The 12th Field project crew, families and friends are happy to share, on July 1st, 2018, we received the following message on the website from 12th Field Regiment Veteran Gunner Russell A. Kaye # M101068, 43rd D Battery at the age of 94 years!
July 1st, 2018
I just stumbled on this site while browsing, and so glad I did as it brings back many memories of my days with the 12 Feld Regt. I was a Gnr on Johnnie Gormals gun in the 43 bty. I joined the Regt in England shortly before the D day invasion and remained with them until the war ended. My memory is getting a bit sketchy at times as i am 94 yrs of age, however I manage.I enlisted in the army in Feb 1942 in Moncton NB . I took my basic training in Fredericton NB and my advanced training in Petawawa Ontario. I was sent to Borden England in 1943 and from there I was sent to the 12th Field Regiment who were in the Portsmouth and Southhampton area. After the war i rejoined the army an served for another 24 yrs.
After the war, Kaye became an artillery instructor at CFB Shilo, Manitoba, and served in the Korean War.
Married in 1946 and raised two sons and three daughters. His son Chris served as a medic with the Royal Canadian Regiment for 30 years. Retired Chief Warrant Officer Chris Kaye‘s son, an Cpl. Shaun Kaye, also served as a medical assistant and was wounded while serving in Afghanistan.
12th Field Regiment Veteran World War Two Gunner Russell. A. Kaye and his wife of 71 years Eleanor ( 1926 – 2018 )
Pictures of Russell A. Kaye as a young gunner, and then later in life with my wife Eleanor
photo credit :
Christopher A. Kaye, MMM,MSM,CD ,Frontline Medics
I’m proud to call this man my father!! At the age of 94 he is very astute, lives alone and still drives his car! My hero for what he has accomplished in his life time! He was a devoted husband and father of five kids!
So proud of my father in law.
Thanks for the article, on Eleanor and myself.
Thank you so much sir for your service. My son and I Will never forget Again our sinceres thanks!
Linda Simmonds LtRet.CO and Nicolas.
Wow! very cool. I just stumbled across this page as I was researching my grandfather, who served with 12 RCA. My Grandfather Gnr John A McGowan. Is Mr. Kaye interested/able to assist with some questions? We have little to no information of his war-time experience. I wonder, if by chance Mr. Kaye knew him.
Thank you for your note.
Gunner J.A. McGowan, #H67667 was 43rd D Battery, according to our list.
More information should be available through your grandfather’s personal military records in the public library of Archives Canada: https://12thfieldrca.ca/accessing-war-service-records/
My grandfather was a gunner, we believe he was in the 12th field regiment, John Conway.
Thank you for your inquiry.
Gnr. John Conway is not on our list for the 12th Field Regiment. Have you researched his military records?
We are preparing to visit Normandy and Juno Beach. My wife’s father Reginald Arthur Vidler was with the 12th Field and lander at Normandy. He was a gun Sergeant but we do not know what Battery or Troop he was in. Would you have any information that would be helpful.
Hi, Thank you for your message.
Our records show Sergeant R. A. Vidler, Service #B11163, Municipality based in Canada; Camp Shilo, MB. Hope this helps in your research.