Canadian Troop Camp Chailey (Sussex England)

[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!

[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

[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 10602 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

[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 10601 times

Source: http://lmharchive.ca/wp-content/uploads ... Canada.pdf

[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.

[Temujin]

Another bit of info

C3FABBEE-D7DC-48BF-BBF2-B62E501D223E.jpeg (370.61 KiB) Viewed 10600 times

Source:
The Canadian Army At War - Canada's Battle In Normandy: The Canadian Army's ...
By Colonel C.P. Stacey O.B.E.

[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 10600 times

[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.

[jcressey]

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

Source: http://lmharchive.ca/wp-content/uploads ... Canada.pdf

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?

[jcressey]

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

Source: http://lmharchive.ca/wp-content/uploads ... Canada.pdf

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?