Welcome to the WWII Forums! Log in or Sign up to interact with the community.

surching my biological Canadian father

Discussion in '☆☆ New Recruits ☆☆' started by chris/charles, May 25, 2010.

  1. chris/charles

    chris/charles Member

    Joined:
    May 25, 2010
    Messages:
    14
    Likes Received:
    0




    Hello Michelle.

    John Boers is the first I have contacted trouch the organization Liberation Children in the Netherlands.
    At the time I came there for the first time, it was also the last meeting.
    The organization was dissolved.
    It was between me and Mr. Boers a difficult contact, eventually he wrote that he could not help me? He had too little information.
    Today I visited the sister of my mother, she had not much more information.
    She is there " sure" that he called CHARLES and came from Canada.
    It claims that he returned to Canada via England in mid 1945 begin 1946.
    Thank you anyway
     
  2. chris/charles

    chris/charles Member

    Joined:
    May 25, 2010
    Messages:
    14
    Likes Received:
    0
    I found this picture, It look likes the uniform of Charles.
    Am I correct? and is it the 5th Canadian Brigade?

    chris
     

    Attached Files:

  3. Skipper

    Skipper Kommodore

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2006
    Messages:
    24,984
    Likes Received:
    2,386
  4. chris/charles

    chris/charles Member

    Joined:
    May 25, 2010
    Messages:
    14
    Likes Received:
    0
    Hello Skipper.

    You regonize this uniform too?
    and what is the difference between the 5th division and the Seaford Highlanders?
    I know nothing about the various ranks and divisions.

    regards
    chris
     

    Attached Files:

  5. alieneyes

    alieneyes Member

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2009
    Messages:
    275
    Likes Received:
    53
    Chris,

    Once the regiment is identified your search will become much easier.

    In RG24 (Record Group 24) of the Library and Archives Canada in Ottawa you can locate the War Diaries of every Canadian army unit in the European theater. From research there in the late 80s and early 90s I happen to know that in each war diary there is a nominal roll of all personnel in that unit for that month. This way they could account for men KIA and MIA.

    It occurs to me that if the regiment is identified, the war diary can be pulled and if you have a "Helms" in there you are onto something. That will give you the man's service number and from that the LAC's own internal database may be able to tell you if he is alive or not. I say "may" because their database is dependent on families reporting deaths of a service veteran. Other sources for their database are the Royal Canadian Legion as well as veterans hospitals and retirement homes.

    If he is not alive and has been dead for 20 years you will be able to gain access to his service file. There are two down sides to this. a) it takes about 8 months to get to your request b) unlike RCAF service files which 99% of the time contained a photo of the man, Army files, 99% of the time, don't so you won't be able to compare photos.

    Still, if someone here can identify the unit, there is hope for a positive outcome.

    Either way, best of luck with your search. I hope it is successful.
     
  6. chris/charles

    chris/charles Member

    Joined:
    May 25, 2010
    Messages:
    14
    Likes Received:
    0
    Tank you,
    it takes time, but I sure have.
    For the record, I only have his first name: CHARLES
    Helms is my surname. of my Dutch father" .
    This make the cours look more complicated, but I doggedly.
    I am of course prepared that I might fail, but that is not insurmountable tragedy
     
  7. Skipper

    Skipper Kommodore

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2006
    Messages:
    24,984
    Likes Received:
    2,386
  8. macrusk

    macrusk Proud Daughter of a Canadian WWII Veteran

    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2007
    Messages:
    2,804
    Likes Received:
    563
    Location:
    Saskatoon
    Re John Doers - I saw your post on their site after I'd already posted here, I thought he was a different group than Olga and Lloyd Rains. The individual I contacted with your search information used to help Olga and Lloyd here in Canada; however, I don't believe she has seen the email yet, based on other activities she has been doing.

    Re the uniform, the Canadians in general wore a very similar uniform, regardless of division. Differentiation was usually by shoulder flashes, cap badges, and the types of head coverings.

    5th Division www.canadiansoldiers.com

    New Page 1 and Seaforth Highlanders

    Images of Seaforth Highlanders and I'm certain that Charles was not a Seaforth Highlander.

    seaforth highlanders - Google Search
     
  9. chris/charles

    chris/charles Member

    Joined:
    May 25, 2010
    Messages:
    14
    Likes Received:
    0
    Thanks Skipper.


    Good morning Michelle.

    Yesterday it was a cold and rainy day, I have spend reading all the information, and that's a lot.
    I myself can not judge which range to Charles belonged
    According to the uncle of KTK it is very likely "B" troop 5th Field Regime
    (he gave information via e-mail)

    I now try to trace the address of Olga Rains, and a newspaper
    asking to place an article.
    I already asked the London Free Press, but no answer, only
    (delated without reading):eek:

    regards
    chris
     

Share This Page