Background
Smith, Wilfred Irvin was born on May 20, 1919 in Port La Tour, Canada. Son of Claude Albert and Deborah (Inglis) Smith.
( The story of a group of Canadian Army officers who volu...)
The story of a group of Canadian Army officers who volunteered to serve in the British Army in Europe between D-Day, 1944 and VE Day, 1945, in a scheme called Code Word CANLOAN. In the darkest days of the Second World War, Canada had a surplus of Army officers. Britain, however, was suffering a critical shortage. A remarkable scheme called CANLOAN enabled hundreds of Canadian Army officers to volunteer to join regiments of the British Army. The Canadians fought in Europe from D-Day until the end of the hostilities, with a casualty rate of 75% and nearly 100 awards for bravery. Written by one of the participants and based on research supplemented by the recollections of survivors, this book is a vivid account both of the experiences of the CANLOAN officers and of the scheme itself, from the initial concept to its realization. In addition to presenting slit-trench views of the battles in Normandy, Arnhem, Italy, the Rhineland and beyond to the Rhine, Smith coves the role of the platoon commander in battle, the experiences of prisoners of war, the wounded, and the 50 Ordnance Corps volunteers who with 623 junior infantry officers made up CANLOAN. The relationship between wartime experiences of soldiers and their post-war careers is also illustrated. Smith’s book rescues from obscurity a fascinating episode of the Second World War involving young Canadian Army officers. It is dedicated to the 128 comrades who did not return.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1550021672/?tag=2022091-20
Smith, Wilfred Irvin was born on May 20, 1919 in Port La Tour, Canada. Son of Claude Albert and Deborah (Inglis) Smith.
Bachelor, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada, 1943. Master of Arts, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada, 1946. Doctor of Civil Law, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada, 1975.
Doctor of Philosophy, University Minnesota, 1968.
Lecturer, University of Minnesota, 1948; Lecturer, U. Saskatchewan, 1948-1950; Lecturer, Carleton U., 1955-1960; member of staff, Public Archives Canada, 1950-1984; director history branch, Public Archives Canada, 1964-1965; assistant, then acting dominion archivist, Public Archives Canada, 1965-1970; dominion archivist, Public Archives Canada, 1970-1984. Member Canadian National Library Advisory Board, Canadian Permanent Committee Geography Names, Historic Sites and Monuments Board Can, Indian History Manuscripts Commission. Former member international advising committee documentation, libraries and archives United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
( The story of a group of Canadian Army officers who volu...)
Served to major Canadian and British armies, 1943-1945. Fellow Society of America Archivists (past president). Honorary life member International Council Archives (secretary general), Canadian History Association (past editor history booklets), Association Canadian Archivists, Order St. John.
Member Society Archivists, American Antiquarian Association, Canadian Heraldry Society (honorary vice president), United Empire Loyalists Association (honorary vice president), Guards Association, Friends of Canada War Museum, Canloan Association (president).
Married Joan Eileen Capstick, November 27, 1946. Children: Gordon, Heather, Gail.