Organization
Canadian Army
Domestic Military Organization
Reorganizations

►1902-1904 Dundonald Reforms
►1920 Otter Committee
►1936 Modernization
►1954 Kennedy Board
►1957 Anderson Report
►1964 Suttie Commission
►1968 Unification
►1995 Special Commission
Organizational Corps/Branches

►1900-1968 Organizational Corps
►1968-2000 Branches

Listings
1900-1913|1914-1963|1964-2000
Organizational Formations

►Reserve Bdes - 1941-1945

►13 Cdn Infantry Training Bde

►14 Cdn Infantry Training Bde

►27th Canadian Brigade

►1 CMBG

►2 CMBG

►3 CMBG

►4 CMBG

►5e Groupement de Combat

►1st Cdn Division (1954-1958)

►1st Cdn Division (1988)

►Special Service Force
Alliances

►1914-1918 Triple Alliance
►1939-1945 Allies
►1949-1999 NATO
Veteran's Organizations

Defence Associations

►Canadian Cavalry Association
 ►Canadian Infantry Association
 ►Intelligence Branch Association

►National Defence Emp Assoc
 ►RCAC (Cavalry)
 ►RCA Association
 ►RCOC Association
 ►Union of Nat Def Employees

Veteran's Associations

►ANAVETS
 ►Royal Canadian Legion
Supplementary Order of Battle
Field Forces

1914-1919  

►Canadian Expeditionary Force
►CEF Regional Affiliations

1919

►Canadian Siberian Exped Force

1939-1940 (1945) 

 ►Canadian Active Service Force

1945

►Canadian Army Pacific Force

1950-1953

►Canadian Army Special Force
Field Force Formations
1914-1918  
Canadian Corps
1st Div | 2nd Div | 3rd Div | 4th Div 5th Div
1939-1945
1st Cdn Army
I Cdn Corps | II Cdn Corps
1st Inf Div | 2nd Inf Div | 3rd Inf Div 4th (Arm) Div | 5th (Arm) Div
6th Div  | 7th Div | 8th Div |
 1st Arm Bde | 2nd Arm Bde
1950-1953
1 Com Div | 25 Inf Bde
Special Forces

►1st Canadian Para Battalion

►First Special Service Force

►Pacific Coast Militia Rangers

►Canadian Rangers

►Special Air Service (SAS) Coy

►The Canadian Airborne Regt

Unit Listings by year

1900 | 1901 | 1902 | 1903 | 1904
1905 | 1906 | 1907 | 1908 | 1909
1910 | 1911 | 1912 | 1913 | 1914
1915 | 1916 | 1917 | 1918 | 1919
1920 | 1921 | 1922 | 1923 | 1924
1925 | 1926 | 1927 | 1928 | 1929
1930 | 1931 | 1932 | 1933 | 1934
1935 | 1936 | 1937 | 1938 | 1939
1940 | 1941 | 1942 | 1943 | 1944
1945 | 1946 | 1947 | 1948 | 1949
1950 | 1951 | 1952 | 1953 | 1954
1955 | 1956 | 1957 | 1958 | 1959
1960 | 1961 | 1962 | 1963 | 1964
1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969
1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974
1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979
1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984
1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989
1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994
1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999
Unit Listings by Corps/Branch

►RCOC
Rank and Responsibility

►Officers

►Warrant Officers

►Non-Commissioned Officers

►Non-Commissioned Mbrs (Men)

►Table of Ranks & Responsibilities

►Table of Ranks & Appointments

►Staff Officers

►Rank & Appt Abbreviations

Units of the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps in the Second World War

The Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps concerned itself with the provisioning of troops with the means to fight; specifically uniforms, weapons and equipment.  Ordnance functions go back hundreds of years; the first Ordnance Officer in the British military appeared in the year 1299.   Designated "Keeper of the King's Wardrobe", his duties included the care and accounting of heavy equipment such as battering rams and catapults.

The title of "Master of Ordnance" can be traced to 1414; this individual cared for the King's military stores, particularly his artillery pieces.  He retained control over engineer and artillery personnel until 1716.

In the 1700s, the British military set up many ordnance stores in Canada, control passing to Canadian authorities after 1855.  In 1903 the Ordnance Stores Corps was formed, taking over duties performed formerly by the Canadian Stores Department.   Granted the title Canadian Ordnance Corps on 2 Dec 1907, creditable service in the First World War led to the grant of the prefix "Royal" by King George V on 3 Nov 1919.

The Militia component of the Corps was not authorized until 1912, and redesignated with the Royal prefix in 1936.

In World War Two, the RCOC was responsible for supplying the field Army with all manner of stores, with some exceptions.   Ammunition, artillery pieces, and vehicles were RCOC responsibilities; food, medical supplies, some engineering equipment, petrol, oil and lubricants remained outside the control of the RCOC.

The RCOC was responsible for the storage and distribution of various stores such as clothing, equipment, beds, blankets, signal equipment, tents, mess equipment, cleaning supplies, engines and spare parts for vehicles, hand and machine tools, binoculars, compasses, and electric generators, to name a few.

To provide the proper amount of stores to the Army, provisioning was commenced months in advance, from scales of issue approved by the General Staff.  Contracts let by DND advised manufacturers of the Army's needs.   Once the manufacturers delivered the goods, they went first to Ordnance Depots who received and processed the equipment, then sent it to other, smaller, depots for distribution.

The RCOC also ran mobile bath and laundry units, and performed salvage operations.  Retrieving damaged vehicles, kit from personnel casualties, and even recovery of enemy equipment, was an RCOC function as well.

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Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps
 BASE UNITS - UNITED KINGDOM
  Canadian Military Headquarters Units  
Component or Unit Location on Mobilization Date of Mobilization Assignments/Employment Final Disposition Notes
1 Detachment RCOC, Aldershot UK Dec 39 Canadian Military Headquarters    
Cdn Liason Office - Field Stores UK Dec 39 1 Detachment RCOC, Aldershot    
Cdn Control Office - Field Stores UK Jan 40 1 Detachment RCOC, Aldershot    
Cdn Stores Group - Aldershot UK Jan 40 1 Detachment RCOC, Aldershot
(moved to Crookham Aug 40)		    
2 Army Field Workshop RCOC Bordon Toronto, ON Sep 39 1 Detachment RCOC, Aldershot
Arrived in the UK Dec 39		    
Base Laundry (Civilian) -Bordon UK Jan 40 1 Detachment RCOC, Aldershot Transferred to 2 Detachment, RCOC, May 1940  
Armourer's Shop - Crookham UK Jan 40 1 Detachment RCOC, Aldershot Transferred to RCEME
Feb 44		  
RCOC Holding Unit - Bordon UK Feb 40 1 Detachment RCOC, Aldershot    
Veh Inspection Org - Southampton UK Feb 40 1 Detachment RCOC, Aldershot (moved to Bordon Aug 40)    
  • Veh Assembly Sec - Aldershot
 UK Mar 40 1 Detachment RCOC, Aldershot Bomb casualty July 40  
  • Veh Assembly Org - Southampton
 UK Mar 40 1 Detachment RCOC, Aldershot   Approx 450 civilians
  • Cdn (Temp) Veh Depot - Woking
 UK Mar 40 1 Detachment RCOC, Aldershot Closed May 40  
  • Veh Census Branch - Bordon
 UK Mar 40 1 Detachment RCOC, Aldershot    
  • RCOC Motor Transport Depot - Bordon
 UK Apr 40 1 Detachment RCOC, Aldershot Transferred to 2 Detachment, RCOC, May 1940  
Boot Repair Shop - Crookham UK May 40 1 Detachment RCOC, Aldershot   Shoemaker School
Cdn Ord Inspections Sec - Aldershot UK May 40 1 Detachment RCOC, Aldershot Absorbed by Inspec Unit  
Returned Stores Sub-depot - Crookham UK Sep 40 1 Detachment RCOC, Aldershot   With Stores Group
Canadian Ordnance Inspections Unit - Aldersot UK Nov 40 1 Detachment RCOC, Aldershot   Absorbed Inspectorate
2 Detachment RCOC, Aldershot     Canadian Military Headquarters    
2 Army Field Workshop - Bordon From 1 Detachment May 40 2 Detachment RCOC, Aldershot    
Base Laundry - Bordon From 1 Detachment May 40 2 Detachment RCOC, Aldershot    
RCOC Holding Unit - Bordon From 1 Detachment May 40 2 Detachment RCOC, Aldershot    
Vehicle Census Branch - Bordon From 1 Detachment May 40 2 Detachment RCOC, Aldershot    
RCOC MT Depot - Bordon From 1 Detachment May 40 2 Detachment RCOC, Aldershot    
Vehicle Inspectorate RCOC UK Aug 40 2 Detachment RCOC, Aldershot    
  • Veh Assembly Sec -  Aldershot
 From 1 Detachment Aug 40 2 Detachment RCOC, Aldershot    
  • Veh Assembly Org - Southampton
 From 1 Detachment Aug 40 2 Detachment RCOC, Aldershot    
  • Veh Assembly line - Dagenham
   Aug 40 2 Detachment RCOC, Aldershot    
  • Veh Assembly line - Slough
   Aug 40 2 Detachment RCOC, Aldershot    
  • Ordnance Base Workshop - Bordon
 UK Aug 40 2 Detachment RCOC, Aldershot Absorbed by RCEME Feb 44  
  • Spare Parts Stores Sec - Bordon
 UK Aug 40 2 Detachment RCOC, Aldershot Absorbed by Base Ordnance Depot Jul 42  
  • Canadian Mechanization Depot - Southampton
 UK Nov 40 2 Detachment RCOC, Aldershot Bombed Nov 40  

DADOS Canadian Base Units
Component or Unit Location on Mobilization Date of Mobilization Assignments/Employment Final Disposition Notes
1 Canadian Ordnance Reinforcement Unit (CORU) UK Apr 41      
CORU Instructional Wing UK Apr 41 1 Canadian Ordnance Reinforcement Unit (CORU)    
1 Special Salvage Unit - Bordon Winnipeg, MB Mar 41      
1 Det - attached Veh Depot - Bordon          
2 Det - attached Mech Depot - Southampton   May 41 1 Special Salvage Unit - Bordon    
Canadian Vehicle Depot - Bordon UK May 41      
1 Canadian Base Ordnance Workshop - Bordon UK May 41      
Canadian Base Ordnance Depot (BOD) - Bordon UK

May 41

   Reorganized Jul 42  
ADOS HQ Canadian Reinforcement Units (CRU) UK May 41   Redesignated DDOS Jul 43  
ADOS CRU Dump 7 Railhead-Aldershot UK Nov 41 ADOS HQ Canadian Reinforcement Units (CRU)    
1 Cdn Pilot Model Laundry - Bordon UK Nov 41 ADOS HQ Canadian Reinforcement Units (CRU)    
1 Canadian Base Ordnance Depot (BOD) Bordon UK Jul 42 ADOS HQ Canadian Reinforcement Units (CRU) Redesignated 1 Canadian Central Ordnance Depot
(1 CCOD) Apr 43		  
  • Depot Headquarters
 London, ON Jul 42 ADOS HQ Canadian Reinforcement Units (CRU)    
  • 1 SD - MT Stores Coy
 UK Jul 42 ADOS HQ Canadian Reinforcement Units (CRU)    
  • 2 SD - Clothing and General Stores Coy - Crookham
 Redesignated Jul 42 ADOS HQ Canadian Reinforcement Units (CRU)    
  • 3 SD - Tech Stores Coy
 UK Jul 42 ADOS HQ Canadian Reinforcement Units (CRU)    
  • 4 SD - Veh Coy (HQ & 5 Veh Groups - each group with HQ and 4 Veh Parks)
 Redesignated Jul 42 ADOS HQ Canadian Reinforcement Units (CRU)    
  • 5 SD - Returned Stores Coy - Crookham
  • Boot Repair Coy - Crookham
 Redesignated Jul 42 and Oct 42 ADOS HQ Canadian Reinforcement Units (CRU) Returned Stores Coy transferred in part to Royal Army Ordnance Corps (British Army)  
1 Canadian Stores Accounting Inspectorate
  • RCOC Control Office
  • Depot Accounting Section
  • Unit Inspections Section
 UK Jul 42 ADOS HQ Canadian Reinforcement Units (CRU) Disbanded 19 Sep 45  
1 Cdn Static Base Laundry Redesignated Jul 42 ADOS HQ Canadian Reinforcement Units (CRU) Disbanded 19 Sep 45  
1 Canadian Central Ordnance Depot (CCOD) UK Aug 43 ADOS HQ Canadian Reinforcement Units (CRU) Disbanded 19 Sep 45  
  • Depot Headquarters
 UK Aug 43 ADOS HQ Canadian Reinforcement Units (CRU) Disbanded 19 Sep 45  
  • MT and Tech Stores Coy
 Redesignated Aug 43 ADOS HQ Canadian Reinforcement Units (CRU) Disbanded 19 Sep 45  
  • Boot Repair Coy
 Redesignated Aug 43 ADOS HQ Canadian Reinforcement Units (CRU) Disbanded 19 Sep 45  
  • 1 Vehicle Company
 Redesignated Aug 43 ADOS HQ Canadian Reinforcement Units (CRU) Reorganized Sep 42
 Disbanded 19 Sep 45		  
  • Vehicle Transit Park - Bordon
  • Movement Control Section
  • Control Office
  • Receipts Office
  • Kit Stores Section
  • Convoy Section
  • Transport Secs (2)
   Aug 43 ADOS HQ Canadian Reinforcement Units (CRU)  

Reorganized 12 Feb 44
 Absorbed by CCOD HQ Nov 43

  
Trials and Demonstration Unit UK Aug 43 ADOS HQ Canadian Reinforcement Units (CRU)    
  • 1 Canadian Equipment Assembly Unit
 UK Oct 43 ADOS HQ Canadian Reinforcement Units (CRU)    
Vehicle Reception Depots UK Feb 44 ADOS HQ Canadian Reinforcement Units (CRU) Disbanded 19 Feb 45  
  • MT Veh Reception Depots (5)
 UK Feb 44 ADOS HQ Canadian Reinforcement Units (CRU) 4 MT Depot redesignated 1 Veh Coy "A" 19 Sep 45  
  • 1 Vehicle Company (1 CCOD)
 Redesignated Feb 44 ADOS HQ Canadian Reinforcement Units (CRU)    
  • Convoy Section
 Redesignated Feb 44      
  • Spec Veh Depots (Waterproofing) (3)
 UK Feb 44      
1 Cdn Ordnance and ME Rft Unit (COMERU) UK Jul 44   Redesignated Rehab School  
1 Canadian Rehab Trades School UK Jul 45      

Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps
 FIELD ARMY UNITS - EUROPE
  FIRST CANADIAN ARMY  
Component or Unit Location on Mobilization Date of Mobilization Assignments/Employment Final Disposition Notes
DDOS First Canadian Army (FCA) UK Aug 42 First Canadian Army
8 Mobile Bath Unit Toronto, ON Aug 42 DDOS First Canadian Army (FCA) Redesignated FCA Bath Unit  
FCA Bath Unit UK Oct 42 DDOS First Canadian Army (FCA) Reorganized as 8 Mobile Laundry and Bath Unit (MLBU)  
1 Canadian Ordnance Beach Det UK Nov 42 DDOS First Canadian Army (FCA) Disbanded Jul 44 (absorbed)  
2 Canadian Ordnance Beach Det UK Dec 42 DDOS First Canadian Army (FCA) Disbanded Jul 44 (absorbed)  
1 Canadian Ordnance Maintenance Coy UK Feb 43 DDOS First Canadian Army (FCA)    
4 (Railhead) Salvage Unit UK May 43 DDOS First Canadian Army (FCA)    
10 Mobile Bath Unit UK Aug 43 DDOS First Canadian Army (FCA) Reorganized as 9 Mobile Laundry and Bath Unit (MLBU)  
1 Special Stores Company UK Sep 43 DDOS First Canadian Army (FCA)    
8 MLBU UK Oct 43 DDOS First Canadian Army (FCA)    
ADOS First Canadian Army Troops UK Aug 42 First Canadian Army
9 Mobile Laundry and Bath Unit (MLBU) UK Jan 44 ADOS First Canadian Army Troops    
1 Canadian Mobile Officers Kit Shop (MOKS) UK Feb 44 ADOS First Canadian Army Troops Redesignated Line of Communication (L of  C)Troops  
1 Canadian Mobile Ammo Repair Unit (MARU) UK Mar 44 ADOS First Canadian Army Troops    
2 Canadian MARU UK Mar 44 ADOS First Canadian Army Troops    
1 Canadian Salvage Collecting Centre (SCC) UK Apr 44 ADOS First Canadian Army Troops    
3 Cdn SCC UK Apr 44 ADOS First Canadian Army Troops    
3 Cdn Corps and Army Troops Sub-Park UK May 44 ADOS First Canadian Army Troops   Serving Army Troops
1 Canadian Overseas Det 1 CCOD NWE Sep 44 ADOS First Canadian Army Troops Redesignated Line of Communication (L of  C)Troops  
2 Canadian MOKS NWE Sep 44 ADOS First Canadian Army Troops Redesignated Line of Communication (L of  C)Troops  
ADOS Line of Communications Troops NWE Sep 44 First Canadian Army
1 Canadian Vehicle Company (on loan) on loan ADOS First Canadian Army Troops   1 CCOD - 3 months attached
14 Fwd Trailer Sec (British) RAOC on loan ADOS First Canadian Army Troops British unit attached from 21st Army Group
3 Canadian MOKS NWE Oct 44 ADOS First Canadian Army Troops    
2 Cdn SCC NWE Oct 44 ADOS First Canadian Army Troops    
1 Fwd Maint Ammo Sec NWE Dec 44 ADOS First Canadian Army Troops att 2 Cdn Corps  
2 Fwd Maint Ammo Sec NWE Dec 44 ADOS First Canadian Army Troops att 2 Cdn Corps  
3 Fwd Maint Ammo Sec NWE Dec 44 ADOS First Canadian Army Troops att 2 Cdn Corps  
1 British Independent Ammunition Company RAOC on loan ADOS First Canadian Army Troops British unit attached from 21st Army Group
2 Cdn Overseas Det 1 CCOD NWE Dec 44 ADOS First Canadian Army Troops Redesignated Line of Communication (L of  C)Troops  
1 Cdn Officers Shop Supply Depot NWE Dec 44 ADOS First Canadian Army Troops Redesignated Line of Communication (L of  C)Troops  
1 Cdn Salvage Depot Headquarters NWE Dec 44 ADOS First Canadian Army Troops    
10 Canadian Salvage Unit NWE Dec 44 ADOS First Canadian Army Troops    
1 Special Vehicle Company NWE Feb 45 ADOS First Canadian Army Troops    
4 Fwd Maint Ammo Sec NWE Apr 45 ADOS First Canadian Army Troops    
5 Fwd Main Ammo Sec NWE Apr 45 ADOS First Canadian Army Troops    
4 Cdn SCC NWE Apr 45 ADOS First Canadian Army Troops    
2 Fwd Maint Stores Sec NWE Apr 45 ADOS First Canadian Army Troops    
5 Cdn SCC NWE Jun 45 ADOS First Canadian Army Troops    
1 Cdn Demobilization Depot NWE Jul 45 ADOS First Canadian Army Troops Attached 2/3 Division Canadian Army Occupation Force (CAOF)
2 Cdn Demobilization Depot NWE Jul 45 ADOS First Canadian Army Troops    
1 Canadian Ordnance Maintenance Company was augmented with large numbers of civilians, Royal Pioneer Corps labour, and the attachment of sections, platoons and companies from various 21 Army Group and Base units.
  I CANADIAN CORPS  
Component or Unit Location on Mobilization Date of Mobilization Assignments/Employment Final Disposition Notes
ADOS (later DDOS) First Canadian Corps UK Jul 40 First Canadian Corps Upgraded to DDOS Jan 43
DADOS (later ADOS) 1st Corps UK Jul 40 ADOS/DDOS First Canadian Corps    
Salvage control officer UK Jul 40 ADOS/DDOS First Canadian Corps Redesignated Non-Div Troops  
1st Cdn Corps Ord Fd Park. Regina, SK Sep 39 ADOS/DDOS First Canadian Corps
 Arrived in UK Jul 40.		    
5 Mobile Bath Unit (Non-Div) London, ON Mar 40 ADOS/DDOS First Canadian Corps
 Arrived in UK Sep 40.		    
3 British Mobile Laundry RAOC (Non-Div) UK Sep 40 ADOS/DDOS First Canadian Corps   British Unit on loan.
HQ Corps Salvage Unit (Non-Div) UK Sep 40 ADOS/DDOS First Canadian Corps    
1 Salvage Unit (Non-Div) UK Oct 40 ADOS/DDOS First Canadian Corps In op eff Aug 40  
3 Mobile Laundry and Bath Unit (MLBU) Farnham, Canada Aug 40 ADOS/DDOS First Canadian Corps
 Arrived in UK Oct 40.		    
HQ Ordnance Field Parks UK Sep 40 1st Canadian Corps Disbanded Jan 43.  
9th Non-Div OFP (1 Div OFP split) UK Sep 40 HQ Ordnance Field Parks Redesignated 1 Corps OFP.  
201 Inf Ord Sub-Park UK Dec 40 HQ Ordnance Field Parks    
202 Inf Ord Sub-Park UK Jan 41 HQ Ordnance Field Parks    
1 Corps and Army Tps Sub-Park UK Feb 41 HQ Ordnance Field Parks    
10th Non-Div OFP UK Aug 41 HQ Ordnance Field Parks Redesignated 2 Corps OFP.  
203 Inf Ord Sub-Park Drumheller, AB May 41 HQ Ordnance Field Parks
 Arrived UK Aug 41		    
205 Armd Ord Sub-Park Borden, ON Oct 41 HQ Ordnance Field Parks
 Arrived UK Nov 41		    
204 Armd Ord Sub-Park Barriefield, Canada May 42 HQ Ordnance Field Parks
 Arrived UK Oct 42		    
2 Corps and Army Tps Sub-Park Ottawa, ON Jan 42 HQ Ordnance Field Parks
 Arrived UK Mar 42		    
1st Canadian Army Field Park UK Oct 41 HQ Ordnance Field Parks Disbanded Jan 43  
1st  Canadian Army Ordnance Workshop UK Oct 41 HQ Ordnance Field Parks Redesignated RCEME Feb 44  
HQ 1st Cdn Corps OFP UK Dec 42 HQ Ordnance Field Parks    
1st Cdn Inf Div Ord Sub-Park UK Jan 43 HQ Ordnance Field Parks Detached to 1 Div Apr 43