The memories of the 9th day of September, 1939, stay fresh in my head to this day. It was fairly easy for me to rise through the ranks of the Royal Regiment of Canada. I was promoted to Master Gunner, Third Class, after recently turning 24. A couple of weeks later, CanadaGermany, and I would be thrown into battle as a Second Class Warrant Officer. Interestingly enough, however, my troops and I were not sent overseas until early April, 1940 (due to the phony war, Sitzkrieg). When the time finally came, I marched through the streets with my comrades. My entire family from Ontario came to see me off. My father, a former Troop Sergeant-Major from World War One, happily shook my hand firmly, and said, “If I could survive, so can you. Make me proud.” My mother was smiling, too, but I knew she was holding a fountain of tears back. She waited in anxiety for her husband to come home from the previous war while I was a newborn. Now, I was about to leave to fight, too. I was worried about the well-being of my troops, how long the war would last, and if the Germans would advance far enough to attack Canada. Nevertheless, I saluted my father with a smile, and marched onward. Veterans, what comes to your minds when you think back to September 9, 71 years ago? declared war on Germany?
Now that I come to think of it, the day the War was declared was a very monumental day for me. While I may not have had such a colourful war history like you, Michael, my family was still certainly proud of my decision to join the army overseas to fight “for King and Country”, as they said. My family had been loggers and lumberjacks for three generations and proud Canadians for a long eight generations. Before the war began, my father would often tell me how much he regretted not being able to fight in the First World War because he broke his leg during a logging accident. He would jokingly tell me that it was my duty to continue what he had been unable to do for the country but as a child, I took it very seriously even though I never expected such an opportunity because the First World War had been the “War to End All Wars” after all. But when the war did begin, I had already plenty of experience with my father’s half-track and I reasoned then that I could use such experience to help kill Nazis instead of dragging logs. It certainly sounded much more heroic to me. Thus, when the war did begin, as a foolish dolt of eighteen, I was more than enthusiastic to enlist in the Canadian Armoured Corps.
I don't remember much about September 9th, 71 years ago. It was just the end of the depression and I did not have much motivation to join the war. I was busy trying to help my family since their small store was on its ropes. However, my parents said to join the war that day because joining the army had decent pay and that you can send the money back at home to help support the store. Reluctantly, I agreed and found myself in love for planes since it gave me a sense of adventure. Without decision, I signed up for Royal Canadian Air Force at 24 years of age.
71 years is a long time for memories to become changed and twisted, possibly molded to others that I had throughout the war, so pardon me for minor errors. Joining the war for me was an easy choice to make. I wanted to find a job that would help m family that was struck hard by the Great Depression, as it was known to be called. I wanted to earn money for my family and also save the food that they would have to buy and the money they would need to buy it. So, I was in a pretty good mood for the first few days. I went through training and was found to be a tactician, but not he best with guns so I was moved out onto the ocean, as a Naval Merchant ship commander. When I did this, I was only 18 years of age, but I felt that I was more than ready for the war. Boy, was I in for a surprise.
(Major Rey Hypolito T.) I barely remember that day… all I can recall was that it was one big blur. People were both cheering and protesting; mothers were all crying and begging their children not to go. I don’t even want to remember that time. Everyone was still morning the lost of their loved ones who died in ww1. I enlisted about 2 days after Canada formally declared war against Germany. I remember that all I could feel was that I wanted to get out! I wanted to get out of the clutch of depression into new times whether it be for the better or for the worst.
Now that I come to think of it, the day the War was declared was a very monumental day for me. While I may not have had such a colourful war history like you, Michael, my family was still certainly proud of my decision to join the army overseas to fight “for King and Country”, as they said. My family had been loggers and lumberjacks for three generations and proud Canadians for a long eight generations. Before the war began, my father would often tell me how much he regretted not being able to fight in the First World War because he broke his leg during a logging accident. He would jokingly tell me that it was my duty to continue what he had been unable to do for the country but as a child, I took it very seriously even though I never expected such an opportunity because the First World War had been the “War to End All Wars” after all. But when the war did begin, I had already plenty of experience with my father’s half-track and I reasoned then that I could use such experience to help kill Nazis instead of dragging logs. It certainly sounded much more heroic to me. Thus, when the war did begin, as a foolish dolt of eighteen, I was more than enthusiastic to enlist in the Canadian Armoured Corps.
ReplyDeleteI hope the women were a bit more lenient to your father and refrained from placing a white feather on him during the first world war.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like you had succeeded in what your father had failed to do. He must have been so proud of you when you returned home.
I don't remember much about September 9th, 71 years ago. It was just the end of the depression and I did not have much motivation to join the war. I was busy trying to help my family since their small store was on its ropes. However, my parents said to join the war that day because joining the army had decent pay and that you can send the money back at home to help support the store. Reluctantly, I agreed and found myself in love for planes since it gave me a sense of adventure. Without decision, I signed up for Royal Canadian Air Force at 24 years of age.
ReplyDelete71 years is a long time for memories to become changed and twisted, possibly molded to others that I had throughout the war, so pardon me for minor errors. Joining the war for me was an easy choice to make. I wanted to find a job that would help m family that was struck hard by the Great Depression, as it was known to be called. I wanted to earn money for my family and also save the food that they would have to buy and the money they would need to buy it. So, I was in a pretty good mood for the first few days. I went through training and was found to be a tactician, but not he best with guns so I was moved out onto the ocean, as a Naval Merchant ship commander. When I did this, I was only 18 years of age, but I felt that I was more than ready for the war. Boy, was I in for a surprise.
ReplyDelete(Major Rey Hypolito T.)
ReplyDeleteI barely remember that day… all I can recall was that it was one big blur. People were both cheering and protesting; mothers were all crying and begging their children not to go. I don’t even want to remember that time. Everyone was still morning the lost of their loved ones who died in ww1. I enlisted about 2 days after Canada formally declared war against Germany. I remember that all I could feel was that I wanted to get out! I wanted to get out of the clutch of depression into new times whether it be for the better or for the worst.