Home for Kangaroos in "Heart of Canada"
Photos by Mark Girdauskas & Relish Elgin
Kangaroo Tank. Photo by Mark Girdauskas.
Pride and appreciation pervaded the mood at a reunion, ceremony and parade which marked a homecoming for the 1st Canadian Armoured Carrier Regiment.
The Regiment was formed in Europe during the final months of World War II when a band of Canadian soldiers was brought together to drive armoured personnel carriers. New technology at the time, the vehicles were tanks stripped of their guns and aptly named Kangaroos. The Regiment successfully used them for that original purpose, then went on to find other innovative uses, including as moving bunkers and for transporting supplies. They achieved several battle honours, although not without injury and death to some of their members.
The Regiment was formed in Europe during the final months of World War II when a band of Canadian soldiers was brought together to drive armoured personnel carriers. New technology at the time, the vehicles were tanks stripped of their guns and aptly named Kangaroos. The Regiment successfully used them for that original purpose, then went on to find other innovative uses, including as moving bunkers and for transporting supplies. They achieved several battle honours, although not without injury and death to some of their members.
The Kangaroo regiment was disbanded in Europe at the end of the war, and their story was in danger of being lost. However, a group of veterans solicited help to obtain recognition for the regiment. The 1 Combat Engineers (Elgins) welcomed the Kangaroos, agreeing to carry on the regiment’s history. During the Saturday September 10th ceremony, the Elgins accepted a standard listing the Kangaroos’ honours to hang in their armoury in St. Thomas. The home is a fitting one as several members of the CACR had previously served with the Elgins.
Dignitaries on hand for the ceremony expressed gratitude for the Regiment’s contribution to freedom, and their inspiration by example. The Council General of the Netherlands noted his pleasure in being present to recognize the unique role the Kangaroos played in the liberation of his country, and the gratitude to Canadian soldiers still felt in the Netherlands, even amongst the youth there. Mayor Heather Jackson-Chapman saluted the 14 battle honours and faithful service of the regiment and welcomed them to their home in St. Thomas.
Dignitaries on hand for the ceremony expressed gratitude for the Regiment’s contribution to freedom, and their inspiration by example. The Council General of the Netherlands noted his pleasure in being present to recognize the unique role the Kangaroos played in the liberation of his country, and the gratitude to Canadian soldiers still felt in the Netherlands, even amongst the youth there. Mayor Heather Jackson-Chapman saluted the 14 battle honours and faithful service of the regiment and welcomed them to their home in St. Thomas.
The Guidon was escorted on parade by three re-enactors outfitted in period Kangaroo gear. A few of the remaining living Kangaroo veterans and their families were on hand for this ceremony. The veterans rode proudly to City Hall in WW II vehicles, along with a Kangaroo Tank on loan from the Canadian War Museum.
Lord Elgin noted the personal joy he had felt as he looked forward to attending the Kangaroo ceremony. He thanked the CACR for their military ingenuity and courage and indicated his pleasure at seeing the Kangaroo Guidon presented for the first time and paraded for the first time through St. Thomas. He said, with a smile, that Elgin County is, in his opinion, the “veritable heart of Canada.”
Lord Elgin noted the personal joy he had felt as he looked forward to attending the Kangaroo ceremony. He thanked the CACR for their military ingenuity and courage and indicated his pleasure at seeing the Kangaroo Guidon presented for the first time and paraded for the first time through St. Thomas. He said, with a smile, that Elgin County is, in his opinion, the “veritable heart of Canada.”
Pictures from both the presentation and parade to City Hall are included in the slideshow below. Many people look forward to visits from Lord Elgin – he brings a sense of dignity and history to special regimental occasions, and judging from some of the photos, a keen sense of humour.