To help the British Army boost their number of officers during World War 2, the Canadian Army set up a scheme whereby they would loan their own officers to serve with British Regiments.
The scheme was approved at the end of 1942 and called for approximately 1500 Canadian officers at the outset, however this was reduced to roughly 625 by the time of the Normandy landings (Mostly due to them being needed by their own Regiments by that time).
In total, 672 Canadian Officers served in North West Europe, Italy, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
The 1st Battalion KOSB employed 11* Canloan officers during WW2:
*Updated 12 Jan 2025
CDN611 Lieutenant Willard Caseley Before joining the 1st KSOB on 23rd July, he was with the coastal artillery for 2 years (regiment not known). Was killed in his first attack. KIA 6 August 1944
CDN502 Lieutenant Malcolm R. Rose was a battle drill instructor in camp Sussex, NB. Posted to 1st KOSB on 1st of July. Was killed while leading a patrol over river Alliere. KIA 6 August 1944
CDN601 Captain Francis F. Andrew. Nicknamed, 'F F'. He joined the Bttn after Troarn on 23 July 1944. He was 2/Ic of B Company and much loved for his humour when things got grim. He left to return to Canada in September 1945.
CDN128 Lieutenant Harry D. Bell
CDN379 Lieutenant Bert A. H. Blackmore. Wounded 16 August 1944.
CDN501 Captain Lloyd M. Huggan was an instructor in a training centre before being installed as one of the instructors in Camp Sussex, NB. Joined KOSB 2nd July 1944. Wounded 26 September 1944
CDN35 Lieutenant L. V. P. (Pat) Pattison. Wounded 26 July 1944
CDN193 Lieutenant (Captain) Robert Robertson. Wounded in June 1944 - researching. Wounded again 21 September 1944. Joined/rejoined KOSB 10th July 1944 Appt held states 'IO'.
CDN202 Lieutenant Ritchie J. R. Walker, M.C.
CDN52 Lieutenant (Captain) Allister McLellan Young A Company. Served with the Bttn since 15 April 1944 (Royal Canadian Medical Corps). Received the Commander-In-Chiefs Certificate in June 1945. Also the Silver Star in 1946. Left to return to Canada in July 1945. He died in 1970, aged 57.
*CDN34 Lt. P. C. McLaughlin. Joined KOSB on 15 April 1944.
Canloan officers paid a heavy price during WW2 with 128 Officers killed, 310 wounded and 27 becoming POWs.
Both of the Canloan officers who died whilst serving in Normandy were killed on the same day in actions around the Vaudry/Vire area.
More on the Canloan program here
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