CANLOAN

[Temujin]

In the fall of 1943, a scheme was devised whereby Canadian Infantry Officers could volunteer to serve with Regiments of the British Army. This came about due to the many campaigns fought by the British Army, half way around the world, which resulted in a shortage of junior officers, while the invasion of North-West Europe was imminent.

The Canadian Army at this time had a surplus of officers, due in part to the disbanding of two Home Defence divisions, and also to the fact that the Canadian Army was fighting on one front only, in Italy. Officer training continued and it was discovered that Canada had more officers than could be employed in active battalions, at this time, with the result that many were cooling their heels in Reinforcement Units, Depots, and Training Centres.

The Canadian Government offered to loan junior officers to the British Army on a voluntary basis, under the code name “CANLOAN”. They were attached for all purposes except pay and given special serial numbers with the prefix “CDN”.

Six hundred and twenty three (623) Infantry Officers, together with fifty (50) Ordnance Officers, whom the Royal Army Ordnance Corps were anxious to have, volunteered and served under the CANLOAN scheme, a total of six hundred and seventy-three (673) in all. While the majority were Junior Officers, Captains were included on the basis of one for every seven Lieutenants. Some officers with higher ranks reverted and some from other arms of the service transferred to Infantry, in order that they could get in on this promise of early action.

https://war-experience.org/the-canloan-scheme/

Canadian’s who fought at Arnhem
https://britainatwar.keypublishing.com/ ... at-arnhem/
https://www.world-at-war.co.uk/?p=220

[Temujin]

[Temujin]

This is a list of some of the Can Loan officers on their embarkation to England on AT 118 Empress of Scotland departing 26 May 1944 from Halifax

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[BFBSM]

Although he does not appear in any of the lists Temujin has posted, a CANLOAN officer, a R F Fendick served with the Middlesex Regiment from 1944 to 1945. He subsequently wrote a memoir, which has been reprinted by the Vickers MG Collection & Research Association and is available for purchase at the link below.
https://vickersmg.blog/product/a-canloan-officer/

[klambie]

Hadn't noticed before but I think post #2 is about Canadians temporarily attached to British formations in N. Africa to gain battle experience. This was before and unrelated to CANLOAN as far as I am aware.

[Temujin]

Another list…..CAN LOAN officers on embarkation to England on SS Cavina, from Halifax, 5 Apr 1944

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[Temujin]

This is a list of CAN LOAN officers on embarkation to England on Empress of Scotland, 4 May 1944

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[Temujin]

List of CANLOAN officer on the SS ANDES, sailing 31 Mar 1944 from Halifax, Convoy code A.T. 104A

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