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Description
Mr. Connett is asked for his thoughts on Canada's contribution to victory in the First World War. He also offers some thoughts to young Canadians on the subjects of patriotism and duty.
Fred Connett
Fred Connett est né le 17 avril 1897 à Londres, en Angleterre. Quand son père est tombé malade, on a envoyé le petit Fred vivre chez une tante. Parce qu’il s’est enfui plusieurs fois de son nouveau foyer, on l’a placé dans un orphelinat. Il y a appris plusieurs métiers et s’est finalement trouvé un emploi dans une imprimerie. En 1913, à 16 ans, il a quitté l’orphelinat et est venu au Canada. Il a travaillé dans une ferme près d’Ottawa pendant un certain temps à un salaire de 4 dollars par mois. Soucieux de planifier son avenir, il a utilisé l’argent qu’il avait gagné à la ferme pour acheter une police d’assurance vie. Quelques jours avant Noël 1916, il s’est rendu à Ottawa, où il s’est enrôlé dans la section montée du Corps des transmissions divisionnaires. Il en est peu après passé à la section non montée. Monsieur Connett avait 101 ans lorsque l’interview qui suit a été enregistrée à West Vancouver durant l’été 1998.
Transcription
Mr. Connett is asked for his thoughts on Canada's contribution to victory in the First World War. He also offers some thoughts to young Canadians on the subjects of patriotism and duty.
Terrific. I think Canada did a tremendous job. Both in troops and in materials, oh yes and I suppose morale is a, is a very valuable thing. It can not be calculated in a monetary sense, but it's an invaluable thing.
Interviewer: If you had the opportunity Mr. Connett, of speaking to young people and future generations of young Canadians, if you had the opportunity to speak to them what would you say to them about patriotism and duty?
Oh I think it's very, very essential. Loyalty covers the whole thing. If you're not loyal, you have nothing. Without a friend, you have nothing. Friends are far more important than money because you can be, have a friend and if you have no money a friend will help you, give you food or something. But money might get you nothing. What would you do with money in a place say like New Guinea? No use to you eh. Or out in a desert, in the Sahara desert and I've been on both. What would you do with money there? But a friend who's got food or a friend who gives you succour or helps you when you're in trouble physically or otherwise. Oh a friend is far more valuable than money and that is along the lines that you say sense of loyalty, love to, a love of country. Canada to me is very precious. It's my home and I am more Canadian than most Canadians because I've lived here for over 80 years. So, if you're not 80 than I'm a greater Canadian than you are and I'm here by choice, not by birth.