“Something I had to do”

Of course while in the convent they tried to brainwash you into becoming a nun and I'd made an appointment with, because I got tired, I didn't know what the outside world was all about, as you could guess, and I made an appointment with a mother of superior of a different order from the one that raised me and thinking that I might want to become a nun. And before I left the place I was staying in, I happened to pick up the paper and there was a gigantic ad for joining the CWAC. So I went to the convent to keep, really wanting to keep my appointment, but I walked around the block and went over to the Prince of Whales Armouries in Edmonton and joined the Canadian Women's Army Corps. Interviewer: What makes a young girl decide to do that? Adventure, and probably thinking maybe if mother superior knew that this is what I did she'd be furious. Interviewer: So can you take me through the first time you left the nuns... Well they opened the front door and the greyhound bus was there and we got on and off we went. Interviewer: Was there anyone there to say goodbye? Well the nuns were behind the door. They close the door quickly, naturally after the bus drove up. You feel abandoned, that's what you feel, abandoned. Interviewer: Can you describe that feeling? Well that nobody cares. Interviewer: But yet you wanted to go and serve your country. You cared. Yes, this was, after I read that, yes I did, I cared, I cared a great deal. Everybody in their teen, later in their... that everybody from 15 to 18 cared enough to join. Besides, we knew we'd get fed, clothed, and a place to sleep. Interviewer: It looked pretty bright. Well brighter than what I was used to certainly. Freedom, freedom, that's what it was, freedom. Interviewer: Freedom to go to war. Pardon? Interviewer: You say freedom. Freedom to go to war. Yes, but I didn't look at it that way then. Remember, I was 18. At 18 you have a different outlook on life than you do later on than now, or even your age. I just felt it was something I had to do, something I had to do for my country, more... Well, I didn't even think of my country I just, I just had to do it. Interviewer: Did you understand at this point what you were getting yourself into? No, absolutely not.

Ms. Michielin recalls how she came to the decision to join the service.

Anne Michielin

Ms. Michielin was born in Edmonton, Alberta, on November 5, 1923. She was orphaned at the age of 5, and was taken in by a Catholic order. At age 18, Ms. Michielin skipped her appointment she had made to enter the sisterhood, and joined the Canadian Women's Army Corps instead. Following her training in Vermillion, Alberta, she was assigned to the records department for the Canadian Women's Army Corps in Curry Barracks. During Christmas leave in 1943, she travelled to Drumheller with her roommate. While there, she would meet her future husband who was on leave from the Queen Charlottes. In 1944, during preparations for transporting overseas, she had a reaction to the vaccinations. She was not allowed overseas, and was medically discharged on July 7. After leaving the service Ms. Michielin became a dental hygienist, was married in 1945, and had a son. Ms. Michielin was also presented with the Queen's Jubilee Medal. One of six Canadian recipients for her service to communities.