Stricken with TB
Heroes Remember
Stricken with TB
Transcript
Description
Returning home, Mr. Cole finds out that he has TB and is unable to travel with his fellow comrades.
Elmer Cole
Mr. Elmer Cole was born in Roche Percee, Saskatchewan on December 22, 1919. At age 15 he started working and left school with a grade eight education. In 1940 he joined with the South Saskatchewan Regiment taking basic training in Winnipeg and in Feb. 41 he came back to Brandon, Manitoba for mechanical training, switching over to The Calgary Tanks as a trooper on the Churchill tanks. Mr. Cole travelled overseas to England where he was given more training until the summer of ’42 when the Dieppe Raid occurred. Mr. Cole fought through the battle only to surrender with other Canadian soldiers where he became a POW until ’45 when they were set free. After returning to Canada, Mr. Cole worked with the Department of National Defence, then carried on as a mechanic but with the strong desire to always be a wheat farmer, he and his wife bought a farm in Oak bank, Manitoba until he retired at the young age of 54. Mr. Cole and wife Isabel adopted two boys. Now widowed, Mr. Cole spends much of his time playing cards and socializing with residents of his retirement home as well as spending time with his grandchildren. In 2005 Mr. Cole was presented with an Honorary Life Member certificate of the Kiwanis Club in his local community. Presently, at age 97, Mr. Coles continues to enjoy a relaxed and healthy lifestyle.
Meta Data
- Medium:
- Video
- Owner:
- Veterans Affairs Canada
- Recorded:
- July 29, 2017
- Duration:
- 0:43
- Person Interviewed:
- Elmer Cole
- War, Conflict or Mission:
- Second World War
- Location/Theatre:
- Dieppe
- Battle/Campaign:
- Dieppe
- Branch:
- Army
- Units/Ship:
- Calgary Tanks
- Rank:
- Trooper
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Mr. Cole provides his opinion on the purpose and actions taken during the battle of the Dieppe Raid.
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After surrendering, Mr. Cole shares a demoralizing experience while loaded in a boxcar en route to POW camp.
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During time in camp, Mr. Cole speaks of the treatment of guards and expresses the fact that they were not treated badly at all.
Keep your own Head on Straight!
Mr. Coles tells of his interaction with the padre, Major Foote, while in camp and advice given in respect to their own survival.
Receiving Care Packages
Mr. Cole tells about the contents given in the Red Cross parcels as well as the care packages sent from their families back home.
Celebrating Christmas as a POW
Mr. Coles share the story of how the prisoner never went without celebrating Christmas, albeit in their own unique way.
Marching 22 Kilometres a Day
Mr. Cole recalls the marches and witnessing horrific sights along the way.
Finally Getting Liberated
Mr. Cole shares his feelings when he realized freedom was just around the corner.
I Done the Best I Could!
Reflecting back on his service, Mr. Cole shares his perspective on time served and acceptance of what he and fellow comrades went through.
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