The Brigadier’s Driver

We were eager to learn of course and they ask you your preference to what sort of role you would like to position you would like to have in the tank say, and I said, “Well, I think I could do the wireless operator and the gun loader.” This is what I trained for, I had to learn the Morse code in the class because everybody else wanted to do the sending with their hand and not many of them wanted to receive so I didn’t get a chance at sending very much. So I took receiving and I became the one that could do the receiving better and faster than anybody else in the class. As a result of that when the class graduated eventually when we were assigned our specific duties I was assigned to brigade headquarters to be driving the brigadier around as he was required to do on the field to be in contact with the regiments so I was sort of his driver or taxi driver sort of thing in a Humber scout car.

Mr. Bernhardt shares his experiences in taking on the role as driver for the brigadier general.

Charles Bernhardt

Mr. Charles Bernhardt was born March 13, 1921 in Yugoslavia. His father, a bricklayer, was from Hungary and came to Canada in 1927. The family followed the next year. Unable to recall too much of his childhood, Mr. Bernhardt does remember his happiness as a Canadian and that he always had the desire and pride to serve in the Canadian military. He chose to join the Canadian Armoured Division and served during in the Second World War in Normandy during the Battle of D-Day. He held the occupation of Brigadier General’s driver, a role he felt great pride in doing. Mr. Bernhardt is known for his participation in one of the most famous photos of all time which went for poster print, the “Wait for Me Daddy” poster which can be found displayed across Canada. In recognition of his service, Mr. Bernhardt received the Legion of Honour medal and was given the opportunity to be a part of the Canadian delegation for 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge - a memory of honour he will hold for a lifetime. Mr. Bernhardt resides in Summerland, B.C.