It was required that all units of the Canadian Army keep a “War Diary”. The War Diaries contain basic details of the regiments day to day activities, weather, location and other pertinent information. While not deeply detailed, the diaries do often contain specific references to men and actions and occasionally a humourous story!
I am posting the basic pages of the 1CACR War DIaries as found at the Library and Archives of Canada in Ottawa. These pages contain the most sought out and easily understood information for the lay-person. For information from some of the other documents in the regimental archives, such as the W.D. Appendicies, Part I and II Orders, Battle Action Reports and personnel details, please contact me by email.
Although the Kangaroos were formed as an official “Squadron” within the Canadian Army on August 28th, 1944. The Squadron did not begin documenting their activities until the 1st of September. Also beginning the first day of September is a separate War Diary for the 123 L.A.D. (Light Aid Detachment), the group of mechanics, armourers and fitters of the RCEME (Royal Cdn. Electrical & Mechanical Engineers) attached to the Squadron of Kangaroos. Late in October the Squadron was expanded to a full regiment within the 1st Canadian Army and a “Signals” troop was added in November for control and training of wireless communication. The War Diaries are continuous through to June 20th 1945, when the Regiment and it attachments were permanently disbanded.
Happy reading! (PDF reader required)
