Canada’s Forces Strength In September 1939

Well, I was glad somebody had finally done something to stop it. We were, although Canada's Forces at that time were minuscule and could really do nothing, I think all the permanent forces, all of us, Army, Navy and Air Force, were totalled about three thousand men. I mean we used to drill with, I even remember doing drill with wooden rifles, wooden anti-tank guns, holding a rope over there and a guy over there that was on the other end of the platoon, you know, doing that sort of thing. But it soon got built up. At the time the war was declared, I was a regimental policeman and I heard the news, I guess before anybody else heard, at about midnight in the guard room. And, you know, I must admit it was a shock but at the same time I was glad that it finally come to something. Interviewer: As a member of the PPCLI and the Canadian Permanent Force, you were active immediately.Immediately, yeah, we, we were lined up on a, Shorty Calhoun was our Colonel, Shorty cause he was six foot six and a hero from World War I. They lined us all up on a parade square and gave us the option, we could either stay with the unit or get out if we wanted. We were given the choice to go active or not, and most of us chose to remain active. And a lot of the guys got promotion, I didn't for some unknown reason. I remained a Lance Corporal without pay, I did for a long time after that, but I stayed and I'm glad I did.