Lewis gunner

First World War Audio Archive

Lewis gunner

Transcript

Picture of soldier in full uniform.

In my training period, I trained as a Lewis gunner. Now, many people of the outside world might not realize what it was to train as a Lewis gunner. But you trained to this extent; they’d throw a disassembled Lewis gun into a gunny sack, blindfold you, and they’d say, “Put it together”. That was one of the tests. Did you ever hear that one? Yes. I went through that. And I liked the Lewis gun and I followed it all the way through until we, eventually was transferred. After Passchendaele, we was transferred to the 46th Battalion. Now, with the 46th,

A different picture of soldier in full uniform.

I was going as a Lewis gunner to, I was attached to a section. I was in “C” company of the 46th. My brother was in “B” company of the 46th, but that didn’t make much difference. We continued as a Lewis gunner. One day, the sergeant of the gun came to me and he says, “Shorty, how’d you like to go as a runner?” I said, “No, I don’t want that. I’ve trained as a Lewis gunner, and

Picture of two children standing in front of man and women in what might looks like a wedding outfit.

that’s what I want to be.” He said, “You crazy little fool. Here you’ve been appointed as a runner and you’re going to turn it down.” He says, “I only wish I would’ve had a chance like that.” He says, “Tell ya, you’re standing number three, two or three on the gun right now. You take it. If you don’t like it, I’ll give you your place back on the gun.” “Well,” I said, “in those conditions, maybe I better take it.” So I took the running and I was taken into the orderly room and introduced, not introduced, there was no introduction but,

Back to first picture of soldier in full uniform.

the Major Giles says, “So this is the new runner.” I says, “Yes sir.” “Bring your kit in here.” And that’s all there was to it. I was there then.

Description

Mr. Bond describes his initial training as a Lewis gunner, and then being offered and accepting a position as runner.

Colin Bond

Colin Bond was born in Staffordshire, England, on June 5, 1897, and came to Canada with his family in 1912. Before war broke out, he had worked as a cotton worker and farm hand. He enlisted at Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, on January 29, 1916, as an act of patriotism. He wanted to be a bugler. In England, he was with the 128th Battalion where he trained as a Lewis Gunner. He transferred to the 46th Battalion as a runner. Mr. Bond saw action at Vimy Ridge and was wounded in the lung by sniper fire advancing towards Amiens. He was subsequently hospitalized in France and England. After the war, Mr. Bond pursued several careers, including stationary engineer and professional gardener. He married Nellie Viola Moore. Mr. Bond died on August 31, 1977.

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