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Sketches of the Restigouche

The Graphic

        THE NORTH SHORE IN CANADA
THE MAKING OF A BATTALION

        The foundation for the Unit's Skill-at -arms really began back at Camp Sussex, New Brunswick. Although the Regiment's military training had been going on for some time prior to their arrival at this famous camp it was here that the real "team", training began. The 8thCanadian Infantry Brigade had been formed and was placed in the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division. Now, at Camp Sussex, the three Battalions of this Brigade were all together for the first time. Looking through the War Diary for this period reveals such items as, "today a demonstration was given on the loading of a Platoon Truck", or, "the morning was spent in unloading and checking the first two carriers to arrive for the unit". These simple things, which later became so commonplace and routine were, at that time almost adventures. Everybody had to learn them and learn them will. Proof of the Regiment's mastery of the lessons of war came out on the examinations and tests before the hardest of examiners- the German Army.

        During the period at Camp Sussex the Battalion Commander was Lieutenant-Colonel J.A. Leger, VD. This able soldier, long associated with the Regiment, knew personally almost all the men under his command, the officers intimately. He was, therefore, able to guide these men- new to soldiering- through the many and difficult steps by which a mass of men become a fighting unit. In May, 1941 Lieut.-Colonel Leger regretfully announced that because of his age he would be unable to take the Battalion overseas and accordingly was being transferred to another command. This was a considerably blow to the Regiment but fortunately the Second-in-Command, Major J.R. Calkin, holder of the Military Cross from the War of 1914-18 was, like Lieutenant-Colonel Leger, an extremely able soldier who had been with the Regiment a long time and understood the men and their problems. The command of the Battalion accordingly passed to Major Calkin.

        It was a memorable day-3rdJulyt- when a warning order was received to prepare for embarkation. The feeling in the Regiment then was almost akin to that prevalent during the loading of D-Day. For had not that Germain Army achieved mastery of almost all Europe and stood ready to invade England. Britain was deeply committed in other parts of the Empire. Few Arms, few fully equipped formations, all too little of everything, lay disposed along the coasts to repel invasion. It was expected that on, or shortly after arrival the invasion threat would materialize into a reality. Preparations, therefore, were as complete and careful as possible.

        GOOD-BY CANADA To be continued.....

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