| I was born and raised in Dallas, Manitoba. I enlisted in 1942 as an
Armoured Corp reinforcement, in Winnipeg. I took my basic training at Fort Garry. I
volunteered because I did not want to become a "zombie". All my buddies were in
the regular force.
In 1943 I went to Camp Borden where I took up tank driving and qualified for Group
"C" Trades pay.
In completion of that training I was recommended for an Armoured Fighting Vehicle Fitter
Course at London, Ontario. I passed and qualified for Group "B" Trades pay and
went overseas in 1944 to two Canadian Armoured Corp reinforcement Units. From there I was
sent to Holland with the Lord Strathcona Horse (Royal Canadians). |
After the war I was fortunate to be sent to Copenhagen, Denmark for a two-week tour. I was
certainly impressed with their
standard of living. Real steak (not ground-up sawdust), real eggs ( not he powdered form),
fresh strawberries and real cream.
Then back to Canada in 1946 for demobilization and then took up residence in Dallas Post
Office, Manitoba.
I took up farming for a couple of years and found out that you can make twenty cents a day
if you work twenty hours a day.
Another thing: you cannot tell the cattle on the Friday evening that you hope they have a
good weekend and "I'll see on
Monday morning." Granted you never starve, but you don't have any extra "buckshee"
money.
I moved from Dallas to London, Ontario in 1947 and got a job at General Steel Wares. Due
to the steel shortage and no
seniority I was laid off, subject to recall.
Fate intervened and the Department of National Defence sent me a letter asking if I would
consider the army as a career. I
re-enlisted in 1948 in Royal Canadian Electrical Engineers, where I stayed for another
twenty years. I completed my Senior
Non-commissioned Officer Brainwashing Course plus Vehicle Artificer Course. I requested my
release in 1968 and I was
released with the rank of Master Warrant Officer.
My lifestyle before enlisting was one of a farmer, fisherman, trapper and musician. My
father had the first store in that locality. I may as well admit, I was considered one of
the "favoured few". It was because of this I did not experience any culture
shock upon entering the forces.
My older brother Howard enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force and re-enlisted after the
war for a total of twenty-five
years of service. My younger brother Ebenezer enlisted in the Armoured Corp.
I was a non-status before enlisting and was not re-instated till 1987. I was able to vote
in all elections.
I applied and qualified for "awaiting returns" from Veterans Land Act in 1946
for a few months.
My advice to the Native youth are words that my mother gave me, "Be as good as the
goodest, be as kind as the kindest, be
as best as the bestest", and father's words which were "Be hard, play hard, and
work hard." One can only achieve what one's ambitions are and talent direct. If you
never had an opportunity to fulfill your desired educational level, it is not too late to
apply yourself at this stage. If you hope for a degree and it cannot be obtained then you
try for journeyman's rating. Only you can accomplish things for you. Remember moving from
job to job does not give you seniority.
In 1988, I heard our present President, Willy John, on CBC Radio requesting Native
Veterans to join the Native Veterans
Association of Northwestern Ontario. At this present time I am still with them.
At the founding meeting, I was elected Second Vice President. Effective March 15, I will
be taking the place of President,
which was confirmed in Nipigon on the twenty-first of January 1989.
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