Leadup to War Hits Home

Heroes Remember

Leadup to War Hits Home

Transcript

Mainly, my good neighbours to the south of us, which was half a mile south on a quarter section. My good friend there, he was six or seven or eight years older than me, but he always came through our place and made sure everything was all right, give me a hand there. Joe Smith, his name was. In 1937, they gave it up. They were English, they all went back to England, and the first thing that really hit me was that it was still in September of 1939, we got a letter from his mother in Manchester, England, and Joe, my friend, had been killed in an action, not in action, he'd been killed training in Scotland, where he, he was in the commandos. That really drove it home, I know, hey, couldn't believe it. Interviewer: What did you think at that time? Oh, it was horrible, of course, I was only about, I'd only be about 15 then or so. Was a real shock, too, because we didn't have many friends on the farm. Cause everybody's so isolated in a log house. No electricity or water or nothing like that, but to think Joe was dead was hard to imagine.

Description

Mr. Laird recalls when the leadup to war hit home.

Edwin George Laird

Mr. Laird was born in Verwood, Saskatchewan and attended school there until grade 4. In 1934, when Mr. Laird was 11 years old his father passed away. Mr Laird and the rest of the family moved to a homestead in the bush north of Verwood. Not having a radio until 1940, news of war was very limited. As they started to hear radio coverage, Mr. Laird began to think he should get involved. In February 1942, Mr. Laird travelled to Saskatoon to enlist, and after joining the tank corps was sent to Guelph, Ontario, for training. Soon after he was sent to England where after completing his basic training, he was made a signaller. After advance training he was assigned to the 2nd Field Regiment On June 10, 1943, Mr. Laird disembarked from Scotland, destined to invade Sicily a month later. From there Mr. Laird fought across Italy with the Vandoos and Saskatoon Light Infantry. Eventually, Mr. Laird and other Canadians in Europe were sent to join with Canadian Forces in France. From there they moved into Belgium, and Germany, remaining there until the war ended. Mr. Laird returned to Canada in early 1946, and received his discharge soon after.

Meta Data

Medium:: Video
Owner:: Veterans Affairs Canada
Duration:: 01:30
Person Interviewed:: Edwin George Laird
War, Conflict or Mission:: Second World War
Location/Theatre:: Canada
Branch:: Army
Units/Ship:: Second Field Regiment
Rank:: Private
Occupation:: Signalman

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Leadup to War Hits Home

Heroes Remember