1st Canadian Parachute Battalion

Lt-Col. G.F. Eadie

/ Matthew K Barrett / 1 Comment

Lieutenant-Colonel Fraser Eadie
1st Canadian Parachute Battalion

I always believed that I must lead them or I couldn’t live with myself. The only way to be promoted was if I was held in good esteem by my men. I never asked them to do anything I wouldn’t do myself.

(Quoted in Bernd Horn, Intrepid Warriors, 245)

Born in Winnipeg on 20 July 1917, George Fraser Eadie worked for the Ford Motor Company and played hockey before enlisting with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles as a second lieutenant in 1940. He had joined the army rather than pursue an opportunity to play for the Chicago Black Hawks. After advancing to captain and then major, he qualified as a paratrooper and volunteered for the newly formed 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion in 1942.

Continue reading →

Lt-Col. J.A. Nicklin

/ Matthew K Barrett / Leave a comment

Lieutenant-Colonel Jeff Nicklin
1st Canadian Parachute Battalion

Colonel Nicklin was a by the book commander, absolutely no quarter given and he had no compassion for defences that were mounted … the number of soldiers punished severely for what might be minor infractions gave the colonel the un-kind title of ‘Tyrant.’”

(Quoted in Bernd Horn, Intrepid Warriors, 240)

Born in Winnipeg on 10 December 1914, Jevon Albert Nicklin was a football player for Winnipeg Blue Bombers and won the Grey Cup with the team in 1935 and 1939. He was commissioned second lieutenant in August 1940 and joined the Royal Winnipeg Rifles before volunteering to be a paratrooper two years later. He became second-in-command of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion where he earned a reputation as a disciplinarian, “tough as hell”

Continue reading →

Lt-Col. G.F.P. Bradbrooke

/ Matthew K Barrett / Leave a comment

Lieutenant-Colonel G.F.P. Bradbrooke
1st Canadian Parachute Battalion

No matter how many jumps a fellow makes, he’s scared. He jumps from a height of 400 feet, and has about nine seconds to reach the ground. There isn’t time to make mistakes.

(Quoted in Star Phoenix, 25 Sep 1942, 3)

Born in Yorkton, Saskatchewan on 14 March 1912, George Frederick Preston Bradbrooke was a graduate of the University of Saskatchewan and an accountant in Regina. The son of a First World War colonel, he was also nephew of Brigadier G.R. Bradbrooke of 5th Armoured Brigade. He mobilized with the Saskatoon Light Infantry in 1939 and participated in the bloodless Spitzbergen raid of August-September 1941.

Continue reading →

Maj. H.D. Proctor

/ Matthew K Barrett / Leave a comment

Major Hilton D. Proctor
1st Canadian Parachute Battalion

The training is very interesting now, and today I took my first jump from the 250-foot tower. It was a grand sensation and I landed very gently. Friday, we pack our own chutes and Monday we jump from the aircraft. I am looking forward to it and so are all the others.

I am taking an evening off and going into Columbus to see ‘Ship Ahoy.’ I believe it is a comedy and I need a laugh.

(Proctor letter 1 Sep 1942, quoted in Ottawa Citizen, 9 Sep 1942, 1)

Born in County Down, Ireland on 20 August 1911, Hilton David Proctor was a graduate of the University of Ottawa, a Bell Telephone engineer and member of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals since 1927. He mobilized as a captain in August 1940 and advanced to major in May 1942. In July, he assumed command of the nucleus for the newly formed 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion which was sent for training in Fort Benning, Georgia.

Continue reading →