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Comradery

Heroes Remember

Comradery

Transcript
Well, I say I was very lucky in that we joined, three of us, joined together. In fact, another one came on. And they all survived. One of those four is dead now. One has Alzheimer’s. The other one has a bad foot can’t, and luckily, you know, My health wise, I seem to be fortunate in that respect. But we still see each other and we were friends then, we’re still friends and its something that. And even in the Legion, now like Dave McQuinland(sp) good friend of mine. I met him through the branch here and three or four more. It’s a comradery that we had and so it’s I guess you can get that in other areas but it’s just something that. We have a table over there in a corner on a Friday afternoon maybe have a beer, two and talk about... All Second World War Vets, ya know. There’s another table, there’s Korean Vets. You know what I mean? It’s a, I don’t know what it is. But anyway, it’s something that, you know, sort of glues you together in some type of a organization. Well its, I don’t know... If your peers are doing something, you know, if they did something sixty years ago you were friends. They did what you did and you lived with them for, you don’t know anybody until you live with a person. And you lived with them for four years on a gun site, you know, you’re on a gun site your eating, drinking, doing what, other things with them and it's something you probably can’t buy anywhere else.
Description

Mr. Stanway speaks to the comradery that still exists between himself and the friends he joined up with, and other WWII Veterans.

Frank Stanway

Mr. Stanway was born in Britain, and relocated to Montreal, Quebec with his family at a young age. Mr. Stanway joined the Non Permanent Active Militia (NPAM) along with friends, 8 months after Canada declared war. Shortly after basic training finished, their unit went active, so they joined the active forces in August 1940. Mr. Stanway shipped out to Scotland in 1941 and was transferred to Italy, along with the rest of the 5th Battery, in May 1943. They remained stationed there until a few months before the end of the war (February 1945) and returned home shortly after the war ended.

Meta Data
Medium:
Video
Owner:
Veterans Affairs Canada
Duration:
02:00
Person Interviewed:
Frank Stanway
War, Conflict or Mission:
Second World War
Location/Theatre:
Europe
Battle/Campaign:
Italian
Branch:
Army
Units/Ship:
NPAM / 5th Battery / Artillery
Occupation:
Mechanic

Copyright / Permission to Reproduce

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Mr. Stanway recalls when Britain and Canada declared war, joining the Non Permanent Active Militia (NPAM), and subsequently the active forces (Montreal 5th Battery).

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Mr. Stanway recalls his parents reaction to his enlistment, and how his peers had joined as well, making it easier.

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Mr. Stanway recalls sailing into action from Scotland to Sicily in May of 1943; a journey which included a torpedo attack and rough seas.

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Mr. Stanway recalls his battery coming under fire in Italy and how his friend incurred an injury during the attack.

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Mr. Stanway describes his position as a driver/mechanic for the 5th Battery Anti-Aircraft Unit.

Friendly Fire

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Mr. Stanway recalls how his battery was mistakenly attacked by an American fighter, which they in turn shot down.

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Mr. Stanway recalls being wounded by shellfire just outside of Ortona, Italy.

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