Canada and First World War. Patriotism and Duty.

Heroes Remember

Canada and First World War. Patriotism and Duty.

Transcript

Terrific. I think Canada did a tremendous job. Both in troops and in materials, oh yes and I suppose morale is a, is a very valuable thing. It can not be calculated in a monetary sense, but it's an invaluable thing. Interviewer: If you had the opportunity, Mr. Connett of speaking to young people and future generations of young Canadians, if you had the opportunity to speak to them what would you say to them about patriotism and duty? Oh I think it's very, very essential. Loyalty covers the whole thing. If you're not loyal, you have nothing. Without a friend, you have nothing. Friends are far more important than money because you can be, have a friend and if you have no money, a friend will help you, give you food or something. But money might get you nothing. What would you do with money in a place say like New Guinea? No use to you, eh. Or out in a desert, in the Sahara desert and I've been on both. What would you do with money there? But a friend who's got food or a friend who gives you succour or helps you when you're in trouble - physically or otherwise. Oh a friend is far more valuable than money and that is along the lines that you say sense of loyalty, love to, a love of country. Canada, to me, is very precious. It's my home and I am more Canadian than most Canadians because I've lived here for over 80 years. So, if you're not 80 than I'm a greater Canadian than you are and I'm here by choice, not by birth.

Description

Mr. Connett is asked for his thoughts on Canada's contribution to victory in the First World War. He also offers some thoughts to young Canadians on the subjects of patriotism and duty.

Fred Connett

Fred Connett was born of April 17, 1897 in London, England. As a boy, he was sent to live with an aunt when his father fell ill. He ran away from his new home several times and, as a result, was moved to an orphanage. While there, he received training in several trades and eventually secured a job in a printing shop. In 1913, at the age of 16, he left the orphanage and came to Canada. He worked on a farm near Ottawa for some time at a wage of $4.00 a month. Planning for his future, he used the money he made on the farm to buy a life insurance policy. A few days before Christmas, 1916, he went into Ottawa and enlisted in the mounted section of the Divisional Signal Corps. He switched to the non-mounted section soon after. When this interview was recorded in West Vancouver during the summer of 1998, Mr. Connett was 101 years old.

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