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Canadian Troop Camp Chailey (Sussex England)
Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2020 4:58 pm
by jcressey
Good Afternoon all,
I’m seeking some help as I have come to a dead end!
I have been doing some local research in my home town in England. There is a small village called Chailey that apparently housed nearly 20,000 Canadian troops prior to D Day, the camp was based across the following areas in Chailey.
The Hooke
Southam Farm
South Common
Some on the group research had lead to british cap badges belonging to King's Shropshire Light Infantry (British) but yet no sign of Canadian activity despite the locals saying the Canadians were based there for some time.
I’m wondering if anyone knows if
1. The Canadians were based there or not.
2. If anyone has any situation maps that would help identify the areas.
Thank you in advance for any help that can be offered!
Re: Canadian Troop Camp Chailey (Sussex England)
Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2020 7:08 pm
by Temujin
Good day......yes I remember assisting on this research. Here’s a link to the information on this site that I had found so far
viewtopic.php?t=964
I’ll see if I can find anything else
Re: Canadian Troop Camp Chailey (Sussex England)
Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2020 7:23 pm
by Temujin
Jason, I found something. The information below CONFIRMS that the Calgary Highlanders indeed DID USE CAMP J5. The Calgary Highlanders were part of the “Follow up” forces to the Canadian Army, and arrived in this location in July 1944, before they embarked to Normandy.
Below is one page of their War Diaries that confirm they were their......and I’ve posted the link to these set of war Diaries.
- 39583AAB-B2E8-40C7-AA15-C432D82C8CC6.jpeg (618.62 KiB) Viewed 8658 times
Source:
http://lmharchive.ca/wp-content/uploads ... anders.pdf
I’ll see what other Units could have used the area........The Calgary Highlanders were part of the 5th Cdn Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Division......I’ll search their records for more info
Re: Canadian Troop Camp Chailey (Sussex England)
Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2020 7:41 pm
by Temujin
Most of the 2nd Cdn Division seemed to be a Brooke Park Camp........but here’s another unit that was at CAMP J6
Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa
- FC394A60-79DB-4BD7-823C-F1EBB036C87B.jpeg (518.63 KiB) Viewed 8657 times
Source:
http://lmharchive.ca/wp-content/uploads ... Canada.pdf
Re: Canadian Troop Camp Chailey (Sussex England)
Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2020 7:50 pm
by Phil
Found this bit from a Chailey church bulletin, potentially interesting note about the present brickworks?
http://www.stpeterschailey.org/uploads/ ... site_1.pdf
World War II
Prior to the D-Day landings in Normandy many hundreds of American and Canadian troops were camped in the wooded area which surrounds the present brickworks. If you look hard enough you may still find evidence of their passing. Chailey also had its own airfield, manned by 317 City of Wilno Squadron, made up of Polish Airmen, who provided much needed air cover for the ground troops engaged in 'Operation Overlord'. A memorial to these brave men now stands adjacent to the new Plough Inn. The original Pub having been demolished to facilitate taking off and landing.
Re: Canadian Troop Camp Chailey (Sussex England)
Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2020 7:54 pm
by Temujin
Another bit of info
- C3FABBEE-D7DC-48BF-BBF2-B62E501D223E.jpeg (370.61 KiB) Viewed 8656 times
Source:
The Canadian Army At War - Canada's Battle In Normandy: The Canadian Army's ...
By Colonel C.P. Stacey O.B.E.
Re: Canadian Troop Camp Chailey (Sussex England)
Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2020 8:01 pm
by Phil
Apparently there are tree carvings (arborglyphs) at Markstakes Common in the area attributed to WW2 servicemen. This one seems to be of a maple leaf.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ianjmase/ ... b3C-YLiSY7
- Markstakes Common.jpg (178.48 KiB) Viewed 8656 times
Re: Canadian Troop Camp Chailey (Sussex England)
Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2020 11:10 pm
by Phil
Also found this, which may not be very helpful. Relating specifically to J3, but making a claim about Area 'J' in general.
https://theddaystory.com/discover/resea ... firle-park
Marshalling Area camp J3, Firle Park
Address West Firle, Lewes, East Sussex BN8 6LP, UK
County East & West Sussex
Location type Troop Camp
This was one of a number of troop camps in Sussex around the time of D-Day. Camp J3 had a capacity of 2,600 men. Troops camped in Marshalling Area J (in Sussex) were part of Force ‘S’ which landed on Sword Beach on D-Day. Most of these troops came from the British 3rd Infantry Division. Units in Marshalling Area J embarked through Newhaven and Shoreham.
Re: Canadian Troop Camp Chailey (Sussex England)
Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2020 5:10 pm
by jcressey
Thanks again for your help! Isfield (J6) certainly did have Canadian activity ! And it’s seems from your research yesterday so did J5 , it’s strange there seems to be such little referencing to Marshalling area J5 as apposed to the others?
Re: Canadian Troop Camp Chailey (Sussex England)
Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2020 5:11 pm
by jcressey
jcressey wrote: ↑Mon Nov 09, 2020 5:10 pm
Thanks allot Phil, this marshalling area is literally 15 minutes Sri e from J5 , i always come to a dead end when researching J5
Appreciate your help!
Thanks again for your help! Isfield (J6) certainly did have Canadian activity ! And it’s seems from your research yesterday so did J5 , it’s strange there seems to be such little referencing to Marshalling area J5 as apposed to the others?