Thanks Guy, I've been in touch with David and seen a copy of the tracer card. Hepworth was chaplain to 5th Wiltshire (43rd Wessex Div), who were in the area at the time. As you suggest, I wonder if he may have been temporarily seconded. I did come across a reference to an RC chaplain who couldn't go over with the Dieppe raiders because he was held up at a conference, maybe Rev Hepworth made up the number?
A mystery...!
GUY wrote:David Blake, curator of the Royal Army Chaplains' Museum, confirmed the archive held a trcaer card relating to Reverend Captain Hepworth :
A card does exist for G J C Hepworth, however; there is no indication on the card of Hepworth being attached to either a Commando or Combined ops or Special Service Brigade. In July 1942, Hepworth was attached to the 43rd Wessex Division.[/i]
Reverend Hepworth may have been seconded from the 43rd Wessex Division to a Canadian Army unit for the duration of the Operation?
Good luck with your research