Poison ivy for toilet paper

First World War Audio Archive

Poison ivy for toilet paper

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About March the 15th, 1916, when six of us signed up for the

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Haldimand Regiment, the 114th Battalion, under Colonel Thompson.

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And “C” Company was in Haggersville so we started training

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there almost immediately. About July we went to Camp Borden, and the whole battalion then was together. We formed fours,

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learned how to fix bayonets and everything, connected under an

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old English soldier by the name of Batridge who taught us all

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he knew about army life, but after we got to Camp Borden, why we did it all over again. We marched in the dust and went

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out on manoeuvres and poison ivy patches. The sergeant warned

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us not to make our bed anywheres near where the poison ivy was, but unknown to him or us they’d put a laxative in the tea.

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And in the night, the troops got restless, everybody escaped

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the poison ivy but him. He used it for toilet paper. Being as he was an ex-minister, I happened to be passing his

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tent three days later and he was holding a looking glass and a brush and painting. He said, “Close, can you swear?” and I was a

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little startled. I said, “On occasion.” “Well,” he said, “do some for me.” So, it was a very unhappy event.

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Mr. Close describes some aspects of his recruitment and basic training, and in humorous fashion, outlines one of the risks of camp life.

John Hamilton Close

John Hamilton Close was born in Mitchell, Ontario on July 4, 1896. After the death of both his parents, he went to work on his uncle’s farm in Garrett, Ontario. On March 15, 1916, Mr. Close enlisted with the 114th Battalion in Hagersville, Ontario. He started training immediately and was sent to Camp Borden. After going overseas to England he was quickly deployed to Le Havre. He was wounded at Vimy Ridge, rehabilitated in England, and returned to France to fight at Amiens and Arras where he won a Military Medal for bravery. Mr. Close ended his service with the rank of Corporal. He died in Hagersville, Ontario in February, 1993.

Medium:: Video
Owner:: Veterans Affairs Canada
Duration:: 1:47
Person Interviewed:: John Hamilton Close
War, Conflict or Mission:: First World War
Location/Theatre:: Europe
Branch:: Army
Units/Ship:: 114th Battalion
Rank:: 2-stripe Corporal
Occupation:: Section Leader

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Date modified:: 2024-12-30