Last updated on April 11th, 2022 at 04:24 pm
The purpose of this page is to test new content and capabilities.
Test one – PODS Historical Note insert.
Historical Note
Canadian Active Service Force
“C.A.S.F.”
The Canadian Active Service Force (CASF) was the field force raised by the Canadian Army in the Second World War. Legally, it was distinct from the Permanent Active Militia and the Non-Permanent Active Militia, and a soldier had to be attested for service. The CASF had its own standards for enlistment and began recruiting on 1 Sep 1939.
The term CASF was deleted in late 1940, and the term Canadian Army (Active) was used to represent full-time military units.
The Canadian Active Service Force was officially mobilized on 1 Sep 1939.
This content re-published with permission from www.canadiansoldiers.com, with our gratitude. Licensing and copyright of www.canadiansoldiers.com content remain in effect for this re-published content.
Historical Note
Essex Scottish Preparation to Deploy Overseas
The Essex Scottish Regiment and other regiments of the Second Canadian Infantry Division assembled their troops at Camp Borden, Ontario in late May, in preparation for shipment to England. Henceforth, Harry William Manchester’s letters are sent from Camp Borden.
Historical Note
Harry William Manchester Arrived in England
Harry William Manchester arrived in England (probably the Aldershot garrison) on the afternoon of August 3rd.
Historical Note
Narrowly Escaped Drowning
These sober-faced lads, Harry Manchester, 13, and Wilbur Rigg, 14, were saved from drowning at the Bridge Avenue Bathing Beach yesterday afternoon, a few seconds after another lad, Lloyd Rigg, 13, had sank to death. The boys had been playing on a raft. Almost exhausted, they were pulled onto the diving board by a male bather. Wilbur tried to rescue his brother, but his strength was not equal to the task.
Editor’s Note: Harry William Manchester is at left.
The Border Cities Star, July 16, 1931
Historical Note
Harry William Manchester Shipped Out to England
Harry William Manchester shipped out to England with the Essex Scottish Regiment and the Second Canadian Infantry Division in July. The Regiment departed Camp Borden, Ontario, on July 14, by train, heading east to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Harry and the Essex Scottish Regiment arrived in Halifax on July 16th.
Historical Note
Harry William Manchester Working as a Military Policeman
Harry William Manchester informs his sister, La Verne Woods, in his August 23rd letter, that he is now working in the Military Police.
Historical Note
Initial POW Notification
The notification that Harry William Manchester was being held as a prisoner of war (POW) came through the International Red Cross in Geneva, Switzerland. The handwritten notes (below) were in Harry’s correspondence archive held by his sister, Mrs. Elton Newman of Cottam, Ontario.
The initial notification to Harry’s family that he is being held as a prisoner of war in Germany:
Historical Note
Letter From Germany – Initial POW Letter
Mrs. Elton Newman Forwards a Letter From War Prisoner Harry William Manchester to The Windsor Daily Star, printed May 13, 1943.
The Windsor Daily Star, printed May 13, 1943.
Historical Note
Mrs. Elton Newman Forwards Letter From War Prisoner
EDITOR, The Windsor Star,
Sir: I have copied a letter from Cpl. Harry William Manchester, Stalag VIIIB, Germany, to Miss Onnellee Rewis [Reive], Kingsville [Ontario]. I wonder if you would please print it in your paper, so everyone may be thankful for all they’ve done for our brother while he is in Germany
MRS. ELTON NEWMAN, R.R.2, Ruthven, Ont.
—
Dearest Onnellee:
This is my first chance to write you this month, so you can imagine how anxious I am to get at it. I have received quite a number of letters this month, also four Christmas cards. A lot of letters from you. I also received 1,000 cigarets from the Windsor Smokes Fund and received my first personal parcel February 11.
Please thank your grandmother and everyone else who has helped to make my existence here comfortable and happy. I would like to write to them all individually but writing paper does not permit me. Things aren’t too badly now with our little group of 17, but being a new working party, the supplies have been short as it takes them quite a while to come from the Stalag. The wood is all pine and spruce and quite small, so it is not too hard, but healthy.
I have had a lot to do for myself, being the senior N.C.O. and commander of the party. It makes extra. It seems that every night I have to get the interpreter and get something thrashed out which takes lots of brain work in a place like this. But I must not complain though, as it is such a relief to be unchained. I guess I will have to bring this to a close for this time, so again please than everyone for their kindness.
CPL. HARRY WM. MANCHESTER
In Camp Stalag VIIIB, Germany.
—
Source: The Windsor Daily Star, May 13, 1943.
Historical Note
POW List Climbs Above 230
The Windsor Daily Star news article of Oct 1, 1942, listing additional known POWs captured on the Dieppe Raid. Acting L/Cpl Harry William Manchester, 783 Walker Road [Windsor, Ontario] is listed.
Transcription of News Article:
List Climbs Above 230
Number of Scottish Held Prisoner by Nazis Increases
More than 230 men of the Essex Scottish Regiment previously reported missing in action, following Dieppe are now listed as prisoners of war, according to information being received by relatives here from the International Red Cross.
Telegrams are continuing to arrive at homes in the Windsor district, bringing the glad news that a son or husband is alive—somewhere in Germany.
MANY PRISONERS
Over 500 members of the regiment were reported missing after Dieppe. Reports to date indicate that at least half this number were taken prisoners. In estimating the number of Scottish held as prisoners, allowance must be made for the fact that the families of some Scottish members do not live in this district and The Star as a result, has not yet been advised of word received through the Red Cross.
Relatives of men of the Essex Scottish Regiment who have received official notice of men who are now prisoners of war are asked to communicate by mail with Lieutenant-Colonel J. E McCorkell, commanding officer of the First Reserve Battalion of the Essex Scottish Regiment, at the Windsor Armories.
KEEPING LIST
For the purpose of maintaining a complete list of men of the regiment now prisoners of war, Lieutenant-Colonel McCorkell is anxious to have complete details of name, rank, regimental number, prisoner number and name of the prison camp.
Included in the list to date are 24 officers of the regiment. Major John A. Willis, reported “missing, believed killed,” and Lieutenant Alfred Douglas Green, reported missing, have not been reported prisoners to date. Another Scottish officer, Lieutenant James Palms, of Detroit, was reported killed and reports of the attack contained special mention of his bravery as he led his men up the Dieppe beach.
Other Windsorites who were with the Royal Canadian Engineers in the Dieppe raid were reported as prisoners today.
New additions to the list of prisoners are as follows:
LATEST REPORTED
Sergt. John Worth Henley, 1222 Argyle road
L Sergt. James William Scott, 1097 Moy avenue.
Pte. Clarence Judd, Tilbury.
Pte. Eugene Labonte, Tilbury,
Pte William Schramek, Tilbury.
Sapper Ernest Lafaive, 793 Parent avenue.
Sapper James Patterson Sheppard, 420 Church street
Pate George L. Browning, 1500 Francols road.
Acting L -Cpl. Harry William Manchester, 783 Walker road.
Pte. Alfred Greenwood, 925 Sandwich street east.
***End of Transcription ***
Historical Note
The Essex Scottish Regiment Deploys Overseas
Harry William Manchester shipped out to England with the Essex Scottish Regiment and the Second Canadian Infantry Division in July. The Regiment departed Camp Borden, Ontario, on July 14, by train, heading east to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Harry and the Essex Scottish Regiment arrived in Halifax on July 16th.
Historical Note
The Essex Scottish Regiment Heraldry
Regiment adopts Highland dress and is renamed the Essex Scottish (Highlanders) under the command of Lt.-Col. Alan Prince, great-grandson of Col. John Prince. The official tartan is the McGregor, named for Lt.-Col. Walter McGregor, whose family founded Ford of Canada and who supplied the funds for the new uniforms. The regimental crest has a red shield with three white sea axes — symbol of Essex County, England, the motto Semper Paratus (Always Ready) and a lion’s head at the top. The Highland Laddie is the regimental quick march.
Editor’s Note
Information Cards of Trans-Atlantic Crossing
With this letter, Harry William Manchester enclosed several information cards distributed on the transport ship for the Trans-Atlantic crossing. These cards rendered important information about the timing and details of that crossing.
Editor’s Note
Life of M.P. Is Busy One
Newspaper Article from Mrs. Mary Hutzel about Lance Corporal Harry William Manchester’s military police duty in Southern England, circa 1941.
Editor’s Note
A Work In Progress
Presenting the wartime correspondence of Harry William Manchester on this website is a work in progress, begun in 2018 and continuing today. As such, additional correspondence will be posted herein as the Editor’s work through the original correspondence content.