Reminiscences of World War Two
In this day of the sixty second sound bite it is sometimes
difficult to remember the importance of our local print media both
daily and weekly. They tell our story. Perhaps not in the depth of
previous decades but nevertheless they ensure that the events that
mark our passing are recorded not just for today but as long as the
issues and clippings remain stashed away in drawers and attics
across the county. Local historians,geneologists, archivists and
museums like our own rely heavily on these resources to help to put
the pieces of these lives together so that we can better understand
the attitudes and decisions that colour our lives today.
In January of 1946, just months after the men of the Elgin
Regiment returned to St. Thomas and area, the St. Thomas Times
Journal captured the impressions about their time in service of the
Commanding Officers of the Squadrons of the Regiment. The tone is
that of men still getting used to the joy being 'home';
nevertheless, missing the bond of their fellow servicemen forged
over years together under unspeakable conditions. While the
unspeakable receives only casual mention, we would be wrong to
think it was very far from their thoughts.
Note the ranks of the authors are those of 1946.
Squadron A (B) by
Commanding Officer Major E.G. King
Squadron A by
Commanding Officer Major Wilfred D. King
Squadron
C by Major F.O. Lewis, M.B.E.
Squadron D
by Major W.B. Brodie
Squadron E by
Major R.W. Rankin, M.B.E.