In Two Weeks the Soldier Apprentices will be returning to the motherland Camp Borden Ontario for their Reunion. Ontario, Western and maritime reunions will take place in Sept.
Royal Canadian Army Service Corps Reunions Sept 11, 12, 13, 2009 R C Legion Carleton Place
Sep 11, 12, 13, 2009 Edmonton, AB
Sep 18, 19, 20, 2009 Woodstock, NB
Below Sgt Jim Fuller speaking at our Charter reunion, Organised and brought to fruition by Denny Deneumoustier and his team. Thanks Denny.
Apprentice Reunion
Aug 28, 29, 30, 2009 CFB Borden
2 Lt.EMS Deneumoustier 25 Platoons first officer in 1960 a man who led us and taught us a lot. Along with Sgt Jim (Tickety Boo) Fuller and Cpl Al MacNeil. Memories that have lasted 49 years so far.
The young men( Boys) of 16 years of age signed on the dotted line, for a 2 year apprenticeship in a military trade as well as a meager salary until you hit your 17th Birthday when you would double your pay. Also including was 3 free meals a day uniforms shoes and boots. believe it or not a few of the Rural Apprentices had more boots and shoes now than they had at home.
This programme ran from 1953 until 1968. What a shame that it was terminated, because the soldier apprentice programme was to become a lifelong friendship with the other apprenti. We have lost quite a few to the advance party and they will be remembered at Sunday Memorial services in GOCB (Good Old camp Borden)
Believe it or not Inspections gave us Discipline and Pride as did our Corps Badge, Green Flash(es), and corps shoulder patches. .
Along with Military Training and school, there was sports, field exercises etc and jamborees against other Apprentice corps.
The programme was initially supposed to create a newer cadre of Junior NCO's. However we have made Generals, UN Delegates, and provincial MLA's to mention some of the fellas. Our Corps produced Truckers, Clerks, Cooks primarily. They were dispersed to all parts of the army originally, then after integration Sea and Air took some of our finest Tradesmen.
I am looking forward to this reunion as our ranks are getting smaller and smaller as time passes. To all of those who have gone to the advance party, hang in we will all meet again someday. God Bless.
Please wear something Red today to show your support for our serving troops !
Nil Sine Labore
Robby
