Canadian Remembrance

This special section reports a parade which took place at Canadian Forces Station, Leitrim on the 8th of June, 2001 to mark the sixtieth anniversary of intercept activity by Canadian Forces.   Click here for more information and a timetable of anniversary events. 

Amongst the honoured guests were 21 members of Number 1 Canadian Special Wireless Group, who served in Northern Australia in the later part of World War 2.  Their presence was particularly significant because, for many years,  their participation in the Pacific Campaigns was specifically denied by official sources.  This anomaly arose because of the secrecy attached to their activities at the time, which resulted in their personal and unit details being omitted from theatre records.  The situation was made all the more ironic by the fact that two members of the Group died in service there and are buried in Australia.  One of them had actually commanded CFS Leitrim in 1944.

Ron O'Reilly, one of the veterans concerned, suffered setback after setback in trying to get his government to recognise the work of Number 1 Group.  It was only in 1995, after a  two year battle with the Department of Veteran Affairs that he finally  succeeded in doing so. He then managed to track down approximately a third of his former comrades (or their next of kin) ensuring that the Canadian Defence Medal and Pacific Star which they had earned for their service in Northern Australia were finally awarded.  At the Leitrim parade, the present commanding officer of CFS Leitrim marked Ron's singular efforts to support the cause of his colleagues (and Canadian Wireless Intercept history) by presenting him with a commanding officer's commendation.

Another veteran present was retired Captain Hance Legere, who served at Leitrim as a Signalman in 1941.  He then went on to become commanding officer of the Station briefly in 1943 after receiving a commission.  His later service in the Pacific was finally formally rewarded during the parade by the award of his campaign medals by the acting Canadian Chief of Defence Staff, Vice Admiral Garnett.  All of the veterans present are also understood to have received letters of appreciation from the Admiral marking the occasion.

During the parade, serving Canadian Forces members currently working at Leitrim also received medals from Admiral Garnett.  Following the parade a brief dedication ceremony took place next to the Operations
conference room for a permanent display commemorating World War 2  'Special Wireless' units. 

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Ed's note:  On 6 April 07 I received the following information and photographs from one of our colleagues.  Our thanks to him.

I found your website while doing a search on Canadian Special Wireless activities during WWII.

I was pleased to see your sites reference to the ceremony at CFS Leitrim in June 2001. I was the organizer of the activity, and I must say that it was a gloroius day. Both for the veterans themselves, and for the history of the Station.

As a serving member in the Canadian Forces from CFS Leitrim who is researching our WWII history, I would be pleased if you could put a general query out to your members who may know of which sites in the UK from which the Canadian Special Wireless Sections conducted operations during WWII.

Before they left to participate in the invasions of Italy/Sicily (# 1 Special Wireless Section) and of course mainland Europe (#2 and #3 Special Wireless Sections). I have a great deal of information from the veterans themselves, and I am working on displays at Leitrim and our other sites.

Any additional information from your members would certainly be of great benefit.

Not sure if they would fit your mandate, but I have included several pictures taken during that June ceremony, which could complement your article.

	Flag from Lord Mayor of Darwin: Since #1 Canadian Special Wireless Group served near Darwin Australia, the current mayor of Darwin sent an Australian flag to be raised during the ceremony in thanks to the members of 1CSWG.
Ron O'Reilly: As noted in your article, a very determined veteran to get recognition for the members of 1CSWG. Here he receives a letter from the Canadian Chief of Defence Staff, thanking him for keeping his vow of silence for 40-years. All present veterans, or surviving family members received such a letter. Later Ron would receive his Commendation from the Station CO, for his leadership in getting the unit recognition in the late 90's.
	SW_Group_photo: Shows the veterans from 1CSWG who could make it to Leitrim for the ceremony. This includes two female members of the Canadian Womens Army Corps who served in Canada at the Special Wireless Stations copying the Japanese Kana code. Four current members of Leitrim (acting as ushers) are shown in WWII era uniforms for the, Royal Canadian Navy, RCAF, Royal Canadian Corps of Signals, and Canadian Womens Army Corps.
Examining the Wall: Vet from WWII examining the "Special Wireless Wall' dedicated to WWII SW units.
	vets: just prior to a march past from the current service members of CFS Leitrim.