65 The Royal Canadian Legion MANITOBA & NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO COMMAND www.mbnwo.ca In the fall of 1943, there was talk of sabotage, and the decision was made to have a Commando Force which could be quickly mobilized to protect the station. Colin was “joed” to be one of the candidates. He took part in a two-week training course of running, ditch jumping, climbing walls, swinging over water, and doing mock bayonet skirmishes. Colin lost eight pounds but was very fit when it was over. Fortunately, the Commando Force was never needed. Later in the fall, he got another leave to go to southern England to see three of his cousins: Arthur McAree who was in the 19th battalion of the R.C.A., Jim Murphy and Clayton McAree who were in #1 Motor Ambulance Convoy. “We had a great time down in Surrey”. Jim and Clayton went to Africa the following June. Arthur was in on the “D” Day Operations. He also met another cousin, Clifford McAree of Minnedosa, who was with the Canadian Army Show. Cliff did some of the arranging and handling of the technical stuff for Captain Bob Farnham, who had a popular radio show in Canada in the early 1940’s, “The Happy Gang”, and for Fred Davis, who was later part of CBC’s “Front Page Challenge”. Colin also ran into Doreen Holden Fox and Gerri Reid, both from Minnedosa. Back in Linton, operations were getting very busy. He met Jim Proven from Basswood who was doing “ops” from their station, and Sid Paler was in the instrument section, both local fellows. Colin wrote, “When one is on a base for over two years, a lot of personnel pass through, some with tragic results. I try not to relate tragedies I have experienced: of men decimated, aircraft crashes I attended to diffuse bombs and to remove cartridges and ammunition, airmen hurt and shaken by near mishaps, but thankful for their return; grown men shaken and in tears, and fearful for their lives; leaving on missions and trying to reassure them that all will be well - all these experiences tend to mature one very early. To see death at an early age tends to harden one to life, but the good times are remembered and the bad are buried in your mind.” In May 1944, they were fully operational with two Squadrons, 426 and 408, flying about 35 or 40 planes each operation, with the Americans flying Liberators, and the RCAF flying Lancasters, bombing German positions on the French coast at night. That same month they had a visit from Prime Minister Mackenzie King, when Colin was chosen to be part of the honour guard. Other airmen booed as he hustled through the ranks rather hurriedly. Officers in charge were not happy about the insubordination. In August 1944, the squadrons were visited by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth and were accompanied by Princess Elizabeth. They were escorted by Air Vice Marshall Breadner of the RCAF. Mammoth preparations had been made on the base prior to their arrival. The King inspected the guard and bestowed decorations on 32 aircrew of #6 Bomber Command. The day the war ended, Colin and good friend Andy Hindmarsh hitchhiked to Scotland and partied with coal miners. Although they lost some privileges and pay, they had a good time. There was still lots of work to be done, disarming all aircraft, removing guns and bombs, and securing all bomb dumps. Colin returned home aboard the same Louis Pasteur ship. He was discharged on October 18, 1945, with the rank of L.A.C. (Leading Aircraftman). He received the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp, Defence Medal, and War Medal 1939-1945. He worked in a few jobs before returning to the farm in 1947. He also worked off the farm in construction for the CNR part-time. Colin married schoolteacher Vladis Antonius, who was teaching at Bethany Consolidated. They married in February 1949, and they had four children. He was a member of The Royal Canadian Legion Gen. Hugh Dyer Branch 138 in Minnedosa for 59 years. Colin passed away in 2002. CAMPBELL, Colin Ross (continued)
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM0NTk1OA==