What’s your army number and rank?

Heroes Remember

What’s your army number and rank?

Transcript

My first pay day down there, at about 4, 4:30, we were all through training. So we got dressed, of course we went up street, three of us. I know we got into, into the tangerines, jungle juice, we called wine and from then on we got into some beer I guess and that night, it would be about 10:30 I guess, we, we were walking back to the barracks in Guelph, and up the street came Captain Charlesworth and Lieutenant Charlie Cadwell and the BSM per table. I guess we were walking down the street acting like, like a bunch of fools, hooting and hollering and frankly swearing too. So they stopped us, and, and when you join the army, the first thing that you're supposed to memorize, is your army number. So Charlie Cadwell, after we saluted them and Charlie Cadwell stepped out, and he pointed at me. He said, "What's your, what's your army number and rank?" I told him the truth, I said, "How in the hell do I know?" But the words I used, weren't, weren't too nice. So he said, "You're under open arrest, get back to that barracks." That was my first offense, and the next two days I was on guard duty, they put me on guard duty for two days. No rifle or anything then.

Description

Mr. Macdougall discusses the consequences of insubordination.

Donald J. MacDougall

Mr. MacDougall was born near Harriston, Ontario, in 1923. He was eager to join the Armed Forces, but was turned down three times because of his age. Mr. MacDougall returned home to work in a dairy but was finally accepted into the army in 1941. Once overseas in England, he was trained as an anti-aircraft gunner. He landed in France one week after D-Day and attained the rank of Sergeant while on the battlefield. Mr. Macdougall served in several battles across Northern Europe. He was married in England, and returned home to Harriston after the war ended.

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