 |
|
|
|
|
|
I was born in a farmhouse in the Big Rock district of Okotoks. My birth date
was October 31,
1922. The Halloween tricksters in Okotoks had temporarily
blocked Dr. Ardiel's garage door and
by the time he got to the house I was
delivered and doing well. I believe it was Mrs. Sandiman
who delivered
me.
My parents moved to Okotoks town the fall of my sixth birthday so I
was spared the three mile buggy/sled ride or walk to the Big Rock
school.
During the summer of 1940 I got a job working on the main Highway
#1. It was being paved, so changed from a graveled to a paved road. Of course I
was very much apprised on the war going on in Europe. The fall of France, the
British Army evacuation from Dunkirk, the various Royal Navy Actions were avidly
listened to on the radio when possible. Then came the gripping and exciting news
of the R.A.F. Battle of Britain. This fired my excitement and longing to get
into the Airforce. My brother George had already enlisted in the Royal Canadian
Artillery and he was in active training. As soon as I had my 18th birthday, I
hitch-hiked a ride to Calgary to the R.C.A.F. recruiting office. At my medical
the Dr. said my pulse rate was too slow for the air crew standards but he told
me to step up and down on a chair for a few minutes. Then he took my pulse and
my count was good. So I was told to go home and await my call up.
Toward
the end of February 1941 I was called up, and I left Calgary with other recruits
for the Manning Depot at Brandon. At Brandon we received inoculations, uniforms,
introductions to route marches, etc. while we were waiting a call for temporary
guard duty at other R.C.A.F. Stations. When I arrived in Brandon I had on an
unlined jacket, it took over a week to get our uniforms and I remember how cold
I would get on the route marches. I also remember playing ping pong for the
first time at Brandon and the sing songs.
 Previous Section |
 Go Back to Chapter Headings |
 Next Section |