I've wondered this for years (and have asked many, many members both in and out of the Royal Regiment - but no one ever had the answer). It's one of those things that I've thought of looking up many times (but never when in front of good old Google...). This thread reminded me, so I did (google it, that is).
With that search, I found this link on the Canadian Encyclopedia website: http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1SEC817924
"Herbie and this Army," by William Garnet "Bing" Coughlin, first appeared in the Maple Leaf in the spring of 1944 in Naples, Italy. Bing's chinless hero Herbie became a particular icon at the front and "Herbie wuz here" graffitti marked the path of the Canadian advance. In 1944 Herbie was voted "Canadian Man of the Year" by the troops. "Monty and Johnny," by Les Callan, cartoonist at the Toronto Star in civilian life, and "Occupational Oscar and this Doggone Army," by Merle "Ting" Tingley, were also popular. "Ting" became the editorial cartoonist at the London Free Press after the war.
The Canadian Encyclopedia © 2006 Historica Foundation of Canada
Can I ask a bit of advice here? I've quoted a bit from that article, but I'm new to posting here. Have I properly quoted it? If not, please let me know and I'll remove the quote.
thanks,
Mark