Inspected by King George

Heroes Remember

Inspected by King George

Transcript

We got notice, park your tank, take ten gallons of gas and wash the outside of that tank, everything spot and clean, we are going to be inspected by his Majesty the King. I took a 50 gallon can of high test gas and washed the outside of the tank so it would look like it was still clean. We were all lined up and gun barrels were all down and everyone was standing dressed and waiting and this scout car went by at about 60 miles an hour and that was King George in it and he was waving at us, we didn’t even know who the hell he was. Next day, dress uniform, new clothing allowance. Now Italy is a funny city because one day it’s hot and the next day it’s pouring rain or snow or whatever. It’s a different country. So we lined up. So we got what do they call them, sort of a blouse, jacket and pair of shorts and some socks and its pouring rain – clothing parade. Typical army. Stand in the rain and you get your stuff and its soaking wet. Away you go, onto the next move. But that’s army life. I don’t regret anything that I did during the army. Sometimes I did things I shouldn’t have done but I did it anyway.

Description

Mr. Johnson shares a personal story of preparing for inspection from the King with orders given to make the tank spotless in anticipation of his arrival.

Bernie Johnson

Mr. Bernie Johnson was born May 29, 1923 in new Brunswick. As a child he grew up in Alberta on farm where he worked and provided assistance to his parents as during the depression resulted in great poverty for he and his siblings. With little income for the family Mr. Johnson decided to join the service and go to war. He attended training camp in New Water Barracks with the Sherman tanks and before heading off to Europe became qualified as a Tank driver with the Canadian Army Corp holding rank of Private. Mr. Johnson spent five and a half years overseas, a Veteran of the Italian Campaign. When war ended he returned home to Alberta where he then married and raised a family. To this day he continues to be a proud member of the legion in his local community of Calgary, Alberta.

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