Alcohol Problems in the Forces

Heroes Remember

Alcohol Problems in the Forces

Transcript

I told somebody, I remember a couple of them I told them I was a messenger at External Affairs. They thought I was crazy but I wasn't. I was staying alive and I had use of the library. They got a wonderful library at External Affairs, not much fiction in it but anything else. Just, and my wife didn't mind. She was quite happy. Her father was a craftsman at an aluminum company and I remember when I got to major, she said, "That's fine," you know, "you can relax now." But she went along with it, she had no.... There was enough, with my pension, we never had to worry about.... She helped out with the finances when I was drinking all our money, a lot. Well, she drank with me for quite a few years then she stopped. We would split a bottle of rye every night and I would be drinking at noon, too in the mess. It's just, I don't know why, why I'm still around. Well I always swallowed two raw eggs for breakfast each morning, so I always had something in my stomach. My mother use to do it so it doesn't, its not quite as, although to do it I would to have to go hide myself because guys with hangovers would barf if they saw me doing it but I did that religiously every morning. So I always had something in my stomach to pour the beer on. But it was this, "nip, nip, nip" that's driving this outfit into the ground. That's an old story about a commanding officer getting everybody together. "I mean, I can understand why you would need a glass of cherry to steady your hands before you shave, and of course, I always have a bit of wine at breakf...." And then he went through the day this way, you know and every time "and rum at coffee break. But it's this, "Nip, nip, nip," that's driving this outfit on the rocks!"

Description

Mr. Kelly recalls his alcohol addiction and his routine.

Jeff Kelly

Mr. Kelly was born in Lindsay, Ontario, December 16, 1923. His father was a medical officer with a field ambulance in the First World War and received a Distinguished Service Order. Mr Kelly wanted to be an infantry man as his father had a great admiration for them. He joined the army on the 22nd of May in 1942. He served overseas with the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion which was part of the British 6th Airborne Division.

Meta Data

Medium:: Video
Owner:: Veterans Affairs Canada
Duration:: 02:02
Person Interviewed:: Jeff Kelly
Location/Theatre:: Canada
Occupation:: Intelligence officer

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Alcohol Problems in the Forces

Heroes Remember