Thumbs Up: Link to Maple Leaf Up

While searching for information about Gilbert A. Milne, RCN photographer and author of H.M.C.S. (connected to research for Bury Me At Sea), I came across a unique, interesting website related to the First Canadian Army, WW2. (War stories, photographs, useful links to Library and Archives in Ottawa, and much more)

Home address of Maple Leaf Up

Maple Leaf Up provides excellent descriptions for Milne’s photos. 

Example from their website:

LAC caption: View from LCI(L) 306 of the 2nd Canadian (262nd RN) Flotilla showing ships of Force 'J' en route to France on D-Day, 6 June 1944, English Channel.

MLU note: RCN photographer Gib Milne takes this photo from the bridge of LCI 306, looking over the bow at the other LCI headed towards Normandy. Each LCI carries an anti-aircraft dirigible overhead. Note the cable heading skyward from the bow of this LCI. Also note the bow gun is still covered. LCI 306 looks like it's coming into the strict line of the LCI convoy in front.

The men of the HLI in the photo above are still dressed casually so this must be very early in the morning. Sunrise at the latitude of Portsmouth at this time of year was about 4:50 a.m. since the southern coast of Britain is at the same latitude as northern Newfoundland. Note the white censor marks on the shoulders. Other men would be sleeping in the bunks below deck which is through the white door.

(Photographer: Gilbert Milne; Library and Archives Canada a137014)

If you have an interest in WW2, visit Maple Leaf Up.

Link to more of Gilbert A. Milne’s photographs

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