I Don’t Understand War.

Heroes Remember

I Don’t Understand War.

Transcript

I can't understand war. I mean, to me you'de think you could avoid it somewhere, without so much loss of life. But then, you think we formed the United Nations, you know, to get together, to try and bring peace in the world, and look what's happening. You can't win. No, I think that they... there should be some way that we can come to some... these different countries come to some agreement to not cause all of this trouble. I was the Fourth div, (inaudible) that say the five of us that went over, three killed, one died of illness and I hung on. But they all, I wondered sometimes why? Because I did everything wrong, When I went oveseas I didn't smoke, before I went overseas I didn't take a drink, but when I got overseas I got mixed up with the boys there and I guess I got partying with them, you know, when I came out of the line and (inaudble) and I ate anything but I got through it all. 102 ya, going on a 103!

Description

Mr. Ford reflects on why war happens at all and reflects on his good fortune to have survived to the age of one hundred and two years.

George R. Ford

George Ford was born on March 19, 1897 in Barrie, Ontario. In 1899, his family moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, and, when his mother’s health started to fail, on to Victoria, British Columbia. Here, Mr. Ford studied mathematics and surveying, which resulted in employment with the provincial government in the mapping department. Against his parents wishes, he enlisted in 1916, joining the 103rd Infantry Battalion. Mr. Ford went overseas aboard the SS Mauritania, landing in Southampton, England, where he was deployed with the 54th Battalion. He later transferred to the Light Trench Mortar Battery. Mr. Ford saw action on many fronts, but only discussed Vimy in any detail. However, his clear perspective on the futility of war, death, mutual respect, honour, and patriotic duty, honed over a 102 year lifespan, are well worth the viewer’s attention. After the war, Mr. Ford returned to his job as a surveyor. He joined his local Veterans Association, and some time later, the Royal Canadian Legion, Victoria, B.C.

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