HQ No 5 Forestry District
Canadian Forestry Corps
Balblair House, Beauly, Inverness-shire

HQ No 5 District CFC Timeline
Library And Archives Canada Military Heritage
Courtesy of Melynda Jarratt

CFC Cap Badge Courtesy of Robert J. Briggs

The war created a crisis in wood supply for the United Kingdom. Pre-war domestic production covered only a small fraction of the timber needed to support the war effort. In addition to civilian requirements, it was estimated that every soldier needed five trees: one for living quarters, messing, and recreation; one for crates to ship food, ammunition, tanks, and so on; and three for explosives, gun stocks, coffins, ships, factories, and direct or indirect support for the fighting line.
Canadians stepped up to fill this need. During 1941 and 1942, thirty companies drawn from all regions of Canada, totalling 220 officers and 6,771 regulars, were deployed to Scotland.
Also it takes a number of support soldiers for each fighting soldier.

We did load a ship with lumber, yeah. And it went to Africa and I took a chalk and I wrote my name and address on the board. I get to, it was about a month after, first thing I get this letter from the soldier in Africa. He says, "I want to tell you, he said, that you people, your job is important," he said, "We used your lumber today, we landed in Africa.
Courtesy of Joseph Wilmer Gagnon - The Memory Project Historica Canada

Once again the British Government turned to Overseas Woodsman to assist in the war effort. Given their impressive record in World War One it was natural that they looked to Canada to provide forestry units once again. In May 1940 the Canadian Government decided to form a Canadian Forestry Corps. Twenty Companies were initially formed with ten more as the war progressed.
The financial agreement between the two Governments as similar to that in World War I. Canada would bear the cost of pay, allowances and pensions, all initial personal equipment, transport to and from the United Kingdom. The British Government paid for "all other services connected with equipment, work or maintenance" and certain others, including medical services. Canada covered the cost for Medical Officers and Britain paid for hospitalization.
The arrangement was unusual as it resulted in a Canadian Unit working for the British, who controlled the areas of work and disposal of the product, but Military operations of the C.F.C. was never surrendered by the Canadians and came under command of Canadian Military Headquarters in London. Even though the C.F.C. had to serve two masters, no serious problems ever resulted.
Mobilization centres for the Corp spanned all across Canada, and recruited both English and French speaking personnel. Many of the volunteers were veterans of World War One, including the Corp's Commander, Brigadier- General J.B. White. Many of the men carried out the same duties as they did in civilian life, such as loggers, black smiths, lawyers, store man, cooks and clerks. The big difference between the new Corp and their World War One counter parts were the new Corp were considered Combat Troops.

HQ No 5 District Canadian Forestry Corps War Diaries - Library And Archives Canada Military Heritage

May June July 1941

Aug 1941	Sept 1941	Oct 1941	Nov 1941	Dec 1941	Jan 1942
Feb 1942	Mar 1942	Apr 1942	May 1942	June 1942	July 1942
Aug 1942	Sept 1942	Oct 1942	Nov 1942	Dec 1942	Jan 1943
Feb 1943	Mar 1943	Apr 1943	May 1943	June 1943	July 1943
Aug 1943	Sept 1943	Oct 1943	Nov 1943	Dec 1943	Jan 1944
Feb 1944	Mar 1944	Apr 1944	May 1944	June 1944	July 1944
Aug 1944	Sept 1944	Oct 1944	Nov 1944	Dec 1944	Jan 1945
Feb 1945	Mar 1945	Apr 1945	May 1945	June 1945	July 1945

War Diaries courtesy of Jean Francois Chicoine

HQ No 5 District Canadian Forestry Corps - Troop Movement

HQ No 5 District CFC did not go to Scotland as a unit – it was formed up in Scotland from various other units

Library And Archives Canada Military Heritage Credit: Canada. Dept. of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada / PA-112993 Convoy in Bedford Basin, Halifax 1 Apr 1942 Interactive Map of Port of Halifax & PDF Map Courtesy of Paul Keenleyside

SS Orontes - Wikipedia By Mikeo1938 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons

Meals served aboard ship

Canadian soldiers aboard a troopship arriving at Greenock, Scotland, 31 August 1942. Reproduction of Faces of the Second World War - Image 300 Photographer: Laurie A. Audrain Courage at Sea

Firth of Clyde is where the ship with the men came in to disembark at Gourock, Scotland

Interactive Map of Gourock - Courtesy of Paul Keenleyside Enlarged Maps of Gourock Scotland - Courtesy of Paul Keenleyside

HQ No.5 Forestry District Balblair House, BEAULY, (OC, LCol N.C. Ferguson)

CFC Headquarters Locations Courtesy of The Sawdust Fusiliers by William C. Wonders page 102

No.6 Company	BOG O'SHANNON, AVOCH, Ross-shire.
No.10 Company	DOCHFOUR, Loch Ness (Nr. INVERNESS)
No.15 Company	BOBLAINY (Nr. BEAULY), Inverness-shire.
No.18 Company	KILTARLITY (Nr. BEAULY), Inverness-shire.
No.19 Company	BALLADRUM (Nr. BEAULY), Inverness-shire.
No.21 Company	MUIR OF ORD, Ross-shire.

No 5 District CFC Officers
HQ, No 10, 13, 18, 19 & 24 Companies
With Age and Medical Category
Library And Archives Canada Military Heritage - HQ No. 5 District CFC War Diary
Courtesy – Jean-Francois Chicoine

No 5 District CFC Officers
HQ, No 10, 18, 19 & 27 Companies
With Age and Medical Category
Library And Archives Canada Miltary Heritage - War Diaries HQ No. 5 District CFC War Diary
Courtesy – Jean-Francois Chicoine

No 5 District Map CFC Scotland Large Map Courtesy of Paul Keenleyside Son of Pte Allendale Keenleyside K41088

Follow the directions in each map
Link to map of Scotland with includes the following maps
Valcartier Camp, Quebec – where the CFC soldiers trained
Pier 21, Halifax, Nova Scotia – where the CFC soldiers embarked overseas
Gourock, Scotland – where the CFC soldiers – disembarked before taking the train to their camps
HQ CFC - map 501
No.1 District CFC – map 100
No.2 District CFC – map 200
No.3 District CFC – map 300
No.4 District CFC – map 400
No.5 District CFC – map 500

District No.5 included Orrin Bridge and Bog of Shannon Camps as well as the camps of the Aird south of Beauly, and Dochfour at the outlet of Loch Ness, Its headquarters was originally at Teanacoil Camp but moved on 15 Jul 1942 to Balblair House, Lord Lovat's residence east of Beauly

FORESTRY DISTRICT ORGANIZATION

It may be explained at this point that the Forestry Companies of the C.F.C. are grouped territorially under the command of Officers Commanding Forestry Districts. The War Establishment as at present authorized (CDN/IV/1940/12AD/1, provides for a total of 35 all ranks, of whom five (including an attached paymaster) are officers. The O.C. may be a lieutenant-colonel or a major, the second-in-command a major or a captain; the remaining officers are an Adjutant and a Quartermaster

HQ No. 5 District Canadian Forestry Corps Camp

Canadian Forestry Camps in Scotland
Courtesy of The Sawdust Fusiliers by William C Wonders

Balblair House, Beauly, Inverness-shire Large photo courtesy of Jean Francois Chicoine Library And Archives Canada Military Heritage - HQ No 5 Dist War Diaries

HQ No 5 District Canadian Forestry Corps - Logging Operations

Total Production of Forest Products CFC Scotland
Courtesy of 'The Sawdust Fusiliers' by William C. Wonders

The CFC soldiers were constantly being trained to be a fighting soldier – an axe in one hand and a rifle in the other. Most Saturday mornings were spent training in one thing or the other.
- SEE the following: Military Training HQ No 5 District CFC from Library And Archives Canada Military Heritage

HQ No. 5 District Canadian Forestry Corps - Life in Scotland

Christmas 25 Dec 1941 menu Library And Archives Canada Military Heritage - War Diaries - HQ No 5 Dist CFC War Diary

Achnagairn House, Beauly Postcards 1942 - courtesy of Shirley Briggs grand daughter of Pte Thomas Stanley Levy K98592

This one of a number of hospitals used by the soldiers of Canadian Forestry Corps
In some of the forestry camps there would be a camp hospital or M.R.D. Medical Reception Depot for minor injuries and illness. There would be a sergeant of the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps to look after the health issues of the soldiers of the camp. There were Medical Officers of the RCAMC as well attached to the CFC HQ and District HQ in the event of major injuries and illness. The Medical Officer would also visit the camps to ensure hygiene and etc including a short arm inspection once in awhile. For info on Medical Officers go to Doctors of the CFC
As well in the CFC HQ and in each of the District HQ there was a dentist attached to look after the dental needs of the soldiers. The Dental Officer would have his office in one of the camps and would also go to the camps to check all the soldiers. For more info go to Dentists of the CFC
Also no soldier wants to go without pay. Pay parades were held regularly in addition to when a group of soldiers were going on leave they would be paid the day before. Also go to Paymasters of the CFC

Church parades also brought them to the public's attention as the No 1 District CFC made use of the local church buildings as well as holding religious services in the camp. The Chaplains of the Canadian Forestry Corps were attached to CFC HQ or to one of the District HQ to serve the needs of the soldiers. For extra information on the Chaplains go to Chaplains of the CFC Courtesy of "The Sawdust Fusiliers" by William C. Wonders Church Services HQ No 5 Dist CFC Library And Archives Canada Military Heritage

The Scottish people above all appreciated the kindness shown local children by members of the CFC. Christmas celebrations however, were the highlights. CFC personnel went out of their way to make the day memorable for the local children, many of whom came from poor crofts and many of whose fathers were away in the services For further reading on Life in Scotland Courtesy of "The Sawdust Fusiliers" by William C. Wonders

HQ No 5 District CFC was quite involved in sports (Company, District, Corps and Army) Library And Archives Canada Military Heritage Courtesy of The Sawdust Fusiliers by William C. Wonders

Local Reactions and Recreational Activities Courtesy of 'The Sawdust Fusliers' by William C Wonders

Auxiliary Services Supervisor HQ No 5 District CFC - Library And Archives Canada Military Heritage

HQ No 5 District, Canadian Forestry Corps - War Brides

Kennedy, Colin Lachlan Major married Miss Myrtle Campbell
Lau – Jensen, Theodore QMS H52659 married Miss Jessie MacKeddick Michie

HQ No 5 District Canadian Forestry Corps - Company Photos
Why are some soldiers missing from the company photo's

	HQ No 5 District CFC Aug 1941 Scotland Photo with list of names National Defense Directorate of History and Heritage & for further reference Library And Archives Canada Courtesy of Jean-Francois Chicoine
	HQ No 5 District CFC 1943 Scotland Photo with Nominal Roll including trades National Defense Directorate of History and Heritage & for further reference Library And Archives Canada Courtesy of Jean-Francois Chicoine Soldiers Missing from Photo from Library and Archives Canada Military Heritage Aug 1943 HQ No 5 Dist War Diary

HQ No 5 District Canadian Forestry Corps – Soldiers List

List of Abbreviations - Library and Archives Canada
ABBREVIATIONS and ACRONYMS of WW2 and service records
Military Districts of Canada 1939
Calgary Military Historical Society

Access to Information (ATI) Online Request – to obtain the services records for a soldier

Abbott, G.P. Pte K97903 off clerk - transf from No.10 Coy
Allen, William David Pte M61889 Transf from No.19 Coy
Archibald, William Laverne Cpl K99505 Transf from No.10 Coy & No.18 Coy
Blizzard, Alfred Phair Sgt G48193 saw doctor - transf from No 7 DD & No.15 Coy
Boyd, Alexander LCpl K99644 batman - transf from No.10 Coy
Brenton, Walter Robinson CQMS F25443 Transf from No.13 Coy
Broadbent, Ernest Pte M61811 driver I/C - transf from No.19 Coy transf to HQ No 7 CFD
Burchett, Edward Page Lt Col Transf from No.6 Coy transf to HQ CFC & HQ No 1 CFG
Burnside, Thomas Richard Major paymaster - att from RCAPC & HQ No 1 Dist transf to HQ No 1 CFG
Calder, Robert Mitchell Capt Transf from No.23 Coy & No.11 Coy
Chase, Leonard Mansfield Pte G45563 aux serv helper - transf from No.4 Coy transf to Anti Tank Regt
Chausse, Joseph Adolphe Cpl C70013 driver for Lt Col N.C. Ferguson - transf from HQ CFC
Clapp, Willett Earl Pte H94481 Transf from 2nd Battn LSR & CFC Wing No 10 DD PA & No.26 Coy & No.10 Coy & No.28 Coy
Cline, Clarence Wilfred H/Major Church of England - att from CCS & HQ No 1 Dist
Colquhoun, Robert Tannahill Major Adj& QM - transf from No.10 Coy transf to No.16 Coy & No.22 Coy & No.24 Coy & No 1 CSFS & “Q” List Forestry Duties w Civil Affairs
Craig, John Richmond Sgt K57409 Transf from No.10 Coy transf to HQ No 7 Dist
Currie, Harry Riccard Capt G18738 Adj & QM - transf from No 7 DD & No.15 Coy transf to HQ CFC
Dargo, A. Pte G4155 general duty
Desjardins, D. Pte D113175 Transf from No.9 Coy & No.3 Coy & No.19 Coy & Reinf Sect CFC transf to No 7 Educational Coy CTCW
Drummond-Hay, H.S. Pte K41483 Transf from Reinf Sect
Emmery, W.A. Pte K67801 Transf from 1st Bttn IF & No.18 Coy
Ferguson, Neil Cameron Lt Col CO - transf from No.1 Coy & HQ No 3 Dist transf to HQ No 7 CFD
Ferrier, A.K. Cpl K72736 cook 'C' - transf from No.18 Coy
Fletcher, J.E. Pte Transf to No.10 Coy
Gamblin, Samuel Tilley Pte G48158 gen duty - transf from & back to No.15 Coy transf to No.8 Coy
Gardner, William Eric Lt Col OC - transf from 2nd Battn L&WRegt & HQ CFC & HQ No 3 Dist
Gee, Herbert Perley Sgt G48159 Transf from No.15 Dist
Gilmour, A.M. Cpl K73493 pay office clerk - transf from No.30 Coy & HQ CFC transf to HQ No 1 CFG & HQ No 7 CFD
Godfrey, E.H. LCpl K92288 Transf from No 11 DD & No.18 Coy
Golding, Henri Pte D110182 Transf from No.2 Coy & HQ No 3 Dist
Hall, L.E. Sgt K78435 orderly room clerk - transf from Reinf Sect transf to OCTU & CScotR
Hanssen, Gerald Louis Maria Pte K31530 Transf from No 11 DD & No.18 Coy transf to OCTU & HQ CFC & HQ No 1 CFG
Hoare, Jack Oliver R. CQMS K99761 Transf from No.10 Coy
Hudson, Arthur Major 2 I/C - transf from 2nd LMG & No.20 Coy & No.5 Coy & HQ No 4 Dist
Keegan, C.J. Pte C75094 Transf from HQ No 3 Dist transf to HQ No 8 CFD
Kelly, James Henry Pte K99636 Transf from No.10 Coy & No.21 Coy
Kennedy, Colin Lachlan Major K98553 2I/C - transf from 60th Heavy Battery 5th BC Coast Brigade & No.6 Coy
Kjenstad, N.E. Sgt K72910 cook - transf from RWR transf to No.6 Coy
Lagrippa, A. Pte D113004 Transf from No.9 Coy & No.6 Coy transf to HQ No 7 CFD & HQ No 1 CFG
Lau-Jensen T. QMS H52659 QM - transf to HQ No 1 CFG
Linton, G. ACpl K72630 RCASC att HQ No 5 Dist transf from No.18 Coy transf to No.10 Coy & HQ No 3 Dist
Little, Harvey Frederick Pte C63071 Transf from No.1 Coy & HQ CFC transf to No.10 Coy & No.15 Coy - See No 8 CFD
Longley, Eric Walter LCpl K98661 Transf from No.6 Coy
Lowe, R.O. Cpl K73560 driver I/C - transf from No.10 Coy transf to HQ No 7 CFD
MacDonald, Lorne Locklane Pte G48026 Major Kennedy’s driver - transf from No.15 Coy
MacLennan, William George SQMS WO11 M61799 Supdt Ckk - orderly room att - transf from No.19 Coy
McAdam, Frank William Sgt G48028 Transf from No.15 Coy transf to No.21 Coy
Miljour, R.O.J. Pte C34182 general duty - transf from No.21 Coy transf to HQ No 1 CFG
Orser, S.A. Pte G46836 batman for Maj C.l. Kennedy - transf from Reinf Sect & No.15 Coy transf to HQ No 1 Dist
Oslund, Stone E. Sgt H62692 clerk - transf from & back to No.15 Coy
Pallot, Joseph Edward ASSgt D110184 payroll clerk - transf from No.2 Coy & HQ No 2 Dist & HQ No 3 Dist
Peake, Allatt Gladstone Capt K99038 Dist transp offr - transf from No.7 Coy & OCTU transf to No.21 Coy
Pearce, P.C. Pte K77640
Pennington, Frank L. Capt att from RCAPC transf to HQ No 2 Dist transf to RCAPC Reinf Sect
Pert, William ACpl G17011 cook - transf from No 7 DD & No.4 Coy & No.10 Coy
Phipps, Ivor V. Pte M46310 RCASC att to HQ No 5 Dist transf from No.10 Coy transf to No.15 Coy - See No 8 CFD
Pilon, R.J. Pte C70372 clerk - transf from No 3 DD transf & No.19 Coy
Pleasants, Herbert Earle Pte K99114 Transf from No.7 Coy & No. 18 Coy
Readman, Robert William Staff Sgt H56259 Orderly Room Clk - transf from No.17 Coy & HQ No 1 Dist & HQ No 3 Dist
Russell, Hugh McLaren Capt Transf from No.26 Coy transf to No.6 Coy & No.16 Coy - See No 8 CFD
Saunders, Frederick Willard Cpl G48002 Transf from No.15 Coy
Sicard, Laurent Louis Staff Sgt B20696 payroll Sgt - transf from No.12 Coy & HQ No 3 Dist transf to HQ No 1 CFG
Soles, J.E. Pte K47441 Transf from No.10 Coy
Stein, Ben LCpl M61808 Transf from No.19 Coy & No.18 Coy transf to No.9 Coy - See No 7 CFD
Smeeth, Edward Holton Pte K24013 engine artificer ‘B’ - transf from 17th SBRCA transf from No.6 Coy transf to No.18 Coy & OCTU & No.15 Coy & No.19 Coy & No 1 CSFS & No.15 Coy - See No 8 CFD
Stevens, E.E. Cpl H94620 Transf from No.28 Coy
Straby, E.R. Pte C34155 Transf from No.21 Coy
Villeneuve, Edgar Joseph Pte C63171 Transf from No.1 Coy & HQ No 3 Dist
White, G.W. Sgt G56672 orderly room clerk
Wojtula, Emil Joseph Pte M61770 Auxiliary Services Helper - transf from No.19 Coy
Yuille, Alexander Pte H62736 driver I/C - transf from No 10 DD CFC Wing & No.19 Coy transf to No.28 Coy - See No 8 CFD
Wilkinson, Pte Transf to No.6 Coy