to the rnen in Ilaily Orders. ft read:
o'Announcement of
Jiour Comrnancl's safe arrival over there ha.s
uplifted Peterboro. Your men and our boys are now near the thick of it.
We knorv you, one and aItr, u,ill fu}fill your mission as true soldiers of
Canada. Your deeds will inspire us. Our prayers for your safe keeping
follow all of you. Kindly convey this message to your men. Kindest
personal regards."
The Battalion stayed at Aldershot less than three months.
The troops have few happy memories of this garrison town where
soldiers, whether British or Canadian, \vere no novelty and \ryere
accepted as a matter of course. The first air raid alarm came at
23.37 hours on the àrrd August; all clear was sounded at 23.57
hours. This \ryas the first, experience of the blackout, which 'w-as
very strict and almost total. During blackout hours patrols carried
out continuous inspections and violations \rrere immediately and
peremptorily corrected. One evening Lieut. Len Foster saïy an
upstairs window in the Barrack Warden's office at Barrossa
Barracks showing a light. The blackout curtain had not been put
up. Calling to the occupant from the yard below, Lieut. Foster
shouted, "Put out that light". Then, when no action resulted,-
"Put out that tight or I'll shoot it out" ! When the light still
rernained or, Lieut. I'oster drew his service .45 and with one shot
broke the light and proceeded on his patrol. It later transpired
that the Barrack Warden \ryas away on leave, and also that the
alert was a false alarm. The duty officer at Divisional Headquarters
hacl received "purple" warning-that raiders \ileïe expected to
pass over the area-anC did not know what action to take. He
telephoned to several people, all of whom said the;r knew but
could not tell him over the telephorle. Rather than do nothing he
sounded the alert.
Five days landing leave \Mas granted to the personnel in rota-
tion, one-third of ,the llnit proceeding on each occasion. While
some of the rnen headed for Scotland, the glamour of London

160
 attracted many of the soldiers and these spent their time absorbirrg
the shrines of Empire,-The Tower, the A,.bbey, St. Paul's, Hamp-
ton Court, etc. In Piccadilly, women who seemed splendid and
alluring, murmured to them as they passed. fn Waterloo Place
the Knights of Columbus maintained an information centre, can-
teen and recreation room for the Canadians. I{ot far a\ryay, near
Spring Garden Steps lryas the famous Beaver CIub. And other
points that, to these Canadian boys, had been only quaint-
soundittg names,-the Haymarket, Blackfriars, Cheapside, Aldgate,
The Strand, Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square, Soho, Regent
Street, the Baker Street of Sherlock ïtrolmes,-all these no\ry became
familiar places.
Two enthusiasti,c hitch-hikers caught a ride in a big car, only
to discover that the o\ryner in the back seat lvas H.R.H. The
Duke of Connaught. One of Capt. Gray's fndians apparently
went native and \ryas picked up by the Military Police in Hyde
Park, asleep, in his bare feet, his boots gone.
Back in Aldershot a training area \ryas laid out on Laffan's
Flains. Basic training \ryas resumed with plenty of route marches
and a few simple battalion schemes. ïndividuals went off on
courses, Cipher, Passive Air Defence, Concealment and Camou-
flage. Rifle classification on Caesar's Ranges, Ashdown Ranges and
A.A. firing on Stoney Castle Range eommenced in September.
Trucks \ryere issued, 3-ton, 30-cwt, and i5-cwt. and carriers came
along soon afterwards. And as the training proceeded many famous
towns and villages became familiar from route marches or off-duty
walks and bus rides,---Guildford, Godalming, Farnh&ffi, Farn-
borough, Ash, Ash Vale, The Hog's Back, etc.
Lieut.-General A. G. L. Mcl{aughton, C.8., C.M.G., D.S.O.,
the Corps Commander, Major-General C. B. Price, D.S.O., D.C.M.,
V.D., G.O.C., 3rd Canadian Division and Brigadier Eric
Haldenby, M.C., V.D., visited the Battalion on the 20th August.
fn connection with these visits, sometimes informal, of senior
officers, there \ry'as one amusing incident worth relating. A rifle
company 'was carrying out a night exercise on Laffan's Blains.
Rifle platoons \ryere placed in defensive positions, with communica-
tion by runners with Company Headquarters. Sentries \ryere posted
and instructed to challenge anyone approaching. At Company
H.Q. a very young but intelligent and blase soldier had been
standitrg, alert but bored, for nearly two hours. Suddenly in the
darkness ,t\ryo figures approa,ched, almost silently. The young
soldier challenged smartly. The answer came, "This is General
Price; where is your Company H.Q.?" The young soldier lowered
his rifle and in a sarcastic voice replied, "General Price? Oh Yeah?
That will be the fine, frosty Friday. Just who are you, Budd;'?"

761"
 There appears to have been an unusual number of accidents
to personnel shortly after tÏe arrival of the Battalion in England.
Daily Orders show that Courts of fnquiry were assembled to
investigate the circumstances of injuries sustained by Lt. J. F.
'W.
Petersoh, Sgt. J. McKinnell, and Privates H. Astl.y, R. Revette
and E. A. Smith.
A trophy for fnter-Company Competition in athletics was
provided by the commanding officer, Lt.-Col. Hicks-Lyne, to be
awarded on a monthly basis. There lryas variety in the list of sports
to be included in the competition,-softball, soccer, lacrosse, cross-
country running, volleyball, touch rugby, ping-pong, darts, track
and field, and such other sports the Committee might decide to
add. Five points \ryere awarded for a win, three points for a draw
and one point for a loss, but five points were deducted for any
game that rryas defaulted. Provision \Mas made for a penalty of
twentyfive points for "ungentlemanly conduct on the field of play".
The King and Queen inspected the 3rd Canadian Division on
16th September. The event brought huppy memories to the Glens
of the visit of Their Mujesties to Canada in the summeï of 1939.
Captain J. R. MacNaughton, Lt. \ry. H. Cardwell and a num-
ber of men, in spite of their violent protests, were posted to the
3rd Canadian Division fnfantry Holding ïInit as reinforcements
for the Battalion. Because the IInit rvas maintained constantly on
a war footing, personnel who \Mere admitted to hospital were im-
mediately posted to the Holding IInit and replaced in the Battalion
by men from that unit. Since hospitalization meant leaving the
Battalion and having to wait for a, chance to return to it few men
reported "sick" so long as they were able to stand on their feet.
It was about this tirne that, on a lovely afternoon, in an equally
lovely garden, before an even lovelier Queen, two of the Battalion
Pipers played for Her Mujesty's pleasure. That they played
marvellously well goes without saying for Cpl. Marshall and Piper
Wishart rryere of championship calibre. Queen Elizabeth \ryas most
gracious in her remarks and her appreciation. She spoke to the
pipers at length and at one time, noticing the brass shoulder badge
n'Glengarrians", inquired, "That is short for what?" Cpl. Marshall
replied, "ft is short, Your M*jesty, for Stormont, I)undas and
Glengarry." "My, that is awfully long, isn't it," said the Queen.
"f am glad you use the word 'Glengarrians'." Cpl. Tommy Marshall
became Pipe Major of the Battalion and later, when he returned
to Canada following a serious illness, Piper Wishart was appointed
Fipe Major.
The first amphibious operation, (Hawley Lake, 7th October)
brought many unrehearsed events. Frobably the highlight was

162
when the rubber reconnaissance boat completely folded up aruund
BiS John Hugh MacDonald of (6I)" Company. It lryas his first
swim!
The Battalion took the spotlight on 10th l{ovember in a
series of radio concerts sponsored by the Canadian Broadcasting
Corporation, entitled "The Canadians Entert&in". The I]nit's local
talent \ryas used and the programme \ryas broadcast first in Bngland
and later in Canada.
Sergeants G. E. Clarke and \ry. J. Curtis were the first n.c.o's of
the Battalion to attend an Officers' Training Course. They \ryere
posted to No. 1 Wing, O.C.T.U. on ZSth November.
At the beginnirg of December a short move to billets at
Middleton took place. Here the Battalion was in its first operational
role, being out of 3rd Canadian Division and in G.H.Q. Reserve.
fnvasion \4/as still expected. Strong points equipped with heavy
machine guns and with anti-tank weapons \ryere manned and
lookout to sea \ryas kept on a 24-hours a duy basis. British artillery
posts and Royal Observer Corps posts (aircraft spotters) sprinkled
the area. Bvery yard of beach \ryas protected against invasion
attempts by defence works in depth,-rusty stakes and miles of
rusty barbed wire, tubular steel scaffolding in the sea, a continuous
belt of huge concrete blocks, patches of mines and barbed-wire
ground. Home Guard strong points were established on roads and
field corners. Yet, this spell of duty \ryas not without its humour!
íí8"' Company had an alarm one night when someone, moving
near the beach in the dark, would not halt when challenged. The
sentry fired. No more noise! The next duy the Colonel called on a
Iocal lady to express his regrets upon the untimely death of her
pet spaniel. During their off-duty hours, all ranks made friends
with the residents and more Glengarrians returned to Middleton-
on-Sea oB Iater leaves than to ar.y of the other places where the
Unit was stationed.
Major Christiansen went to the 4?th l)ivision School to take
a course in the ne\ry "Battle l)rill' that \ryas being introduced into
the Canadian Army. I't was a very strenuous course, everything
was done on the run with full battle equipment, amid the worst
conditions of discomfort on or off training. Upon his return a
Battle Drill platoon composed of officers and n.c.o's from each
company was formed. They received instruction each morning in
the various phases of battle drill and then spent the afternoons in
imparting to the companies the lessons they had learned. The
troops took to battle drill with enthusiasm. fts aim \ryas to inculcate
into each fighting man the highest battle discipline and team spirit,
giving him the knowledge of certain basic "plays" to be used as a
principle in any task that rnight confront him on the field of battle.

168
It includ,ed, too, the process of "battle inoculation" by which men
\Mere accustomed to the experience of being under fire by having
live ammunition actually fired over their heads or immediately in
front of them. fn addition to small-arms fire, artillery, grenades
and mines \l/ere used. fn this \ryay the men became 'to some extent
inured to the noises of battle before ever going into action and
lryere forcibly impressed with the importance of swift movement
and constant alertness.
Christmas Duy, 1941, \Mas spent in Middleton, a long distance
from Eastern Ontario, and for many of the younger soldiers it was
their first Christmas away from home. I)ivine service was conduc-
ted by the Padre and the civil population attended it with the
troops. The usual Christmas dinner was served to the men al,
twelve Messes by the offi.cers and n.c.o's. Each Mess had a piper
and a drummer in attendance. Packages of toilet articles and
cigarettes, the gifts of the regimental auxiliaries and friends of the
Regiment at home, \ry'ere distributed to all ranks. The Brigadier
and the Commanding Officer visited each Mess to greet the meïr.
Many of the men \ryere invited to the evening meal by the civilian
residents of Middleton, and a party of 350 offi.cers, n.e.o's and rnen
of the Battalion attended a concert at the Pavilion, Bognor Regis,
in the evening, given under the auspices of the citizens of that
famous English seaside resort.
On ànd January L942, the Battalion handed over its quarters
at Middleton to The Hastings and Prince Bdward Regiment and
went to the Selsey Bill area, near Chichester, an ancient city that
has preserved its original Roman planning to a greater extent
than any other town in England. It is still surrounded by its
medieval walls. fn the Selsey Bill area the companies lyere located
at different points-Bn. H.Q. was at Manor Farm, H.Q. Coy. \Mas
at Mapsons Farm, 56A" Coy. at East Wittering and Thorney fslatrd,
66B"
Coy. at West Witterirg, «C" Coy. at Bracklesham Bay and
í(T)" Coy. aL Marine Hotel, Selsey. Divine services in this area
ryere also scattered affairs, churches at Selsey, Siddlesham, Bird-
'West
ham, ftchenor, Earnley, East Witterirrg and West Witterirg
being used.
During the month Lieut. Colonel Hicks-Lyne lryas appointed
Officer i/c Records at Canadian Military Headquarters and left
the Battalion he had commanded since July 1940. Lieut.-Colonel
R. T. E. Hicks-Lyne, M.C., had served with The Toronto Scottish
in the War of 1914-19, rising to the rank of Major. In 1936, when
the Canadian Militia rryas reorganized, he rryas named second-in-
command of The Prince of Wales' Rangers (Peterborough Regi-
ment) (M.G.) . He assumed command of that Regiment in 1938.
On mobilization of the Glengarrians he became second-in-comrnand

164
of the Battalion and took over the command from Lieut.-Colonel
\ry. J. Franklin, M.C., V.D., in July 1940. The Battalion command
was norry assumed by Lieut.-Colonel Iry. S. Rutherford, who had
proceeded overseas as a Captain in The Toronto Scottish, a unit
of the ànd Canadian Division. He had returned to Canada to
became Brigade Major of the 9th Cdn. fnf. Bde., of which the
Glengarrians formed part, and had accompanied the Brigade to
England. He \ryas acting as G.S.O.l, 3rd Canadian Division when
posted to the Glengarrians.
Companies of the Battalion were affiliated with different com-
panies of the Ist, 6th and 8th Battalions, Sussex Home Guard,
with the obiect of establishing a close liaison regardirrg training and
administratioïI. Xn the event of an invasion the Home Guard would
be fighting in line with the Canadians and it \ryas fitting there
should be a strong sense of comradeship and understanding between
them. The Home Guard soldiers, in spite of age and other infirmi-
ties tryere extremely keen in their training and could be relied upon
to give a good account of themselves in the event of a German
invasion of England.
fn the winter sports, the IInit soccer team were Brigade
champions and reached the Divisional finals; they rryere then
beaten 3-0 by a team from The Canadian Scottish. Lieut. F.
Lander and each player on the team received a, medal donated
by the auxiliary services for reaching the final stage of the compe-
tion. fn the boxing tournament, Privates Dunn and Blair reached
the semi-finals of the middleweight class; Pte. Blair reached the
final stage where he lost on points to his opponent.
Early in March, Majors J. Turnbull, E. Cockburn and A. R.
Macl.[ab and Lieut. J. Brunette, M.M., with eight sergeants and
six corporals were returned to Canada for duty as instructors at
Basic and Advanced Training Centres. Lieut. R. E. Baker and
other n.c.o's followed shortly afterwards. Commanders of rifle
companies \Mere then ('A" Coy., Capt. R. F. Gray; ccB)) Coy., Capt.
R. S. Allin; s(C» Coy., Capt. G. Falkner and (íT)" Coy., Major D. C.
Cameroll.
While on patrol duty during the night of gth /6th March, Pte.
F. Maracle lost his life by accidentally stepping on a" land mine in
the East Witterirg area. He had been with the Glens since mobili-
zation and \ilas a most faithful and efficient soldier. The tragedy was
a shock to all ranks and especially to his comrades in í6A" Com-
pany. He was buried in Brookwood Cemetery near London.
March rtras a month of digging. A party of 3oO all ranks spent
a duy digging at Goodwood Fark on the 5th, another party of ?0
with eight 30-cwt. trucks moved hard core and other highway

765
material on the 9th, four working parties totalling 135 all ranks
were digging and filling trenches on the 10th and 925 were busy
with ,the picks and shovels on the l4th. fn between times parties
lryere detailed for range practices at Cooking ranges. During the
digging at Goodwood Park, Captain Gray had an opportunity to
become famous-or infamous. The Brigadier literally sited the
slit trenches down to Section level and Captain Gray was required
to put most of his trenches right in the middle of the famous track"
Ife cheeked and was told to go ahead. However, he stalled and
stalled and a couple of days later another scheme took place, so
the track remained true.
Sergeants B. E. Fowler and D. L. Stewart returned to Canada
to attend ,the Officers' Training Centre at Brockville. The former
returned to the Battalion and \ras later killed in action as a,
Captain.
Captain 'W. O. Vrooman (Kingston, Ont.) who had been
attached to the Battalion since October 1941, &s Dental Officer
died suddenly at the end of April. He \tras popular with all ranks
because of his unfailing good humour and professional competence"
At the beginnirrg of Muy the Highlanders moved into a
tented camp in the Spear Hill area, all personnel being under
canvas. On the f4th they went to Gray's Wood, a muddy spot
with poor accommodation. However, the Bxercises that took place
at this time kept the Battalion mobile. fn Exercise "Beaver IV",
the 3rd Canadian Division represented the Home Forces and the
2nd Canadian Division 1ryas the enemy. The narrative w&s that
the ànd Cdn. Div. (27 German fnf. Div.) had established a bridge-
head in the vicinity of Brighton and \ras proceeding north. The
role of the 3rd Cdn. Div. \Mas to destroy the enemy. Exercise
"Tiger", & Corps Exercise in which British troops participated, rv'as
a test of endurance from which the Glens emerged with credit.
All movement took place during darkness, the troops sleeping
during the hours of daylight. After marchirg twenty miles on the
25bh, and again on the 26th Muy, there \Mas a, gruelling march
of over 35 miles on the 27th (the ninth day of the Exercise) in
pouring rain. By this time the men were very wet and tired and
many fell asleep during the march. The rainy weather continued
until the close of the Exercise on 30th May. One of the highlights
of the Bxercise lryas on 29th Mry when Lieut. R. H. Smith's
platoon disabled a Churchill tank by throwiog a length of steel
rail into the tracks. The British tank commander said it "tvasn't
cricket",-6,,r1 it \res certainly efrective. The 31st Muy, the d"y
after the close of the Exercise, \ilas clear and sunny. The Battalioi
rested at Mayfield all day. The Mobile Bath arrived and everyone
had a, chance to clean up. During Exercise "Tiger" they had

1ffi
marched 185 miles (165 of them rn six days) and rnany of the
men's boots had holes in the soles. However, with plenty of food
and sleep the troops \Mere once more in high spirits.
Well deserved compliments poured in after Bxereise "Tiger".
Lieut.-General B. L. Montgomery wrote:
"There is one point that impressed me and that is the way in whieh
the troops have stood up to the demands mad.e upon their powers of
enduranee; often in very unpleasant weather conditiorls.
I wish my personal congratulations conveyed to all officers and men
and especially to the marching infantry who always have the hardest
time and have stood up to it splendidly."
Lieut.-General H. D. G. Crerar, Commanding 1 Canadian
Corps said:
"Sincere eongratulations are due all ranks of the Canadian Corps on
the manner in which troops, comma,nders and stafrs have stood the very
searching test of their abilities to take it and grve it in Exercise "Tiger",
conditions which called for the maximum frorn everyone."
Major-General C. B. Price, G.O"C., 3rd Cdn. Div. wrot,e:
"All ranks showed marked ability in meeting difficult situations and
there \rras a cheerful enduranee of fatigue and bad weather conditions
that was beyond praise.
f saw some of the Units marching in last night and it was with great
pride I noticed that the men ïrere stiil smiling-a great tribute to the
spirit of the Division."
Lieutenants G. E. Clarke, \ry. J. Curtis, C. E. McGuire, J. A.
McNeil, C. M. Thom, C. E. Pettepiece, J. \ry. Braden, H.
Kernaghan, 'W. R. Travers, C. Y. Colley and W. G. Lamb joined
the Battalion with reinforcements about this time. Lieutenants
McNeil and McGuire actually joined in the middle of "Bea,ver IV",
being dropped, complete with trunks, &t a crossroads at five o'clock
on a cold, raw morning; a pretty tough start for anyone just ofr
& troopship.
Towards the end of June instructions \ryere received to com-
mence precision drill, physical training and smartening-up exer-
cises. The training had apparently built up a rugged individualism
and it was considered desirable that the men should reacquire a,
sort of group consciousness, as well as retaining the physical fitness
acquired in the strenuous battle drill and the rigourous Bxercises
"Beaver IV" and "Tiger". \ryith all this in mind, Major Christian-
sen, who was at this time Colonel Rutherfordrs second-in-command,
laid out at good deal of physical training in the syllabus, &s well
a,s drill. To this end he led all officers on a before-breakfast cross-
country run each morning.
66T)"
Company moved into Buxted Park to begin two weeks'
training with 5(T)" Connp&trY, 18th Sussex Battalion, Home Guard.

767
(6C)'
Company spent a" short time at Possingworth Park with the
Home Guard and 668" Company at Burwash. The Home Guard,
composed mostly of men over the age limit for army service,
learned a great deal from this contact rvith the Canadian boys, and
\rere loud in their praises of the help given by the Glengarrians.
They did their utmost to emulate the training of the Glens,
even in the quick cross-country movements of tactical training
and the strenuous activity of battle drill.
A system of educational courses inaugura,ted about this time
by the Canadian Legion rvas a tremendous force in relieving the
monotony of training, stimulating the men ,towards professional
improvement in civil life. There \Mas a" wide variety of courses,
ranging from the elementary subjects of reading, writing and
arithmetic to foreign languages, social science, courses leading to
a degree, agriculture and its associated professions, dairy farming,
cattle and poultry raisitrg, etc. The courses \ryere thorough in every
respect. The one in Freneh eommenced with elementary instruction
and proceeded through the normal High School ,course, taking up
in all eight large textbooks. An officer in each unit \Mas appointed
Education Officer; he ïyas responsible for supervising the work,
forming the men taking the same courses into small groups for
mutual instruction and providit g serviee and encouragement, a,
so,rt of guide, philosopher and friend to the soldier-students.
Dominion D*y Sports, 1942, \ry'ere hetd at Gray lVood, and
then the Battalion took part in the Brigade field firing exercises
at Balmer Down, near Lewes. Casualties were Capt. G. Falkner,
who was struck by , vehicle of 14th Field Regiment and Sgt. TV. A.
Campbell, who w,as thrown from his motorcycle. Training was
begun, also, in forced marches, each company marchirg ten miles
in two hours.
Battalion Sergeant-Major Piercey left the ïlnit on llth July
for the Reinforcement Unit and C.S.M. Lockhart became the
Battalion Sergeant-Major, with Sgt. H. B. Davidson as R.Q.M.S.
A regrettable accident occurred on 21st July when a, No. 86
grenade exploded during training, injuring Sgt. A. Dainton and
Privates R. Mayville and E. Huble of í(T)" Company.
Exercise "Harold" took place during the last days of July.
The 3rd Canadian Division took the role of British troops who
made a landing on the Continent, rvhile the 46th (British) Divi-
sion operated as German troops a'ttempting to destroy them. Dur-
irrg the six days of the Exercise the Highlanders march ed 124 miles.
Early in August the Glens marched by route march to I)enne
Park Camp. The troops spent a" night at Scayne's Hill, where the
evening meal ïyas served in a torrential rainstorm. Starting off

168
again the next dry the men had lunch on NIonk's Commons and
reached their destination in the afternoon. Throughout the march
the men \Mere led by Lieut.-Colonel Rutherford who, the followirrg
duy (10th Arg.) left' the command to take up an appointment
with H.Q., ànd Canadian Division. The Battalion command was
assumed by Major H. G. Mason temporarily; on his return from
the Senior Officers' Course (3rd S*p.) Major G. H. Christiansen
took over the temporary command of the ïJnit.
(sC"
Company suffered five casualties when a grenade exploded
during a lecture. Most of the training in August, however, consis-
ted of cliff-climbirg, river crossing and assault boat landing, inter-
spersed with instruction by the Engineers in the removal of booby-
traps. ft \ryas expected that the Germans might attempt a landing
raid on the South Coast in reprisal for the Dieppe Raid. To ensure
an appropriate reception, one company of each Battalion in the
Brigade rryas ordered to be ready to move off on ten minutes
notice, with the remainder of the unit prepared to leave an hour
later.
On 14th September, Lieut.-Colonel M. S. I)unn arrived to take
command of the Battalion, with Major Christiansen as second-in-
eommand.
On 2nd October the IInit supplied a large working party to
assist a neighbouring farmer harvest his potato crops. '6D" Com-
Pany, busily tuning up to represent the Battalion in a Brigade Drill
Competition, \ryas excused from farm chores. This competition was
\MorI by the }.[orth l{ova's, who did some tricky arms drill to the
music of their pipe band without words of command. In the even-
it g a Brigade Dance \Mas held at Horsham Drill Hall. Major-
General R. F. L. Keller attended the event, one of the features of
which \ryas a Reel in which Brigadier Haldenby and Colonel Ruther-
ford took part, to the music of the S.I). & G. pipers.
The wisdom of obeying standing orders with regard to the
raiding of orchards \ryas emphasized. A farmer brought to the
Guard House at the point of a shotgun three delinquents he found
in his apple orchard. fn addition to the embarrassment and humi-
liation of their capture, ,they forfeited three days' pay when
paraded before the O.C. for appropriate punishment.
Sergeants H. F. Martin and C. B. Spenceley, who had been
loaned to 1 Cdn. Corps Troops Engineers as Battle Drill fnstruc-
tors returned to the Battalion. A letter that followed them stated:
"They did a splendid job and despite some rather lousy weather our
chaps really enjoyed working under such fine instructors. They were
certainly a great credit to your IJnit."
An entry in the lVar l)iary for ànd l.[overnber records that
day as being the first in many months when the sun shone

r69
superbly all day long. It had been an unusually rainy summer pnd
autumn. However, the Battalion took part in the Combined Train-
ing Operations off Southampton, in the course of which Lce./Cpl. C.
E. Bowen fell from an open door in the ship's side in the darkness.
He ïyas seen to fall by A. B. Llewellyn, who promptly leaped after
him but failed to reach him. Two boats \4rere launched, one of which
picked up Llewellyn, but they \Mere unable to locate Bowen, who
had disappeared in the darkness and rapidly flowing tide. His body
was ultimately ïecovered near Hythe and the funeral took place
on 29th April 1943, the service being condueted by Capt. R. T. F.
Brain, the Chaplain. Two brothers, Cpl. If. C. Bowen and Pte.
G. M. Bowen, both members of the Battalion, were chief mourners.
A series of Battalion Education Courses was launched in
November, attendance being voluntary. On the first evening Cup-
tain Lander, Lieu't. Willis and Lieut. Glover gave lectures on
Geography, Mathematics and History. Canadian soldiers were also
able to at'tend evening classes at Brighton Technical College and
Horsham Evening fnstitute.
By a narro\ry margin, a team frorn the Glengarrians defeated
a team from the Surrey Home Guard in a rifle competition. The
S.D. & G. team was composed of Sgt. H. F. Mar,tin, Lce./Cpl. C. F.
Gunness, and Privates A. J. Cameror, E. Barton, E. I). McCune,
E. S. Baker, C. F. Carvin and B. H. Orton.
Early in l)ecember the Battalion went to Southampton by
train, where they boarded H.M.S. "Prince Albert", "Prince
Charles" and "Prince Leopold" for exercises in landing operations.
On one of these practices, part of "4" Company, who had employed
smoke to cover their approach to shore, ran into a sand bar and
\ryere unable to make the beach. The men immediately entered the
waist-deep water and waded to shore; they had then to remain on
the beach until the tide has risen sufficiently to float their craft.
fn the mean'time the remainder of the llnit returned to the ships,
had tea, and made another night trip to the shore in the boats.
After returnit g to I)enne Park Camp there ïyas some cliff-climbing
in the vicinity of Amberley, entailing a 20-mile march. The troops
spent a night in vacant cottages in that village.
On 16th December, Major G. H. Christiansen took over the
command with the rank of Lieut.-Colonel, in succession to Lieut.-
Colonel. M. S. Dunn who had been appointed A.A.G. at Canadian
Military Headquarters.
Christmas and }[ew Year celebrations passed quietly; it \ras
a""green" Christmas, but snow fell for the first time on the night
of 4th/5th January and some of the platoons who ïvere out on
night training had a cold tirne. As is usual in the United Kingdoffi,

770
the sno\ry \ilas followed by rain and for a few days afterwards the
ground ïvas muddy and the weather disagreeable,
Gifts of cigarettes during the festive season \ryere received from
Lindsay Business Girls' Club; St. Paul's Church, Brockville;
Latchford War Services Club; froquois Citizens' Committee;
Euchre Club, Bowmanville; Rotary Club of Smiths Falls; Lions
Club of Bowmanville; Brockville Smokes Fund; Glengarry Branch
(Ont. 312), Apple Hill; Canadian Legion, Apple Hill; Women's
Auxili&ry, S.D. & G. Highlanders, Peterborough; Women's Auxil-
iary, S.D. & G. Highlanders, Kingston; Pioneer Women's Organi-
zation, Montreal; Mrs. Jacob Burkett, Killaloe; Mrs. Sydney
Wynn, Brockville; Mr. Hugh McMillan, Finch; Mr. A. HorowiLz,
Cornwall; Offi.cers, W.O.'s, N.C.O.'s and Men, ànd Reserve Batta-
Xion, Cornwall.
fn the middle of January the Highlanders left Denne Park
Camp for West Chiltington, near Steyning, a hutted eamp. They
rernained there but a, few days and on 26th January 1943, pro-
ceeded from Fulborough Station for some advanced training in
Scotland. 56C" and (6T)" Companies went to Glencripesdale, via
Oban and Roshven, while the remainder of the IInit went to
Glenfinnan.

6íC"
Atl the companies arrived under grey skies rvith light rain.
(6T)"
and Cornpanies completed their journeys to Glencripes-
dale and Roshven by drifter. The remainder reached Glenfinnan
about noon, A" and *R" Companies going from there to Salen
56

and Glenborrodale ïespectively. Battalion H.Q. carried their kits

and bed rolls through the rain to Glenfinnan Pier, half a mile from
the railway station, passirrg the statue which commemorates the
raising of the Clans at this spot by Prince Charles Stuart. At the
pier they embarked on the lake steamer for Acharacle, which they
reached after turo wet hours and rvhere, in heavy rain, they disem-
barked and proceeded by mechanical transport to Shielbridge
House. At this point the Support Company embussed for Dorlin.
Locations \ivere:
Bn. H.Q.-Acharacle (Shielbridge House)
(64"
Coy.-Salen
'(R" Coy.-Glenborrodale
((
C" Coy.-Glencripesdale
ííD" Coy. Roshven
Support Coy.-Dorlin
Thus, each company was on its oïvn, rvith a large area of rough
country in which to carry out its training scheme.
Shielbridge House provided very good quarters; it \ryas a
summer home of the Boots family (Cash Chemis,ts) , the head of
which no\M bears the title of Lord Trent. With the officers at Batta-

777
lion Headquarters was Major \ry. H. Rose, Royal Fusiliers, Chief
fnshuctor. He had entered the British Army through the ranks,
gained his Commission aL Sandhursb and was serving in India
when the \ryar commenced. He \ryas transferred to Egypt, took parl
in the battle of Sidi Barrani at the opening of the Wavell offensive,
participated in more than one commando raid in the Mediterranean
ànd took part in the battle of Crete where he \ryas wounded and
invalided home. There was also a commando officer attached to
each company. These offi.cers \ry'ere very tough, but after a few
weeks under their instruction many Glengarrians became equally
tough.
The first two days in Scotland were Brey, wet and squally, so
the;r were spent in making first acquaintance with the mountains,
simple climbs and gentle hardenirg. On ,the 30th January the se&
was too rough for the drifter to proceed from Loch Ailort to
Roshven where "D" Company was reported to be without ammuni-
tion so a relief column, composed of the Support Company and
Bn. H.Q. personnel, w'as organized to carry a supply to thern by
the cross-country trail. It went to Kinlochmoidart pier, where the
road ends, by mechanical transport; two bandoliers \ryere given to
each man there and they started on the eight mile trail via Glenvig,
covering the distance in one hour and fortyfive minutes. Due to
the inferior roads, bad wea'ther and to the isolated areas, it some-
tirnes happened that rations, too, did not come up on time or did
not reach the troops out on a cross-country exercise. At times the
men were very hungryr &s well as cold, wet and tired, Nevertheless,
it is said that the taste of venison \ryas not unknown to most GIen-
garrians!
Assault courses, battle drill, field firing and night compess
marches \Mere the main occupations of the 'troops while waiting
for a calm sea to practice landing operations at Kentra Bay. Since
no landing craft \ryere available, cutters rryere improvised and pound-
irg on the beaches in the surf tvas moïe than these craft could
stand. Another beach at l)orlin, known as "Baby Beach" \ryas used
for practiee landings. í6A" Company carried out a 36-hours scheme
6íT)" Company made the
climbing Ben Resipol and bivouacing.
ascent of Rois Beinn, lost one man who came down the wrong
side of the mountain (rvhich is not surprisittg when the top try&s
enveloped in clouds) into Glen Moidart, whence he made his
way home the next day.
After having been in Scotland for about two weeks, during
which it rained steadily or turned into what is called "Scotch
Mist", a Glengarrian asked a local inhabitant, "Does it rain here
all the time?" The Sco,t replied, "Weel, we'll no be seeing much
sun till long aboot August."

172
 The Battalion left Scotland on the 16th Febru àty, reaching
West Chiltington Camp on the followirg duy, where ne\ry \ryar
establishments immediately went into effect, resulting in a severe
shaking up in the companies and possibly some hard feelings, for
surplus personnel had to be despatched to the Reinforcement I]nit.
On the 28th February the Battalion moved off to take part
in Exercise "Spar,tor", the most ambitious of the many exercises
camied out in Britain. Xt was described by "The Times" as "the
greatest offensive exercise ever staged in the military history of
these fslands." The first bivouac aïea for the Glens was aL Boling
Hill Farm to which the men rvere transported in ,troop carrying
vehicles-a long, extremely slow ride in crowCed cars, and very
tiresome. The IInit then advanced north to Kingsclere, through
I{ewbury to Streatly, Battalion H.Q. opening up in à farmyard on
the banks of the River Thames. The next duy the advance was
resumed towards Oxford. Enerny resistance was encountered in the
vicinity of Abingdon and the Battalion proceeded through Wooton
to Cumner where Headquarters \ryas established at IIpper Whitney
Farm, with the companies in defensive positions around thrs place.
On the 8th March the adva,nce towards Oxford, sorne five miles
distant, was resumed. By-pussing the town to the rvest the High-
Ianders gained aecess to it by crossing pontoon bridges built by
the R.C.E. and Battalion H.Q. opened up in the yard of the
Dragon School House. The next day the Ba'ttalion had Steeple
Claydon as its objective, but lvas obliged to take up defensive
positions in White Cross Green Woods, with Bn. H.Q. at, Angrove
Farm, where the night was spent. On the 10th March there ïvere
several skirmishes with the enemy, yieldir-tg large numbers of pri-
soners and equipment, includit g four Bren earriers, one lorry,
several anti-tank guns, ete., and by noon Steeple Claydon had been
captured.
Battalion H.Q. opened on the lf th March at Thornton College,
rn*oving from there to Adstock and l{ewport Pagnell where the
order to "Cease Fire" was received, announeing the end of Exercise
"Spa1ton". During the Exercise, all troops \ryere forbidden to
acquire, accept or partake of any food or comforts from eivilians.
Only army "iron rations" \ryere issued. The testing of their value
\ryas one of the objects of the exereise. One rifie conopany will
remember "Spartoïr" for another reason. They \ryere seen smoking
by the Brigadier while marchirg at night through Oxford. Thó
Brigadier took a very dim vierv of this and said so to the com-
nnanding officer. On the conclusion of the exercise the Company had
all leaves cancelled for two weeks.
The troops returned to West Chiltington in the evening of
13th March and settled down once more to camp routine.

778
Lieutenants A. C. Stewart, C" If. Thom and J. F. Peterson lryere
appointed acting Captains; Captain Milligan became second-in-
command of the Support Company and was replaced in the
Mjutency by Captain Lander.
Sgt. Spencel.y who had been attached for a time with the
British Forces fighting in North Africa, gave the first of a, series
of lectures in April; at the end of the month the Glens moved to
Angmering. It \Mas here that word lvas received of the death of
Capt. G. Falkner ("C" Coy.) who died of wounds on 27'thr April,
while attached to the First British Army in l{orth Africa. He \ryas
one of the original officers of the Battalion. A mernorial service \ryas
held on 16th Muy.
Detachments from the IInit went ,to Bisley during Muy to
practice with the nelry Lee Enfield rifle Mk.l (4) on the Long
Siberia range. On 3rd June the Glens moved to Muntham Court,
Findon. The roads and the washing and toilet facilities were quite
poor, bu,t the Highlanders, skilled by this time in clever improvisa-
tion, soon improved conditions, and for outside entertainment
Worthirg and Findon village \ryere not far a\ry'ay. Findon lies right,
under the shadow of the famous Cissbury Ring, a pre-Roman
encampment, where there is abundant evidence of the production
of flint weapons probabl;' two ,thousand years before the Christian
gr&.
ft \Mas at Muntham Court that the trial of skill took place
between Milligan and Gemmell. As usual it rryas Percy Milligan's
idea. The scheme lvas to bend à young sapling and see how far
one could jump on the rebound. Milligan went first and made a
mighty ju*p. Gemmell followed and landed right inside the tent
of Major Hamilton. That ended the fun suddenly!
Regimental funds showed a healthy credit balance, so the
surplus \ryas devoted to providirg nelry Glengarries for every
mernber of the IJnit. This had the nature of a, birthday gift for
the third mobilizaLion anniversarJr which occurred on 'the lgth
June and which was crowded with activities all members of the
Battalion will recall rvith jo)', even to Colonel Christiansen whip-
ping off his kilt and showing great form in the "Chain of Com-
rnand" race. What a Sports Du),! i{o one could lose, and no one
did, for every contestant won à prize. After some warming up
sports in the morning and a good lunch, the Battalion formed up
and marched past in revierv. The salute \ryas taken by Brigadier
T. G. Gibson, gth Cdn. fnf. Bde. and present at the saluting base
rryere Lieut.-Colonel R. T. E. Hicks-L;rne who had brought the
Unrt to England and Lieut.-Colonel Christiansen. After à short
address by the Brigadier the troops \,yere dismissed to the Sport,s
Field, where the enthusiasm of the morning's activities wes resumed.

1-74
 The frnals of the tug-o'-w&r almost developed into a free-for-all
a,s the events worked to a climax and d6C" and G6B" Companies
battled for the cup. The judges finally called it a tie urà «C"
_Co*plny with a lead on points won the trophy. Ten lS-gallon
I kegs of beer provided liquid refreshments for the [roopr. Traisport
rilas provided in the evening to take any who caied to gó to
Worthirrg and Angmering.
li
Meanwhile the rest of the Clan began to gather in the
I
i
"Glen" behind the village hotel. Ï.[ow the "Glen" naa a particular
i
attraction in the shape of a goldfish pond, complete with à stone
i
statue of a polar bear. The evening progressed and. soon many
i

i familiar faces \ryere gathered about. And, as in Robbie Burni'

Tam-O-Shanter-
"\ryi reaming swats that drank divinely
The night drave on wi' sangs and clatter
And aye the ale was growing better."
Each vied with the other in stories of their prowess when the
C.O. decided on a Tactical Crossing of a Water Obstacle-
"Care need to see a mon sae happy
E'en drowned himsel' amang the nappy"
and ended up in the goldfish pond, patting the stone bear with
one hand and try_ing to light a cigarette with the other. (Less
than twelve months later he \Mas leading his men into the l.[or-
mandy beachhead.) And so,-
"As bees flee hame wi lades oo treasure
The minutes winged their way rvith pleasure."
The third anniversary Church Parade was hetd on the follow-
irg duy, when the Corps Senior Chaplain, Lieut.-Colonel C. G.
Hepburn, M.C., E.D., preached ,the sermon. Colonel Christiansen
spoke to the troops before the service with regard to the feelings
of happiness, gratitude and eomradeship thai should animate a
service of this nature. Colonel Hepburn spoke of "Tradition and
Remembranee". The service closed with the l{ational Anthem and
the pipers playing "Bonnie Dundee".
The anniversary celebration over, the Battalion turned once
more to the task of fitting itself to beat the enemy. But the hope
may be expressed that the 19th June will always be observèd
by the Reserve Army Units whose ties with The Stormont, Dundas
and Glengarry Highlanders have been cemented in blood.
There was à Brigade inspection on the 4th July, followed by
a, drill competition in which one company from each battalion in
the Brigade participated. The S.D. & G. Comp&try, which inciden-
tally \ryon the competition, consisted of Support Company with
twelve men from each rifle company. A gratifyirrg feature of this

r_75
conlpetit,iorr w'as the cheering for the Glengarrians by the North
Nova's when the results \ryere announced. On returnittg to Batta-
lion lines, Suppor,t Company proceeded to celebrate by letting off
a" number of thunder flashes and land mines.
This ïyas followed by Exercise "Smashex", an experience in
unpleasant weather and much "muckittg about"-1s use a soldier's
e*pression. Lieut. J. A. Forman \ryas injured in a motor cycle acci-
dent early in the exercise and removed to I{o. 1 General Hospital;
most of the troops would gladly have changed places with him
before the exercise closed. Compo rations \ryere extensively used
on this scheme and most of the time the men \ryere cold, wet,
hungry and dog-tired. A good hot breakfast whieh was served at
the 1nd of the exercise soon brought the morale up to scratch.
Probably as a result of Exercise "Smashex" an order came out a
few days later that haversack lunches \ilere to be served once a
duy as part of the 'training programme. At the end of the month
orders \ryere received for the transfer of the Glens to Rustington.
The Battalion arrived at Rustington on 4th August 1943, and
Headquarters \ryas established in an evacuated Convalescen't Home.
The Co**anding Officer's Office was in what was formerly the
"Quiet Room", the Adiutanb occupied the former "Singing Boom",
with ((Í)' Section in the "Lounge".
There \ryas sonee excitement on the morning of the 14th when
a, British bomber fell into the sea half a mile from shore; all mem-
bers of the crew with one exception were rescued by l{aval and
R.A.F. squad.q. There was a fairly sharp German air raid two days
Iater whèn sorne incendiary bombs rryere dropped in the vicinity.
A series of educational tours ïvas instituted, parties visitittg Windsor
Castle, Chatham Dockyards and Portsmouth l{aval l)ocks during
the month.
«C" Compeny (Major Archie MacDonald) won the Brigade
Endurance Contest, a competition which comprised cliff scaling,
river crossing tactical scheme, etc. The members of the Company
will forever remember the terrific drive required from all ranks
to wrest the laurels from companies of the North lt[ova Scotia
Ilighlanders and The Highland Light trnfantry of Canada.
Towards the end of the month, information vras received that
another trip to Scotland \ryas in store for the Highlanders; on 3rd
September they entrained at Worthing Central Station for IVemyss
Bay to take part in combined operations training. (Unknown to
the men at that time, the 3rd Canadian Division had been selected
as an " aL1ack" division to strike at Fortress Europe) . During a halt'
at Leicester the civilians around the station called upon the pipers
for martial m.usic and they willingly complied. Wemyss Bay \ryas

1,76
reached at four o'clock in the mornitrg, where hot tea and cookies
were served by the Y.M.C.A. as soon as the men detrained. Bm-
barking at 8.30 a.m., the Battalion landed at Rothesay at 10.30
a.m. and proceeded to billets. A rigourous syllabus of training \Mas
immediately started, including assault landings rvith live ammuni-
tion. On the morning of l?th September, Lieut. A. F. Stirland \rras
mortally injured while carrying out an exercise rvith pole charge at
Strove Point; he died shortly after one o'clock in the afternoon.
(A Battalion memorial service \Mas held at Boscombe on 10th
October.) Lieut. Murfitt \ryas injured in the left hand and right
leg by splinters when a N[.M.G. slipped and the bullets chipped
metal inside the craft.
Three exercises, "Jason", "IIlysses" and "Neptune", carried out
in co-operation rvith the l{avy and Commandos furnished many
profitable lessons in modern warfare, and though the training \ryas
arduous the morale lryas high. The men felt that the dry \ryas
approaching swiftly when they would come to grips with the
enemy and they were willing pupils. They left Rothesay on the
2nd October feelittg that 'the time in Scotland had been well spent.
After a relatively quiet three weeks at Boscombe, during
which Exercise "Pirate" \ryas commenced and cancelled, due to
rain, the Battalion moved to Barton-Stacey, a sprawling hutted
camp neaï Andover. Two days lat,er a working party of two
corporals and thirty other ranks left to erect canvas in the South-
ampton area in preparation for Combined Operations training
which took place on 4th and 5th l{ovember. Another landing
exercise \Mas carried out at Stanwood on 12Lh l.[ovember; on thi;
exercise a hurried search for the Adjutant and the Transport
Officer found them asleep in the lobby of a Landing Craft (Tank)
in the middle of the Solent. The eommander of the vessel flatly
refused to beach his craft for them and special arrangements had
to be made to get them back on dry land again.
The next day the ïInit shifted over from Barton-stacey to
Hursley Camp in the same area.
Exercise "Snorryball" (16th and ITth l{ov.) found the High-
landers boarding H.M.S. "The l)uke of Wellington". On reaching
Southampton Docks at ten o'clock it was learned that the time for
embarkation had been changed from 11.00 to 14.00 hours. The
Battalion marched back to the debussirrg area, where the haver-
sack lunch \r/as eaten and where the men \4rere dismissed for an
hour and a half. On board ship, they \ryere shown to their mess
deck, held a boat drill and were issued with hammocks and
blankets. Entertainment in the form of moving pictures \Mas pïo-
vided in the evening. The next morning they treft the ship in land-

777
i"g craft and made a, wet landing. Embussing in troop carrying
vehicles they reached Hursley Camp in the afternoon.
The last exercise in November \ryas named Exercise "Fush". A
considerable amount of enthusiasm \ryas aroused over this panticu-
lar scheme because rumours had circulated that it would be the
lasb big Combined Operations scheme before the actual invasioÍt.
The Glens \ryere therefore anxious to surpass all previous achieve-
ments. Exercise "Push" was intended to practice the Battalion in
landing as part of a follow-up through a previously captured
bridgehead ànd the break through. This \ryas in fact the role
actuàlly assigned to the Brigade on the Norrnandy beach-head. The
operation provided for five Phases:
(l) Embarkation and sea, passage.
(g) Landing and regrouping in Battalion assembly area,.
(3) Supporting a Battalion to its objective.
(4) Follow through to Unit objective.
(5) Consolidation, patrols and organization of counter-attack.
Part of the Battalion moved off on 26Lh l{ovember and em-
barked on landing craft. Then bad weather set in and held up the
operation until the ànd l)ecember; those already on board had a,
róugh time of it in Southampton lVater. The main body of troops
e*6u*ked at Lymington Pier at three o'clock on the morning of
Prud, December. They \trere awakened at seven fortyfi.ve and dis-
embarked after breakfast-inclement weather conditions had
caused another postponement. The Highlanders returned to
Hursley Camp. The operation started again on the 3rd December
and at 08.30 hours the craft put out to se&, and the troops had
breakfast from Compo Packs. By noon a dty landing had been
made on the beach at Studland Ba,y and an hour later Phase 2
of the operation had been successfully carried out.
The remainiorg phases went off without mishap although Phase
4 was slowed down by muddy terrain that bogged down the tanks.
Bain began to fall again as the troops settled down for the night,
but conditions became more comfortable following an issue of rum
and the arrival of the blanket truek at two o'clock in the morning.
The rain had stopped by daybreak; breakfast \ryas eaten from
ration packs and the Battalion embussed for camp at eleven
fifteen.
On the 8th December the Unit moved to Hilsea Barracks,
Portsmouth, where, although the accommodation rvas dryer and
cleaner, the steam heating system \Mas not working until the 16th
of the month. The weather lryas quite cool, sno\ry fell on the Ilth,
and with a 6íÍ1u" epidemic prevalent in the United Kingdoffi, life
in unheated quarters \ryas rather miserable. However, Christmas
mail \ryas beginnirg to arrive and morale \ryas high. (S,rpport
178
 Company had billets at Eallochi Road, Gosport.) Half of the
Battalion was despatched on 4S-hours leave on the gth, the
remainder on the 13th December. Porcelain plates made their
appearance in the Men's dining rooms for use in place of messtins.
This, howeveï, rvas a mixed blessing for the unfortunate individual
who broke one \ry,as required to pay 4/6 for its replacement.
Cpl. G. \ry. Smith \ryas seriously injured in a traffic accident
during a blackout on 18th December and died the followirg after-
noon. The sympathy of everyone in the Unit went out to his
relatives for they realized that, coming so close to the Christmas
season, their bereavement would be felt all the more keenly.
Preparations began for the Christmas season. There was to
be a, dance in the gymnasium and a Christmas party for the
children of the community. The soldiers bought and Cana-
dian chocolate bars and contributed them for the "urày
Kiddies' Partyi
and everyone lranted to have a hand in decorating the gyrnnasium,
a, task supervised by Capt. Smith and Lieut. Dixon. It required
a lot of hunting to obtain sufficient green foliage for decoiative
purposes and the sight of sober-faced soldiers cutting paper stars
lryas not without its hurnour. The dance on the 23rd December
lryas a great success; the gymnasium lvas too small for the crowd,
which \ryas graced by the presence of numerous girls from the
Auxiliary Services of l{avy, Army and Air Forces. Refreshments
lvere provided by the I§.A.A.F.f. The Chitdren's Party \ryas held
on the following duy. Colonel Christiansen \ryas present, the Pipe
Band provided the music and Santa Claus (Cpl. Harwood) *uà.
a spectacular entrance and distributed his packages to the children.
Christmas dinner, with the traditional turkey and plum pud-
ding, was served to the men by the officers. Movies were clàsed
and buses not operating on Christmas Duy, so the English taverns
w'ere the only available means of entertainment. The diarist records
that few invitations to civilian homes in the Portsmouth area
lryere forthcoming.
On 30th December the Battalion left Hilsea Barracks for
Roche Court, Fareham, where the l{ew Year-the year of invasion
quietly observed in glorious weather. On 6th January lgq4,
-\4/as
the Battalion \ry'as reviewed for the first time by the new Brigade
Commander, Brigadier Cunningham, who was destined to com-
mand the Brigade during the l{ormandy fighting. ccc" Company
lvas chosen to represent the S.D. & G. in the Divisional Enduranee
Contest. During January the IInit, enjoyed a three-days bivouac
and scheme "Co-operation with Tanks" near Lyndhurst. They had
an opportunity of examini*g the Ram tank and then the Sherman
tanks gave a demonstration of fire po\ryer aL Rhinefield Bange.

779
The following day a Company strength of fire power when sup-
ported by a squadron of tanks was demonstrated by each of the
companres in turn. The men seemed to enjoy the bivouac and the
area ïvas dotted at night by numerous fires, around which they sat
swappirrg stories and reminiscing. The final d*y was given to a
demonstration of battalion strength when supported by tanks.
Captain Rose, who had been Medical Officer of the Unit since
soon after its mobilization in 1940 rryas transferred to the reinforce-
ment unit on 31st January. His departure was the c&use of much
regret; he had been with the Highlanders as a combatant officer
before becomirrg M.O. and he was regarded as a Glengarrian; the
sudden reminder that he was onl;r "attached" was quite staggering.
Battle jerkins and folding
(sC)'
bi,cycles had no\M been received and
on 8th February L944, Company \ryas initiated in bicycle drill
by a l4-mile hike and the other companies soon had their turn. c(C')
On the 16th, Brigade Exercise "Pedal" commenced and "4",
and
((I)" Companies, mounted on bicycles, pedalled their \ray to
Stokes Bay where they embarked on Landing Craft flnfantty),
made a landing at Stanwood Bay and proceeded to the assembly
area. "8" Company and the remainder of the Battalion followed
on unit transport, joining the cyclists at the assembly area, where,
after supper, the IInit bivouacked for the night. The next morning
the Glens left the assembly area for the consolidation area where
they prepared for an expected enemy counter-attack. The scheme
\ryas staged to test the speed and mobility in action and to practice
the carrying of bicycles in landing craft. Another exercise, entitled
"Restless" took up the followittg two days.
On the 28th February the Brigade \ilas inspected by General
Montgomery.
Early in March, Movement Control set up an office in the
Battalion Orderly Room, so that Roche Court Camp could be
used as a sub-marshalling area when the time for invasion arrived.
Vehicles \Mere water-proofed, kits sent to the Canadian Kit Storage
Depot, and it was evident to everyone that the big day \4ras drawing
closer and closer. Security regulations became more strict. (Security
Reports placed the Glens at the top of the l)ivision with ruïfà .
fn Exercise "Prank" the troops spent a night aboard the
landing craft and made a wet landing at Studland Buy the next
afternoon, wading ashore in waist-deep water. Some Prank! After
consolidation the IInit bivouacked for the night, a ïum ration and
two blankets being issued to the men. The rveather was cloudy
and cool. After the G.O.C. and the Brigadier had inspected the
Division's strategic position the next duy, when the Glens were
commended for their consolidation and camouflage, the Battalion
returned to camp by mechanical transport.

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 A team frorn the S.D. & G. commanded by Captain Stothart,
vron first place in the gth Cdn. fnf. Bde. fnter-Battalion rifle
competition.
The Battalion moved in pouring rain from Roche Court Camp
to Rookesbury Camp (bell tents) in the early evening of Brà
April. The mud in some places \ryas inches deep and the fiist night
in the tents \ryas a damp and uncomfortable one. Fortunately tft.
weather \ryas mild.
On 25th April the Glengarrians paraded to Fareham Common
where, with the other battalions of the gth Cdn. fnf. Bde., the
I{orth Nova's and the H.L.f. of Canada, they were inspected b;,
Fit Majesty The King. This \ryas followed on l3th IVIuy by an
inspection by General Eisenho'wer, the suprerne cornmander, who
spoke to many men as he passed down the ranks. After the in-
spection he addressed the Brigade and commented on the
superiority of allied \ryeapons, his confidence in Canadian troops,
ete.
Colonel Christiansen spoke to the Battalion for about half
an hour on the 16th May. fn an easy, informal, conversational
manner he thanked the men for the spirit they had shorvn in the
strenuous training programme and spoke of what he expected in
the days ahead. ft \ryas in this talk that he suggested that the
Highlanders adopt the slogan "IJp the Glens". Lacking in drama-
tics or platform rhetoric he held the keen interest and the closest
attention of the men, who applauded his remarks thunderously.
Movie shows, interspersed with frequent concert parties, kept
the men well entertained. The Canadian Army Show and tËe
"Bandoliers", another Canadian aggregation, visited the camp and
drew capacity houses. Anti-vermin battle dress was issued. fn*
troops \ry'ere formally notified to be ready for special duty and
warned that any absence without leave would be regarded as
desertion and tried by court-martial. All personnel \ry'ere confined
to barracks.
On 30th Mry all troops except those marked for "I) plus 5"
(vehicles and personnel) moved by troop-carrying vehicles to the
marshalling areas at Creech Walk and thence in due course to
Stokes Bay. All units \ryere broken up and became "landing craft
loads". This \ryas the final result of many months of planning by
the staffs and commanders of Supreme Headquarters. These craft
loads \ryere designed to afford the greatest chance of ensuring that
the reassembled units would be fighting teams even if some craft
were lost in the assault. The "landing craft loads" moved on orders
of Movement Control to special camps which were run on the
"hotel systern" since the units lryere no longer able to handle

781
rationirrg and quartering on a Battalion basis. Meals, plentiful
and well prepared, \Mere served by u cafeteria system.
During the five days transit and marshalling before the actual
embarkation, the troops tryere behind barbed wire but they ïvere
able to get a glimpse of the tremendous operation. There \trere
endless miles of specially widened roads leading to embarkation
points around the Portsmouth-Southampton area, and they \ryere
lined with vehicles, guns and equipment of every description tail
to tail as far as the eye could rea,ch. No better target was ever
offered to bombers and strafers, but it, was evident the Allies had
complete command of the air for no enemy planes \ryere seen.
Just before "D-Day" a message arrived for Lieut. H. Murfitt
saying his wife was seriously ill in a hospital. Mr. Murfi.tt asked for
leave on compassionate grounds, but Divisional Headquarters \tere
obliged to refuse permission, because at this stage all ranks had
been briefed with highly secret information regardit g the invasiolr,.
Lieut. Murfitt therefore proceeded to the Normandy beach-head
with the Glens and acquitted himself like the true soldier he \tras.
Two weeks later a message came to Battalion Headquarters
authorizing the leave and he went to England. His wife died the
duy before he reached her side. Then, the day after her funeral,
a V-l bomb killed him, his baby daughter, his wife's parents and
his sister-in-law, who was the wife of Lieut. Fraser of the Regiment.
The ïear party left in England \Àras commanded by Major
Beattie who for most of the time had commanded H.Q. Company.
He had been a fighter Pilot in the War of 1914-18 and was thought
to be too old for combat duty in France. While with the Glens
he always attended to the stores and billets and he kept many of
the Battalion aecounts,-u tower of strength to Commanding
Officers. He later became O.C., 3rd Canadian Division Rear Party.

182