In the Shadows of the Great War

Heroes Remember

In the Shadows of the Great War

Transcript

I grew up in the shadow of the Great War. There were many what they called “returned men” around and looking at those fellows, and what the war had done to them it took away all desire for any form of military service. I certainly never did intend to join the army. In June 1940, we said, “Look, if we are going to win this war, everyone will have to pitch in!” So that’s when I joined the army. It was the 20th of June, 1940 I joined the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division. When I joined the 3rd Div Signals, we were immediately sent to Kingston, Ontario which was the largest at Barriefield, Ontario, opposite Kingston, was the largest signals training establishment in the British empire and that’s where we got our signals training. The rest of our training was ordinary infantry fighting training because signals go everywhere. We were up, artillery regiments and signals up with the infantry to find out where the gunfire is needed and to radio it back and that’s the sort of work we did. The division engaged, different units of the division collectively engaged in seventy six battles and absorbed thirteen thousand casualties.

Description

Mr. Barr recalls his decision to volunteer for the army.

Vernon Barr

Mr. Vernon Barr was born November 11, 1921 in Cobourg, New Brunswick. Growing up in the shadows of the great war, Mr. Barr witnessed the return of Veterans and this left a lasting impression on him. Later in life when war was again declared, he volunteered to serve and became part of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division as a signals/wireless operator holding rank of corporal. Mr. Barr travelled overseas on the O’Ryan and was part of D- Day and the Battle of Normandy. He remains very proud of his service during the Second World War. Postwar and back in Canada, Mr. Barr and his family moved to Wolfville, Nova Scotia where he resides today.

Meta Data