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Tweedsmuir Camp - 1942 to 1947 Role of Tweedsmuir Camp The Canadian Army had to put into place the conditions needed for repatriating disabled troops; those who were medically or psychologically unfit. Such soldiers were referred to as "Category 'E' personnel", "Non-Effective personnel" and occasionally "Category personnel". Medical invalids suffered from ailments such as "pleurisy with effusion, diabetes mellitus, gastric ulcers, heart disease, tuberculosis, fractures of the scull and bomb fragment wounds." A few medically unfit troops were awaiting "plastic surgery" at a "hospital in Basingstoke", Hampshire, UK. Psychological cases were reported as enduring "schizophrenia" and "dementia." Tweedsmuir Camp was set up as Number One Transit Depot for handling thousands of medical and psychological cases during WWII and was referred to as 1 Non-Effective Transit Depot, or 1 NETD for short; an abbreviation that transient personnel soon modified to pet names such as "Not Enough To Drink, Nothing Else To Do, No Empties To-day, Non Efficient Tourist Depot and North Elstead Tourist Depot." The camp was also responsible for clearing miscellaneous troops such as those transferring to the Royal Canadian Air Force, under age personnel and those who sought transfer to the USA Army in the UK. There were some 10,000 Americans who crossed the American-Canadian border in early 1939 to enlist in the Canadian Army to fight in a war that "was none of their business" as Mike Trow phrased it in his book The Wigwam Murder. The attack on Pearl Harbour in December 1941, however, had brought America into the Second World War. By 1942 Americans who were in the Canadian Army now requested transfers to the USA Army in the UK to fight along side their fellow compatriots, and several thousands of them were interviewed in Tweedsmuir Camp by US Army officers who were provided with living accommodation there. Interestingly, some transit men's wives were permitted to join them in the United Kingdom. The average age of troops passing through Tweedsmuir was 33 years; the oldest being 58 and the youngest 15, of whom there were many. Presumably, the 15 year old 'soldiers' had lied about their age before enlisting and when this was discovered they were dispatched back to Canada. From a 'long distance' interview with Sergeant Bernard Keegan (a WWII veteran who was stationed in Tweedsmuir Camp) it is clear that women were not quartered there. However, he did mention that "several women from Elstead used to come every day to bake in the kitchen and serve in the dry canteen." Sergeant Keegan also explained that while at work the women were required to wear "the NAFFI blue and white uniform." (The term 'dry canteen' is a name given to an outlet that sells non-alcoholic items such as tea, cigarettes and chocolates. A 'wet canteen' is a name given to an outlet that sells alcoholic liquor and beer. The terms 'dry canteen' and 'wet canteen' are usually used by military personnel.) Although Tweedsmuir Camp was built exclusively for men, occasionally personnel from the Canadian Women Army Corps were discharged through the unit. On the 24 August 1944 for example, "two members of the 'fairer sex' [...]" were released from their military duties. The diarist added the following thought provoking remark. "The 'service plus' rendered to a female in the different offices when going through the procedure of being discharged (was) remarkable." Notwithstanding Tweedsmuir's role during WWII, an entry in the 1 NETD War Diary for 1944 implies that the camp was to have served a secondary purpose. On Monday, 26 June 1944, Major-General, The Honourable PJ Montague, Senior Officer at Canadian Military Headquarters (CMHQ), paid a surprise visit to the camp. In a memo to his Adjutant, the camp's Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Louis Keene (later promoted to full Colonel), wrote, "Major-General PJ Montague, who inspected the camp late on Monday and early Tuesday, was pleased with the appearance of Tweedsmuir, which the General told me he had built for himself in case CMHQ was bombed out of London."(General Montague was one of the dignitaries present at a meeting dated 19 March 1941 to discuss the problem of accommodating Canadian troops in the UK.) Command and Administration
In 1940/41 Keene was in the UK commanding 1 Canadian Base Depot which performed a function similar to the one it discharged at Tweedsmuir Camp before the cessation of World War Two, namely the repatriation of Canadian non-effective personnel (see 'Lorne Scots' Arrival' section of this website). At this time Tweedsmuir Camp was still being constructed by Royal Canadian Engineers who were billeted under canvas on the site (see 'Construction of Tweedsmuir Camp' section of this website). By the end of November 1941 the camp was ready for habitation. On 10 December Colonel Keene and his detachment of Lorne Scots moved in as administrators of Tweedsmuir Camp and the unit's title redesignated as 1 Non-Effective Transit Depot. When Keene was on leave, or attending to other duties as ordered by CMHQ, camp command was passed down to the next most senior officer. In February 1943 Keene was promoted to full Colonel, commanding 'F' Group Base Units, Headquarters at Bordon, Hampshire, UK, at which point command of the depot fell briefly on the shoulders of Lieutenant-Colonel Roy Lent. By the summer of 1944 Keene had returned to Tweedsmuir Camp as commanding officer but was admitted to 22 Canadian General Hospital towards the end of that year, leaving his Adjutant, Lieutenant BM MacIntyre, in command. By 1945 MacIntyre had risen to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and a ssumed the position of Officer Commanding Tweedsmuir Camp (or "1 Wing 1 Repatriation Depot" as the camp was known by then).
Tweedsmuir Camp's maintenance was the responsibility of two civilians, Mr William (Bill) Arrow (the Clerk of Works) and his handyman, both of whom were employed by the War Office (WO). Civilians were usually assigned this type of task because their employment secured continuity of support for the smooth running of a military camp. Arrow and his staff had an office and workshop close to the motor transport garage. As they lived away from the site, Arrow turned up for work each morning in his car and his handyman arrived on a bicycle. When specialist jobs had to be done, such as mending frozen or burst water pipes, Arrow would call for outside assistance. By the start of 1945 it was becoming clear to the Allies that Nazi Germany was all but defeated. Having completed its duty as a transit depot, Tweedsmuir Camp was renamed 1 Wing, 1 Repatriation Depot. The reorganisation also ordered Camps Superior, Huron and Ontario (designated 2 Wing, 3 Wing and 4 Wing respectively) to be attached to 1 Canadian Repatriation Depot. Colonel M Gordon became overall Commanding Officer of 1 Canadian Repatriation Depot, second in charge was the newly promoted Lieutenant-Colonel JR Barber while Lieutenant-Colonel MacIntyre became commander of 1 Wing, ie Tweedsmuir Camp. Together, Gordon, Barber and MacIntyre supervised the closure of Tweedsmuir Camp as a Canadian Army depot. Camp Routine Upon their arrival at Tweedsmuir, Canadian troops were required to follow procedures that enabled PE personnel to record each soldier's profile before repatriation or transfer. To begin with, personnel for transfer reported to the Records Office where their names, addresses of next-of-kin in Canada and whether they were in receipt of "trades pay" were recorded. At this point, if necessary, arrangements were made for the return to Canada of their wives. If their draft for repatriation or transfer was not imminent, transient personnel were passed for leave. After being cleared at Records and the Quartermasters Stores the men were addressed by their respective "Padres" (Catholic or Anglican), followed by a talk on security, the geography of the camp and the surrounding area by the Regimental Officer who also issued leave particulars. The Educational Officer then explained in detail conditions in Canada at that time, outlining the 'Reconstruction Order', 'Post Re-establishment Order' and the 'Veteran Land Act', all of which were designed to help Canadian soldiers return to "civvy" street. At the end of this programme the troops were issued with a questionnaire to ascertain what they intended to do upon their return to Canada. In July 1944, for example, 40% indicated their desire to return to farming, 20% were inclined towards a trade, 10% wanted to become students, 5% desired to be civil servants and the remainder were recorded as "undecided". Thoughtful regard had to be, and was, given to most aspects of the troops' well-being. For example, on 2 September 1942, nine months into the life of Tweedsmuir, saw the arrival of a civilian barber who was "employed one day each week to look after the camp barbering." It is not clear from the 1 NETD War Diaries, however, whether or not an army barber was engaged prior to this date. There were occasions when Tweedsmuir Camp was so busy clearing transient personnel that it became "a perfect madhouse" for administrators. Camp accommodation was often very limited particularly when incoming drafts for discharge to the American Army were being processed, necessitating "hut floor space to be used for sleeping arrangements." In such circumstances Canadian officers in transit were usually re-routed to Jasper Camp, Witley. By 1944 efforts were made to ease the accommodation problem. On 10 May of that year Colonel Keene viewed a site for a new "overflow camp of 1 NETD" located at Carburton, Yorkshire (now in Nottinghamshire). Within two weeks, on 24 May, the overflow camp was established.
During the PE and Attached Parade, Staff Parade and Sick Parade one of the commanding officers or the Regimental Sergeant Major would clarify instructions to personnel. This would also be the occasion when orders received too late for publication on the notice board would be given. However, not all parades involving transient personnel conformed to army regulations. On 18 May 1944, for example, the following entry was made in the War Diary. "Regimental Sergeant Major Palmer, WT was justifiably annoyed today. In all his long service as an RSM (some 25 years) he had never seen what he saw this morning. The parade was formed up in neat rows on the square. RSM Palmer, who is a "stickler" for exactness, gazed over his flock with approving eyes but what was that? No, it couldn't be - it must be the misty morning air!! With alacrity he decided to investigate and, in seconds, the ground between the front and rear platoons was 'burnt up'. The men in the rear platoon stood with expressions of bland indifference - all except one. He was SMOKING!!! Wreaths of tobacco smoke curled lazily upwards. Stupification (sic) was only momentarily supreme - with a roar that would do credit to a newly erupting Vesuvius the RSM dispersed both smoke and soldier with a wave of oral annihilation." A wide range of standing orders was implemented to ensure that troops were aware of their obligations regarding the appearance of huts and camp grounds. Presented in the form of a list, the standing orders had to be "rigidly adhered to in the interests of sanitation, cleanliness and discipline, and (were) the direct responsibility of Hut Duty NCOs." The list included the following items:
On Sundays (depending on events in the camp) a church parade was held for the troops at St. Michael's in Thursley village. Leaving the camp through the southern entrance, the Lorne Scots Unit marched down Dye House Road and, having reached the valley immediately below the camp complex, proceeded between two quaint, nineteenth century cottages. From there a steep, winding hill awaited them as they proceeded towards Thursley. With the cricket pitch behind them the troops advanced along The Street and into Highfield Lane where the village church would welcome them to the service. On occasions photographs of the church parades were taken. Not all ecclesiastical services took place in St Michael's church. One bright, frosty morning, on 31 December 1944, for example, the Padre held two Communion Services for the troops in Tweedsmuir. And then at the end of the day, a "Watch-night service was held by the Padre [...] for those wishing to greet the New Year in quiet thought." In the summer of 1946, on 14 July, "protestant and RC services were held in the respective chapels." It is a known fact that during WWII there was a raised awareness of the necessity to salvage waste materials; an activity that was routinely observed in Tweedsmuir Camp. As an example, for the month ending 29 February 1944 the following quantities of waste material had been recovered.
The statistic for recycled tins (equivalent to approximately 19 men weighing 80 Kgs. each) provides a very important clue about the diet enjoyed by transient personnel in the camp, suggesting that meals appear to have consisted largely of canned produce. Notwithstanding the shortages of food in Britain at that time, camp personnel may typically have consumed fruit, meat, fish and vegetables. String and waste rubber were two other materials recycled for the war effort. Lieutenant-Colonel. Keene had instructed that "receptacles be placed in strategic places" and encouraged the men to use them for this purpose. Fatigue Duties Fatigue duties (or 'fatigues' as they are called in the Canadian War Diaries) were not used as sanctions for wrongdoing but as 'domestic' duties that included cleaning, and general tidying up of the site. It was customary practice to detail transit personnel for fatigue duties. But towards the end of 1946, a few months before the last Canadian soldier left Tweedsmuir for good, PE staff were required to carry out miscellaneous work as many of the "General Duty" (transit) personnel had been returned to Canada. On 13 August 1946, for example, the entire Pay Office was cleaned and painted by the bursary staff. Transit personnel often complained that they were "incapable of doing work", thinking that once they arrived at Tweedsmuir "they just (sat) around until they (were) transported home." However, camp command appreciated that keeping the men occupied was important both for maintaining discipline and morale. In this respect, putting them on fatigues was crucial to the success of their short term residency. Various activities were used to occupy troops' minds and if they had a particular predisposition towards a skill they were encouraged to make use of it for the good of the unit. Gardening was one activity, working on local farms and encouraging men to make use of their artistic flair and building skills were others. Of course there was a percentage of transit men who were genuinely unable to perform fatigue tasks. And so films, shows and other entertainment was "arranged as frequently as possible to fill their time." Subsequently, "writing materials, literature and various games for the reading and recreation room" were also provided for them (from 1 NETD War Diaries of Carburton Camp, Yorkshire - 1943). Although it is impossible to visuali se today, in the 1940s small garden plots and lawns formed an intrinsic part of Tweedsmuir Camp. The green grass, flowers and trees in blossom gave the camp an "atmosphere of a 'country estate' rather than an army camp." Captain Feeney acted as 'head gardener'. During the summer months he organised fatigue parties to tend his nursery, tidy up gardens and cut lawns within the camp area. On one occasion (1 July 1943) Sir Bruce Thomas, who owned and lived in Dye House at the time, together with a Mr Harrison, helped to "cut the grass in front of the Officers' Mess to make it playable for golf practice."
In his 177th Report, Colonel Stacey (Historical Officer, CMHQ) commented that troops awaiting transportation to Canada were often put to work on farms in close proximity to their transit depots. And, indeed, this was true with respect to a few transient personnel in Tweedsmuir. On 24 March 1943, for example, the same day that the ladies of the Thursley village agreed to make curtains for the camp's reading and quiet room, "twelve men were planting potatoes for Mr Ranson, a local farmer of the district." One of the more interesting entries in the 1 NETD Diaries describes the stage design in Tweedsmuir Camp's theatre that included a backdrop painted by one of the category 'E' men. "We are rather proud of our stage setting here and concert parties have remarked on the good facilities provided. The stage is of good size and well lit - includes footlights and spot lighting. The background is of painted canvas done by one of the Transit Category men, and is reminiscent of the cool, placid lakes of British Columbia. Above the stage the canvas is frilled and draped, giving it quite the professional touch. The front curtain is bright red and directly above it, below the ceiling, is painted the ensignia of the Lorne Scots. On each wall, flanking the stage, is painted two life size female figures in an attractively sparse wardrobe. Is it any wonder that with this setting, coupled with a packed receptive audience, the ENSA parties shine so well." (ENSA is an abbreviation for "Entertainments National Service Association". It was a British organisation providing entertainment for armed forces during World War Two.) In the late hours of 7 November 1942, "a large number" of incendiary and high explosive bombs "fell all over the camp". The NAAFI, sewage system, fresh water supply and Officers' Mess were all damaged. Six officers were seriously injured and taken to No. 2 Canadian General Hospital. The following morning, 8 November, an emergency telephone call was made to Bill Arrow (Clerk of Works), notifying him that the unit required assistance in erecting "ablution tables and latrines for 1,000 men." It took eleven months for the bomb damage to be repaired. The restoration of the Officers' Mess included a new fire place, which was built by two McMillan brothers who were part of the Lorne Scots Unit in Tweedsmuir Camp. On 23 September 1943 the fire place was described as "a very sturdy and attractive" construction. However, all was not well because an entry in the War Diary for 29 September of that year reads as follows.
"Camp Commandant Lieutenant Denman (later promoted to Captain) was seen going round in circles and pulling at his now white hair. On questioning him the diarist found out the cause of the trouble. A fire gong that had been hanging on its hanger was gone and no one seemed to know just where. The fire gong was a piece of railway line, about six feet long. Later, as Mr Denman was inspecting the new fire place in the Officers' Mess, he let out a roar at the men working on it, and said, "where in heaven's name did you get that steel brace from?" One of the boys answered in a sly manner, "Sir, we just scrounged it." As the gong had now been in cement and bricks for about an hour, it was quite solid. So poor Mr Denman had to scrounge a new fire gong, much to his dislike."
Between 9 November 1942 and 13 January 1943 a road was laid "between the officers' huts" reported as "fulfilling a long felt want." The white lines on either side of the camp road in the photographic portion to the right indicate the extent of this work. It was constructed from rubble procured from the Liphook Labour Unit. The rubble would have provided a firm footing in an area that was liable to rapid flooding from rain water cascading down from Beensides Wood (see 'Site Before World War Two' section of this website). Again, Sergeant Pritchard steered a fatigue party of transient personnel to complete the work. Major Satchwell was acknowledged in the 1 NETD War Diary (1943) as being "largely responsible for procuring the foundation stone" for the road. Improving the Facilities
In the top right corner of the same photograph is shown the remains of the northwest entrance to Tweedsmuir Camp. Immediately behind the earth mound (yellow arrow) stood a brick guard house, which was built in the summer of 1943. The original guard house, a timber barracks that stood across the road from the new construction on the opposite corner of the northwest entrance (blue arrow), proved ineffective and too small for the provost's needs. When the new guard house was completed, the old one served as a prisoners' kit storage facility. (Click here to read more about the two guard houses.) A brief entry in the War Diary for 21 December 1942, which reads "the Officers' Mess kitchen staff can now boast of an enlarged kitchen and a potato peeler", suggests that cooking facilities in the Officers' Mess kitchen had been upgraded. It is not clear, however, whether or not the standard of the officers' meals improved as a consequence or who completed the work. As the war in Europe was coming to an end thousands of Canadian troops were returning from theatres of war, passing through Tweedsmuir Camp on their way to Canada. In April 1945 sunshine warmed the county of Surrey and sunbathing took "on a great popularity." There were "times when walking through the outlying lines, one would be tempted to think that a nudist colony was in the making. However, it must be a great relaxation and tonic for the boys who have just come out of hell and grime of battle." To help lift the spirits of battle weary troops, camp command agreed to a small financial investment for the laying out a tennis court on the western edge of the parade ground. The project was started in July 1945 and completed by August of that year. In 1946 tennis was portrayed by diarists as being a dominant pastime, particularly for those troops who had seen action in mainland Europe and were returning to Canada. Recreation and Entertainment Despite being detailed for fatigue duties and having to behave in a soldierly manner, transit personnel were always treated with cordial civility by the Lorne Scots officers. In the evenings, for example, soldiers had recreational periods that included film shows, dances, "sing-songs", concerts, bingo, and sporting events such as softball, football, basketball, snooker, table tennis and darts. There were even boxing and wrestling tournaments, the first of which was held on 4 November 1943 "in the gymnasium; a large crowd attended who enjoyed three hours of keen competition." Sporting activities tended to be light-hearted fixtures arranged on an ad-hoc basis because priority for Tweedsmuir administrators was always the return to Canada of category personnel. However, when circumstances permitted, matches were organised either between teams from within 1 NETD or teams from other units (Canadian or otherwise) stationed in Surrey. Two sporting events involving teams from 1 NETD are particularly noteworthy as they illustrate the cheerful nature of such fixtures. The first was a game of softball held on 5 May 1942 that saw the PE staff defeat a team of Category 'E' personnel. "Although the game was won by quite a margin, all participants enjoyed themselves and so did the onlookers." The second occurred on the morning of 9 September 1943 between officers and ordinary ranks of 1 NETD, and was recorded in the War Diary as follows. "A very exciting and amusing game of baseball [...], which resulted in a win for the ordinary ranks by a margin of 13 runs. The performance displayed by the officers was quite amusing (from the spectators' point of view) because they (the officers) were as graceful as elephants on roller skates." Although football (soccer) is not usually associated with Canada, on 13 September 1942 a match was played between a team from 1 NETD and a team from the Royal Marines who were billeted under canvas in Houndown Camp at the time. The game was played on Elstead sports field amid a large crowd of spectators who saw the game ending 13 - 0 in favour of the Marines. Despite the result, there were "no complaints" from 1 NETD personnel. This event, as well as the fact that in October of the same year eighty Marines were given refuge in Tweedsmuir due to Houndown Camp being "thoroughly washed out", is evidence of the special friendship that had been struck between the personnel from the two camps. From Colonel Stacey's reports, troops enjoyed 3 film titles per week. These were not second rate, or so called 'B' titles, but some of the more popular films of the day such as 'The Crystal Ball' with Ray Milland and Paulette Godard, Abbott and Costello's 'Hit the Ice' and 'Pardon my Sarong', 'The Corn is Green' with Bette Davis, 'Sentimental Journey' with John Payne, Maureen O'Hara and a child actress Connie Marshall, 'Kiss and Tell' with Shirley Temple, 'Desperate Journey' starring Errol Flynn and Ronald Regan, 'A Guy Named Joe' starring Spencer Tracy and Irene Dunne, 'Bells of St Mary's' with Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman, Gary Cooper's 'Pride of the Yankees', and arguably one of the most successful films of the era, 'Casablanca'. There were usually two shows every evening, one at 6.00 in the gymnasium for ordinary ranks and another at 8.30 in the Officers' Mess for higher rank personnel. In April 1943, "there were 32 movies shown" in Tweedsmuir Camp "with an approximate attendance of 4,870." Unless each film was repeated more than twice every evening, these figures contradict Stacey's claim of 3 titles per week; no matter how the arithmetic is done. The films were provided by the Canadian Auxiliary Service which, together with various other Canadian Units in the UK, was being disbanded by the end of 1946. As a consequence, on 3 October, the Service announced an "end to the supply of films." In Tweedsmuir Camp, however, a protest was made to a "higher authority" in the hope "that this last form of entertainment may be continued." Two weeks later the matter was resolved as film shows were again being screened in the camp. In accordance with tradition, on 25 De cember of each year officers and sergeants would serve Christmas dinner to ordinary rank personnel. One such memorable function occurred in 1944. "MONDAY - CHRISTMAS DAY A close analysis of some of the recreational functions reveals the rationale that underpinned their timing. When the workload in the camp was less busy, or when the ordinary ranks were being entertained off site, officers and non-commissioned officers organised events that excluded other ranks. Boxing Day of 1942 was one such occasion. "Under the supervision of DW Bissit a supper was arranged for 100 men in the village hall" (Thursley). "After supper The Troubadours gave an excellent performance to an audience of 550. A dance followed and approximately 130 stayed." Back at Tweedsmuir Camp the officers entertained the sergeants in the Officers' Mess. Later that same year, towards the end of August and at the start of September, there were few category personnel passing through the camp. A number of drafts had left for Canada and administrative staff were generally tidying up offices and living quarters. This was an ideal opportunity for the Lorne Scots Regiment to organise a shooting competition for PE officers on Tweedsmuir's rifle range. In an endeavour to bring a little spice to the contest, on 1 September "Colonel Keene visited Guildford for the purpose of purchasing prizes" for the event. Not to be outdone by their superiors, regimental sergeants arranged social functions called "At Home" (sometimes referred to as 'Open House') in the Sergeants' Mess. Although these occasions were usually low key events, every so often they tended to be less restrained. In 1943, on 21 August for instance, "a very enjoyable dance was held in the Sergeants' Mess. A very fine orchestra played swell dance music and a buffet supper served at 2345 hrs." While the sergeants were entertaining guests in the camp, a professional concert party, The Macordialities, amused the ordinary ranks in Thursley Village Hall. There were also opportunities for officers to attend dances with their wives and "sweethearts". One such occasion occurred on 2 January 1943 at Green Farm, Churt, some 5 kilometres south east of Thursley. Other dances, such as the Garden Tea Dance of 20 August 1944 when marquees were specially erected "on the lawn", were held in the Officers' Mess at Tweedsmuir Camp. National events, like the Oxford and Cambridge boat race, were of special interest to camp personnel as few would have had the chance to enjoy such occasions once they returned to Canada. The boat race in 1946 was held in warm spring sunshine, following a foggy start to the day. Several weeks before the race, which occurred on Saturday, 30 March, the Chief Instructor had arranged for a party to leave Tweedsmuir Camp for Putney, London, to see Oxford win by 3 lengths. This was the first boat race since its suspension in 1939. Education Education was taken very seriously by Canadian Army superiors. It was tailored to meet the specific needs of not only PE staff but also, and in particular, transient personnel. The syllabus was supervised by the 'Canadian Educational Services' branch of CMHQ. The branch had a Director of Education, Lieutenant-Colonel Grace, and a small staff who endeavoured to provide a meaningful schooling for serving Canadian troops. Grace travelled the length and breadth of the UK during WWII, visiting Canadian military camps and offering advice. On 4 August 1944 he, together with Major Rellitt and Captain Price, visited Tweedsmuir Camp, reporting that they "were greatly impressed by the educational set up" there. A large percentage of the transit ordinary rankers in the Canadian Army was drawn from the farming industry or a trade background (see last sentence in the first paragraph under 'Camp Routine' above). For these soldiers, education, comprising conventional lessons, informative visits and lectures of interest, was an opportunity to expand their knowledge. On 6 January 1944, two officers and ten other ranks visited Cunnungton's Shoe Factory in the East End of London. The party "saw shoes being made from start to finish and a lunch and beverage was served in the factory canteen." Five days later, while the unit Medical Officer started "a series of ten 'First Aid' lectures", a group of PE staff accompanied transient personnel on a visit to the Tower of London. One particular historical location, Winchester Cathedral, appears to have been of popular interest because both PE and transient personnel visited it on several occasions. Not all visits were that far afield. In the afternoon of Sunday, 14 May 1944, Colonel Keene led a group of four officers and forty ordinary ranks on an outing to St. Michael's Abbey, Farnborough in Hampshire. The Colonel acted as education officer, pointing out the abbey's history "in a very interesting and instructional manner." On rare occasions camp personnel's education was augmented by a special guest who was invited to lecture on a subject of mutual interest. For example, an entry in the 1 NETD War Diary for 2 May 1944 reads, "A very interesting lecture was given in the gym today on the underground movement in Europe. The lecturer was Mr Camille Henig, formerly a newspaper editor in Warsaw, who was once intimately connected with the underground movement. The gym was packed with PE and transit personnel." (Presumably Henig had links with Poland's Armia Krajowa or 'AK'. The 'AK' was an underground army and an integral part of the Polish Armed Forces, which fought against Nazi Germany during WWII. Translated into English, Armia Krajowa means Home Army.) Visits and lectures were only two of the many educational components offered to Canadian soldiers. On 1 August 1944, for instance, the "Education Branch of the unit [...] announced day classes for transient personnel, comprising Mathematics, English and Citizenship." (1 August was also the day that the 'AK' attacked German garrisons in Warsaw under the command of General Bor-Komorowski; an event that became known as the Warsaw uprising. It ended unsuccessfully on 3 October with 24,000 'AK' casualties, 200,000 civilian dead, and Warsaw reduced to rubble.) Links with the Surrounding Civilian Communities The 1 NETD War Diaries report many instances of the Lorne Scots Unit in Tweedsmuir Camp forging links with the neighbouring communities of Thursley, Churt, Bowlhead Green, Pitch Place and Cockhill; (Coc khill now forms part of Elstead's southern boundary). Mention has already been made that on 24 March 1943 the ladies of Thursley village agreed to make curtains for the camp's reading and quiet room. Other links included providing assistance to fight local fires, helping organise garden parties or fetes, and preparing high tea functions for local dignitaries. But arguably the most delightful diary accounts are of the annual children's Christmas parties held in the Tweedsmuir Camp NAAFI to which their parents were also invited. Although two or three of these have already been mentioned (see 'Chronology of Noteworthy Events' section of this website), it is worthwhile reiterating the occasions here. Children's Christmas parties at Tweedsmuir were organised by the camp's officers. Around £80 (sterling), a large amount of money in the 1940s, was usually allocated to the purchase of gifts, sweets and other delights that children enjoy. Although the number of children attending the parties varied, approximately fifty was the average for most years. They were shown cartoon films ('Mickey Mouse', 'Popeye' and the like), and on one occasion a Punch and Judy show, before settling down to a meal "of good things dear to the heart of children." Following the meal, "Santa Claus in the person of" either Captain Ferris or Major KM Johnson, both of whom were of the "appropriate shape and size", distributed the gifts. A bag of sweets was given to each child as they left for home with their parents. Christmas parties were always described as joyful occasions and the children as being "delighted with the whole affair." On 26 June 1943 a "Prisoners of War fete was held at Dye House", which was opened, and attended, by Field Marshal Lord Ironside who also "inspected the Guard of Honour sent from 5 CIRU." This is an especially important event to mention because Lord Edmond Ironside met John Buchan, later Lord Tweedsmuir after whom Tweedsmuir Camp was named, during WWI. Buchan was the author of many literary works. In his book The Thirty Nine Steps Buchan's main character, Richard Hannay, is reputed to have been based on a young Edmund Ironside. Moreover, in 1940 Ironside was instrumental in devising the General Headquarters Anti-tank Line that became known as the GHQ Stop Line. The GHQ Stop Line ran through Elstead. When in 1941 Tweedsmuir Camp was being constructed by Royal Canadian Engineers (RCE), a plan was devised for sections of the RCE Battalions to man the Stop Line in the event of an enemy invasion (see 'Construction of Tweedsmuir Camp' section of this website). Two other events are also worth referring to, albeit briefly. The first occurred in the week ending 30 May 1943 when Sir Bruce Thomas wrote a short letter to Colonel Lent (CO, Tweedsmuir Camp at the time), expressing his appreciation for Lent's assistance in the "Wings for Victory Week" and for providing an "operator and projector for the cinema shows." The second occasion was reported on 18 October 1945, mentioning a piano being "loaned to the Thursley Girls' Youth Club for their dance" which took place that evening. Operations 'Jubilee' and 'Overlord' The attack on Dieppe (Operation 'Jubilee') has often been described by many eminent historians as the precursor to the D-Day landings on the Normandy beaches of France (Operation 'Overlord'). Needless to say both were significant World War Two episodes and as such had a direct bearing on events in Tweedsmuir Camp. Although the Dieppe offensive was brief, many thousands of British and Canadian soldiers were taken prisoner, injured or killed on that fateful day of 19 August 1942. Notwithstanding the gravity of this occasion, only a brief mention is made in the 1 NETD Diaries of the assault. It reads, "Due to the large scale raid on France several hospitals called to ask that they had to evacuate all Category 'E' personnel. We could only accommodate a few of them. There were AGD personnel coming in all day. The Records Office worked late into the night making nominal rolls for their draft." Some fifty of the Canadian soldiers killed at Dieppe were brought back to the UK for burial at the prestigious Brookwood Cemetery in Surrey. The Surrey 'Advertiser and County Times' carried a brief but poignant report of the service. The troops who landed on the Normandy coast on 6 June 1944 started their training in earnest one year before the assault. Concurrently, numerous high level meetings during, and particularly towards the end of, 1943 galvanised the plans for D-Day. By the end of March 1944 one of the many directives that originated from the meetings instructed officers commanding military camps in the UK to put into place, and without exception, detailed security arrangements. In Tweedsmuir Camp, on Tuesday, 4 April 1944, all ranks "were informed [...] that privilege leave and 48 hour passes had been suspended indefinitely. This news (was) taken philosophically by the men and much speculation voiced as to how soon the Second Front would be in operation." The following day the old air defence protection provisions were "cancelled" and in their place "a system of Rescue Parties instituted." Additionally, "all surplus maps in possession of PE personnel were called in by the Orderly Room." On Friday, 7 April 1944, "warnings regarding blackouts (were) strongly emphasised in Part 1 Orders (from CMHQ) and personnel reminded of the danger from marauding enemy aircraft on their way back to their bases after early morning raids on important inland targets." The security arrangements in preparation for D-Day intensified with the passage of time. "All PE and attached personnel paraded in the square (on 12 May 1944) for arms inspection. The QM (saw) to it that any one (sic) deficient in fire-arms (would) be issued with one immediately." Later, every soldier in the camp was informed "that in future only their regimental number, rank and name would appear on the cover of all correspondence emanating from them." And on Saturday, 6 April, senior NCOs were "warned" to clear their diaries for the following Monday and Tuesday when they were required "to report to the 30 yard range for the purpose of firing rifle practices." (sic) Preparations for limiting damage as a result of enemy action were wide ranging and included the acquisition of specific skills such as putting out fires caused by incendiary bombs. So on 11 April 1944 Tweedsmuir command invited "a fire fighting squad from No. 1 CARU" to demonstrate the correct procedures for dealing with such incidents. All PE, attached and transient personnel had to attend. "ARP Wardens from Thursley village were also permitted to witness this demonstration." Training for Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots included the use of a revolver for protection if brought down by enemy action. To this end the RAF took advantage of the many firing ranges that were at their disposal up and down the UK, including the indoor range at Tweedsmuir Camp. On 1 and 10 May, and 2 June 1944, RAF platoons were transported (presumably from Dunsfold Aerodrome, a few miles east of Godalming) to Tweedsmuir for "small arms practice". And on Tuesday, 23 May about 1,000 RAF personnel "paraded into the camp [...] and attended a lecture in the gym nasium." The theme of the lecture, however, is not disclosed in the 1 NETD Diary. The RAF were not the only units to use Tweedsmuir Camp's facilities. On 21 May 1944 "a detachment of Churt Home Guards fired on the 30 yard range. The SCO i/c was Mr Lloyd George's gardener." (Lloyd George was Britain's prime minister from 1916 to 1922. Following his resignation Lloyd George lived in Bron-y-de, Churt with his second wife, Frances Stevenson, until September 1944 when they moved to Ty Newydd near Llanystumdwy, Wales.) Historical facts about D-Day assert that the objectives surrounding the invasion had to be kept top secret. Yet the safeguards seemed to have served little purpose in Tweedsmuir Camp as the various developments in the area (such as tank manoeuvres on Thursley Common on 31 May 1944) gave troops reason to speculate that these were "part of a much larger scheme that (would) merge into the opening of the Second Front." When, on 6 June 1944, the Second Front did materialise, it caused "great excitement" in Tweedsmuir Camp with PE staff taking "turns to bring [...] the latest news from the radio." Two days later camp personnel were concerned that the weather was not helping the troops engaged in Normandy because there was "little encouragement from 'old Sol'." The weather was "cold and squally with nil visibility" hence no aeroplanes were heard that day.
"Orderly Room (had) a good sized map of Europe and it (was) intended to keep pace with the Allied advance in France. So far the Caen Bridgehead (had) been disappointing but 'armchair strategists' (pointed) out that Montgomery (was) preparing for something much bigger than the capture of Caen and its environs. However, the map (provided) an outlet for us 'chair borne' troops." Interestingly, the penultimate sentence in the above quotation illustrates that despite assuming in May that a Second Front was about to open, the troops in Tweedsmuir Camp knew very little about its overall objective, namely a concerted Allied effort to move as rapidly as possible towards Berlin. It is quite feasible to assume that the "chair borne" troops' speculative strategies had been coloured by the narrower ambitions of Operation 'Jubilee' two years earlier. The pursuance of 'Overlord' had an adverse affect on the Canadian repatriation programme due to "the restrictions on shipping." Many of the drafts had to be sent back to their UK Repatriation Units, and personnel became "very much disgruntled" with having to remain in the UK for a while longer. However, by the end of July as "more shipping" became "available, drafts (were) beginning to be more frequent." In August 1944, two months after the launch of D-Day, some of the restrictions imposed on Tweedsmuir Camp before 6 June were lifted. For example, the diarist disclosed that, As the atmosphere in the camp was now starting to become more relaxed, the Lorne Scots Unit renewed its links with the local community. On 5 August, for example, "a garden party including sports and a flower show was held at the village under the auspices of the Thursley Horticultural Society, which was highly successful. The weather was 'made to order' for an event of this type and many personnel from this unit attended." And (as mentioned earlier) on Sunday, 20 August the "CO and officers of NETD entertained at a 'Garden Tea Dance' during the afternoon and evening. [...] Owing to the inclement weather, dancing was enjoyed in the Mess [...] to music being provided by Major Thompson and his orchestra of No.1 RCA Bramshott. Tea was served in the marquee on the lawn." Over one hundred prominent guests were in attendance, including high ranking military personnel and important civilian dignitaries. Among those present were Major-General JH Roberts, Brigadiers Shields and MacDonald, Sir Bruce Thomas, Vice-Admiral and Mrs Hamilton, and Mr J Lomax, Chief Treasury Officer. Despite the easing of 'war conditions' in Tweedsmuir Camp, personnel remained understandably anxious as there was no official statement that WWII operations were close to ending. Continual air activity, with "heavy and medium bombers" as well as "transport planes" (Dacotas) flying over the camp, resulted in rumours spreading of a possible "new invasion." Soon after, however, with greater numbers of Dacotas flying over the camp, "strategists" became convinced that the aeroplanes were more likely than not "flying supplies to France [...] and the Western Front." Their convictions were confirmed when on 7 September newspapers announced a partial suspension of blackouts in the UK. Five days later, on 12 September 1944, further newspaper reports declared that the Americans were "5 miles inside the border of Germany at a point north of Trier." Both pieces of news brought with them a sense of relief that the immediate dangers of war were finally dissolving at a rapid pace. On the last day of 1944, as camp personnel's thoughts were firmly focused on home and fellow colleagues who may not have survived the consequences of war, "the camp had an air of quiet as the old year drew to a close." **********
For the first three months of 1945 1 NETD War Diaries reported routine matters, mentioning the state of the weather, the number of personnel in transit and the appearance of the grounds. By 17 April orders were "received from HQ to withdraw all rifles, Stens and 0.380 pistols from PE and attached personnel, with the exception of RCAPC (Royal Canadian Army Pay Corps). Needless to say the order was joyfully received by the staff, as visions of no more rifle cleaning and inspection floated before their eyes." Arguably, these orders carried with them a more significant message; that the war in Europe was finally progressing in favour of the Allied Forces. Then on 8 May, which was designated 'Victory in Europe Day' (VE Day), the diarist recorded the following: "Today and tomorrow have been declared official holidays, set aside as days of rejoicing and relaxation after 5 years and 8 months of war. All but those who could not be spared from duties have taken the day off. By 1500 hrs all had quit to listen to the Prime Minister speak on the radio." And on 9 May, in the knowledge that the end was in sight, he wrote, "There is a kind of a hushed expectancy in the air tod ay, as if 'now that it's all over I wonder what next?' Most of the staff are availing themselves of the opportunity to take a holiday, possibly fully realising that now the war is over Repat. Depots will have a pretty busy time with lots of hard work for the next few months." But as it transpired, "the next few months" amounted to nearly two years before the last Canadian soldier would leave Tweedsmuir for home and when the "hard work" would cease. The Black Market With thousands of personnel passing through the camp it is no surprise that petty thievery existed in Tweedsmuir Camp. On 4 March 1942, for example, cigarettes and parcels were stolen. But it was in 1946 that the phrase 'black market' was first used in the 1 NETD Diaries, reporting a wide range of products being taken. Reading the diaries, it is clear that this objectionable behaviour was much disliked by camp command and an embarrassment to them. "Yet the fact was that a significant part - perhaps even the majority - of the respectable middle class, and indeed of the respectable working class, simultaneously condemned and used the black market, without which they would have been hard pressed to maintain an even barely recognisable quality of life." In brief, the thieves were feeding an insatiable market that extended beyond the camp's boundaries. The situation in Tweedsmuir became so firmly entrenched that the "SIS" (Secret Intelligence Service) and the "civilian police" were called in to investigate and "ascertain" whether the thieves were "part of a black market ring gang (sic) responsible for the extensive thefts from this depot" (Tweedsmuir Camp). The authorities' opinion was that if the more serious cases were checked, the petty thievery would also stop. However, the list of items taken from the confines of Tweedsmuir suggests that this was much easier said than done. Below are examples of the wide range of items that were targeted by the thieves.
On 1 November camp command received "information that Ford staff car CM 4234911 was recovered by Scotland Yard after a month's search. It had a brand new black paint job." Diary entries regarding the black market reduced in number during the last two months of 1946. By that time all repatriation camps except Tweedsmuir were disbanded and personnel were being returned to Canada as quickly as possible. The focus now was on the recording of personnel for the "repatriation stream" and on events that were being held for the last time. Preparing for Home When CMHQ received confirmation that WWII hostilities on mainland Europe had formally ceased, orders were issued to put into play the last act of a repatriation programme that was six years in the planning. "Canada had been at war with Germany only a few months when a special Cabinet Committee on Demobilisation and Rehabilitation was set up at Ottawa by P.C. 4068 1/2 of 8 Dec 39. This seemed to be looking very far ahead; but in view of the subsequent events, which sent nearly 300,000 Canadian soldiers overseas, such long time planning was wise policy. [A] policy had to be drafted and kept up to date as the war progressed through its different phases. [All] requirements had to be considered when the question arose of demobilising the armed forces. It meant that no really firm policy could be determined until each situa tion had arisen and been dealt with in the light of its effect on demobilisation." In his 177th Report, Stacey mentioned that "in the early stages of planning by the Reorganisation and Demobilisation Committee and Sub-Committees, the matter of accommodation in the United Kingdom for repatriation had come to the fore." At its first meeting on 19 March 1943, the Transport and Accommodation Sub-Committee suggested that "as the area around Aldershot and Bordon is always likely to remain a Canadian Area, the accommodation available there should be used as the basis of a plan for holding and evacuating through the United Kingdom." The "accommodation" referred to by Stacey consisted of the army camps dotted in and around Surrey (including, needless to add, Tweedsmuir) that were occupied by the Canadian military at the time. "It would only be a matter of reversing the order of movement from reinforcements going forward to that of an army being repatriated." (Stacey) At 10.00 am, EDT (in the USA and Canada EDT is an abbreviation for 'Eastern Daylight Time'), on Friday, 11 May 1945, the Department of National Defence (Army) in Ottawa, Canada, released a "Public Relations" communique, outlining plans for the "reallocation, repatriation and demobilisation of the Canadian Army overseas." The communique, promulgated by Lieutenant-General Murchie, Chief of General Staff at National Defence Headquarters, comprised a pamphlet entitled 'After Victory in Europe' and included an introduction by General HDG Crerar, C-in-C, First Canadian Army. While the pamphlet did "not cover all points [...] it (did) contain all the important details with which the soldier (was) immediately concerned." Meanwhile, Canadian army camps in southern England were being prepared to function as repatriation centres, or depots, as the Canadian military called them. First, however, "a reshuffling of units was necessary to initiate the repatriation plan." This amounted to the movement of reinforcement personnel from barracks that were earmarked for vacant possession by repatriation units. On 24 April 1945, in advance of the plan coming to fruition, Tweedsmuir Camp's title was changed from 1 Non-Effective Transit Depot to 1 Repatriation Depot. By 5 May the depot expanded to four wings that included Tweedsmuir Camp (1 Wing), Superior Camp (2 Wing), Huron Camp (3 Wing), and Ontario Camp (4 Wing), "with additional nursing sisters and CWAC personnel in Bramshott Hospital." Henceforth, Tweedsmuir Camp was referred to as 1 Wing 1 Canadian Repatriation Depot. While Colonel Gordon became overall Commanding Officer of 1 Canadian Repatriation Depot with Lieutenant-Colonel JR Barber as second i/c, Liuetenant-Colonel MacIntyre became Commanding Officer of 1 Wing. In view of the "fast moving events" in Europe, on 12 May 1945 CMHQ stressed the importance of swiftly approving, and publicising, the repatriation programme. "Agreement was reached that initially seven Repatriation Depots should be provided, with others to be added at a later date as they might be required. These changes would be initiated as the movement of reinforcements forward permitted the necessary adjustments to be made; the order of priority depended on future developments." The seven Repatriation Depots were to be "grouped for command under the existing local group headquarters as follows:"
The establishment of all seven repatriation depots became effective by 30 May 1945, "with an approximate accommodation for 30,000" troops and 50,000 potential places on ships heading for Canada. Unexpectedly, however, within three months shipping quotas had increased in number, necessitating the formation of additional repatriation depots. As a consequence, by 20 July, a further four depots came into existence. They were,
"This completed the reorganisation of CRU (Canadian Repatriation Unit), and except for 7 Cdn. Repat. Depot moving from Aldershot to the Horsham Area and minor expansions of some of the Repatriation Depots as nearby accommodation later became available, there were no further changes. It was not, however, until 30 Aug 45 that HQ Canadian R einforcement Unit was officially redesignated." Only when a large percentage of Canadian troops had been returned home could the process of disbanding the repatriation depots begin. The official dates of disbandment were as follows:
So, at the start of March only 1 and 4 Canadian Repatriation Depots were left in existence. While 1 Repatriation Depot continued to repatriate transient personnel, 4 Repatriation Depot "looked after the repatriation of 3 Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army Overseas Force" (CAOF). Having fulfilled its obligations in the summer of 1946, 4 Canadian Repatriation Depot was disbanded on 13 July. This left 1 Repatriation Depot (camps Tweedsmuir, Superior, Huron and Ontario) to repatriate "the 9,000 Canadians still composing the Canadian Army Overseas at this date." (Stacey) In the remaining months 1 Canadian Repatriation Depot's personnel carried on with their duties, repatriating Canadian soldiers as quickly and smoothly as possible. But not all Canadians wanted to return home. On 15 April 1946, under the heading "TROOPS BECOME FOND OF ENGLAND, DECIDE TO STAY", the Hamilton Spectator, a Canadian newspaper, reported from Tweedsmuir Camp, stating that "some of the 45,000 Canadians who married British girls during the war have chosen to stay in Britain because their wives don't want to begin life anew in Canada. Many stayed because of employment openings [...]."For example, on his return from the Continent in 1945, Jack Ruggles of Kenora, Ontario, bought a catering business at Bexhill in Sussex. Harry Frensham decided against returning to "his native Vancouver" after he bought a half-share in a poultry farm. And Fred Burling of Toronto stayed in England "on the strength of his post-war experience as an accountant; he obtained a job with a London insurance firm." Burling had a "nice home in Wimbledon, Surrey" the paper reported. (Today Wimbledon is a London suburb.) Other Canadian soldiers decided to stay in the UK "because they had fallen in love with England." Despite Major Stacey's assertion that the demobilisation and repatriation process "was, on the whole, most efficient," the Spectator's account was very different. "Whatever their reasons for staying in England, Canadians demobilised in England are agreed on one point: The demob process is painfully slow and irksome. As the repatriation plan progressed, Britain saw its worst weather for 70 years in March 1946. Some areas of Kent were isolated by heavy snow drifts and in Tweedsmuir freezing temperatures created perilous roads conditions; "all except essential vehicles were grounded during the morning" of 2 March. Strong winds stirred the snow, giving "a good example of a Canadian blizzard." As summer approached, Colonel Gordon and his subordinate officers were mindful of what needed to be done at 1 Repatriation Depot before its disbandment. At the top of their list was the return of Canadian soldiers to Canada. Then there was the question of ensuring that the Repatriation Depot itself reduced in strength as ordered by CMHQ without compromising the day-to-day routines. On 11 April 1946, for instance, the diarist reported that the consequences of trimming administrative staff to the "permitted" number were "heavily felt." The matter was so problematic that the Lorne Scots Unit experienced difficulty "in being able to nominate [...] one officer and eight other ranks for the Victory Parade" of 8 June. When, on 8 May, the "quota" of representatives for the Parade was "raised to ten" the unit endeavoured "to obtain them from the transient personnel" [...] but with "little success." Additionally of course issues such as preparing the camp for hand over to the (British) War Office, keeping the men occupied and continuing to liaise with the local community also had to be attended to. The Last Few Months CMHQ were fully aware that Tweedsmuir Camp was 'on loan' to the Canadian Army for the duration of World War Two and that after the cessation of hostilities it had to be handed back to the War Office. Equally, this was accepted and understood by the Lorne Scots Unit stationed at Tweedsmuir. Hence, towards the end of their stay the unit was under an obligation to leave the site in good order; even the camp's lawns merited the Lorne Scots' attention. In May 1946, for instance, the unit's lawn mowers were in poor condition and "insufficient to (their) requirements." The purchase of a second hand machine, however, enabled fatigue parties to cut grass more effectively, resulting in an "appreciable difference to the appearance of the lawns." The hand over of Tweedsmuir Camp had to follow appropriate procedures. Royal Engineers were detailed by the WO to inspect and itemise work that needed doing. William Arrow (Clerk of Works) obtained replacement materials and hired civilian workmen to do the work under the supervision of Sergeant Major B Sullivan. Between August and September 1946 (at about the same time that the rustic fences were being replaced) an inspection revealed that eleven timber "light poles" were "in an advanced state of decay" and that all would "have to be replaced." This work was completed between October and November. Another job that needed attention was the replacement of damaged window panes. After "a lengthy wait", on 8 August 1946, the unit was "able to procure a supply of glass to renew broken panes throughout the camp" as many of them were "requiring replacement for a considerable time." Although putty was also difficult to obtain, at the start of August there was just "enough to do the more urgent cases." The broken window panes were finally replaced by civilian glaziers and carpenters on 16 December. Later that day Royal Engineers made their final inspection of Tweedsmuir, reporting that they were "pleased with the condition of the camp." One especially intriguing entry in the 1 Repatriation Depot 1946 Diary refers to the construction of a visitors' car park. Started in July, the task demanded the excavation of large quantities of spoil, which was completely removed by 7 August. Three days later, on 10 August, two "dump trucks (were) being employed at hauling gravel for surfacing the [...] car park." At the time of writing, however, the car park's location, and indeed its purpose, remain complete mysteries. Moreover, from the evidence available it is unclear just who commissioned, or who completed, the contract. As the work of 1 Repatriation Depot continued during the summer months of 1946, Canadian military officials recognised that their WWII journey was soon to end. By the middle of July the Canadian Repatriation Unit HQ was being disbanded and its "skeleton staff" moved to Tweedsmuir Camp. Efforts were now being made to organise events that would live long in the memories of the Canadian soldiers still in the UK at that time. One such occasion was held on 14 July and reported as being "the day of the big lawn party at the Officers' Mess." "A large number of guests from other Wings, and remaining units of th e Canadian Army in England attended. The dining room of the Mess was used for dancing and two marquees were erected on the lawn in which it (had) been intended to serve the buffet dinner, and as an additional bar. However, one of the first gusts of wind after operations started at 1600 hrs, blew both tents down. On two other occasions brief showers drove everyone to shelter in the lounge, yet oddly enough rather than detract from the enjoyment of the party it served to add to the excitement and served actually to improve people's spirits." But arguably one of the most memorable events for 1 Repatriation Depot before its disbandment occurred on 11 September 1946. The diarist recorded that this was "the day of the big Field Day at the 4 (Cdn Rft) Wing." (In the programme the Field Day was called a 'Gala Sports Day'.) He continued by writing that transport for Tweedsmuir Camp personnel "[...] left the Transport Office at fifteen minute intervals, commencing at 1300 hrs. Transport for civilian friends and dependants called at Elstead, Milford, Thursley and Hindhead. [...] Dagenham Pipe Band and the circus were a great success, especially for the children. 4 Wing took care of transport arrangements home at the conclusion of the day."
Writing retrospectively about the gala, the diarist reported that although the "sports in the afternoon were somewhat spoiled by showers and cool weather" conditions had improved by early evening. The day ended officially at one minute to midnight. From the list of activities enjoyed by all participants, it would be fair to assume that the occasion would have stayed in the minds of both civilians and Canadian troops for many years. Ontario Camp (4 Wing) was chosen as the venue for the gala because by 13 July 1946 it had been disbanded, leaving only an administrative rear party of 25 men to steer the wing's planned closure. Having successfully achieved their goal by the end of September, on 2 October the entire party had reported to 1 Wing (Tweedsmuir). As they "had requested deferred repat they were immediately despatched to various departments, to fill vacancies or replace personnel" who opted for early return to Canada. October in Tweedsmuir Camp was a month that very much reflected Britain's bleak economic conditions at that time. Coal reserves during 1946 were so poor in the country that "sufficient supplies" failed "to reach power stations in London, the Midlands and the north west [...]." Emanuel Shinwell (later Baron), Minister of Fuel and Power, "announced that [...] not only would electricity supplies to industry in these regions be suspended, but householders there would have to make do without electricity daily for three hours from 9 am and two hours from 2 pm." From the 1 Wing 1 Repatriation Depot Diaries it is clear that the shortage of coal (and coke it should be added) adversely affected living conditions in Tweedsmuir Camp also. On 16 October the diarist wrote, "the fuel supply of coal and coke is very low at present, with no further supply in sight. With strict control, it is expected the present supply can be made to last for approx. ten days." A wet but mild November eased somewhat the fuel shortage problem in Tweedsmuir Camp. But by December 1946 the fuel situation had deteriorated even further as on Christmas Eve the diarist wrote, "the coal and coke situation is not of the best at present. It is used in officers' kitchens, and hot water heaters. We appear to be getting sufficient wood for quarters and Messes, however, the stuff is green and does not burn very well." Nevertheless, towards the end of 1946, personnel at 1 Repatriation Depot were conscious that they would have to endure these unfortunate circumstances for a mere three months more as their stay in Tweedsmuir Camp was close to ending. By now CMHQ units were being "disbanded in quick succession" and the eventual dissolution of the Auxiliary Services led to a surplus of 'treats' such as chocolate, soap and peanuts. Rather than waste these rations they were distributed for sale to the various Canadian depots still in operation. Tweedsmuir Camp command "purchased a considerable supply of chocolate, (intending) to sell it twice monthly in five shilling (25 new pence sterling) lots. The first sale (was) made" on the afternoon of 22 October "under the direction of Captain AVA Williams, Asst. R&D Officer." A similar sale took place on 7 November. With few personnel on site the camp remained "very quiet" for the last few weeks of 1946 and administrative staff were focussing in earnest on the closure of 1 Wing. On 2 December, orders were received regarding "the final run-down of the unit from this date to the end of January (1947)." The instructions made clear that the Lorne Scots Unit had to "be down to 19 officers and 107 other ranks by 17 December 1946 to sail late December or early January." Furthermore, by 31 December the rear party was "to consist of 7 officers and 65 other ranks." Realising that the Canadian repatriation programme was by now all but closed, ordinary rank personnel who had "been absent without leave a considerable period of time (were) surrendering themselves or being apprehended by civil and military police in larger numbers than before." Remarkably, these soldiers' absenteeism ranged from "157 days to over 800 days." Just as 1 Wing command was getting to grips with the final stages for handing over Tweedsmuir to the WO another concern became apparent, namely the high tally of cats and rats on the site. On 18 December 1946 the diary reported that although "the number of cats (were) rapidly increasing [...] and [...] becoming a bit of a nuisance" they did not appear to have kept "down the rat population." The intention was for the cats to be destroyed by the RSPCA but, interestingly, there is no mention in the diary of removing the rats! Christmas 1946; the last Christmas celebrated by the Lorne Scots in Tweedsmuir. On 19 December the "Sergeant's Mess Christmas dinner was the event of the day". Approximately 100 ordinary ranks were served Christmas dinner by the officers, warrant officers and sergeants on 25 December. Three days later, on Saturday, 28 December, "the Officers' Mess held their last dance in the Mess." And on the following day, "a very quiet Sunday", when the "camp (was) practically deserted, the Sergeants' Mess held Open House for a few guests." The local civilian community was also invited to enjoy the Christmas festivities by attending the last of the children's Christmas parties, which was held on 21 December. On Friday, 27 December, "all personnel except the rear party" were put into the repatriation stream "for sailing on 14 January 1947." However, "having already had leave under the plan decided on 17 December," they continued with their duties "up until a few days of the sailing." With a report of adjustments to the strength of the rear party, which saw its quota increased from 7 officers to 9, and 65 other ranks to 76, the 1 Wing, 1 Repatriation War Diary was closed on 31 December 1946. The final account of this part of Tweedsmuir's history may be extracted from Major Stacey's 177th Report. It states that Administrative Order Number 53 issued on 12 February 1947 instructed Tweedsmuir Camp to close by 21 February 1947. And so it was on this date that "1 Canadian Repatriation Depot itself ceased to exist." Of all the Canadian repatriation depots, Tweedsmuir Camp was the last to close. "By 31 March 1947, CMHQ had been depleted through repatriation and the strength return at that date showed a total of 20 officers and 45 other ranks still remaining (1/Demob/1/3, Muster Roll, 31 March 1947). On 9 January 1947 Administrative Headquarters (Canadian) issued an order, outlining the 'Final Stage of Demobilisation of the Canadian Army (Active)'. "It provided for all ranks being discharged by 31 March 1947, with the exception of a certain number of essential personnel, who might not be employed later than 30 September 1947." Lest We Forget
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Over the next few days the enemy reciprocated the Allied action of 6 June by directing V-1s {1} and bombing raids on London. "Despatch Riders from CMHQ and Acton (both in London) appear(ed) tired and worn out", and several explosions were heard in the vicinity of the camp. But Operation 'Overlord' progressed regardless. By 8 July the
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Copyright © 2008: Zen and Wies Rogalski |