Grandfather served with hasty p's in WW2

[byrd365]

Hi I'm just wondering how I would find info about my Grandfather who served with the hasty p's in WW2 he did not die in the war and my family doesn't seem to know to much about what he did so I'm having a hard time gathering information his name is Havelock Maurice Kennedy any help would be greatly appreciated thanks

 

[Michael OLeary]

Start by ordering a copy of his service record from Library and Archives Canada:

http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/genealogie/022-909.007-e.html

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[Pat in Halifax]

byrd365:
My father also served as a Hasty P during the Second World War. Follow the advice above as well as visiting their website at:
http://www.theregiment.ca/hastypee.html
I actually submitted the last 2 'pages' of photos in the "Old Photos.." section of the Photo gallery and I was amazed at the emails I rec'd including pics of my dad that no one in the family had ever seen!!
Farley Mowat was a member of that Honoured Regiment as well and he wrote a book simply entitled "The Regiment" detailing the exploits from North Africa to Northwest Europe. He also wrote "And No Birds Sang" , It, admittedly has been a while since I read that one.

 

[Redeye]

You'll see on the website that the Regiment has a reunion every year, you could get in touch with the Association and see about coming out as you're not far from Belleville.  Many veterans attend and you've got nothing to lose asking around.  The Regiment has a great extended family, there's also a museum in Belleville, stacks of pictures and so on.  Good luck!

Hi I'm just wondering how I would find info about my Grandfather who served with the hasty p's in WW2 he did not die in the war and my family doesn't seem to know to much about what he did so I'm having a hard time gathering information his name is Havelock Maurice Kennedy any help would be greatly appreciated thanks

 

[Rhibwolf]

Not sure if he would reply, but Farley Mowat served in the Hasty Ps, and is still alive.  Your grandfather may even be mentioned in his books....

During the Second World War, Mowat was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the Second Battalion, Hastings and Prince Edwards Regiment, affectionately known as the Hasty Ps. He went overseas as a reinforcement officer for that regiment, joining the Canadian Army in the United Kingdom. On July 10, 1943, he was a subaltern in command of a rifle platoon and participated in the initial landings of Operation Husky, the Allied invasion of Sicily....from wikipedia.

 

[Redeye]

Mr. Mowat doesn't seem to have any further relatioship with the Regiment.  I've never gotten any explanation of why, but he doesn't participate in reunions or any events, though it is notable that he gave the Association the right to The Regiment and allowed a reprinting of the book.

Not sure if he would reply, but Farley Mowat served in the Hasty Ps, and is still alive.  Your grandfather may even be mentioned in his books....

During the Second World War, Mowat was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the Second Battalion, Hastings and Prince Edwards Regiment, affectionately known as the Hasty Ps. He went overseas as a reinforcement officer for that regiment, joining the Canadian Army in the United Kingdom. On July 10, 1943, he was a subaltern in command of a rifle platoon and participated in the initial landings of Operation Husky, the Allied invasion of Sicily....from wikipedia.

 

[Pat in Halifax]

I was with dad (before his passing) probably around 1998/99 and actually ran into "Mr" Mowat at a Farmer's Market just outside of Burlington Ontario. For some obscure reason, dad had a copy of the originally published "The Regiment" (1948 I think) in the car and got it signed. He and dad 'disappeared" for about an hour and I never did find out what the conversation was about though I suspect it would have been interesting to be a fly on the wall. Today, I have this copy of the Regiment signed simply as "A brother, Farley Mowat".
Dad described him as a 'grizzly old man" - Dad was 77 at the time!!!

 

[Redeye]

Now that is a treasure.

Trent University has a copy of the original printing which was the first I read - I had a copy of the last commercial pressing I loaned to someone and never saw again, but I also have one of The Regiment's recent edition - it adds more recent pictures from the Regiment's pilgrimage to Italy in 2005, which I had the privilege of attending.  It was an absolutely fascinating experience, and a number of veterans were with us for the trip.

I was with dad (before his passing) probably around 1998/99 and actually ran into "Mr" Mowat at a Farmer's Market just outside of Burlington Ontario. For some obscure reason, dad had a copy of the originally published "The Regiment" (1948 I think) in the car and got it signed. He and dad 'disappeared" for about an hour and I never did find out what the conversation was about though I suspect it would have been interesting to be a fly on the wall. Today, I have this copy of the Regiment signed simply as "A brother, Farley Mowat".
Dad described him as a 'grizzly old man" - Dad was 77 at the time!!!

 

[Pat in Halifax]

If I find the energy to get off my lazy ass, I will scan the front cover and post it here.
Oh, and yes, it is a treasure.
I know my older brother has one of the original prints too!