to top

Proud to be a Canadian

This is a good read - Odd how it took someone in England to put it into words...

Sunday Telegraph Article
From today's UK wires: Salute to a brave and modest nation
Kevin Myers, The Sunday Telegraph

LONDON - Until the deaths of four Canadian soldiers accidentally killed by a U.S. warplane in Afghanistan, probably almost no one outside their home country had been aware that Canadian troops were deployed in the region. And as always, Canada will now bury its dead, just as the rest of the world as always will forget its sacrifice, just as it always forgets nearly everything Canada ever does.

It seems that Canada's historic mission is to come to the selfless aid both of its friends and of complete strangers, and then, once the crisis is over, to be well and truly ignored. Canada is the perpetual wallflower that stands on the edge of the hall, waiting for someone to come and ask her for a dance. A fire breaks out, she risks life and limb to rescue her fellow dance-goers, and suffers serious injuries. But when the hall is repaired and the dancing resumes, there is Canada, the wallflower still, while those she once helped glamorously cavort across the floor, blithely neglecting her yet again.

That is the price Canada pays for sharing the North American continent with the United States, and for being a selfless friend of Britain in two global conflicts. For much of the 20th century, Canada was torn in two different directions: It seemed to be a part of the old world, yet had an address in the new one, and that divided identity ensured that it never fully got the gratitude it deserved.

Yet its purely voluntary contribution to the cause of freedom in two world wars was perhaps the greatest of any democracy. Almost 10% of Canada 's entire population of seven million people served in the armed forces during the First World War, and nearly 60,000 died. The great Allied victories of 1918 were spearheaded by Canadian troops perhaps the most capable soldiers in the entire British order of battle.

Canada was repaid for its enormous sacrifice by downright neglect, its unique contribution to victory being absorbed into the popular Memory as somehow or other the work of the 'British.' The Second World War provided a re-run. The Canadian navy began the war with a half dozen vessels, and ended up policing nearly half of the Atlantic against U-boat attack. More than 120 Canadian warships participated in the Normandy landings, during which 15,000 Canadian soldiers went ashore on D-Day alone. Canada finished the war with the third-largest navy and the fourth-largest air force in the world.

The world thanked Canada with the same sublime indifference as it had the previous time. Canadian participation in the war was acknowledged in film only if it was necessary to give an American actor a part in a campaign in which the United States had clearly not participated - a touching scrupulousness which, of course, Hollywood has since abandoned, as it has any notion of a separate Canadian identity.

So it is a general rule that actors and filmmakers arriving in Hollywood keep their nationality - unless, that is, they are Canadian. Thus Mary Pickford, Walter Huston, Donald Sutherland, Michael J. Fox, William Shatner, Norman Jewison, David Cronenberg, Alex Trebek, Art Linkletter and Dan Aykroyd have in the popular perception become American, and Christopher Plummer, British. It is as if, in the very act of becoming famous, a Canadian ceases to be Canadian, unless she is Margaret Atwood, who is as unshakeably Canadian as a moose, or Celine Dion, for whom Canada has proved quite unable to find any takers.

Moreover, Canada is every bit as querulously alert to the achievements of its sons and daughters as the rest of the world is completely unaware of them. The Canadians proudly say of themselves - and are unheard by anyone else - that 1% of the world's population has provided 10% of the world's peacekeeping forces. Canadian soldiers in the past half century have been the greatest peacekeepers on Earth - in 39 missions on UN mandates, and six on non-UN peacekeeping duties, from Vietnam to East Timor, from Sinai to Bosnia.

Yet the only foreign engagement that has entered the popular on-Canadian imagination was the sorry affair in Somalia, in which out-of-control paratroopers murdered two Somali infiltrators. Their regiment was then disbanded in disgrace - a uniquely Canadian act of self-abasement for which, naturally, the Canadians received no international credit.

So who today in the United States knows about the stoic and selfless friendship its northern neighbour has given it in Afghanistan? Rather like Cyrano de Bergerac , Canada repeatedly does honourable things for honourable motives, but instead of being thanked for it, it remains something of a figure of fun.

It is the Canadian way, for which Canadians should be proud, yet such honour comes at a high cost. This week, four more grieving Canadian families knew that cost all too tragically well.
Please pass the on or print it and give it to any of your friends or relatives who served in the Canadian Forces, it is a wonderful tribute to those who choose to serve their country and the world in our quiet Canadian way.

Just for the record, the Canadian death toll in Afghanistan so far, is 43, including the first Canadian Woman Soldier, ever killed in active combat. In addition there have been many, many wounded. They deserve our support and our prayers. We have every reason to be extremely proud of our forces.

to top

Reader's Feedback September 20, 2006

Lorraine,

Just a quick note to thank you and all who had anything to do with organizing this year's reunion. Sue and I had a wonderful time thanks to all of you. I would not change a thing if you have another reunion. The rooms in Conostoga were perfect and the food was outstanding. This will be a great event to remember.  I will watch for the next one - if you decide to do it again.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Richard Nelson

1/66 Margaree Div. 

to top

Hi folks! 

I can't tell you how much fun I had at the reunion. My only regret was that I didn't plan my travel more carefully, which would have allowed me to stay another day. Anyway, if there are other reunions in the future I'll be there, and I'm looking forward to the web site update.

Chris Bavington

Pickering On.

to top

Hello,  

I am one of the wrens of Conestoga 33. I just found this site concerning the reunion. I am sorry, it is too late to participate. I am Campbell Lorraine *Soupy* from Quebec. On the picture I am sitting, first row at your left If somebody remembers me, contact me I would like to have news from you I remember faces, but no names ......getting old haha.

We were 2 french speaking at the time. Again I am very sorry not to be there with you all.

Good Reunion

lorraine.campbell@videotron.ca 

to top

Was an ordinary seaman at Cornwallis, in 1943 - took my gunnery training to a G3 status and became a D.E.M.S. gunner. Was drafted to Slackers in Halifax, then to Montreal where I picked up the S.S.Hastings (a canaller). I was on her for a very short time and then onto the Portland Park where I finished out the war.

I remember an instructor whom we referred to as "Stoneface". This fellow was unable to smile.

We were all just kids at that time (I was not quite seventeen) so until we went to sea we didn't take life too seriously.

Would love to hear from others who were there in '44'

Regards

Jim Kirby

luv@amtelecom.net 

to top

To: HMCS Cornwallis Reunion Organizers and Attendees

I regret to say that I am unable to attend the 2006 RCN Reunion due
to unforeseen obligations.
I wish all the attendees a wonderful stay in Cornwallis and hope it
brings back some fond memories, that I also hold dear, of a place where
our careers began.
Thank you to the organizers for bringing such prestigious group of
people together.
I have attached two photographs of me, one from August 1963 and one
from August 2006.
Caroline Lesieur Pearson, PO, RCN, CD Ret'd
PS: You can contact me through telephone: (819) 689-2274
Mail: PO Box 232
Pembroke ON
K8A 6X3
or through my niece at this email address mickey.sawyer@bellnet.ca

to top

Reader's Feedback August 14, 2006

Hi, my name is Lin Hegelheimer. I entered Cornwallis in dec. of 1961. I was a member of Mackenzie 1/61.I won't be attending the reunion which I would very much like to. I was wondering if there are any people registered from Mackenzie 1/61,if so I would be willing to contact them later after the reunion. Have a great time guys, will be thinking of you all. My address is Lin Hegelheimer 9 Elizabeth St. St. Thomas, On. N5R 2W8 E-mail address linandannh@ody.ca

to top

To all.

A big hello from Denise Greig. I was a recruit in 1972 (Course 7232W) and then became an instructor from 1977 to 1980 (the old D Coy and then 13 Platoon). It was the greatest and most rewarding job I ever had. I particularly remember one cold, wet Friday in March when we were on the march back from Granville.  As squad leader, I had to lead the charge up Heartbreak Hill.  Due to the inclement conditions, we had a couple of recruits with twisted ankles during the climb.  Needless to say, I ended up climbing that Dam-ed hill three times that day.  And to add insult to injury, when I finally got to the top, my Captain was waiting there in the jeep and giving me the devil for being slow and looking somewhat bedraggled!!!  We were not amused!!  But what great stories we have to tell, eh!!  Unfortunately I am unable to attend the reunion but would like to take this forum to wish all the very best and raise a pint for the memories ( I know I will!!)  I'm now happily retired from the CF, living in Gatineau Qc and working as a "consultant" (isn't that what all retiring CF members aspire to?) Again, happy reunion to all.

to top

May 10,1944., Class #137 H.M.C.S. Cornwallis. On the back (scroll below) is the signatures and home towns of 17 of the 29 servicemen in the photograph.

This is a continuation of the letter from Shawn Patrick Good.  If anybody has information about his grandfather he would love to here from you. Shawn.Good@state.vt.us

to top

Hi,

I was at Royal Canadian Navy training base in 1957. My outfit was St Laurent Division 2/57 . I was a OSNAS . I was in the A/F for 35 years & served on HMCS Bonnaventure. Name MWO R. Shore # 36652-H Retired E-Mail Address is rc.shore@ns.sympatico.ca Would love to hear from any one who was in the same division.

to top

I was a part of the 1988 Sunset Platoon in Cornwallis.  I really loved the area, and even though the hours were horrendously long and the sleep short, I can now say that I really enjoyed going through Basic Training.   Unfortunately, I am unable to come to the reunion (although I would dearly love to) as I am in the process of being posted from 431 (AD) Sqn (The Snowbirds) Moose Jaw to 1 Svc Bn, Edmonton. 

There were two instructors who stand out in my mind, MCpl Wally Tobin Med Tech) who coined the course catchphrase "How are you feeling today Greer?” and MCpl Lawrence Burke (I think he was a 500 series), who giggled every time someone asked that question.  If they register, please ask them for the rest of the story, and if they won't tell, get in touch with me, I will.  I still think of them from time to time and would love to know how they are doing. 

MCpl Susan Greer

to top

!!!ATTENTION!!!!

Well that’s how it all started and it never ended. Having served for 5yrs as a recruit instructor in 89-94 was a sheer pleasure and unmatched to date in a 26 yr career. I am still amazed that today people I put through thank me many yrs later. I recall all of the great times both at work in the platoons molding the recruits, and the close knit variety of neighbours of the PMQ’s(Spinaker).  Cornwallis was a blast and will not be forgotten. I am hoping to get to the reunion.

Stand at ease

Peter and Cindy Augustus

to top

I don’t have a story to share, but rather I’m looking for information. My Grandfather is John Patrick Benn of St. Thomas, Ontario. He’s now inflicted Alzheimer’s and is in care home in London, Ontario. I was recently going through some things that I received from his home, and found a group photograph dated May 10, 1944. Below it is written Class #137 H.M.C.S. Cornwallis. On the back are the signatures and hometowns of 17 of the 29 servicemen in the photograph. I’m just wondering, if anyone from that class, or anyone who knew people in that class, reads my post, I’d love to hear from you. I’d like to know more about my Grandfather’s service.  Shawn.Good@state.vt.us

Thank you very much.

Shawn Patrick Good

to top

What can I say:

Does anyone remember stuffing the fence along the highway to make a message???? Ahh, those were the days !(1977-1980)Thanks Cornwallis

Elisha DeAdder (Larade)