Memories of a Soldier

Memories of a Soldier
It was in the fall of 1941 that I received my notice that I was to report to the army. I left in January 1942 on a train from Regina to Prince George, B.C. to do my basic training (lots of marching!)My advanced training was in Terrace, B.C. (mountain climbing and shooting guns, throwing grenades, etc. ) Once when we went from Smithers to Vanderhoof, we had to cross a rope bridge. The second or third guy behind me slipped off and drowned in the water underneath us. Then I was transferred to Vancouver to take training in map making and field sketching for about 6 or 7 months. I went by boat (The Empress of France) to Brighton, England (about 7 or 8 days). When we got close to London, there were battles all around us. We started active fighting in Belgium, to Holland and eventually to Germany. We had to guard bridges over canals, even after the war was finished. I started cooking in the army too. We made lots of sugar cookies!! We had lots of mutton and brussel sprouts, and I have had a hard time eating brussel sprouts since! When we moved back to Holland, I didn't have to cook any longer. I still remember my own regiment number, even after all these years - 608791!! We had to have that engrained in us! We were in Germany when my buddy beside me was shot - Cecil Budden. We were on the machine gun at the time. I was a good shot. I wore a special symbol on my sleeve to show that. They wanted me to be a sniper. We were at a farm and we were left off at a trail . A grenade was tied to a tree but we managed to avoid it. There was nobody there at the farm. The Germans were in the bush behind us. We were in a trench. Some of the other boys were shot up too. One of our big tanks came up after Cecil Budden was shot and they shot into the bush to push the Germans back. There were only four of us left after this. There were about 12-14 to start. The Germans tied dogs up in the trees and they barked all night. The last soldier to be shot in the South Sk. Regiment was Cecil Budden and he was sitting right beside me. After he died, they put him on a stretcher and I will never forget having to pass by him all night, having to sleep nearby, .... Thankfully, I never was in a concentration camp, but they were everywhere. After the war, I had nightmares, and still do to this day. Occasionally, I wake up at night, fighting in my sleep.... These are just a few of the memories that have come out of dad today. Some of the family starting asking dad questions and I have been typing this as he has been talking, so sorry for the randomness of it all, but I thought some of you might be interested... Heather