Sherman tanks ready to advance near Sonsbeck, Germany, March 9th,1945.(rudeerude)

Ready to Advance

On May 24, 1940 the Elgin Regiment (the Elgins) was mobilized and recruitment began in early June, 1940. In one month the entire 962-man wartime strength for the battalion was achieved. After extensive training, the Elgins moved to Toronto in 1941 where they were placed in the 12th Brigade.
The Regiment was converted to armour and redesignated as the 25th Armour Regiment on January 26, 1942 and was finally shipped overseas to the United Kingdom in the fall of that year.
In January 1943, the Regiment was again reorganized and the Elgins became the 1st Tank Delivery Regiment (eventually becoming the 25th Canadian Tank Delivery Regiment) and were tasked with delivering tanks to Canadian Armoured regiments engaged in operations in forward areas. The Regiment was divided into several squadrons each attached to different Divisions of the Canadian Army. The Elgins supported these armoured regiments in Sicily, Italy, France, Belgium, Holland and into Germany.

THE ELGINS - For Derek

British soldier at the Dutch-German border, late 1944.