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14
Nov 99
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In other news, I am honoured to
be able to state for the record that MAPLE LEAF UP is now officially involved
with the veterans of the 1st Canadian
Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment in setting up a formal Association
for the Regiment, and in arranging the dedication of a formal memorial
to them here in Canada. MLU will act as their official Webmaster, and a
site dedicated to them will be launched shortly. In addition, we are charged
with the responsibility of finding as many former members as we can, and
acquiring as much Kangaroo memorabilia as we can, in order to set up a
permanent 'Regimental Presence', in an-as-yet-to-be-designated location.
One of our major tasks will also
be to establish the identity, and fate, of every man who served with both
the early Squadron and later Regiment, some 545 individuals whose names
have gone unrecorded in the official annals of Canada's wartime contribution.
Suffice to say that this unique Canadian
unit will be given the due owed them since their untimely disbandment on
20 June 1945. Should you have, or know of, stories, photographs, uniforms,
insignia, equipment or vehicles directly related to their service, we would
appreciate it if you could contact us by email
to discuss how we might use this material in support of their cause.
Ladies & Gentlemen, our Kangaroos
performed a unique function in the darkest days of the war in Europe, yet
they were cast to the winds at the conclusion of hostilities. Their innovative
prowess saved thousands of lives; now, in their waning years, they only
wish rightful recognition of their service. We have met, and been accepted
by, approximately half of the 55 survivors we know about, and they are
wonderful gentlemen all - MLU is proud to be their sponsor.
Please watch this space for further
announcements as we progress. Thank you! |
|
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14
Nov 99
|
Dirk Leegwater in the Netherlands
spent a painstaking 10 months restoring a unique Loyd Carrier which he
previously unearthed in a European junk yard. It is a magnificent vehicle,
and the degree of his restoration should be an inspiration to all who participate
in this hobby. Please click HERE
to jump to the Carriers Section, and scroll down. Thank you, Dirk! |
|
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24
Oct 99
|
Today, a section on the Ford
Lynx Scout Car, with photographs kindly supplied by Chris Shillito.
This magnificent restoration won a bevy of prizes at the War & Peace
Show at Beltring this past July. Coming soon: more material for the Restorations
section, including some new pics of a rare C15TA just recovered from the
Canadian wilderness! |
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07
Oct 99
|
Finally, some new stuff! Today,
a section on the Canadian Ram tank,
with some pics of the two examples currently at Worthington Park in CFB
Borden. More to come, so stay tuned... |
|
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02
Oct 99
|
I can't believe it's already October!
Personally, this has been one of the busiest summers of my life, and the
trend seems to be continuing. Courtesy of a few of you, I have a ream of
material sitting here on my hard drive, ready for formatting... probably
a good fifteen to twenty pages worth. I hope to get it online ASAP! In
the interim, I just wanted to say, on behalf of MAPLE
LEAF UP, how much I appreciate your support! |
|
As we tread steadily towards the
dawn of the new millenium, the attitudes and ideals of the generation represented
by this website seem to fade equally as steadily from public view, indeed,
fading as that generation iself fades from history. We, however, will not
forget, and every one of you who checks in here encourages us to move farther
and farther ahead in preserving this vital aspect of Canadian heritage. |
|
I will also take this opportunity
to invite any of you so inclined to share in this effort; please see my
post HERE of 17 June. If you something you wish to
say, MLU would be happy to consider being your outlet! In the interim,
thank you all again, and stay tuned! |
|
BTW, I have ceased association with
the organization offering "free" links through the 'jump.to' server, as
they initiated an odious pop-up window associated with that link. Please
use the actual Netwave address for the moment, until I get either 'mapleleafup.ca'
or 'mapleleafup.org' online. Thanks. |
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24
Jul 99
|
While everyone else is off in Beltring
actually having fun this weekend, I added today three scans supplied by
Chris Shillito of Armour
in Focus, of interior stowage detail in the Churchill Mk.VII Infantry
Tank. See the Churchill section (2nd page)
of Canadian Armoured Corps for more
info! |
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08
Jul 99
|
I have taken advantage of an opportunity
to finance the ever-growing scope of MAPLE LEAF UP. We are at 190+ pages
now, and I expect that to double within the next year. Sooner or later,
MLU will have to move to a hosting service to accomodate the pure size
of its directory. This is not cheap, and I'd like to remind you that MLU
remains and will continue to remain, a private endeavour paid for out-of-pocket
by myself. |
| |
Accordingly, and based upon very
positive personal dealings, I have elected to become an Affiliate Member
of Chapters.ca,
a Canadian online bookseller. It won't make me rich, but it will
help cover the monthly expenses associated with administering a site of
this size. Here's some background and a brief note as to how it works. |
| |
Chapters.ca
is Canada's equivalent to Amazon.com. As good as the latter is, it is also
U.S.-based and charges in U.S. dollars; Chapters works the same way, but
with Canadian prices in Canadian dollars. I have picked up some fine book
deals here at a great saving over what I would have paid through Amazon.com.
In addition to books, Chapters offers videos, music, DVDs and software.
Their selection is growing all the time. |
| |
I would urge our American readers
to shop and compare here, for the currency conversion rate can be very
favourable to them as well! I hasten to say, though, that for all of you
not so inclined, I will keep any references to Chapters very low key. Generally-speaking,
I don't like advertising on websites either. But I digress... |
|
How this one works for MLU is that
when you jump to the Chapters site from any link on our pages, the referral
is credited to MLU's account, and we get a small commission on any purchase
you make. In addition, should you elect to purchase any book from our Bibliography
section through the direct link, we get a larger commission. It's not much
either way, but every little bit helps. Any funds accrued through this
affiliation will be used to finance a bigger and better MLU site. So see
Chapters.ca
for all your book and video needs! Thanks... |
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03
Jul 99
|
CAC
is on the road! I've put online a section on the Churchill
Tank, with our model a beautiful Mk.VII Crocodile I was fortunate to
be able to crawl through a little while back. Also, a section on the Valentine.
They're not strictly Canadian, but
the Churchill was a critical support tool for the 21st Army Group
in Northwest Europe... and besides, I have interior photos never before
published! The Val is... neat. We might not have used them, but we made
them. Crawling through one was educational. |
|
For those looking for info and pics
of the Sherman, which did grace Canadian armoured formations in
Europe, I recommend three sites in the interim: CANADIAN
TRACKS, by Don Dingwall, ARMOURED
ACORN, by Barry Beldam, and of course, the timeless SHERMAN
REGISTER, by MLU's European Representative, Hanno Spoelstra. MLU will
eventually publish a section on the Sherman as well, but these three sites
offer more comprehensive information on this venerable workhorse. |
|
I also have enough material now
to set up a section on the Heavy Utility series of vehicles, as well as
some unique pics of a restored Loyd carrier. Time, time, time, see what's
become of me... |
|
In the meantime, I've been ruminating
on a strong section on Dieppe. I find that few seem to understand the background
and evolution of that raid, preferring instead to just accept the National
Film Board's pronouncement that we 'screwed up'. Bullfeathers. We were
set up, by politics and the exigency of the moment. And almost a
thousand of us paid for it with their lives. Anyone interested in helping
me out here? |
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01
Jul 99
|
A small section on Early
CMPs in the CMP Softskins
section. Thanks, Mike! |
|
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30
Jun 99
|
A free CMP cab available Down Under,
along with 5 new want ads - including a mammoth request for WT bits - in
QM Stores; lots of new material for MLU waiting
in the wings...just looking for the time to put it in. |
|
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17
Jun 99
|
Finally, a new intro for the
Canadian
Armoured Corps section; soon to be fleshed out! |
|
Also, check out the Site
Map. I've populated it with the historical topics I'd like to see MLU
cover in depth, and I'd like to take this opportunity to challenge any
and all of you to consider contributing to the depository of Canadian history
which MLU has become. So far, with the noteable exceptions of donated photographs
and excellent treatises such as have been provided by Paul Schoeman and
Hanno Spoelstra, MLU has been a one-man show. Gratifying to be sure, but
also time-consuming, considering I actually have to work for a living. |
|
It is my desire that MAPLE
LEAF UP grow to be the online focal point of the Canadian Army in
WW2. I can do it myself, but it will take time... I'd much rather see more,
sooner. For that, I need your help! If there's one thing I've learned through
this exercise, it's that there's an amazing font of information and expertise
lying dormant out there, and I'd like to see some of that here! Can you
help me preserve our heritage? |
|
I can offer you little except formal
recognition in an upcoming Acknowledgements page, together with appropriate
accreditation as an MLU Contributor. In return you're going to have to
spend untold hours at your terminal hammering out coherent articles based
upon demonstrable sources, and wondering, in the wee hours of the morning,
why the hell you're doing this. |
|
Well, it's worth it, is all I can
say. Canada has ignored its own history for too long, and people who think
the way we do can make a difference. I've known it for months now, not
only from the scads of emails I receive regularly from around the world,
but also from the regular contacts with veterans who have somehow found
this site. |
|
THEY are who I work for. For the
most part, they are wonderful men in the twilight of their lives, who once
gave everything they had to make this country what it was, and in return,
have all but been forgotten. Not here. |
|
MAPLE LEAF
UP remembers. |
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If you can help pass along this
message, please contact me to discuss requirements. My priorities right
now are fleshing out the History Section,
as laid out on our Site Map, but I'm also interested
in appropriate military stories and anecdotes of the period, along with
remembrances and personal opinion as it relates to the subject matter.
I can edit, if you're not sure of your literary talents; what I want is
what's in your head. |
|
The bottom line is that this site
exists for all of us. Help me make it better! You already know the material...
and you talk about it endlessly! How about putting some of that 'on paper'?
Be an MLU Contibutor today! |
|
Contact me (Geoff
Winnington-Ball) at: |
|
P.O. Box 54,
Zephyr, Ontario
Canada L0E 1T0 |
|
... or by email as above, or by
phone at 905-473-3338 (evenings, EST). |
|
Thank you! |
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01
Jun 99
|
A massive update for the C15TA in
CMP Armour. |
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24
May 99
|
Happy Victoria Day! New photos added
to Mk.I* and Mk.II* Universal Carriers as well as
the T-16 Carriers section begun. Also new pics in
softskins. Coming soon, a massive update for
the C15TA in CMP Armour, as well as a completely
redone Canadian Armoured Corps page, including material
on the Sherman, Priest, Churchill, Valentine, Grant and Stuart tanks! In
addition, I have new material for the Wrecks
and Restorations pages, but all in good time... |
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10
May 99
|
New advertising in QMS... |
|
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04
May 99
|
A link added to the Bibliography
page for another U.K. bookseller; some new advertising in QM
Stores (check QM Stores often, as new advertising will not
necessarily be announced here - look for the date on the page itself) |
|
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02
May 99
|
A new Site
Map for Maple Leaf Up! |
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01
May 99
|
A link added to the Bibliography
page for the new Canadian online bookseller Chapters.ca;
a new CMP Specifications section accessible through
the CMP Softskins page. |
|
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26
Apr 99
|
A new piece by Paul Schoeman on
the trials and tribulations of being a first-time carrier owner. Amusing
and insightful for anyone who has dreamt of collecting their own armour!
See the Ford Universal Carrier section... |
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25
Apr 99
|
New photos added to the
Carriers
section, one in Windsors and two in Mk.I* carriers; in addition, a new
Fox pic in the Restorations section. More to
come! |
|
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24
Apr 99
|
A new link added to an important
public service document of interest to those planning a trip to the continent
this summer for the 55th anniversary of D-Day. Doug's
French Food Survival Guide is a light look at avoiding gastronomic
disaster at the hands of incomprehensible foreign menus and waiters. |
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22
Apr 99
|
An additional bookseller and listings
in the Bibliography section; some information
on the Windsor carrier on the Carriers page;
some new links in the Museums section of the Links
page. More to come... |
|
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18
Apr 99
|
A slightly revamped site to reorganize
the information which is coming in regularly. Check out the
History
section and an updated Bibliography section! |
|
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16
Apr 99
|
A new Bibliography
page to which all are invited to submit! (PS: over 40 have signed onto
the CMP Mailing List
effective this morning...) |
|
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14
Apr 99
|
A new British and Commonwealth Military
Vehicles mailing list created courtesy of ONElist. Click HERE
to sign up! |
|
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12
Apr 99
|
A reorganized LINKS
page... |
|
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05
Apr 99
|
Lots of hardware problems
on the creative end (how about a new hard drive to start), but still here.
We have several features almost ready to go, on topics such as the trials
and tribulations of owning a carrier, and an assessment of a recently-recovered
Lynx scout car. Stay with us and be patient! Thanks... |
|
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05
Feb 99
|
Hanno Spoelstra's excellent commentary
on the restoration and dedication
of a unique Canadian Ram Kangaroo in the Netherlands, 1993-1995. Shortly,
look for a special report on the restoration of a Canadian Ford Lynx scout
car, and a commentary on the joys and hardships of a first-time carrier
owner! |
|
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22
Jan 99
|
The Wrecks
section is finally started! |
|
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21
Jan 99
|
The beginnings of the new section
on CMP Armour. |
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19
Jan 99
|
A second page of links
added today, albeit with no graphics. Look for another 20 pages or so on
the Ram Kangaroo, CMP Armour and CMP wrecks, coming soon! |
|
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13
Jan 99
|
More pages on Restorations...
being snowed-in has its advantages! |
|
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12
Jan 99
|
New page on Restorations...
with more to come shortly! |
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10
Jan 99
|
Lots new in the Vehicles section.
Look for CMP
Softskins and associated pages. Whew! More to come... |
|
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03
Jan 99
|
I've been out of the loop for a
while due to family happenings and the Christmas Crisis. Lots more carrier
stuff today, and more on the way, specifically on CMP trucks. Today I added
a fascinating classified ad in the For
Sale section of QM Stores... more tomorrow!
Thanks... |
|
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03
Dec 98
|
I've been out of the loop for a
while due to family happenings. This site is now dedicated well and properly.
Today I added links to several good sites, and
added a classified ad in the For Sale
section of QM Stores... more soon! Thanks... |
|
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19
Nov 98
|
Lots done today! Those dead links
now go to reference pages, so at least it won't look like I screwed up.
Added today as well is a page on
Mk.II* carriers,
as well as a textual page on the history of the 1st
Canadian Armoured Carrier Regiment, courtesy of Hanno Spoelstra. |
|
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19
Nov 98
|
It should
be noted that I have chosen to upload the pages as I make them including
non-active links. Please bear with me here as I update those links as soon
as humanly possible. The reason for doing it this way is to save having
to redo the applicable pages when those links become active. Sorry for
any inconvenience! Check back here to find out what's brand new. |
|
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12
Nov 98
|
As it stands this morning, we have
put online the Vehicles page; from there, the Universal
Carriers page; an initial offering in the Odds
& Ends section; and an initial page on the Ford
UC itself, along with some pics and info on the Mk.I*
carrier. More to come! |
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29
Oct 98
|
More and more as time allows! The
Contents page first, as an example of the general
site layout, followed by three introductory pages accessible from the thumbnails
on the right of the Contents page. Check them out! Vehicles page to come
shortly... |
|
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16
Oct 98
|
We're on! The first two
pages up and running are QM Stores and
Links.
The first was a brainwave a couple of us had when we realized there's no
specific web site specializing in advertising Brit/Canadian/Commonwealth
vehicles, parts and equipment. Check out the Bumf section to find out how
to advertise your stuff! More soon... |
|
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25
Sep 98
|
Thank
you, Canada! The Ortona fundraiser was successful beyond our wildest
dreams! The $100K target met in a mere six weeks or so! Most donations
are from 'the man in the street', which makes it extra special. Canadians
have shown that unlike their political masters, they care. The excess money
raised will be used to fund a permanent memorial at Ortona. See the Ortona
page for details. |
|
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16
Sep 98
|
Looking good... work
finally begun on the MLU site as the Ortona campaign looks to be successful
even at these early stages... |
|
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9 Sep
98
|
ORTONA
- Canada's Stalingrad has taken off... I gratified to note that
the response from ordinary Canadians everywhere has been magnificent...
a lot of comments and offers, too, even from quite a few Americans... thanks
guys... |
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20
Aug 98
|
Development here put
off indefinitely as the ORTONApages
are in the works! What a great cause... and right in line with this whole
subject... PLEASE HELP!! |
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16
Jul 98
|
Summer is shaping up
to be a busy one, with little time for this stuff, but a new concept is
crystallizing - a focus on the Canadian Army Overseas vs a general site
primarily oriented toward vehicles... |
|
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10
Jun 98
|
Site created, at least
in concept, after many fruitless months of searching the web for similar
material! Several different layouts tried... |
|
 |
|
| Copyright
©
Geoff Winnington-Ball ,
1998-2000 / All Rights Reserved |
