Sansom, Charmian Odette

Directorate of Public Relations War Diary APR 43

2 APRIL 43

Announcement of the arrival overseas of the third draft of Canadian Women’s Army Corps personnel.

Meeting of Pte. Charmain(sp) Sansom, C.WA.C. and her father Lt.-Gen. E.W. Sansom overseas. Pte. Sansom arrived in England with the third draft of C.W.A.C.

DND (ARMY) PUBLIC RELATIONS PRESS RELEASE APRIL 1943

Private Charmain(sp) Sansom had a soldier father anxiously waiting to welcome her with the arrival overseas of the third Canadian Women’s Army Corps draft to be posted to the United Kingdom. Her father is Lieutenant-General E.W. Sansom, commander of an Armoured Corps in Great Britain.

Just 21 years old, Private Sansom joined the Canadian Women’s Army Corps because “I had no brothers to serve their country and so I felt I’d like to do my bit.”

Private Sansom shows a keenness about her life in the Women’s Army which is typical of the thousands of girls who are enrolled in its ranks. As a clerk in Ordnance while stationed in Ottawa she put all her energies into her work.

Born in Toronto on July 31st, 1921, she is the daughter of Lieut. General Sansom and of Mrs. Sansom of Montreal. She has two sisters, Mrs. F.J. Nobbs whose husband is a Captain overseas, and Anne Sansom at home.

Prior to joining the Army in August, 1942, she was a teller at the Bank of Commerce in Barrie, Ont. She was educated in Ottawa and Montreal and with her family also lived in Regina and Halifax.

For additional information regarding Lt.-Gen. Sansom please visit this link at Library & Archives Canada; Lieutenant-General Ernest William Sansom.

CFPU Army Newsreel Issue No. 7 – story six;

Khaki Close-Ups: Ordnance Clerk Private [Charmaine(sp)] Sansom and her father Lieutenant General E.W. Sansom; CWACs tote kit bags. Private J. [Jolé], Private R. [Vinyard], Private C. [Lafleur], Lieutenant A.A. [Masson], Lance Corporal J. [Laraine] attend a royal investiture. Good Friday service for the Royal Winnipeg Rifles on the Regiment’s 60th birthday; Major General R.F.L. Keller and Brigadier T.G. Gibson attend. O.C.T.U. graduation of 1st class of CWACs cadet officers; parade; General McNaughton in attendance. (https://recherche-collection-search.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/home/record?app=filvidandsou&IdNumber=33065&q=army%20newsreel%20no.%207%2033065)

W4319 CHARMAIN(sp) ODETTE SANSOM is listed to be appointed 2nd Lieutenant: CWAC dated 19 NOV 43.

REPORT FOR WEEK ENDING 5TH MAY 44

ITEM 2: Lieut. Sansom, CWAC Publicity Officer, covered CWAC sports activities, and wrote story on CWAC with 21 Army Group.

REPORT FOR WEEK ENDING 13TH MAY 44

ITEM 3: Lieut. Sansom, CWAC Publicity Officer, went to Alderbrook Park Convalescent Hospital on 7 May. Lieut. Schrag took photographs which were sent back to DPR (Army) NDHQ plus story on 11 May; Also visited Aldershot on 8 May. Pictures of 200 Coy taken by Lieut. Schrag. On 9 May went to see CWAC’s posted to SHAEF- Lieut. Schrag took pictures. On 10 May wrote and recorded CWAC news report for Capt. Meredith.

REPORT FOR WEEK ENDING 27TH MAY 44

ITEM 12f: Lieut. C.O. Sansom, CWAC contributed to an Empire discussion on Youth Sunday.

Lt. C.O. Sansom narrates CANR Issue 64.3 – Spot News Highlights: England: CWACs are given a wedding dress by an anonymous Canadian donor; a servicewoman models it for her friends.

From “The Viewfinder”;

“Last week the reel was again done at Movietone but this time Wilf Davidson was back on the job. As a new twist, Lieut. Sansom of the CWAC did a part of the commentary. It seemed more fitting to have a girl talking about a wedding dress than a strong voiced male.”