Algonquin Regiment

The Algonquin Regiment was mobilized for active service on May 24, 1940. It was re-designated 1st Battalion, The Algonquin Regiment on November 7, 1940. The Regiment served in Canada in a home defence role as part of the 20th Infantry Brigade, 7th Canadian Division and in Newfoundland from February 7, 1942 to February 6, 1943. The Regiment embarked for Great Britain in June 1943 and landed in Normandy, France as part of the 10th Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Armoured Division. Soldiers of the Regiment fought as vanguard infantry through Falaise, fighting to secure many bridgeheads over canals in Holland and into Germany, earning the following battle honours: Falaise Falaise Road The Laison Chambois The Seine, 1944 Moerkerke The Scheldt Breskens Pocket The Lower Maas The Rhineland The Hochwald Veen Küsten Canal Bad Zwischenahn North-West Europe, 1944-1945 The overseas Battalion was disbanded on February 15, 1946.

Remembering Private Gilbert James Bell (Service No. B55251) Born in Bracebridge, Ontario August 31, 1917, Private Gilbert James Bell was the son of Gilbert Archibald (Archie) and Marie Marie Carmel (Hubbard) Bell. Enlisting in Timmons, Ontario on August 8, 1940, he served with “D” Company of the Algonquin Regiment and was a member of the Bugle Band. He played both drum and bugle. While stationed in Shilo, Manitoba in 1941, he met Winn Brown and they were married shortly before Gilbert’s Company was moved to Port Arthur, Ontario. Just as the Company was to be shipped overseas, Gilbert was in hospital. His kit went overseas with the Company, but he remained in Canada. He was transferred to the Home Guard when he was released from hospital. Private Gilbert Bell was very proud of his time in the band. In the years following the war Gilbert worked as a skilled carpenter and building contractor. He died on September 9, 1991 in Brandon, Manitoba.