Monday, 22 August 2022

CFC Canadian Forestry Corps?

I stumbled upon two interesting pieces of graffiti on the same tree, and both similar are in nature; J.Liafe CFC, and on the opposite side W. (the other initial lost to bark scaring, although possibly a T, as part of the top remains) CFC. CFC, eh? The nature of the graffiti gives me the impression that it's a good few decades old, and the fact that both CFC's are carved in the same unique style suggests that they're contemporary with each other.  After an internet search I came to the conclusion that CFC may well stand for the Canadian Forestry Corps; the corp was active in Britain (mainly Scotland) during both world wars; the nature of the graffiti ie. how it's stretched, scared and aged is very reminiscent of other Second World War examples. The Canadian Forestry Corps, nicknamed the 'Sawdust Fusiliers', was a corp of the Canadian Army who although given basic training were not expected to participate in combat, all things forestry and timber was their bag. There was a saw mill close by in Denny Enclosure between 1939-1945 which was said to be the only mill in the forest capable of handling 'large diameter timber', so although primarily stationed in Scotland, it is conceivable that Canadian Forestry Corps members with their experience and knowledge of dealing with large timber could have been employed in the area (I know some were stationed in Surrey). More research would be required to confirm that any members were stationed in the forest, and of course it could also be they were just passing by* or on leave. 

* During a cursory search I did come across this interesting reference:  'After the landings in Normandy in Jun 1944, ten companies eventually moved to the Continent to continue operations there; 77 square timber rafts and 54 round timber rafts had been created in Southampton to moved timber across the English Channel with them.' www.canadiansoldiers.com/corpsbranches/forestrycorps.htm  

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