Today marks the 72nd anniversary of the formation
of the Veterans Guard of Canada so I thought it fitting to dedicate this post to all those who served in the Veterans Guard.
With the outbreak of war in Europe in the fall of 1939,
thousands of Canadians flocked to enlisting stations to do their part in the
upcoming conflict. Among these men were Veterans of the First World War, the
majority now in their forties. Though these men were deemed to be too old for
frontline service, their valuable military experience ensured that they would
not be tossed aside. With increasing numbers of veterans volunteering, it was
clear that something had to be done and done quickly.
Following the example of the British Home Guard, the
Veterans Guard of Canada was created on May 24, 1940. Initially established as
a defence force in the case of a German or Japanese attack on Canadian soil,
these men were to attack as the first line of defence. However, these men would
take on other rolls, such as the guarding of military installation and
factories against saboteurs and the guarding of prisoners of war and enemy
aliens interred in the country. By doing so, the Veterans Guard freed up the
younger able-bodied men for overseas service.
The men of the Veterans Guard were organized into companies
of a few hundred men. These companies were designated as Active or Reserve,
active meaning that the men served full-time and were rotated throughout the
country, while reserve companies were more similar to a militia force and
remained in one place.
The Veterans Guard of Canada, with a peak strength of over
10,000 men, recruited from across the country and performed essential tasks on
home soil. In addition, a company of the Veterans Guard was stationed in the
UK, British Guiana, and the Bahamas.
Struck off active service in 1947, the story of the Veterans
Guard has largely faded into history. A fitting quote filled the last lines of
the War Diary of the No. 23 Company, formed right here in Manitoba:
“So is written the last page of the record… of a Company
that is gone but not forgotten.”
Hi. I saw on the Canada at War website that 336 Veterans Guards died during the war, but no details are given on how or where they died exept where they are buried, with most buried in Canada. http://www.canadaatwar.ca/memorial/world-war-ii/regiment/2/Veterans%20Guard%20of%20Canada/
ReplyDeleteI am guessing becasue these men died on active service they are included in the list of war dead, even though most if not all did not die in combat zones. I wonder if you know anything about this.
Steve at stevp@hotmail.com
Inquire with: homefront @sasktel.net
DeleteNo space between homefront and @
This person has collected PoW items/info for over 40 years.
Steve
The majority of deaths were natural, but include those in 1947.
DeleteOne was killed by a Security Guard, some by accident (fires/drowning); at least one from the stress of walking to an
isolted camp, and suicides.
Robert Henderson
I was just given a platoon photo today of the veteran guard platoon photo, came with the envelope and stamp member sent to a family member I assume.The soldiers return address on back. I didnt know what I had, picture dated 1942, 1 platoon, 7 coy espanola . I had no idea these guys were ex WW1 and now this photo package has even more meaning to my collection. I tend to buy up portait photos from antique shops,Im 22yrs military and each purchase is to me saving one more soldiers history.
ReplyDeleteGreetings: My notes indicate 7 Co. (4.5 & 6 Platoons) of the VGC moved toEspanokla to aid 5 Co. on 20 MAY 42.
DeleteRobert Henderson