I didn't know this did you ? :noidea: Persistent German bombing of cities and factories caused great damage in Britain. Canada sought to give help and the Corps of (Civilian) Canadian Firefighters was organized in 1942 to help British firefighters combat the fires caused by the bombing. 422 men volunteered for the Corps. Only half of these volunteers were professional firefighters; the other half had no experience. The volunteer firemen received $1.30 pay per day from the Canadian government. They received no training other than what the Veteran firefighters could teach them. There were 11 casualties, including three deaths, in the Corps of Canadian Firefighters overseas. Canada at War - Page: WWII: Facts & Information
Hi Richard ! That site is quite an 'eye opener' in parts ! Fancy ....... $1.30 a day and no training .... I'm sitting here shaking my head ! Annie
There is a good amount on information on this site: Canadian Firefighters In Britain WW II A lot of the photos show bomb damage in Plymouth.
The article said 3 deaths but I only found two Fire Fighters .... I'll keep looking ..... Surname: Woodhead Given Name: Lawrence Early Nick Name: Birth Date: 1910-01-01 Age: 34 Rank: Section Leader Department: Canadian Corps of Fire Fighters Date Joined: Station: Category: military Location: Date of Death: 1944-06-16 Date of Funeral: Cemetery: Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey, UK Other information: Regimental no. T305 / Grave Reference: Plot 49 Row J Grave 10 Surname: Coull Given Name: John Stewart Nick Name: Scotty Birth Date: 1907-10-21 Age: 36 Rank: Senior Fireman Department: Canadian Corps of Fire Fighters Date Joined: Station: Category: military Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba Date of Death: 1944-07-03 Date of Funeral: Cemetery: Lossiemouth Burial Ground, Ross and Cromarty, UK Other information: Regimental no. T112 / Grave 1237 Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation
According to Canadian Military And DND Civilian Fire Fighter Memorial dataBank he was killed on April 30 1943, but like you Annie, I cannot find him on the CWGC. But he is on the Canadian Virtual Memorial site: Search Details - Veterans Affairs Canada In memory of: Section Leader ALFRED LAPIERRE who died on April 30, 1943 Bristol, England Military Service: Service Number: T 212 Age: 60 Force: Army Unit: Canadian Corps of Fire Fighters Citation: War Medal 1939-45, Defence Medal Additional Information: Date of Birth: January 19, 1883 Montreal, Québec, Canada Date of Enlistment: June 9, 1942 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Son of Marie Chayer-Brillon AKA Lapierre and Oscar Brillon AKA Lapierre. Separated husband of Rosa Lapierre and father of Gunner Roger Lapierre, RCA and Diana and Aimé Lapierre. He was a civilian fireman for two years prior to joining the service. Cemetery: BROOKWOOD MILITARY CEMETERY Surrey,United Kingdom Grave Reference: Plot 34 Row H Grave 9
I have a feeling that he may not be on the CWGC because he wasn't actually killed in active service as defined by them - i.e. against the enemy. There are no enemy incidents recorded for that date Bristol Past : Fishponds Local History Society So he may have died in a "domestic" fire EDIT: I've just realised, Annie, that the two names you've given aren't on the CWGC either
I tried there too for Canadian Corps of Fire Fighters but nada !! CWGC :: Cemetery Reports Some interesting photos here ... but not ours I'm afraid ! Brookwood Cemetery I was hoping they'd have a database but you have to pay for a search .... ! GRAVE SEARCH IN BROOKWOOD CEMETERY I wonder if an email here would do any good ?? THE BROOKWOOD CEMETERY SOCIETY The Military Cemeteries Annie
