FREEDOM

Stories of South Pickering Seniors’ Club Veterans TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Page 1 The Veterans below are Who We Remember in this booklet Page 2 an integral part of our Memories of a Girl Growing Up During WWII Page 3 South Pickering Seniors’ Club. They chose not to have War Statistics Page 4 a page in the booklet. Who are These Men poem from Jodie Johnson Page 5 Kenny Allen Page 6 Kenny Allen and Friends - picture of Ellen Maddeaux Page 7 D Day Naval Bombardment Map - picture of a hit! Page 8 Ab Blake and Friends Page 9 George Bourner Page 10 George Bourner - memorabilia Page 11 Ab Sinyard Joe Thorogood George Dowding Page 12 RAF North Coates Strike Wing Page 13 John Franklin Page 14 John Franklin memorabilia Page 15 R Allan Harrison Page 16

Article entitled Canucks Unlimited and German Subs Page 17 Bill Sowerby Dennis Timbrell Olive (Cousins) Henderson Page 18 Olive (Cousins) Henderson cont'd - memorabilia Page 19 Frank Hindle and Atlantic Statistics Page 20 10,000 Ton Park Canadian Ship - D.E.M.S arm badge Page 21 Terence Michael Page 22 HMS Ajax 1944 Naples, Italy and information Page 23 John Cornwell Elva Docherty Bill Penny Page 24 Bill Penny con'td - memorabilia Page 25 Joseph Reynolds Page 26 Jospeh Reynolds cont'd - New Museum in Ottawa Page 27 Joseph Sornberger - The Royal Air Force Memorial Page 28 Pat Tranquada and - memorabilia Page 29 Eric Treharne Page 30 Eric Treharne cont'd and Friends Page 31 Cecil Turner Page 32 Cecil Turner cont'd and D.E.M.S. Atlantic Badge Page 33 Don Upham and Hong Kong Harbour Picture Page 34 Gordon Warren and Script Money Page 35 Frank Williamson Page 36 Frank Williamson and tank crew Page 37 Bill Wright - memorabilia Page 38 The Poppy Page 39 In Flanders Fields Page 40

GUESS THEIR NAMES ON THE FRONT COVER!!!

TOP ROW: left to right - Terry Michael, Pat Tranquada, Elva Docherty, Kenny Allen, John Franklin, John Cornwell 2nd ROW : left to right - Joe Sornberger, Joe Reynolds, George Dowding, George Bourner, Frank Williamson, Gordon Warren 3rd ROW: left to right - Frank Hindle, Eric Treharne, Don Upham, Dennis Timbrell, Cecil Turner, Olive Henderson 4th ROW: left to right - Bill Penny, Bill Sowerby, Al Harrison, Ab Blake. The President's Message to The Veterans

The Federal Government has designated 2005 as The Year of the Veteran!!

I strongly believe we should always be dedicated to the Veterans who have unselfishly given of themselves in the pursuit of Freedom, the securing of our Democracy.

For this I salute you all.

Elsie Hetherman and Mary Spence should be commended for bringing the Veterans who are members of the South Pickering Seniors’ Club to the limelight.

I can see the changes between before and after, knowing that a dormant atmosphere has become rejuvenated.

The Veterans should be allowed to visit every school in all of the Nations of this World to speak with the boys and girls who will grow to become the leaders of Tomorrow and narrate what the War was all about including their personal experiences. The Veterans have a better understanding of the human toll, the tragedies, the cost, and triumphs.

I sincerely hope that what Elsie has started will not die, but that the Veterans themselves will meet on a regular basis and forge a bond with one another.

Again, I salute you all.

God Bless.

Cynthia Campbell President.

1 WHO WE REMEMBER IN THIS BOOKLET

SOUTH PICKERING SENIORS’ CLUB VETERANS

This booklet was created by a number of great veterans who enjoyed the get-togethers we had on a monthly basis throughout January - April of this year. Coffee and home baking was the morning menu and we had over 20 veterans at each get-together. We realize through other commitments or personal reasons there were veterans that chose not to submit information and their pictures are on the inside of the front cover. I found it amazing how the Veterans that did submit articles remembered so much about their experiences and were embarrassed or timid to share their memories without a lot of harassing from Elsie. We also realize it is not always pleasant looking back in time. Thanks for all your help and returning my phone calls.

The Veterans enjoyed the first 20 minutes of our get-togethers talking to one and other. It gave them the opportunity to reminisce and discover what their fellow members of the South Pickering Seniors’ Club had done during the War Years on a one to one basis .

The first get-together consisted of 5 members who were very unsure about starting this “group” and so were Mary and I! The next month we had 12 members at our sessions. Over the next few sessions, the group grew to over 30 Veterans who began to realize the importance they were to this Country and the “Freedom” they fought for around the world!

Although we have no stories from WWI in this booklet, we want to thank those veterans for fighting for us and our FREEDOM.

It has been 60 years since World War II and we thank our veterans for taking part in that horrendous war and continued to fight for our FREEDOM.

We also want to recognize and thank the Veterans of the Korean War who also fought for our FREEDOM.

We want to thank all veterans of the South Pickering Seniors’ Club for your contribution to our FREEDOM.

You will find the articles contain many different responsibilities of the individual veteran and in some cases the member only wanted to remember the fun part of the War. The articles were left very close to the original documentation the contributors provided. Hopefully the spelling of some of the towns and locations are OK. It was a long time ago and we didn't research the spelling. It was not possible to use all submissions of memorabilia. We tried to match the memorabilia with the Veteran’s article, however, it wasn't always possible due to space. Notice most Veterans gave their years of service and locations but chose not to get into the detailed picture of “what it was like fighting in the war”. We realize it was not all fun and no matter what their position (responsibilities) were at that time they were contributing to our Freedom. Please turn to the “War Statistics” page to understand the losses of life they witnessed during their stay in certain Countries, Cities, Towns, etc., of the war.

We want to thank you “Vets” for helping us make this booklet. We notice how much “Taller You Walk” today in the South Pickering Seniors’ Club and we hope you have many more years with us!

Mary Spence - typesetter Elsie Hetherman - editor 2 MEMORIES OF A GIRL GROWING UP DURING WWII By MARY SPENCE

I was ten years old when the war started. As my Dad was in the Territorial Army he was called up for service before the war started.

The thing I remember most was being without my dad for the duration of his service 1939-1944 when he was given a medical discharge due to heart problems.

My mother had to go to work as a soldier's pay didn't amount to much. Because she worked I was designated the “ration book holder” as I did most of the shopping. We struggled along as best we could - mum, my younger sister Betty and I.

We had various scares during these years - once a mine was dropped at the mouth of Ayr Harbour, causing quite a stir. When the Germans bombed Clydeside and Glasgow (the Shipyards were located there) we could see the glow from the fires from our front window. Fortunately, Ayr escaped the bombing though we could often hear the German planes overhead. If the Air Raid Siren went off at night, the schools started at 10:00 a.m. instead of 9.00 a.m. Sometimes we didn't hear the siren and to our disgust arrived early for school. The late start was to give the teachers; who were A.R.P. and Fire Watchers, time to get home and change for school. If the siren went off during the day we had to get down on the floor under the desks. The windows were criss-crossed with sticky brown tape in case they were blown out - I never did find out if the sticky tape worked! Of course, all the house and business windows were covered with black-out curtains and we had no streetlights, so you didn't go out at night without a torch.

I'll never forget the feeling of anticipation on V.E. Day - it seemed the whole town held its' breath - we were all waiting for official news on the wireless. That night crowds roamed the streets and marched to the Barracks on the sea front where the cry went up “we want the band, we want the band.” Needless to say we didn't get “the band” and a very large disappointed group had to walk back home after midnight.

The town blossomed with bunting and flags and the Church Bells rang and rang (for the first time since war was declared - the ringing of the bells signaled an invasion during the war.)

There was a lot of merry making, parties and dances held in the streets. Victory Parades were held with Pipe and Military Bands in abundance.

Ayr Racecourse was used for the Military: Prestwick and Heathfield for the Air Force and Butlin's Holiday Camp at the Heads of Ayr for the Navy, the Yanks were all over so there was plenty of “man”power for the parades.

Until I started to write this article, I had no idea I had remembered so much about this period in my life - it was a lifetime ago and stressful though it was for grown-ups, the children were still just normal kids.

Working on this newsletter has been an absolute joy because it brought back so many memories from my childhood. Mary 3 WAR STATISTICS

IN WORLD WAR II - ONE MILLION CITIZENS SERVED FROM CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND. APPROXIMATELY 45,000 OF THIS TOTAL WERE KILLED.

MORE THAN 116, 000 CANADIANS HAVE ALREADY DIED IN THE PURSUIT AND DEFENSE OF PEACE AND FREEDOM DURING THE NINETEEN HUNDREDS.

WORLD WAR TWO

September 3rd, 1939 War was declared by Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand. Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain broadcast a speech.

September 10th, 1939 September 9th, 1939 Britain declared war on Germany. After the invasion of Poland, Canada declared war on Germany.

May 1940 Battle of Dunkirk - 300,000 French and British troops were rescued

May 10th,, 1940 Winston Churchill was appointed as Prime Minister of Britain.

June 10th, 1941 Germany invaded Russia.

December 7th, 1941 Pearl Harbour was attacked by Japanese bombers and U.S. entered the war. Declared by President Roosevelt.

August 19th, 1942 Over 900 Canadians died at Dieppe invasion - 4,963 Canadians took part - 1,946 taken prisoner of war - 913 died.

June 6th, 1944 D Day - Normandy invasion (Operation Overload) Juno Beach - Canadians had 1,075 casualties - 359 were fatal.

May 8th, 1945 VE Day - Germany signs documents of surrender. Victory in Europe

August 6th, 1945 U.S. drops first Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima.

August 9th, 1945 Second Atomic Bomb was dropped on Nagasaki.

August 15th, 1945 V J Day - Japan's Emperor, Hirohito broadcast his surrender of Japan, much to the disbelief of the Japanese people.

SUMMARY OF STATISTICS IN NAVAL ACTION

There were approximately 2,800 Canadian, British and Allied ships sunk during World War Two. 574 of these were sunk while in convoy. In total there were about 75,000 ships that sailed in convoys in WWII.

In the Canadian Navy there were about 100,000 who served in World War Two (Approximately 2,000 of these served as DEMS Personnel on merchant ships.) 4 The following is a poem written by a young girl on May 19th, 1996. This was published in the Picton Advocate (Nova Scotia) on Wednesday, November 8th, 2000. At the time Jodie wrote this poem, she was eleven years old.

WHO ARE THESE MEN? By Jodie Johnson

WHO ARE THESE MEN, WHO MARCH SO PROUD, WHO QUIETLY WEEP, EYES CLOSED, HEAD BOWED. THESE ARE THE MEN WHO ONCE WERE BOYS WHO MISSED OUT ON YOUTH AND ALL OF ITS JOYS.

WHO ARE THESE MEN WITH AGED FACES, WHO SILENTLY COUNT THE EMPTY SPACES. THESE ARE THE MEN WHO GAVE THEIR ALL WHO FOUGHT FOR THEIR COUNTRY, FOR FREEDOM AND ALL.

WHO ARE THESE MEN WITH SORROWFUL LOOK WHO CAN STILL REMEMBER THE LIVES THAT WERE TOOK. THESE ARE THE MEN WHO SAW YOUNG MEN DIE, THE PRICE OF PEACE IS ALWAYS HIGH.

WHO ARE THESE MEN, WHO IN THE MIDST OF PAIN WHISPERED COMFORT TO THOSE THEY WOULD NOT SEE AGAIN. THESE ARE THE MEN WHOSE HANDS HELD TOMORROW, WHO BROUGHT BACK OUR FUTURE, WITH BLOOD, TEARS AND SORROW.

WHO ARE THESE MEN WHO PROMISE TO KEEP ALIVE IN THEIR HEARTS, THE ONES GOD HOLDS ASLEEP. THESE ARE THE MEN TO WHOM I PROMISE AGAIN, VETERANS, MY FRIENDS, I WILL REMEMBER THEM.

JODIE JOHNSON

5 FREEDOM Kenny Allen Royal Air Force FLT/SGT Air Gunner, MA 1737191 When I was sixteen a German Bomber was being chased and dumped his bomb load on our small English town of Leek. It was then that I made up my mind to join the Royal Air Force to get back at him. As soon as I was 17½ I joined the Royal Air Force. I gave my age as 18 and was accepted. I was posted to the Isle of Man off the coast of Britain where I took my basic training. I wanted to be aircrew, but you had to do what they said and they said I was to be a maintenance assistant, helping the fitters on aircraft. I was so fed up that I volunteered to go overseas. We boarded a convoy to North Africa, and landed in Algiers. We then boarded a train to OJOA, a small airfield way out in the desert. It was a place where we readied Spitfires for the invasion of Sicily. One morning we awoke to find hundreds of troop carriers C47's. It was the U.S. 101st Airborne. They were using our airfield in preparation for the invasion of Sicily. We were overcrowded but enjoyed the Yanks - they had great food! One night - they all left!! Then my orders came through to train for Aircrew. I left by train for Algiers. Arabs with firebombs attacked the train. I managed to get out O.K. I went to Rhodesia and trained to be an Air Gunner. After receiving my Wings it was on to Bhopal, India, where I developed Malaria. I trained on heavy bombers and then it was back to Cairo. I took a boat to Canada to pick up a B24, but it was cancelled. We then went to New York and boarded the Queen Mary back to England. When the war ended we were sent to Germany as Air Force of Occupation. I loved my years there. I served with Royal Air Force in many parts of the world and met many great people who were also serving their country. On the humorous side - Taking a trip on a training plane accompanied by two W.A.A.F. ladies going to Scotland. There was the Pilot, the two ladies and myself. As we were taxiing from the front of the hangar a large soldier came running up, I opened the window and asked what he wanted. He said he was from Canada and asked where we were going. I said “Scotland,” he said his grandparents were from Scotland and could we give him a ride. I told him to hop aboard. After ten minutes one of the engines quit, I told him to go to the back and get the chutes, as we had to jump. He came back and said “There are only three chutes.” I said “that's O.K., one for the pilot, one for you and one for me.” He said “What about the W.A.A.Fs.?” I said “You know what you can do with them.” He said, “Will we have time before we jump?” This is the way it was - Canadians-Yanks-British-Poles-Czechs-New Zealanders- Australians, etc. a comrade relationship, all together as one - men and women. YES! I REMEMBER - I WILL NOT FORGET MAY GOD BLESS ALL OUR VETS!! Then my wife and I came to Canada in 1948.

46 Stories of South Pickering Seniors’ Club Veterans Celebrating VE Day in France Kenny Allen is the 3rd guy from the left (2nd row, leaning right)

WAR IS OVER!!!!! V E DAY - MAY 8 1945!!! Ellen Maddeaux

7 FREEDOM Ab Blake Stoker 1st Class R.C.N.V.R. V83013

I joined the Navy and did basic training in Montreal and Halifax traveling up the St. Lawrence River by training ship. Served from March 30TH, 1944 - March 7TH, 1946.

I was part of a group of personnel nicknamed the “Goon Squad” whose duties included rescuing sailors when they were “out on the town” and were accosted by the Zoot Suiters.

We all hated boiler duty as we had to crawl through a porthole in the baffle of the oil tanks with our cleaning equipment and a light - when you came out of the tanks you were drunk with the fumes.

I served on three different ships for a short time. One of my duties was three months on the Sackville dumping tons of ammunition over the side into the ocean at the end of the war. We also were in the approach to the harbour to pick up mine cables. My job was to run the winch on this operation.

I was only seventeen when I was asked if I was grog or temperance on first boarding a ship - I said “grog”, therefore was in trouble. - I was a Stoker First Class. My next misdemeanor my first time on guard (and I knew nothing) was allowing some latecomers through the fence when I was on guard duty -. Next time I was in trouble I had joined some of the boys in bringing back a few beers from shore leave, the Duty Officer found us and put us on report - each incident brought me thirty days of extra duty.

Ab Blake is the guy on the right!

8 Stories of South Pickering Seniors’ Club Veterans 9 Official copy of Instructions to every ship - issued by the Admiral. (Submitted by Terence Michael)

D-Day Naval Bombardment Target Allocation - Force “G” Rear Admiral Sir PHILLIP VAIN

It's a hit!!! George Dowding's wing on the left side of picture! Escorting this Beau back to base(England) on one engine!!

9 FREEDOM George Bourner Royal Engineers Army Postal Service SPR 23004731 I was born in Eastbourne, a town on the south coast of England, overlooking the English Channel. When I was very young my mother died and my father did not want the bother of looking after two boys. Instead of allowing us to be sent to Dr. Barnadoes Home for Boys, my grandparents adopted us. When I was 15 years old I went to work at the post office as a messenger boy delivering telegrams. At the age of 18 I received my call up papers for National Service which was mandatory of all males at that time. You were able to receive a deferment if you were an apprentice, until your apprenticeship was completed. I was with the Royal Engineers Army Postal Service and I did my basic training in Aldershot. After my basic training I was sent to London and from there was shipped out to Korea as a postal driver. My job in Korea was to pick up mail from ships in Pusan Harbour or from the airstrip and sometimes the Korean Post Office. I would then deliver the mail to all the different units. When I began my service in Korea I was classified as Active Service but this soon changed to Peacekeeping. After I had been in Korea for nine months I was shipped to Japan, where I spent the next ten months at Iwakuni Air Base attached to the United States Marine. The majority of mail came to this base. It was then forwarded on to the different units - my job was to see to this distribution. I arrived back in England in January 1956. I was married in 1957 and in December 1958 I immigrated to Canada. Within a week of arriving in Canada, I started working as a butcher for Dominion Stores. In 1969 I joined the Royal Canadian Legion. Shortly after this I joined Unit 20 of the Korean Veterans Association of Canada. After joining the K.V.A., I took on the position of National Quarter Master Stores of Canada. This was a time consuming job. I had to purchase everything from lapel pins, berets, golf shirts, T-shirts and windbreakers, and then supply these to the various units right across Canada. I was awarded the Canada 125 Medal for my work, Cliff Chatterton, Veteran Affairs Canada presented the award to me. I then turned my attention to the Legion, holding most executive positions including the President of the Branch. My main interest was the needs of Veterans and the widows of veterans. I took on the position of Service Officer and then I became the Zone Veterans Service Officer. I oversee ten Legions and assist the Service Officers with problems or help with pension claims. We do our best to help the widows of veterans who sometimes have a hard time with their expenses, especially for hearing aids, glasses and dental work. Some of the monies collected for our Poppy Fund are used to assist with this work. There is a lot of paper work to this because we have to make sure everything is above board, and the Poppy money is only used to assist veterans or their widows. I am also on the Tri District Hospital trust Fund Board for the Legion. The Legion has six districts in Ontario, each district has four members. This Committee meets twice a year, once in the Spring and again in the Fall, we oversee the finances for the veterans in Sunnybrook Hospital. In the Spring, Sunnybrook gives us a wish list of needs for the veterans and then in the fall we check to see that the items agreed upon have been achieved. All the work I do is voluntary, but I enjoy doing it and it keeps me active. When I am able to win a pension claim for a veteran or help in any way that is my reward.

10 Stories of South Pickering Seniors’ Club Veterans Postal Coupon to purchase stamps for mailing

Letter from the President of the Republic of Korea in the year 2000.

Letter to family written on “Rice Paper” so it could be swallowed if captured (submitted by George Bourner) Postal Jeep #113! Driver- George Bourner

11 FREEDOM George Dowding Royal Canadian Air Force Pilot J 23224

I trained in Toronto, St. Catharines and Dunnville in Ontario from November 1941 - October 1942 before being sent overseas. My first solo flight was in a Tiger Moth on August 12th, 1942. I received my Pilot's Badge in Dunnville Ontario with my brother Reg in February 1943.

My first solo flight in single engine Harvard Aircraft was on October 23rd, 1942.

I was posted to Charlottetown, P.E.I. in February 1943 where we flew General Reconnaissance on “Ansons”. I was posted overseas and traveled from Halifax via Louis Pasteur ship to Bournemouth, England to await further posting, was there from May - July 1943. We were attached to Royal Air Force Coastal Command and flew twin- engine “Oxfords”. I completed training at Church Lawford in Warwickshire, England, July - August 1943.

I was sent to East Fortune in Scotland for my next posting in August 1943 for training on “Beauforts” and “Beau fighters”. My next posting was to Turnberry, Scotland to join the Torpedo Training Unit, thence to Squadron #254 Coastal Command. This squadron covered the area from the Bay of Biscay to Norway attacking enemy shipping (surface vessels). This tour of duty lasted from December 1943 - October 1944. Thirty- four operational sorties completed mostly in Torpedo Section.

Unfortunately my brother Reg, who had trained with me, was shot down and seen to crash in the sea on September 12th, 1944 - I had flown the night before!!!!

Subsequently I arrived back in East Fortune as an instructor on “Beauforts” and in November 1944 was sent back to Canada. I was posted to Centralia as Flying Control Officer, Control Tower - no flying - retired from Royal Canadian Air Force - September 12th, 1945.

Re-joined Royal Canadian Air Force Auxiliary # 2400 Radar Squadron 1954 - Part Time - Thursday nights and every other weekend.

Radar Squadron disbanded 1961 - transferred to #400 City of Toronto Squadron - Operations Officer - Flying in “Expeditors” and “Otters” - left #400 Squadron in 1964.

12 Stories of South Pickering Seniors’ Club Veterans 13 FREEDOM John Franklin British Army Commando Special Service 1157390 During the war I was still a German, although I was in the British Army, and volunteered for Commando Service. I was in No. 10 Commando, Inter-Allied, as the unit was made up of Norwegians, French, Belgian, Dutch, Polish and Yugoslavs, and there was X Troop also called No. 3 Troop, who were German. (An idea created by Admiral Mountbatten, who was then the Chief of Combined Operations.) These Commandos came under the heading called Special Service and fought with the British Army. In the Middle East, there were Germans in Nazi uniforms and German equipment, which were kept apart from British Units as they did not want to use the English Language (for security reasons - their own security.) Five years ago, the survivors of that German Unit asked the British Government for a Memorial in Wales (as they trained in Wales) the regular Commandos trained in Scotland. The government told them that they could have a memorial provided they pay for it themselves. There were originally ninety German volunteers (twenty were killed in action) who were refugees from Nazi oppression, in England and who volunteered for 'hazardous duties', apart from a couple of thousand who served in the British Army. I, myself became a 'British Subject' and in 1948 I came to Canada on a British Passport. Although I was in No. 10 Commando, I was not in X Troop, I was in British Headquarters (someone who spoke German). I knew of X Troop but X Troop did not know of me, and that is the reason I did not go over to Wales to attend the service as nobody knew me - I sent my niece and her husband to represent me, they live in London anyway. As you can see, the British Government was very 'generous' - these chaps had to pay for their own monument. I told this to my M.P. Dan McTeague, who made up a beautiful document and had it signed by the Prime Minister of Canada and I sent it over to a judge. One of these chaps is a judge in England, now. HERE IS A WEIRD STORY…. 1945 I was in Germany (Ostee - Baltic, No. 10 Commando, British Headquarters) was with the Belgian Commandos. In other words, I was the only 'English' with the Belgians on 'parade.' When we mounted or (changed) the Guard, all the Germans came to see the Military Spectacle, in fact they came to see ME, the stupid guy, who did it all the wrong way!! The Belgians used their own drill, mainly French. The Sergeant-Major who led the parade told me, “I'll give the command in French, but YOU do it your own way (English)!! So, the result was that I did it my way and they did it their way … and it looked pretty weird to the spectators. It so happened that there was a German Soldier standing right in front of me. He wore the Iron Cross First Class. One of our officers ripped the Iron Cross off his uniform (as a souvenir, I suppose.) I was appalled! Seething with rage! I recognized the German outfit - blue piping! And blue piping was the German Medical Corps. He had ripped the Iron Cross off a Medic!! The German was practically in tears, he lamented “I pulled men out of the fire!” Anyway, I was disgusted. To watch the officer behave like that! The same day, later, they handed out forms to be filled out for your medals, I didn't fill mine in … I tore it up …and that's the reason I have no medals! Now, some fifty odd years later, I finally got a medal … around my neck … not from an officer of the British Army, but from the Canadian Government!

14 Stories of South Pickering Seniors’ Club Veterans John's Commando #10 Special Service Award

John Franklin wrote this 700 page book. It was not distributed, however, John made several copies for his personal distribution.

To John Franklin Signed by Jean Chretien and Dan McTeague 15 FREEDOM R. Allan Harrison Royal Canadian Air Force J 47922 During the war I served with the Royal Canadian Air Force as a wireless operator, air gunner with the rank of flying officer. I joined in the spring of 1941 at the age of 18. I was posted to Guelph Ontario wireless training school and on graduation was sent to Paulson Manitoba for gunnery training. Completing my course I was retained as an instructor for a short period of time and then transferred to #164 squadron in Moncton. We were responsible for flying supplies to air force bases at Goosebay Labrador and Gander Newfoundland. I was transferred to coastal command in June of 1944 and flew a couple of sorties on submarine patrol. I was recalled to join a new squadron being formed to see duty in India and Burma. We were immediately shipped to England and then split into two squadrons numbered 435 and 436 (I joined 436). Our air crew was flown to India via B.O.A.C. and landing at a number of well known airports on the way including Gibraltar, Algiers, Cairo and Baghdad. We landed in Karachi India where I spent a few days on my back suffering from tropical dysentery. I received a shock one day while at this station. I was in the mess and someone tapped me on the shoulder and said “Hi Al how are you doing?” I looked around to see who it was and just about fell over when I discovered it was my younger brother who had also been sent to India with a Royal Air Force Squadron (117). Needless to say we had a great reunion. Shortly after that the squadron was posted to Gujrat in Northern India for training. Here we learned to tow gliders and handle paratroops. I was sent to parachute training school to become a jumpmaster. Finally we were ready and we transferred to our first operational base in the Imphal Valley on the border between India and Burma. Our task was to help supply by air all the supplies required by the British 14th army who were driving the Japanese out of Burma. Most of the material was air dropped at low altitudes, but occasionally a local air strip was captured and we were able to land our load. One of these towns was the famous Mandalay of Rudyard Kipling Fame. A second landing strip was located at a town called Meiktila where I received a shock. I heard some zinging noises and a soldier helping us unloaded the plane and said “Get down you silly bugger - they're shooting at you”. I moved quickly and the squadrons lost a couple of planes there to enemy mortar fire. As the army continued to move south we were required to relocate to a new base on a coastal island called Akyab and subsequently to another island named Ramree. The problem with these bases was the Himalayan Mountains were between us and the army. As you might expect, flying over the mountains particularly during the monsoon period was somewhat trying. In the first month, 47 inches of rain fell and storms over the mountains were a regular occurrence. Periodically as an officer, I was required to censor outgoing mail. I will never forget a letter from one of our ground crew to his girlfriend in which he described his duties. He told her that he was required to patrol the airstrip in a jeep to keep marauding tigers off the landing strip. It was a great story, although, I don't recall hearing about any tigers in the area. The Japanese were finally driven out of Burma with the fall of Rangoon and our squadron was posted back to England, flying our own aircraft home. We were subsequently posted to Bournemouth to await a ship home. I finally sailed on the “Ile De France” arriving back in Canada in the fall of 1945.

16 Stories of South Pickering Seniors’ Club Veterans ************************************************************************************* Bill Sowerby submitted these pics….

This one is a German Sub in St. John's Harbour.

German Sub - Bill Sowerby's brother at far right 17 FREEDOM Olive (Cousins) Henderson Women’s Royal Canadian Navy Services WRCNS Leading Wren No. 210 MY NAVY YEARS 1942-1945 When I heard that the Navy was taking women into the service, I decided to join; or at least sign up and hope they would take me. I applied for a position as a Coder, but was placed in Central Stores. There were four weeks of Basic Training before we were sent to wherever we were needed. A group of us, about thirty in all, were sent to Niagara Falls in January for a four-week long Supply Course. We were billeted at the Fox Head Inn.

Every morning after breakfast our Squad Leader marched us along the road overlooking the falls. It was cold and crisp, but we enjoyed it. We had our classes morning and afternoon, just like school. Afterwards we were free to do whatever we wanted but, of course, could not go very far away. We had the services of the hotel and did not have to do cleaning or dishes or anything like that. Upon returning to Galt, I was put on staff with a few others and was stationed there for a year. During that time, the WRCNS took over the Preston Springs Hotel in Preston, a few miles away. We had to take the inventory of the whole place. This took quite a while because it was a large hotel. When November came, I was sent to Shelbourne, Nova Scotia, partway down the East Coast. There was no Wren Barracks there at that time, so another Wren and I had to live with the Army Girls, CWACS (Canadian Women's Army Corps) for a few weeks until they made room for the Wrens at the Naval Base. This was a refitting Port for the ships. At Christmas, we were the only two Wrens at the base. One of us had to be there on duty. My friend chose Christmas for her leave, so I had New Years to go home for a few days. There was a ship tied up in the harbour on Christmas Day so the ship's company invited me for dinner. It was a fun day after all. Before long, we had all sorts of Wrens…..cooks, stewards, stores keepers, office workers, nurses, etc. We also had a band to keep our morale up. When we had a three-day pass we would hop on the rickety old train up to Halifax or down to Yarmouth for a change. One time we had a German sub brought into the harbour. My brother, Bill, was on the Shore Patrol, stationed there at that time. There were nets strung across the mouth of the harbour to keep out enemy ships and submarines these were let down to allow our ships to pass through. I was at Shelbourne until November 4th, 1944. During that time, we had the option of signing up for overseas duty, which my good friend and I did. Millie was posted to Scotland and I was sent to St. John's Newfoundland (HMCS Avalon.) Yes, it was overseas at that time. It wasn't until a few years later that it became a part of Canada. Our base naval stores were located in a large building across the harbour. We would get a ride down the hill and the harbour aircraft (something like a tugboat) would take us across to work every day. One day a Destroyer came in with a large hole in its side. We also had a surrendered German submarine come into harbour in June 1945. May 8th, 1945, we had V.E. Day (victory in Europe) to celebrate. During the summer of 1945, I received a posting to Victoria, B.C. I was to have my leave in August on my way out to the West Coast. During that time we had victory in Japan day. There was a great celebration going on everywhere. I thought my trip out west would be cancelled but it wasn't. I had an enjoyable train trip out west along with a few other Wrens. When we got there we found out we were no longer needed except to finish up various things. We were sent back to Galt in September to await our discharge. My friend and others also returned home from Scotland. My discharge came through on November 5th, three years from the day I arrived there.

18 Stories of South Pickering Seniors’ Club Veterans Top left pic: At the Galt training establishment of the Women's RCNS goes Newspaper: 1944 through one of the first steps for a recruit, Only a few hundred Wrens in Canada. having her shoes fitted. Expect to expand to 4,000 in a years time. Top right pic: All dressed up in their sou'westers ready for wet weather (1943)

Bottom right: Able Seaman Richard Birrell taking finger prints at sign up.

19 FREEDOM Frank Hindle Royal Canadian Navy V95044 In early 1945, after becoming 18 a couple of months earlier, I enlisted in the Navy. After a short time on “divisional strength” at HMCS York (Toronto) I was placed on active duty. In May I reported to HMCS Montcalm (Quebec City) for basic training. On completion, I was transferred to HMCS Cornwallis (Halifax); then in November to the HMCS Sackville ship, as a steward. A little bit of history: H.M.C.S. Sackville was commissioned in December 1941 and is named after the town of Sackville, N.B. In December 1982 after 40 years service as a warship and peace-time auxiliary vessel, it was retired from the Navy and in 1985 the Government declared it to be Canada's Naval Memorial. In particular, we remember Peter Horvath, a late member of South Pickering Seniors’ Club made many Atlantic crossings on convoy duty. I was served a baked potato for my first meal at “York”, adorned with a cockroach (dead). I'm sure that was put there to see what reaction would follow - nothing! While in Quebec City, I went to a pub with a group and when asked for my order, I requested a “Pepsi”. Everybody laughed, but the server went out and got one and served it to me on a tray. That was the last pop ordered! The war was pretty well over. In November 1945, I was transferred to Halifax and did further training there. The latter part of time until March 1946 was spent retrieving ASDIC cables from the bottom of Halifax Harbour. These had been used to detect movement of any submarine attempting entry to the Harbor. During my stay on the Sackville a number of crew members were assigned the job of picking up food supplies from Naval Stores. A harbourcraft was used for this purpose. Nobody on the ship would admit to liking spinach, but diet rules stated that we were to have it. So - we would pick it up and the box containing it would “accidentally” go overboard. Then everybody was happy. Received my discharge in Toronto (York) April 1946. BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC STATISTICS 781 GERMAN U-BOATS WERE SUNK 85 ITALIAN U-BOATS SUNK 2,775 ALLIED SHIPS WERE SUNK BY U-BOATS (an average of 40 per month.) 575 of the above were lost while in convoy. In all, there were 75,000 ships that sailed in convoys during World War Two. (Submitted by Cecil Turner)

20 Stories of South Pickering Seniors’ Club Veterans DEMS AT WAR! 1 0,000 T on P Picture submitt ark CanadianShip(Def ed b y CecilT ensively Equipped) urner . 21 FREEDOM Terence Michael British Royal Navy Leading Sea Man Gunner CJX 350602 D-DAY JUNE 6th, 1944 HOW A BLIND FRENCH BOY SAVED MANY ALLIED LIVES Facing and covering the sea and beaches for many miles the Germans had built a four-gun battery on the cliff just west of Port-en-Bessin. Big fortifications, big 155mm guns, beautifully camouflaged with nets and dirt embankments that could not be seen from the air. A farmer whose land they were built on was furious because he could not graze cattle or grow crops in the area. One day he took his revenge by pacing off the distances between the bunkers and from the bunkers to the observation post on the very edge of the cliff and from the cliff to the bunkers, and so on. He had a blind son, nine years old and like many blind people he possessed a fabulous memory. Because he was blind the Germans paid little attention to him. One day in early 1944, the boy hitched a ride to Bayeux. There he managed to get in touch with Andre Heintz, an eighteen year old member of the local Resistance Group. The boy gave him all his information, obtained from his father, which Heintz then sent to England via his small homemade radio transmitter (which he kept hidden in an old Campbell Soup Can.) The British Royal Navy now had the exact coordinates of the bunkers and HMS Ajax was detailed to attack the target. As dawn broke at 0510 hrs. 6th June, 1944 and when some ten kilometers offshore, HMS Ajax opened fire with 6” guns. The shelling was so accurate that within twenty; minutes two of the large German 155mm guns fell silent. They had not been destroyed but the shock and concussion from direct hits on the concrete emplacements so shattered the German artillery men that they abandoned the position. Moving sights to the third emplacement HMS Ajax scored what was either the most accurate or luckiest hit of the invasion. There were no survivors. Later evidence indicated that the entire breech mechanism of the 155mm gun had simply disintegrated and the three-inch steel barrel was in many pieces. The whole emplacement looked as if a nuclear weapon had exploded inside. Evidently HMS Ajax had sent one of its 6” shells through the embrasure of the emplacement at the same moment the breech was open and the gunners were loading a shell into it. This must have exploded in the breech. The steel door to the underground magazine was open and the fire from the breech explosion ignited the piles of stored 155mm shells, thus causing complete destruction and collapse of the cliff face. This action, without doubt, saved many allied lives, when, two hours later the 0730hr landings took place. This is a record of events arising during my wartime service aboard HMS Ajax.

22 Stories of South Pickering Seniors’ Club Veterans HMS AJAX 1944 NAPLES, ITALY

Leander Class - Light Cruisers - Quantity 8

Built at Camel-Laird Shipyards, Birkenhead

Ordered to build only 6 due to costs - 1934 - 1936

HMS APOLLO HMS ORIAN HMS LEANDER

HMS PHAETON - Later renamed HMS Sydney (RAN)

HMS NEPTUNE - Sunk 1942. Ran in uncharted minefield at full speed off Tobruk and hit four mines at 32 knots... One survivor from a crew of 680

HMS AJAX - Top speed reduced to 29-30 knots following bomb damage received at Cape Bonn. Repairs undertaken at Brooklyn Navy Yard, New York U.S.A.

Armament: 8-6 guns/ 8-4 guns/ 8-21 torpedoes/2- 40mm Quadruple Bofors AA guns/6-20mm Orlikon AA guns

Oil fuel capacity - 1800 tons Range - 7,000 miles at 16 knots.

23 FREEDOM Bill Penny Royal Canadian Air Force Flight Lieutenant 184620 I first became connected with aircraft in 1929. I was an invalid for a while and needed a hobby of some sort so my mother bought me an Airplane Kit, a small ROG, a very simple beginner's model. Chasing that airplane cured my walking problem!

I studied and built all kinds of planes. I read all I could about aircraft maintenance and flight problems, and so on. I completed a course at Central Tech in Toronto on Aircraft Maintenance.

When World War II came along I joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. Because of my education I was badly needed on the ground crew. I spent four and a half years in the Air Force, with Western Air Command, first at Jericho Beach, Vancouver in the engine overhaul shop, then with Number 4 Bomber Reconnaissance Squad at Jericho Beach, and then at 22SRD at Sea Island, an emergency repair outfit.

We were posted to many squadrons to help them service their aircraft. We were also sent to emergency landing strips to service aircraft forced down and we would fly them out.

I was stationed at Boundary Bay Training School #50TU. This was a very busy and popular training school where we trained the bomber crews. Simulated training was used and the P40 fighters would fly in and that's the way the training was done.

I married during WWII and that marriage lasted sixty years until my wife died in 2000. After the war, I continued in the Royal Canadian Air Force Reserves. I was promoted to Flight Lieutenant and became Chief Flying Instructor and Ground School Instructor with the 283 Cadet Squadron.

I retired in 1985. I still fly at times and spend most of my time building all types of model aircraft - remote control, free flight and rubber and electric power, indoor and outdoor. I am still going strong at 82 years of age and counting. This is a small, concise account of my times in the Royal Canadian Air Force as far as I can remember.

I could go on with many more close calls and experiences, but that is another story.

Canadian Volunteer Source Medal 3445 War Medal Victory Medal Canadian Decoration and Bar

24 Stories of South Pickering Seniors’ Club Veterans The pictures below were taken in the year 2000 at the Canadian War Plane Heritage Museum in Hamilton Ontario.

Bill Penny performed coastal parole searching for Japanese submarines on the “Catalina Flying Boat (PBY)” (left) which could land on water and land. They also carried torpedoes and could sink Japanese Submarines.

B24s are long range planes used for submarine searching and B25 are light bombers used to support the ground crews (the Army)

Bill Penny repaired and flew on the B24 bomber during WWII.

Stone Picture below: An area in Trenton on behalf of the DVA where stones can be placed to commemorate services in WWII.

(pics submitted by Bill Penny) 25 FREEDOM Joseph L. Reynolds Royal Inniskilling Fusilier British Army 55 Division 14901906 I wish to say at this time, “I honour all Services/Comrades/Civilians who made the great sacrifice of those dark eras. May they never be forgotten ------Bless Em All”!! MY PRIMARY TRAINING IN IRELAND - LEARNING - THE - ROPES I know we all have had may varied experiences in our service life, some good, some bad, but also some eye openers. I now offer one particular episode of mine during my Army Training career. On one fine morning, our “J” Company was assembled and with loaded trucks we were driven twenty-five miles to the Country Firing Range of 200 - 1,000 yards and start performing for our test marks on the Rifle and Bren guns. These marks would assess our posting to where ever??? When we arrived we unloaded the guns, ammunition and supplies. We were then split up into squads, some to shoot at targets, six feet square in size and other soldiers in the pits to mark the hole made by the bullet passing through the target, by waving and placing a paddle over the bullet hole. We were told to lie down on the ground, and told to fire five single shots into the targets 200 yards distance for the first test. I fired my first bullet and received – No Signal?? So I fired the second, -- No Signal. Then I felt a touch on my foot as I was lying there, turned to see the Platoon Sgt. who said to me “stop fooling, put a bullet in the target.” I remarked that I had already fired two bullets and no hole on the target, but I did say that I can put one in my target though. “That's what I want to see,” he said. Now I did notice where that second bullet hit, the dirt spit up when it landed below the adjacent target on my left. So, I set my sights on the target on my right, raised the sight according to my judgment of correction, and let it go. Up came the Paddle registering a hit on the right inside of the bulls-eye on my own target. “That's better”, he said, and I replied “Yes, but I have to aim at the target on the right, to be able to hit my own target.” At that he ordered every other soldier to cease firing, to see if it was my bullet hitting the target. Then he straddled over my body to see where I was aiming, and told me to fire another. Up came the paddle, marking near enough the same location. Now to my amazement he gave orders for the trucks to be loaded and everyone onboard and off we went we were back in camp for lunch. The camp staff, who knew the routine of all previous Range Firing Operations, were surprised to see us back so soon, and naturally thought something had really gone bad.

26 Stories of South Pickering Seniors’ Club Veterans Staff Sgt. Kelly, said to me “get your lunch and come back immediately” then he marched off to the C.O's Office, looking somewhat perturbed. After lunch I went back to the hut, he was already thee waiting for me. I thought the worse???!!! However, he said, come with me, so off we went to the Short Firing Range, which was in the Camp Compound. He then introduced me to the Armory Sergeant, who then gave me a rifle and asked me to shoot at the target in the background of the range. After each shot he would retrieve the target, and then make an adjustment to the rifle sights, then put a new target for a second shot from the same rifle, this was only to double check that he had made the correct adjustment. He must have been good at what he was doing, because, after firing only five different rifles, he asked me just to do the one shot, as no second shot was required after he did the correction on the sights. This went on all afternoon, with a multitude of Rifles and Bren Guns. When we had finished the stock of weapons, he handed me a strange gun, much larger than the others, from which I fired a few rounds. He informed me that this weapon was the type of Rifle that is used at the world Competitions known as “The Bisley Competition” in England at Aldershot. Two days later, “J” Company tested at the Country Firing Range again, only all day, this time. Results of scoring - 96% were the best ever in the history of the Camp for any Primary Training Company - the Camp was opened in the beginning of WWII. Need I say what posting I was to have???? This episode made me realize how bad the situation could be, with the soldiers at the front line trying to shoot anyone with weapons that would miss any target even at 100 yards.

Opened May 7-8th, 2005. $136 Million Dollar New Canadian War Museum In Ottawa

Dedicated to the education, preservation and remembrance of Canada's rich military history, the Museum will increase its visitors' awareness and understandings of the role military events have played in Canada's history. 441,000 square foot museum- just west of Ottawa's Parliament Hill. 13,000 pieces of “war art” including 3,000 paintings by war artists. Designed by Canadian Architect - Raymond Moriyama 630,000 Canadians served in World War One, 5,000 were Women. World War II 50,000 women served as drivers, mechanics, parachute riggers, signalers, radar and wireless operators. (information gathered from warmuseum.ca and other war type websites) 27 FREEDOM Joseph Clifford Bruce Sornberger Royal Canadian Air Force Leading Air Craftsman 276157

MILITARY RESUME September 1st 1924 Born in Sunderland, Ontario. September 8th 1943 Enlisted R.C.A.F. (No. 276157) stationed at Manning Depot, Horse Palace, C.N.E., Toronto, Ontario. October 1943 Attended Central Tech High School, Toronto - Wireless Training. Winter 1944 Posted to Montreal, Quebec - Wireless School. Spring 1944 Posted to Victoriaville, Quebec for “Useful Duties”. Summer 1944 Posted to Mount Hope near Hamilton Ontario to complete Wireless Course. Winter 1945 Posted to Malton, Ontario - Training Polish Air Force in Navigation. Early Fall 1945 Posted to CFB, Trenton, Ontario - Radio Repair for two months. Fall 1945 Posted to Moncton, N.B. - Radio Repair for nine months. March 18th 1946 Posted to Ottawa - Ontario Transferred to Reserve Force - Discharged Honourably. Received the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal.

The ROYAL AIR FORCE

North Coates Strike Wing Memorial Norwegian Memory of 241 Airmen who lost their lives in the North Sea (1942-45).

Submitted by George Dowding

28 Stories of South Pickering Seniors’ Club Veterans FREEDOM Pat Tranquada Royal Air Force Air Craftsman (AC1) 727182

I was in the service from 1944-1946 and I arrived in Canada on March 18, 1949.

At the beginning of my years in the service I joined up to the “ground crew division” in British Guiana along with approximately 200 other air force guys.

A couple of weeks later we were shipped up to Trinidad and then transferred to Bermuda. We were picked up by a “troupe ship” which was a converted luxury liner ship (very common at that time of the war) and we traveled via Barbados, Jamaica and ended up in Bermuda where we assembled a convoy. There were approximately 53 ships and we had to cross the channel to get to Britain. It took approximately 10 days.

In Britain we traveled to Melcham and attended a training course for 8 weeks learning regular Air Force training, recognition of various types of aircraft etc.

I was then posted to Didcot for a while and went to Bicester (outside Oxford) for over a year and a half.

After the war (VE Day) I received compassionate posting to go and visit my brother (Glerry) who was stationed in Kivel (Wiltshire) at 610TU Officer Training Camp working with the “Spitfires”.

The book on the bottom right is a calendar journal from 1946 indicating various wars.

The badge on the middle bottom row is the Royal Air Force Cap Badge

The medals appear left to right: Atlantic Star Battle of Britain Service Star 1939-45

Stories of South Pickering Seniors’ Club Veterans 29 FREEDOM Eric Treharne Royal Air Force Leading Air Craftsman 2365041 REMINISCES OF AN “ERK” After completing my square bashing at Royal Air Force Padgate, Lancashire, England, I was to train as a Flight Mechanic Engines. My first posting was to #226 Operational Conversion Training Squadron at Royal Air Force Bentwaters, Suffolk, as an under training (u/t) F.M.E. This station was eventually handed over to the Americans. Life during my time in Bentwaters was very primitive. I made a nostalgic visit to Bentwaters in the 1980s and what a transformation, with all the 'mod cons'!!! As I said, it was a conversion unit and pilots were converting from the Hawker Tempest Mk. 11 to Gloster Meteors. The Tempest was a beautiful aircraft with a Bristol Centaurus, eighteen cylinder radial engine in two banks of nine, which made it the fastest piton engine aircraft of its day. It was used quite a lot against the buzz bombs sent to devastate London. I worked under a Fitter 11E in the Maintenance Unit, and it was the custom for the fitter, who did the work, to test run the aircraft after a major service. However, there was a corporal in charge, and he used his rank to test run all the aircraft, which, of course, didn't go down well with the maintenance crew. The aircraft would be pushed outside the hanger and most of the fitters and riggers would gather around waiting expectantly for the start up of the engine, which was by means of a Kauffman starter. They used to reckon that the cost of each cartridge was 2s/6d in English money. The first cartridge would be fired and the propeller would make a turn and stop. The cry would go up 'two shillings and sixpence.' The second cartridge would be fitted, this time the propeller would make a few more revolutions, with a whiff of exhaust gasses appearing. The cry this time was 'five shillings.' When the amount reached ten shillings, and no response from the engine, the corporal's face would show some embarrassment. Once the engine caught and came to life, there would be a huge cheer to further embarrass him The time came for me to be posted to # 4 School of Technical Training at Royal Air Force St. Athens in South Wales, where I spent the next six months and passed out as a fully-fledged Flight Mechanic Engines. I became what was known in Royal Air Force slang, an “erk”, (a term applied to fitters and riggers.) All others were referred to as “gash” trades! The logic being, I was told, that to maintain an aircraft in the air you only needed fitters and riggers! No doubt, other trades have their own thoughts and ideas! On completion of the course I was posted to the Central Flying School which, in those days, was at Royal Air Force Little Rissington, in the heart of the Cotswolds, the highest altitude airfield in the U.K. There I joined “B” Flight and was introduced to, and became conversant, with the North American Harvard 11B (Texan to the Americans), which was the choice, for the advance training of pilots to become instructors. The Harvard had a Prat & Whitney nine cylinder radial engine, noisy, but easy to maintain. We each had a designated aircraft and my rigger was a W.A.A.F. Smudge, which was unusual in those days. It had its advantages - no - she just disliked flying, so when there was a test flight, I was able to have more than my fair share of flying.

30 Stories of South Pickering Seniors’ Club Veterans The day would start with the Daily Inspections which, on completion; the Form 700 would be signed by all concerned with the maintenance to indicate to the pilot flying the aircraft that it was airworthy. Come to think of it, we always referred to the aircraft as “kites”! There would be refueling between flights, marshalling of the aircraft and minor repairs and adjustments to make, and once a week we would carry out a weekly inspection of the aircraft. In the Forces you learned not to volunteer for anything, but the exception to me was night flying. The hours were far longer, especially on winter nights, but it had its advantages. For one thing, the food was better; as they were only cooking for a small number of people also you missed out on parades. “Chiefy” took a bit of the edge off night flying when he decided that it would be a good idea to carry out the weekly inspections at night. That, of course, went down like a lead balloon and we tried every reason to dissuade him, without success.

Prior to the arrival of the Harvard's on the flight, they had been using the de Havilland Tiger Moth. We still had one left on the flight, which was kept at the rear of the hanger. One of my duties was to give the Tiger Moth a 'once over' on a weekly basis. During my first inspection I found the gas tank to be empty. The Tiger Moth used different octane gas to the Harvard and on making inquiries I found that this gas was kept in a forty-five gallon drum, complete with pump and trolley, in another hanger. Not a very auspicious start, as it meant a distance of a quarter of a mile to wheel the trolley. Anyway I filled the tank - those conversant with the Tiger Moth will know that the tank is situated between the two upper wings, the engine being gravity fed. On checking the following week, the gas level was down! I checked there was no sign of a leak! Back for the forty-gallon drum! For the next three or four weeks everything was normal and at the end of that period I found, once again, the level of the gas well down. I thought I'd better make inquiries; these were thwarted when I learned that one of the sergeants on the flight, who was running a Ford 8, would go to the hanger with his Wellington boots, disconnect the pipe to the carburetor and fill his Wellingtons. He must have worked on the principle that if they kept water out, they would keep gas in!! The other experience which has stuck in my memory, was the opportunity to service and refuel a visiting de Havilland Hornet, a single seat fighter powered by two Merlin 120/131 engines with contra rotating propellers and which became the fastest piston engine aircraft in service with the Royal Air Force. It has been described as a scaled down version of the Mosquito. Very little is written about this aircraft and sadly not one has survived. Like a lot of eighteen year-olds of my era, once you passed your medical, it was Hobson's Choice, you found yourself in one of the Armed Forces. It was then a question of acceptance and making the most of service life. I was in Britain and on joining up, I met people from all walks of life, culture, and from every corner of the British Isles - there were Geordies, Taffs, Jocks, Scousers, Brummies, Cocknies, etc, it was a real eye opener. Despite our differences we formed the bond of comradeship which we share even to this day, in the form of the Royal Canadian Legion and the Royal Air Force Association.

We think Eric “Erk” is on the right wing!

31 FREEDOM Cecil Turner Royal Canadian Navy “DEMS” V 82154 WARTIME EXPERIENCES

I was too young to enlist early in the war so in 1942 I applied and was accepted to serve on an Imperial Oil Tanker in the great lakes and St. Lawrence river where we delivered fuel to the naval ships in that area. In 1943 I served aboard a McColl Frontenac tanker doing similar work. German submarines were present in the St.Lawrence at that time. After 1943 I was old enough to enlist and joined the Royal Canadian Navy where I served as a naval gunner aboard a 10,000 ton merchant ship on the Atlantic. After Germany capitulated I was given a 60 day leave and was transferred to the west coast to serve in the Pacific Theatre. Fortunately, while I was on leave, Japan capitulated and although I did spend time on the west coast, I was not sent to sea out there. I arrived home and got my discharge on November 22, 1945. My parents and younger brothers were happy to see me home to stay and my older brother Jim got home in February 1946. He had been wounded in Belgium during his service but he did survive. What is a DEMS GUNNER? NOTE: THE EX MEMBERS OF THE “DEMS” BRANCH OF THE NAVY ARE HOPEFUL THAT THEIR BRANCH WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN. WE AS INDIVIDUALS ARE DOING WHAT WE CAN TO PREVENT THE MEMORY OF “DEMS” FROM PASSING INTO OBLIVION. IF INTERESTED, PLEASE REFER TO A BOOK ENTITLED “DEMS AT WAR” author Max Reid. Incidentally, a DEMS Rating in uniform could be distinguished from a regular naval serviceman only by the simple four letters “DEMS” displayed immediately below his gunner's badge on the right sleeve of his uniform. What is DEMS? What did they do? Why did they exist and why was this division of the naval service created to begin with? They were a select group of WWII naval personnel who served in a relatively unknown but very special branch of the Royal Canadian Navy. The Americans had a counterpart known as “Armed Guard”. In Britain some were identified as DEMS, others as Maritime Royal Artillery. To serve on merchant ships during wartime was to expose you to extreme danger often in excess of that experienced on warships. The reason being that your speed was slow and your maneuverability was limited. Your cargos more often than not consisted of high explosives, bombs, high octane gasoline and other extremely dangerous materials all necessary for the war effort. Most importantly, your ships were the main target for the marauding U-boats and you knew it.

32 Stories of South Pickering Seniors’ Club Veterans Due to the inherent danger it was fitting that Canadian merchant seamen were given recognition for their wartime contributions. It was something long overdue but many Canadians do not realize that these merchant seamen were not alone on these dangerous and often fatal voyages. They were accompanied by a small contingent of highly trained naval ratings who volunteered to serve on the merchant ships to assist in defending them against enemy action from the sea and air. This special group were known as DEMS ratings. The term was derived from “Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships”. The term “Ratings” in the naval service applies to the Non Commissioned rank. Most DEMS gunners were non commissioned. They operated aboard their assigned ships without benefit of supervision by naval officers.

In the early years of the war it was not uncommon for a single DEMS rating to be handed a stripped down “Lewis” machine gun and then placed aboard a merchant ship with instructions to protect it as best he could against enemy aircraft. As war years progressed so did the training of this special force and the number of DEMS ratings placed aboard a merchant ship increased in proportion to the size of the ship and consideration of the armament it contained. The popular 10,000 ton “Park” ships (our counterpart of the American Liberty ships) would have approximately seven or eight DEMS gunners aboard. Merchant sailors were often given quickie courses to assist the DEMS ratings in passing ammunition and to assist where possible in the operation of the gun(s). These courses were often given by the DEMS ratings themselves while aboard ship.

During final years of the war a typical “Park” ship or large tanker would be armed with multiple machine guns, 20 mm. Oerlikons, 50 caliber anti aircraft machine guns, 12 pounder and 4 inch high angle anti aircraft deck guns and in some cases up to 4.7 inch low angle naval deck armament. Rockets and aerial mines, if aboard, were also the responsibility of the DEMS ratings.

In gunnery training on machine guns, each DEMS rating had to be able, blindfolded, to disassemble and re-assemble many high caliber machine guns. Some old, some new Marlins, Hotchkiss, Lewis, 20mm Oerlikons Brownings etc. Each individual had to qualify in all positions of the operation of large guns requiring up to seven gunners to operate efficiently. On such large guns, DEMS rating had to demonstrate that if the gun crew was reduced down to three by loss to injury or wounding, the gun would be kept operational. To achieve less than 80% in any aspect of DEMS gunnery training was to fail.

DEMS personnel represented less than two percent of our Canadian Naval Personnel but their casualty rate was high by comparison due to the high rate of casualties suffered aboard the type of ships they served on. It would be a pity to have our present population, our children and our grandchildren not know of or forget that such a proud division of our Naval Service once existed. - Cecil Turner.

R.C.N.V.R. stands for Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve. If you joined during wartime you had the option of signing on in the permanent service for a seven year term or sign on into the RCNVR in which you would be signing for hostilities only and entitled to discharge when the war ended. This was the route that most naval personnel went including me a proud “DEMS”! 33 FREEDOM Don Upham Royal Canadian Air Force V 82154 Canadian Army K 18375 MILITARY LIFE :

In June of 1944 I graduated from high school in Vancouver, B.C. That same month I joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and was sent to #1 Manning Pool in the Coliseum in the Exhibition grounds of Toronto. After a short period of Manning Pool we were told the Royal Canadian Air Force did not need us as they had all of the aircrew that they needed to finish the war. I was then returned to Vancouver for discharge. By Christmas of 1944, I was released from the Royal Canadian Air Force and returned to civilian life.

In January 1945, I joined the Canadian Army and was sent to Wetaskiwan, Alberta for basic training. In Wetaskiwan I became a member of one of two infantry platoons who were all ex Airforce. March of 1945 while still in Wetaskiwan, I was rejected by the paratroopers (flat feet) and then sent to Camp Borden with the Armoured Corps. By May 1945 the war was over in Europe so I volunteered and was sent to Vernon, B.C. to train with the Americans for the Pacific Theatre. The next thing I knew the Atom Bomb was dropped, and the war was over in the Pacific. I was returned to Camp Borden to strengthen the Lord Strathcona Horse Regiment while those in the Regiment who were returning from overseas were being discharged.

In the spring of 1946, I decided that military life was not for me, now that the war was over, so I applied for discharge to return to civilian life and University. In May 1946, I was discharged from the Army and returned to civilian life. Thus ended two years of volunteering to end oppression in the world.

*********************************************************** HONG KONG HARBOUR - 1941

34 Stories of South Pickering Seniors’ Club Veterans FREEDOM Gordon Warren Canadian Armoured 27th Regiment (SFR) (CAR) D 47036 ARMY MEMORIES : July 9, 1941 - At age 18 I jumped a freight train from Toronto to Montreal. Volunteered at Sherbrooke Quebec to the Fusilier Regiment at Mont Bruno Quebec (kilts and high hats). October 1941 - I sailed to Newfoundland on the Lady Drake. February 19, 1942 - I joined the Armoured (Tank Corp) at Debert Nova Scotia. Regiment 27th CAR (Canadian Armoured Regiment) previously SFR Sherbrooke Fusilier Regiment. October 27, 1942 - I sailed to Great Britain on the Queen Elizabeth 1 and eventually landed at Greenock Scotland. June 6, 1944 - D Day. Landed on Juno Beach, Berniercs Sur-Mer France. I lost the Honey tank at Carpiquet Airport. “Honey” was the name of a type of “armoured tank” and I'll leave it up to you to decide why. This was the first time I tasted Calvados (liquor). I saw action in France, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Route-Caen Falaise Antwerp, Leopold Canal, Buron and Breda. “D Day” - 6th June 1944. Naval Bombardment Target Allocation - Force “G” Rear Admiral Sir Phillip Vain. In 1945, I was wounded in Hochwald Forest and stayed in the St. Jan's Bruges Belgium hospital. Came home on the Ile de France #9 General Horsham England and volunteered for Japan but the war was over. Demobbed at the Toronto Exhibition Grounds on December 15, 1945.

Medals CVSM Clasp 1939-1945 Star Defense Medal 1939-1945 War Medal 1936-1945 Happily married September 12, 1946 for 51 years, 5 months and one week. - Gordon Warren *************************************************************

Script Money this is the currency Vets were paid in - at face value. (in most parts of the World) (submitted by George Bourner)

Stories of South Pickering Seniors’ Club Veterans 35 FREEDOM Frank Williamson British Army 2nd Battalion Royal Tank Regiment 7th Armoured Brigade 7947838 EXPERIENCES OF WWII

In 1940-41, I was a member of the Home Guard Black Watch section. We patrolled the hills in Perthshire during the night in case of parachute drops by the German Intelligence. I was accompanied by members of the Polish Army who had escaped from Poland. During the day I was an apprentice in the local newspaper “Blairgowrie Advertiser”

1941-1946, I volunteered for the Armoured Corps(tanks) and was trained in the south of England. A very short time later I found myself on a troop ship, one of 200 traveling to India, via the USA, the Caribbean, West Africa and South Africa. We traveled this long route to avoid German Submarines who were very active in the Atlantic at this time. Fortunately only two ships were lost during this journey.

From India we traveled through Iraq, Iran, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine, arriving in Egypt after about three months and a couple of small wars to keep the empire all in one piece. Training started for desert warfare before the Battle of El Alamein and advancing into Libya. As I was a good draftsman, I was employed marking positions in the south of Italy on maps that were to be used in the invasion of that country in the months ahead. The unit that we were members of was the Second Battalion, Royal Tank Regiment, 7th armoured division, referred to as the Desert Rats. We were successful at the battle of El Alamein and in Libya.

In September 1943, we boarded another troopship and landed in Taranto successfully with few casualties, helping to secure the toe of Italy before the Germans could get there. During the remainder of our time in Italy we found the German Army to be a very tough opposition. Major battles included Casino, The Gustav Line, The Adolf Hitler Line and the Gothic Line. We captured and occupied many towns in between with many casualties and suffering of people and tanks. We lost many of my friends and we suffered a fifty percent loss or 250 men were either killed or wounded.

In May 1945, we arrived in Austria and quickly terminated a little war with the Yugoslavs. Our unit was shuttled back and forth between Austria and Italy until I was demobbed in December 1946. Between May 1945 and November 1946, I was an acting sergeant and did many different jobs until I was demobbed in early 1947.

36 Stories of South Pickering Seniors’ Club Veterans Medals: WAR MEDAL DEFENSE MEDAL 1939-45 WAR MEDAL AFRICA STAR ITALY STAR CONT'D (enjoyable experiences during my time in the Army)

Christmas 1944, we found ourselves on the south side of a river with the German 90th Panzer Division on the north side. The river was about the width of the Humber River when it flows into Lake Ontario. During the Christmas Season the German hostilities were not too serious. We used to talk to each other, kid each other, tell jokes and sing Lili Marlene, their favorite song. Language was not a problem. On Christmas Eve some of our officers went over, had a few drinks and could hear them singing Lili Marlene and it's a long way to Tipperari. We all enjoyed the break. The next day of course was back to normal.

One morning we had received intelligence that German infantry unit had crossed a river and occupied a number of farms. Our squadron, 16 tanks was sent to surprise them. We found most of them asleep. Unfortunately my big gun had frozen up; this was winter and well below zero. I managed to get it working again, fired a few shots and 2000 prisoners came out of the farm houses and fields with their hands up. They only had one casualty and so did we in one hour. I think that they wanted to surrender. It was about two months from the end of the war. We were all very much relieved!!

There was a spaced behind the co-driver in the Sherman Tank that we had and in there we kept a little dog called Cento as our mascot. We also had a couple of live chickens and sometimes a piglet. The co-driver's job was to feed them until they were ready for the dinner table. When hostilities slowed down we would have a really nice dinner. Even inviting some of the enemy!!

One day in Italy we captured a silk stocking factory. Within a half an hour every stocking had disappeared from the factory. Wives and girl friends in the UK got a lot of silk stockings that Christmas. Silk stockings had disappeared in Britain during the war.

Frank is the guy in the front row kneeling down - left side

37 FREEDOM Bill Wright Royal Canadian Highland Regiment B 159477 NOTE ON MY ARMY MEMORIES I joined the Canadian Army at the age of 18 years old in 1944. I took my training at the Pettawawa Ontario as an artillery gunner. I went overseas and was switched to the infantry due to the losses in the invasion of Europe. After landing in France I was sent to the Black Watch(RCHR) for 2 ½ years. I served up part of the Scheldt Holland and Germany services.

Painting “Off for Norway” Merlin engine Bristol Beau fighters of Coastal Command's Beau fighters of 404 Squadron RCAF canons and torpedoes Michael Turner Banff Scotland. - D Anderson (Submitted by George Dowding) (submitted by George Dowding)

Kukri Knife. Large thick blade makes short work of chopping chores. Also makes a formidable defensive weapon. Blade made of 3/16 in. thick 440c stainless steel. Blade, is over 2 in. wide at widest point. Wood and brass handle. Comes with leather sheath. Overall length 15 1/2 in., blade 10 1/4 in., butt, handle, guard 5 1/4 in. (Submitted by Al Harrison)

38 Stories of South Pickering Seniors’ Club Veterans The Poppy 19th Century - The Poppy was recognized as a mysterious flower blooming over graves of buried soldiers during the Napoleonic Wars. 20th Century - 100 years later - 1st World War period. The “Popaver Rhoeas” (Poppy) thrived after soils in France and Belgium became rich in lime from rubble. The Poppy flourished until the end of the war, the lime disappeared and so did the Poppy. 1915 - A Guelph, Ontario doctor serving with the Canadian Forces Artillery recorded his poem “In Flanders Fields.” A woman, resident in Athens, Georgia, namely “Morna Michael” read John McCrae’s poem and decided to wear a Poppy all year in memory of the men and women who died during the war years. In 1920, Madame E. Guerin of France, went to the United States and met Miss Michael and learned of her custom of wearing the Poppy. When she returned to France she decided to use handmade Poppies to raise money for destitute children in war torn areas. In November 1921, the first Poppies were distributed to Canada. Madame Guerin visited Canada and met with the Great War Veterans Association (predecessor to the Royal Canadian Legion) and it was decided the Poppy would be a fundraising item. The Poppy Campaign is one of the Royal Canadian Legion's most popular programs. The money raised from Poppy donations, provides direct assistance for ex-service people in financial distress, funding for medical appliances and research, home services care facilities, etc. It is tradition for the Poppy to be worn during the “Remembrance Period”. The “Poppy” is also used as a sign of respect at a Veteran's Funeral and placed on the casket. FREEDOM Freedom is the sum of many, many things in life. We must honour it, cherish it, fight for it and if necessary, die for it. How miserable we would be if someone took it from us. Please remember the Poppy Campaign and the men and women who fought for that freedom. IN FLANDERS FIELDS JOHN McCRAE (1915)

In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders Fields. Not present for photo

YOU BOUGHT ME TIME By Garth Webb - 14th Field Regiment 60th Anniversary WWII May 8, 2005

You gave your lives in World War II Stanley Cups and Super Bowls, And even though I fought with you Worked at my job - achieved my goals, I lived - was it my due? Wore many hats - played many roles, You bought me time! You bought me time!

Time to see my family grow, Sixty years and even more, See my grandkids' faces glow I've lived since that so costly war, Things that you will never know No aircraft whine, no cannon roar, You bought me time! You bought me time!

Time to work and time to play, And now I'm over eighty, Watch a sunset after day, I've had a life both full and free, Watch my garden grow in May, I thank you all eternally, You bought me time! You bought me time! Sponsored by: Supported by:

Operations & Emergency Services Department Culture & Recreation Division

On behalf of the South Pickering Seniors’ Club and especially the Veterans of our Club, we would like to thank The Royal Canadian Legion 606 Bayridges Branch, Pickering Ontario for assistance in the printing of this booklet. This has enhanced the appearance of this project and we are extremely happy for their generosity to our Veterans of the South Pickering Seniors’ Club.

Published June 2005