Taught by World War Two Veterans

Heroes Remember

Taught by World War Two Veterans

Transcript

A lot of my instructors, a lot of people that were with me were in World War Two, so they had the experience of how to survive on the battlefield, and they taught us a lot and I have to thank them very much for that. I would say one thing, the army taught me how to drink and smoke. It was fun. It was hard work, but it was fun. They were trying to get me ready to go to Korea and I had to take a lot of courses before I left. Again since I was the only black at that time in that particular troop, they kind of took me under their wings, you know. A lot of them were from Nova Scotia and Newfoundland in those days and we got along really good. I knew there’s times where somebody would say something and the next thing I know he’d be outside and somebody would be cuffing him. I was well protected. I was well looked after. I don’t know why, I guess it was my chummy personality maybe, I don’t know.

Description

Mr. Patrick speaks about his experiences while getting equipped for the Korean War and how protected he felt because of being taught by World War Two Veterans.

Errol Patrick

Mr. Errol Patrick was born in Montreal in 1930. After his parents separated, Mr. Patrick was sent to Trinidad to live with his grandfather. His grandfather held the position of school master until his death in 1942. In 1945, Mr. Patrick returned to Canada to live with his father. He then made the decision to enlist for the Korean War, joining with the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery Regiment as an artillery soldier. After his service in Korea, Mr. Patrick continued his military career, travelling to Germany in 1957 and that same year he married. He carried on as an instructor for eight years with the Battery Command post of the No. 1 RCHA. In 1966, Mr. Patrick returned to Germany and was promoted to staff sergeant taking on the duty of commanding the troops. After returning to Canada he was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer at Petawawa, Ontario and at the end of his career held rank of Chief Warrant Officer of Artillery while stationed in Gagetown, New Brunswick. In 1985 Mr. Patrick retired from the military with 35 year service. He and his wife raised three children all of whom became very successful.

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