Photo Gallery
The following are pictures of the Perth Regiment between 1939 and 1945. If you can identify any of the individuals, indicate the circumstances behind the photo, or provide any other information, we would be very pleased to hear from you. Also, if you have a photo you would like to share, we would be very pleased to include it in our history. Contact: Perthr@yahoo.com
Sep 1, 1939 – Stratford – This is the day Germany invaded Poland. This photo, taken at the Armouries on Friday night, shows civilians and members of the Perth Regiment (M.G.) presenting their names to an officer and announcing their willingness to serve. Their names were recorded, although it was pointed out that there was nothing binding in the volunteering until a later date when medical examinations would be conducted. Canada declared war on September 10, 1939.
In line, right to left, are: J Tait [A11044,] 113 Erie St.; J Hornsey, 140 Trinity St.; S Smith, 242 Douro St.; C Sapwell [A11070,] RR2, Shakespeare; Reg Brown [A11626,] 113 Erie St.; F Sapwell [A11314, KIA,] RR4, Shakespeare; L Ellison, 281 Erie St., and J Jones [A111105,] Tavistock.
Credit: The Stratford Beacon-Herald, Sep 2, 1939.
Aug 10, 1940 – Orillia – 0600hrs breakfast for the newly mobilized Regiment.
Credit: Courtesy Grant Tipler
Jun 2, 1941 – Stratford – Stratford Mayor, Thomas E Henry, welcomes LCol George W Little, MVO, MC, [PPCLI] OC Perth Regiment (Motor) during a visit to the city after training at Camp Borden. Little commanded from August 13th, 1940 to May 11th, 1942.
Credit: The Stratford Beacon Herald
Jun 2, 1941 – Stratford – The Perth Regiment’s Carrier Platoon of Support Company.
Credit:The Stratford Beacon Herald
Jun 2, 1941 – Stratford – Support Coy, Perth Regiment (Motor,) marches through Stratford with Captain (later Major) Bert Arrell (MID) commanding. Arrell led Support Company throughout the war.
Credit: The Stratford Beacon Herald
April 1942 – Britain – The King and Queen meeting LCol Little, OC Perth Regiment. LCol Little greets the Queen.
Credit: Courtesy Grant Tipler
Jan 17, 1944 – Arielli River, Italy – Perths moving into their first combat action north of Ortona. Infantrymen move past supporting Sherman tanks of the Three Rivers Regiment (12th Armoured Regt, 1CAB.)
Credit: IWM, NA10962, Sgt Christie
Jan 17, 1944 – Arielli River, Italy – Preparing for the Arielli attack, a Three Rivers Sherman drags a Perth 6pr ATk Gun out of the mud. Note the positioning of Entrenching Tools on some of the men.
Credit: IWM, NA10965, Sgt Christie
Jan 29, 1944 – Orsogna, Italy – At a Supply Point near the town. CSM Donald R Bruce [note insignia] is seated on ammunition case. In no particular order are: Ptes FA Little; Eugene Clutterbuck, KIA; George D Hillis; CM Rintoul; Charles R Wheatley, WIA; Tom Smith; Walter J Spenceley, a Code and Cypher clerk and an unidentified Indian soldier. Sitting on ground, third from left, drinking from a mug, is Henry [Harry] Noble.
Note – most men are wearing the Field Service Cap. One man appears to have a Tuque with a Cap Badge and two others knitted woollen Cap Comforters, often worn under Helmets.
Credit: NAC, PA174474, Lt AM Stirton
Jan 29, 1944 – Orsogna, Italy – CQMS CEC Boyd (WIA) talks with two Gurkhas and points to the Cho, a religious symbol on the blade. One wonders if, true to tradition, the Gurkha who with the kukri drew blood before re-sheathing the knife.
Credit: NAC, PA201623, Lt AM Stirton
Apr 15, 1945 – Arnhem, Netherlands – Section of the Perths moving through the city. Governor General's Horse Guards' Sherman to the right. Note the wind smocks worn by the officer, corporal and No.1 Bren.
Credit: NAC PA174223, Capt JH Smith
Apr 15, 1945 – Netherlands – A section of Perths of ‘D’ Company takes a break on the roadside during the advance north from Arnhem to Harderwijk. Left to right: Cpl GC Gavey; No.1 Bren Pte GF Cote; Pte Wilbert R. Flood; Pte GC Compton; Pte RN White; LCpl EW Wilson.
Credit: NAC PA145973, Capt JH Smith
Apr 19, 1945 Harderwijk, Netherlands – Padre H/Capt David Crawford Smith with a Dutch girl named Suzie Calder. The padre’s Battledress Blouse mounts the Shoulder Titles supplied to the regiment by the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire.
Credit: NAC PA132173, Capt JH Smith
May 18, 1945 – Delfzijl, Netherlands – General Henry [Harry] DG Crerar, OC First Canadian Army, inspects a guard of Perths commanded by Captain George A Gallagher, ‘A’ Company. Sgt Nick Carter can be seen accompanying the General. In the front rank, from right to left: Sgt McConkey (McConnell?); Pte Tom Branston; unknown; Pte H Near.
Credit: NAC, PA201625, Capt JH Smith
June 1945 – Kemmel, Netherlands – L to R, standing - LCol Maurice W Andrew, DSO, MID; Maj Harold A Snelgrove (OIC B Company, later 2IC) and QM Capt Frank S. Walker. L to R, seated - Capt EH Swartz and Capt PJF (Jack) Baker. Civilians are Mrs. Bogart? and Mr. & Mrs. Burnell.
Credit: Courtesy Maj HA Snelgrove
5th DIV SOCCER CHAMPIONS 1945
Front row left to right: Ptes Jacobs, Bell, Birrell, Land [Lang] and White. Back row left to right: Ptes Binen, Grierson, Cowan, Couture, CQMS Willis [team captain], Ptes Flood, Tullock[h], MacDonald, Derbyshire and Mr. Ary Smit (trainer). We are sorry that Lieut G.G. Getty (Sports Officer) was not present when the above photograph was taken.
PERTHS WHO PLAYED DURING THE GAMES LEADING UP TO WINNING THE 5TH CAD CHAMPION 1945
A/CSM N.O. BELL C. COY TORONTO
PTE WILLIAM W. BELL SP. COY TORONTO
PTE R.K. BIRRELL GOALIE OTTAWA
PTE CRAIG E. BRINEN ST. CATHARINES
CPL JOHN F. CODLIN
PTE GERALD R. COUTURE OUTSIDE LEFT CHATHAM
PTE F.R. COWAN OUTSIDE RIGHT HOLSTEIN
PTE J.R.P. DERBEYSHIRE
PTE WILBERT R. FLOOD D. COY STRATFORD
LIEUT G.G. (GERRY) GETTY HQ. COY
PTE JAMES F. (POP) GRIERSON B. COY CHATHAM
PTE H.E. HARVEY D. COY NOVAR
PTE ARTHUR HOYLAND
PTE HAROLD E. HUDSON C. COY OSHAWA
PTE LAWRENCE J. JACOBS HQ COY RIGHT HALF MONTREAL
PTE ALEXANDER (SANDY) LANG HQ. COY LEFT BACK SMITHS FALLS
MACDONALD (MANY MEN OF THIS SURNAME) INSIDE LEFT HAMILTON
PTE MCCART
PTE CLIFFORD C. NADJIWAN SP. COY CAPE CROKER
PTE D.R. TULLOCH HQ. COY INSIDE RIGHT CHATHAM
PTE F.E. WHITE HQ. COY LEFT HALF PETERBOROUGH
CQMS LESLIE WILLIS SP. COY CENTRE HALF TILLSONBURGH
Credit: Photograph courtesy of Lawrence D. Jacobs
Perth Regiment Warrant Officers And Senior NCOs 1940
The Band circa 1941