Good Canadian Soldiers

Heroes Remember

Good Canadian Soldiers

Transcript

We were an independent little bunch, and I think that's why the Canadians won such honours in the war. I can brag about that ‘cause it wasn't me, it was the Canadians. I think that because we were, we were no smarter than anybody else, but we grown up poor and tough and used to looking after ourselves, and making do with what you had, what you got. And, that's not characteristic of most of the world. If you had to make something to eat in England, you went over to the store there and you bought some fish and chips or something and had supper. But you didn't do that in the homestead on the farm. You looked in the cupboard and there was flour and salt, and whatever there was, and you made some supper. You made do with it, or you made fix your own clothes. You know how to sew and knit, and in my case, I could even knit, knit, you know, so. I think we were used to looking after ourselves. Half of those boys had never wore a pair of boots like army boots, hurt their feet and all this, well... Most of our guys were tough kids, farm kids, bush kids and stuff like that and no problems. We weren't used to sleeping in comforters and forced-air heating and stuff, and a wood stove and used to being cold and warm, and looking, like I say, looking after yourself. It made you a pretty, heck of a lot better soldier than the average... and I can honestly say almost, almost every real strategic tough target was given to Canadians. I know we did, the outfit I was with there, talk about Agira, Federenco (sp), Taranto, Sicily, we got into Italy, all them guys, Campobasso, Foggia, Ortona, Cassino, any name what you want, Canadians did it. They were the first guys in.

Description

Mr. Laird explains his opinion on why the Canadians made such good soldiers.

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.

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