We Marched Like Veterans

Heroes Remember

We Marched Like Veterans

Interviewer: When you got to Toronto, what happened then? Well, we had four weeks basic training at Manning Depot, and I, I will tell you one humourous story. I don't think many in the air force were adept at drill because it was not the most important part of our training. And we weren't doing too well on some of the marching. And we had a corporal, disciplinarian, and he used to get somewhat aggravated at us. And one of the fellas in our flight made a rather disparaging remark to the corporal. And he said, "If you can do any better, you come up and try." What he didn't know was the fella had been a drill instructor in the army before he went into the air force. And somehow or another, we sensed the difference and we, we marched like Veterans. And I think the corporal could have crawled into a hole. But I always remember that. It was so funny.

Mr. James recalls how during basic training in Toronto, a new air force recruit embarrassed the drill instructor by accepting his challenge to get the other recruits to march properly.

Albert James

Mr. Albert James was born in London, Ontario, on April 3, 1919. He attended school there until grade 13, before beginning work with D.H. Hauden and Co. - including years spent in the war, he stayed with the company for over 43 years. In 1940, Mr. James joined the London Militia, and on April 28, 1941, was called to report to the RCAF. After 4 weeks basic training in Toronto, a 14 week radio course at University of Toronto, and 5 weeks training at a RAF radio school in Clinton, he was posted overseas as a radar mechanic. He would eventually land in Gourock, Scotland, on November 23, 1941. From there Mr. James spent a short time in Yatesbury before being posted to #3 group, 115 Squadron with RAF Bomber Command. There he installed, tested, and maintained G radar - a new technology, introduced to aid in navigation, that would revolutionize bombing. In the fall of 1942, Mr. James was selected for project Mandrell and was sent to London to help assemble, and learn to maintain, new radar jamming units. He and other mechanics returned to RAF #3 Group to service the new units for squadrons in the area. Eventually he was promoted to corporal, and put in charge of one of the servicing units. In July 1943, Mr. James was promoted to Senior NCO in charge of the radar section for #75 New Zealand Squadron - RAF Bomber Command. He would remain as an administrator for the remainder of the war, returning to Canada on August 25, 1945. He received his discharge in October, and immediately returned to work.

Medium:: Video
Owner:: Veterans Affairs Canada
Duration:: 01:12
Person Interviewed:: Albert James
War, Conflict or Mission:: Second World War
Location/Theatre:: Canada
Branch:: Air Force
Rank:: Sergeant
Occupation:: Radar Mechanic

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Date modified:: 2024-12-30