Members of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals (RCCS) were attached to the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division for the D-Day landings. These signallers were under the command of Lt.-Col. G. O. Gamble.
The signallers set up eight wireless networks which ran from the 3rd Division headquarters to maintain contact with subordinate formations and units and with the British divisions on their flanks. These networks were set up in addition to the network used by the 7th Reconnaissance Regiment (17th Duke of York’s Royal Canadian Hussars) on D-Day.
Once a foothold was gained on the beachhead, telephone lines were set up to create more secure communication. Despatch riders on motorcycles also made regular runs throughout the divisional area to deliver messages. Signallers were attached to the advanced headquarters of the 3rd Division that was set up near at Bernières-sur-Mer after the initial assault wave.
They also fought and captured Germans in addition to their signals work. One section of linemen, those who laid the wires needed for secure communications between units, captured 85 German soldiers who surrendered to them while they were installing a pole for wires.
The majority of the troops from the RCCS assigned to the 3rd Division did not land in Normandy until D+2.
The Royal Canadian Corps of Signals suffered 4 killed and 2 wounded on D-Day. Some of the killed were the result of enemy fire on the beaches. The corps landed 375 signallers at Juno on June 6th, 1944.
Roll of Honour
HAUK NORMAN A.
MURCHISON ROBERT BRUCE
SWAN ELMER GRENVILLE
TRAINOR FRANCIS MAURICE
Research and writing by Brad St.Croix, PhD