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Memories of Home

Heroes Remember

Transcript
Oh boy the end of the war. That is a goody. I was in near Oldenburg in Germany and we knew that the goal was getting close to the end because there were all kinds of prisoners coming forth and everything was going great. At the end of the war we decided then to pass the time we'd get some radios and that's what we did. But on the way to get the radios we came to this, I can remember this so well, came to this barn and house and everything in Germany and we were in our camouflage outfit and we were in and there was everything in this henhouse. There was chickens, ducks, geese, everything but there was no turkeys. But clear of that, I guess we were the only two turkeys there. So anyway, this woman came in and we were in camouflage she walked in she had her back . . . she reminded me of my mother, her apron full of oats. She carried the oats in her apron. I can remember my mother doing that and she was going through the yard, feeding the . . . and then shaking the apron out. And my God that reminded me of mother. So we came and she gave a screech when she saw us and she let go of the apron and everything, (inaudible), we went up this person, and I with nothing but arms around her and gave her a hug and everything and that settled her down. And she . . . I was just thinking, people that came afterwards, I would hope that they would have treated her good. Just like your own mother. That's what it was.
Description

Mr. Knox recalls an experience near the end of the War.

Thompson Knox

Mr. Knox was born in Northern Ireland on November 1, 1921. At the age of 6, he and his family came to Canada and resided in Heatherdale, Prince Edward Island, where his father began farming. Mr. Knox is the second oldest from a family of three brothers and two sisters. Eager to join the army, Mr. Knox went to enlist only to be advised that he was underweight by 15 lbs., therefore, was not accepted.. Determined to join the army Mr. Knox increased his weight by 10 lbs. and tried again- this time he was accepted and became a member of the 2nd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, 8th Battery, C Troop. He held rank as a Gunner serving as a member of the gun crew After receiving his basic training in Petawawa, Mr. Knox found himself travelling overseas on the Louis Pasture, a French luxury liner that was gutted down for carrying troops. Although this liner was carrying over 6000 troops and the soldiers were packed in like sardines, Mr. Knox recalls his trip as a very enjoyable experience. He landed in Greenock, Scotland, and it was at this time that Mr. Knox now comes to the realization that he is at war. After the war, Mr. Knox received first aid training and became employed with Maritime Electric being part of the rural electrification team for the entire Island until his retirement. He and his wife raised a family of nine children and now reside in Sherwood, P.E.I.

Meta Data
Medium:
Video
Owner:
Veterans Affairs Canada
Duration:
2:33
Person Interviewed:
Thompson Knox
War, Conflict or Mission:
Second World War
Location/Theatre:
Europe
Branch:
Army
Units/Ship:
2nd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment
Rank:
Gunner
Occupation:
Gunner

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