A Soldier Will Win or Lose
Heroes Remember
A Soldier Will Win or Lose
Transcript
Description
Mr. Fowlers expresses the feeling of guilt he carries for surviving the war when remembering the soldiers that did not have the same fortune.
Donald Fowler
Mr. Donald Fowler was born November 7, 1925 in Peterborough, Ontario. At the age of 12, he became a bandsman bugler with the Princess of Wales Own Regiment (MG) and at this time became war-trained at Connaught Rifle Ranges in Ottawa firing Vickers machine-guns and 303 rifles. Still in his teens, Mr. Fowler enlisted in the army as a private soldier with the 1st Battalion Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders. Mr. Fowler served during wartime as a drummer yet managed to see a great deal of action and combat up close and personal. Fowler holds great pride for his service and is deeply proud of his Metis heritage. He has had many opportunities to travel back to France and Holland to commemorate significant anniversaries. After the war, Mr. Fowler continued to play in the Queen's University pipe-band and later in other community pipe-bands. Discharged in August 1945, Mr. Fowler went back to school and ended up obtaining an education at Queens University holding under graduate standing in Honours Social Behaviour toward a multi-disciplinary study in Sociopsychobiology. Mr. Fowler held a career with GTE (General Telephones and Electronics Corporation). He is now retired and resides in Brockville, Ontario.
Meta Data
- Medium:
- Video
- Owner:
- Veterans Affairs Canada
- Recorded:
- May 28, 2015
- Duration:
- 0:37
- Person Interviewed:
- Donald Fowler
- War, Conflict or Mission:
- Second World War
- Location/Theatre:
- Canada
- Battle/Campaign:
- Liberation of Holland
- Branch:
- Army
- Units/Ship:
- Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders
- Rank:
- Private
- Occupation:
- Drummer
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Mr. Fowler defines his role as a drummer within the regiment and the significance combatant and non-combatant soldiers play during wartime service.
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Mr. Fowler identifies his service and how the common threat for survival became evident.
Beginning to Sense the End of the War
As the end of war draws near, Mr. Fowler remembers the feelings of relief that overcame the soldiers.
A German Soldier was my Friend
Sharing a photograph of a young German soldier, Mr. Fowlers tells the story of how he connected with this young man during the war and the importance of visiting his gravesite after wartime.
A Time to be Alone
Mr. Fowler expresses his emotions during visits to the graves of many of his fellow comrades and the importance of remembering them.
We all Serve as One!
Proud of his Metis heritage, Mr. Fowler shares his experience of serving alongside many soldiers with different cultural backgrounds all fighting for the one country they love.
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