The Connecting File

[Tim Robinson]

We at RHQ are trying hard to gather previous copies of The Connecting File and the VRI. The VRI was first published in August of 1884 and had a run of two years. We have a partial copy of the First Edition and are seeking others. We don't need your original, but a photocopy would be great.

The same story is true of The Connecting File. The Connecting File was first run in 1923 following the Great War. It consisted of four volumes per year. Our current holdings begin in 1925 and are fairly complete with some gaps. Again we are not necessarily asking for you to give up your orignal. Copies work great since it is the content that we wish to obtain to help build our Regimental History and to share with all of the Regiment. If you have the missing copies or know where they can be found, please contact us at RHQ or the Regt Adjt though these discussion pages.
We need,

1923 Volumes 1-4
1924 Volumes 1-4
1925 Volumes 1,2,3
1926 No 1,2
1927 No 1
1928 No 1,2,3
1929 No 4
1930 No 2
1932 No 1,2,3,4
1933 No 1
Ceased printing from 1938 to 1946
1946 No 1,2,3,4 (have many extracts, not complete copies)
1947 No 1,2,3,4 (have many extracts, not complete copies)
1949 No 3,4

After this the number of Volumes become fairly random. Listed is what we have, if you have something different than that listed, please contact us.

Summer 1950
Winter 1950-51
Summer 1951
Winter Spring 1953
Fall Winter 1953-54
Fall Winter 1954-55
Summer 1957
1959-1960 (Not Published)

After 1960 the format changed again. Magazine style and then once a year publications. We need:

1961
1962
1963
1964
1966
1976
1977
1978
1979


In 1969-70 the Regimental journal Pro Patria began which truly lends to confusion as later Pro Patria's were named "Pro Patria - The Connecting File" with a sepaarate numbering system. That will be another project for another time.

Pro Patria
Tim
Regt Adjt

[AVI]

Do you need the Connecting File 1971 and 1973?

[Tim Robinson]

We have 1971 and 1973

Thanks

Tim

[Dan Martel]

Tim,

I have both good news and bad news for you; I have a copy of the 'Spring and Summer 1954' edition of THE CONNECTING FILE.  The bad news is that I'm not yet ready to part with it.  Should anyone wish or require me to do a search for them or to convey parts of its content, then I would be more than happy to do so.  Don't worry about me selling it because should I want to let it go I will make sure the RCR archives have the right of first refusal.

I did download some of the photographs in it for showing here.


                   

Interesting photo of what the well dressed paratrooper was wearing in 1954.  WOII MacDonald was a member of the first battalion which was then a part of the MSF.  According to the text the jump took place at the Crumlin drop zone in April.


                   

Another 1 RCR photo of a Vickers crew in what I believe is a Mk II carrier.  The Corporal seems to be wearing a version of KD trousers with his battledress blouse.


                   

A visit by HRH to Fort Churchill with a Guard of Honour provided by 1 RCR.  The guard was 130 strong and the event took place on August 10th.  Enfields, tropical worsteds, puttees and berets (which I am assuming are maroon).


                   

Finally this photo which is interesting not for the details of the May 15th jump at Camp Petawawa by 'B' Company Group, but for the name of the OC; Major Don Holmes.  Whatever happened to that guy?

Cheers,
Dan.

[aldi]

Dan,

Although it's a little before my time (i.e., 1957) I think the colour of the berets in the Ft. Churchill pic is probably dark blue.  In those days there was great diversity in beret colours and blue was for line infantry (light and rifle regiments wore green).  Maroon was for those actually in a parachute unit and they had to revert to their former colour when they came off the jump role.  aldi

[Abe Doney]

Gen Holmes was the commader of CANLOG when I was in Egypt on UNEF2 in 1975.