Proud of his Service

We used to say, he got it there, you know he. That means he was killed there, you see. That's the way we used to speak then. But you reminisce on this and you say well, I was right near him and I didn't get it, you know. I went through this and how lucky I was, you know, and how unfortunate for my friend that didn't come back. He was a casualty of war and I wasn't. I think of that quite often. You know, you reminisce of the things you went through, the bad things, the good things, you know, all this. And I think myself fortunate to have lived through this for five years overseas with about two and a half years of real, in the field of battle and coming through unscathed, healthy and living with my wife and my children and I think of it, even today I think about it sometimes. And it's, I think myself very, very lucky to go through all this and be as I am today. I wish today that some people would show more appreciation of Veterans, what they did for them but they don't seem to realize, you know. I keep, I keep saying to some people sometimes, consider yourself privileged to talk to a Veteran. I am very proud of the service that I rendered my country. I'm...I feel like crying now because you know, it touches me. But I never forget the service I rendered my country and hope that there's no more war like this.

Mr. Clavel reminisces about lost comrades and his own good fortune during the war, and with great emotion how proud he was to serve Canada.

Roger Clavel

Roger Clavel was born in Sainte-Scholastique, Quebec on February 15, 1919. He was the sixth of eight children. After finishing grade eight, he sold donuts door-to-door. Mr. Clavel enlisted three days after the war started, on September 13, 1939. He went overseas as a Fusilier de Montreal, and while in England he was married. Mr. Clavel then joined the Royal 22nd Regiment in North Africa. During the Italian campaign, Mr. Clavel eventually ended up driving a medical supply truck. The Royal 22nd Regiment then rejoined the Canadian army in Belgium, but Mr. Clavel saw limited action. After returning to Canada, Mr. Clavel had to wait exactly one year for the arrival of his war bride.