LEST WE FORGET 187 HANDFORD, Mervin Campbell WWII Mervin was born in Birsay, Saskatchewan on June 27, 1925. The following is Mervin’s experience in the military during World War II, in his own words. On December 28, 1943, three days after Christmas, I went to Regina, Saskatchewan with my friend Lawrence Fisher.We went to No. 12 District Depot where we enlisted in the army. We passed our medical and I got my uniform. There were two sizes – too big and too small. The small size fit me because I weighed 118 pounds soaking wet, and I stood at 5 feet, 6 ½ inches tall. I was proud as a peacock! I stayed in Regina at the army barracks for about two weeks, then went home to our farm for the weekend. My mother and father had to sign some papers before I could enlist in the army. I got back to Regina after my weekend pass, then it was off to Orillia, Ontario for my basic training. I arrived there about January 15, 1944, and was assigned to our barracks. Next morning, I was up bright and early, had a shower, and shaved what little fuzz there was on my face. I went over to the Mess Hall for breakfast, then back to the barracks to get ready to go on parade at eight in the morning. I never forgot the regimental Sergeant Major. His name was Morgan, an English imperial army man. He used to run two miles before breakfast. Needless to say, he was a real soldier and in fine shape. He lined all the young guys on parade square and told us to queue up in three lines. We were green as grass when it came to army drill. Can you imagine me, a young fellow from the stubble fields of Saskatchewan, now a soldier in the Canadian Army? The Sergeant Major told us to stand to attention, then said, “Stand steady; you’re like a bunch of jelly fish.” Then came, “Open Order, March” for inspection. The first line took two steps forward; the center line stayed as is; the back row took two steps back. Now it was time for Sergeant Major Morgan to walk up and down the three lines and inspect us. He stopped at me and said, “Sonny, where did you learn to tie your shoe laces?” I said, “Sir, I learned on the farm in Saskatchewan.” He said, “You had better have them tied right tomorrow morning at parade time.” Also he said, “You’re not on the farm now.” He then said, “Close Order, March.” He called out orders and said, “From now on there is going to be quite a change in your lives.” He also said, “From now on, I will be your mother.” Not knowing enough to keep my mouth shut, I said, “You got that right Sergeant Major.” Then he grinned. What a fine soldier he was. (continued)
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