Desperate to Enlist
Heroes Remember
Desperate to Enlist
Transcript
Description
Mr. Walsh describes having to deceive his mother in order to enlist with a close friend.
Graham Walsh
Graham Walsh was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, on January 22, 1925. He was the third of seven children. His father worked in a steel mill, and made a bit extra selling coke, a smelting byproduct. His father died when he was seven, and Mr. Walsh and his brother worked odd jobs to help the family. He joined the local reserves when he was fifteen and two years later, at the age of seventeen, enlisted for overseas service. Once in England, he was overlooked for Italian deployment and immediately volunteered for Normandy. Mr. Walsh served from France to post-war Germany, via the liberation of Holland, all with the Royal Regiment of Canada. He was fortunate to survive three wounds while in action.
Meta Data
- Medium:
- Video
- Owner:
- Veterans Affairs Canada
- Duration:
- 2:13
- Person Interviewed:
- Graham Walsh
- War, Conflict or Mission:
- Second World War
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The Road to Normandy
Mr. Walsh describes volunteering for service in Normandy, his preparations to go, and his impressions after landing in France as a member of the Royal Regiment of Canada.
I was a Veteran the Next Morning
Mr. Walsh describes his first night in action, fighting off two German counterattacks. He also describes having to fire a weapon in anger for the first time.
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Two More Wounds
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Dwindling Manpower and Resources
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An Unfair Repatriation System
Mr. Walsh discusses his disappointment with what he saw as an unfair repatriation policy which meant he was left behind when his unit returned to Canada.
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Mr. Walsh discusses his company’s low-key reaction to news that the war was over, and describes an amusingly disappointing attempt at celebration.
Just a Soldier Like Me
While in occupied Germany, and in command of a work detail, Mr. Walsh befriends a badly wounded German soldier. Their conversations reveal how similar they really are.
War isn’t for Older People
Mr. Walsh describes the demoralization factor he attributes to older married soldiers constantly reminiscing about their families.
Canada is Sacred
Mr. Walsh offers some thoughts on why he was proud to serve.
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