-Fingal Observer

JUNE, 1944 \'

2

MISSING LAUNDRY I

DELAYS G/( KERR

G/C Kerr almost didn't get away on time, and for a reason that ever y one of us will appreciate.

He had his clearances signed.

He had his leave in his pocket. But his laundry wasn't ready, thanks to ye ol de Aylmer Steam Corporation.

Fortunately this story has a happy ending. The laundr-y got cracking and produced the group captain's parcel in the nicotine.

EMOTION that brought tears to his eyes prevented Group Captain Kerr from finishing his farewell address to the station, prior to leaving for overseas.

Assembled on the parade square on May 12, Fingal personnel saw him take the C.O.'s parade for the last time. After the ensign hois ting the CO. leapt onto a table and began speaking into the mike. His voice choked with emotion. tears came and he could not carryon.

He brushed his tears with a handkerchief, and with eyes red from crying he took the march past. That was his official farewell - surely, a tribute to a station unique in air force history.

Thus ended 16 months at the station which he made known up and down Canada as "Friendly Fingal."

Later he told the Observer that it wasn't .the place but the people that got him. "You don't cry. at leaving a bunch of temporary buildings," he said, "but when yo.u see 1000 people out there who worked so hard for you, well, it does things to you.

III was so happy to be posted overseas. I thought that would overshadow my departure, but ths morning I simply couldn't take Ii'."

THAT day, the Daily Observer published this last comrrunique from the "old man":

"I wanted to say a WOt: to you this morning about yourrrew e.O., but unfortunately r dUn't quite make it, He's still on I~ave, but at

my invitation he came down for a short visit yesterday.

"I would like you to know t-h~t I'm absolutely certain that you viii find him a 'right guy.' He went overseas two years ago as ~ sergeant-pi lot and today he's a wing commander-and I believe he )1 as earned it. He's been tried in battle (53 trips over Europe) a d as a result he wears the DSQ and DFC. As far as I could see ke's forgotten that he wears them. That's not an easy thing to do w:)en you realize that there are 001$ about a dozen DSO's in the RCAF.

. "He knows th4lt this is a new job and is eager to learn. If you give him the same eacking that you have given me, Fingal will really go places. I ~cussed with him our ideas of nznning' a station and he agrees. So I am sure that any changes that are made will be for the betirer.

"Again, thanks and good luck to evety. one of you"

ACCOMPANIED by S/L Art Spruston, honorary president, He paid a farewell visit to the sergeants' mess, where he had lunch

I (fish and polatoes and raisin pie).

I One Hjgh~sergeant became a groupie for about 30 seconds when he tried os the C.O.'s hat. The C.O. wasn't looking, of course, The occasion was enlivened with a hotfoot ler W02 Elmer Bean.

"I vould like to say good-bye to e\'efyone on the station, but my tiree is short," he said. "To all r~nks I wish the very best of everything. Of all the station I've been on, Fingal is absolutely top ,"

At a party given by the officer and their wives, GIC Kerr received a pen and pencil set, and Mr . Kerr received a bouquet of roses.

In his remarks, the retiring e.0. said that under the terms of K.R. (Air) he was prevented from accepting a gift, but he was taking the present on a 99-year loan basis, with the promise of writing to one mess member every three months.

Prior to the presentation, F IL Ernie Weaver tried to make a few remarks on the departing Americans, which we understand FlO Paton was not present to hear.

of unsuspecting airmen can testify.

His improvements here were many, including the swimming pool. 'canteen, bowling alleys, drill hall Roar, snack bar, Finga1 Forum, gen sessions for ground crew .... to mention a few.

While he initiated these project. he gives credit to the airmen and airwomen who did all the work and who provided all the money from canteen profits. He was sorry he couldn't be here to see the sports

pavilion completed and the WD's beach dub in operation.

He always gave wholehearted backing to the Fingal Observer, and it was during his term that the Observer was cited as the best camp newspaper in Canada. A daily edition was inaugurated Feb. 1, with his approval and support. .On matters of urgent news interest, he instructed the Observer staff to telephone him direct. Before leaving he accepted an appointment as an Observer war correspondent overseas.

A farewell visit to the sergeants' It himself a bowl of delicious soup I with several senior NCO's, includmess was made by G/C Kerr. on (advt.) at the self-serve counter. ing W02 (now PIO) T. B. Fawcett, his last day here. LEFT: He ladles RIGHT: At the luncheon table I who was commisoioned that day.

6/ ( KERR, TEARS IN EYESj

BIDS US FOND FAREWELL

N0W 35, G/C Kerr left Glebe

collegiate in Ottawa at the age of 18 to attend Royal Military College for four years. During holidays he was a provisional pilot ofbeer and for two months each summer he flew at Camp Borden.

During his third summer, in August, 1930, he won his wings. In 19.31 he took a permanent force cornnussion as a P/O. He went to Camp Borden for four months and then to Trenton for an advanced training course. He did army CO-Of> work and spent three years as a Aying instructor.

In all he was five times at Borden and three times at Trenton, beginning in its mud-hole days .

As a F/L he went to Hamilton, On I., as adjutant 01 119th bomber squadron, which he helped org~nize. He was there fot a year WIth the week-end flyers without whom, he said, the RCA F would be behind the eight-ball today.

In 1938 he returned to Trenton as C.1. and supervised EFTS and SFTS training, both given at that unit. When No.1 SFTS was formed at Borden in May, 1939, he went there as olc or initial training squadron. In September, 1939, the month war broke out, he was promoted to S/L.

In July, 1940, he left Borden with A/V /M S. F. McGill, then C.O. of Borden, to open Uplands, ,yhere he remained until January, 1941. Now

he was W /C Kerr. .

HIS next job was organizing six. SFTS's. He was detailed to pick four officers and organize aU

(Continued on page 13)

Posted Overseas After 16 Months at Station He Made One of Canada's Best-Expects to Command an Operational Unit in Great Britain

OUR FRONT COVER

SUCCEEDING W/C D. D. Find· lay on Jan. 19, 1943, G/C Kerr arrived in the worst blizzard in 78 years. He was an instant hit, and we're not giving you the usual business when we say that he was personally popular with all On the station.

During his term here, he built' a reputation as a square shooter and as a man who knew his business. He knew every corner of the' station and reaUy got around, as a Jot

A warm smile and a warm handclasp greeted our new commanding officer; W./C W. H. Swetrnan, DSO, DFC. as he stepped out of a Beecher-aft for his first vrsrt to Fingal on May 11. He IS pictured with G/C J. G. Kerr, AFC, our C.O. for 16 month~, who is now overseas. -c-Photograph by Cpl. Ruth Ralston

Fin~al Observer

No.4 Bombing and Gunnery School, Friendly Fingal, Ont., Jwne, 1944

DAUNTlESS LEADER TWICE DECORA lED

Courage and Devotion to Duty an Inspiration

To All

DFC CITATION

"F /L Swetrnan, a bold and resolute captain, has inspired the confidence of all crews with whom he has flown. He has participated in attacks on the Ruhr area and other targets both in Germany and Ger, 'man-occupied territory. 'I'hroughout his operational tour he has performed excellent work."

He's Now Our War Correspondent With RCAF Overseas

W/C "Bill" Swetman tries out the C.O.·s chair on his first visit to Fingal in May. CE TRE: In flying logs overseas. RIGHT: On his return to Canada, he was photographed writing out a wire to his mother.

DSO CITATION

"T'his officer has completed two tours of operations, during which he has attacked most of the enemy's. heavily defended targets in Germany, including six on the capital city. He has always endeavored to press home his attacks with the greatest determination and his example of courage and devotion to duty has inspired all- W IC Swetman is a dauntless leader whose able and untiring efforts have been reflected in the fine fighting qualities of the squadron he commands." .

G/C KERR TO WRITE FOR THE OBSERVER

Group Captain J. G. Kerr, AFC, has accepted an appointment as war correspondent for the Fingal Observer, attached to the RCAF overseas. The Observer thus becomes the only service newspaper in Canada with a group captain 011 its staff.

The departing C.O. was keen On taking the job and has promised us regular dispatches by air graph or bomber mail, typed and double-spaced. His first story will appear in the July issue.

A TWICE-DECORATED operational veteran, who is the youngest station commander in Canada, is Fingal's new c.o, He's Wing Commander William Herbert Swetman, 24, who left school not quite four years ago to enlist in Ottawa as a pilot. Just over two months ago he was still on ops.

After the usual period of waiting

and Joe-jobs at fanning Pool he went through NO.1 lTS, took his elementary at Crumlin EFTS and got his wings at Dunnville. He went overseas as a sergeant.

Following his O.T.U. he was posted to the first Canadian bomber squadron (No. 405) in August, 1941. Operating in Wellingtons, he did 13 trips as a sergeant and was commissioned in January, 1942.

Half-way through his first tour

was formed he was one of its flight commanders.

After a period on the staff of an R~F. group headquarters, in the training branch, he went to Canadian group headquarters.

Then, last June, he returned to ops as a flight commander in the Thunderbird squadron, who wert converting from Wimpys to Lanes, the first Canuck squadron to do so. Last August he. became e.O. of that squadron with the rank of wingco. He did 20 trips with the Thunderbirds,

0t the end of his second tour, two weeks before he came home, he was. awarded the Distinguished Service Order. His. operational hours now totalled 330.

INTERVIEWED on his first visit here May 11, he had some nice

things to say about Fingal .

"I've heard a lot about Fingal before I even came," he said "and I think it's a very fine stati~n. I'm looking forward to the job and hope to do as much flying as possible. including training trips. Since I cannot do any mare operational flying, I realize that Fingal is prcb-

(Continued on pai" 4)

YOUNGEST C.O. IN CANADA ARRIVES DIRECT FROM OPS

Trip to Frankfurt on March 22 Was His 53rd and Last Raid Before Coming Home-Went Over as a Sergeant

Three Years Ago

WE WARN RICHARDS BEWARE OF NEW C.O.

In addition to a swell station, W Ie Swetrnan has inherited the pride and jOy of Fingal- the bus situation.

G/C Kerr discussed the bus service with him during his first. visit here, and the Observer understands that the new C.O. will take up the battle where the old e.O. left off. And with 330 operational hours to his credit, VI/ IC Swetman is just the man to direct a blitz On Rich .. ards.

of 33 trips they converted to Halifaxes. After 14 months he left the squadron in October, 1942. By then he was S/L Swetman, DFC. with an operational trip to the palace to be gonged by the King.

For a short time he was with the Goose squadron, where he formed a conversion flight, from Harnpdens to Hallys. When the fir-st Canadian (No. 1659) conversion unit

4

FINGAL OBSERVER, JUNE, 1944

, I flfD fRANCE IN '40

I TRAINS fOR REVENGE

YOUNGEST C.O. IN CANADA ARRIVES DIRECT FROM OPS

(Continued from page 3) On March 22 of this year Wingco

ably the nicest station a fellow Swetman donned his flying kit and, could be posted 10." with his veteran crew, went OUt to

We had two touchy questions the Lancaster "A-Apple" to unfor him, on behalf of our readers, dertake his 53rd bombing trip, AfWas he married? What' did he ter returning from Frankfurt he think of P,T.? was informed that he had been

He answered them both good- screened irom further flying opernaturedly, wi til a ready smile: "No, ations and would be assigned to I I'm not married. And as (or P.T., HeW duties of a non-operational, the present set-up will probably be nature,

continued. I can't see any reason: Three days later Air Vice-Marwhy any airman shouldn't take part shal e. M. McEwen, ~l.e., D.F,e. in sports and games. It pays divi- and Bar, Air Officer Commanding dends overseas." the Canadian Bomber Group, sum-

At the time of his appointment moned him to group headquarters as e.O. oC Fingal, \V Ie Swenuau to offer congratulations on the "imwas the youngest station comman- mediate" award of the D50. Then I der in the RCAF, at home and WIC Swetrnan packed his bags an"

abroad, BUI a few days later, W IC headed for Canada 011 leave, He JOHN OLGERT STEFAN It was in the critical days of 1940

A, F, Avant. DFC, age 21, from hadn't been home for three years, 0 with the roar of guns in their ears

Saskatchewan, was appointed e.0, i It was a brilliant climax 10 a .. , air ca~et~~~r bomber and the bewildered French people

of the Bison squadron. , i career which had begun to assume _ watching their army being annihir-

So now W/C Swetman IS the I legendary proportions, Six trips on when he joined the RCAF, lated by the Hun, that the llQ)'chs

youngest e.0, III Canada, and the 'his second lour have been 10 Berlin, , family fted Paris on the lasl diplo-

first graduate of the air tra~n!lIg I when the air offensive against Ih~ A fightln¥ sp~ech ,by a fighting' imatic train, Reachimg -St Malo, plan to ,command an air trammg : Nazi capital was stepped up to Hyer, who IS Fingal s new e.0., from which ]aCjiju'es Cartier had plan stauon, I crescendo, During January he ~la~e a great rmpress.on On the I sailed three c_rt:nHuries before to dis-

WHEN tl e C 0 at No 6 SFTS 'logged three sorties against the 'taotlOn" k' I b d' cover a fIl'I'and new land, they em-

I ,. " ! • • penmg navy wee In t ie on 1 b .,_,,, th 1 t f I f

at Dunnville pinned pilot's capital, and on several o~caSlons drive at Toronto W IC Swetrnan a;"",,,u?n e as ~ee ves~e r<;>m

. _ 0 LAC W H "Bill" Swet- 'uperated on successive nights a Id d' i f h ItJnere WIth the promise 01 hfe with

;~nngbac~ in May, i94i, he launched' considerable physical strain. • ~~ll t~a~r~; \Val;n't r~~!n~d :0 er;mc~i~ liberty in Canada

the young airman on a career which [' _ In the, 3,\ days which preceded his I fancy speeches, He was w.tined 10 John, the only son, was born in rivals any success story created by hna,1 trrp he made. flIne. sorties fight. and that when h~ and others Alsace Lorraine of French-Polish Horatio Alger, against hOI targets, including Bee- like him came hom'. on leave after parents, Shortly thereafter he was

In September, 1940, he was a 20- lin,. Leipsig (twice), Stuttgart a tour of ops tlley wanted 10 spend taken 10 Berlin;\Vli't<_e.. his father

year-old boy sitting around the Ot- I (tw~ce), Schwemfurt~ Frankfurt it with their relatives - not making was managing a lumber business.

tawa recruiting centre waiting for (twice) and Le Mans III France, speeches 10 persuade people 10 buy Not many years passed until the

an interview, W IC Swetman learn- I . . bonds, strange doctri,!e of Naziism began

ed his trade the hard way, He has HE is pr?ud of the crew which He said his colleagues overseas to take hold III the schools To

sympathetic recollections of the ft~.w W'~!' 111m, Two of them, were n,ot very well pleased to know aVOId being exposed 10 It, John was problems Ihal face an airman III the, 1'10 Taffy Thomas, '?FC, \II~ that high-priced movie actors and sent t.o Scotland when 10 years old

early stages of his career. rear gunner, ~nd,. I'lL J,mm,e .actresses were brought from Holly- ,to finish hIS early schooling.

Then a fti ht lieutenant, he was Devan, DFC. Ius fl,ght e~gllleer -I wood to persuad~ people to do I Racial hatreds in the meantime awarded his if:>FC on June 16 19<2 1 both of them Enghsh lads=-finished what was their obVIOUS duty, 10 buy caused his parents 10 move to

·,'1 " d 'I d I' ' , ,'. their second tour with their SkIP' bonds 10 supply the materials to I Switzerland for safety but in 1938

ie cuanon elscn ie I~m .. as I a , per, ,.od also made their fir-st lour keep the boys in there fighting they moved to Paris' where John

"bold and reso ute captain ~v 10 y~th him. ' " ' . . '.

had "inspired the confidence or ali, 'I" . _'.. Also, he said, his friends who did and hIS three SISters could, attend

crews with whom he has "O'\W<l1. I Tht' ~other fou~. me~ber~ ?f 11I~ come back home after service over- school and. be at horne With the His work throughout hi,> opera- cr~w, .. F/L R.~, Ted Ratcl,',ffe o,! seas were not too pleased to see so family. Until they had 10 flee fr.om tiona I career was desC"liilibed as "ex- KII1~g~ton, lIavlg,ator; FlO Con many young men of their own age here, LAC Fochs studied classical cellent." 1 Ma~sey, of, POinte CI~,re, "Que" not yet in ~niform", I,anguages and ts able to c~)flverse

, A n J'YH, came his DSO, I bomh-alll1er,. _FlO I. N. Art Pet- "You might think It an even III German, French, Spanish and

n ' r,~ec'ame the 14th man in the ,erson of Grassy Lake, Alta., Wire-I break-us to fight your battles and Enghsh.

R~A~\F to win that outstanding dec- i Ifss RAFalo~ ~ and P 10 J eller of perhaps die-you to buy war bonds Since arriving in Canada, his .oratron. 1~II:o been' s~:e~~~~e~ifl~TW1~i'r ~~;~ lan,d get ~~ur money back. \Vedon't home has been in, Westmount,

The DSO citation told how W /C I lain after completing their first 1IIIInk so. ,Quebec, and he enhs,ted In the

Swetman had attacked most of the tour. ':Ie spoke of the Canadian peo- ,RCAF as soon as he finished school

enemy's heavily-defended targets III I . ..' pie 5 complacency, and told them III Montreal. Before jouung up he

Germany, including six sorties He IS warm 111 Ins praise of the that they were on the eve of hav- was an air cadet sergeant in No.1

a ainst Berlin, He was described I unsung heroes of the air force-the ing the war really brought home to ~estf!10unt Sqdn., for two years, a~ a "dauntless leader whose able ; ~round crew lads who are resp0!ls- them. HIS au cadet regimental number,

and untiring efforts have been rep i Ibl~ ,for the maJtlt~nallce and flying "When the invasion start - It he K277148, stays with him in the

, fi fi I ' liti efficiency of today s heavy bomber, ',' ", RCAF

fleeted in the ne g lung qua,~tlt's I .. you can't give them enough said, 't,her~ Will be more Canadian' ,

of the squadron he commands, I credit." he says. I casua!hes In a fey; days t.han all the John has an uncle, a former co-

HE attended ITS in Toronto and T b f I TI d [combined Canadian services up to worker of the great psychologist

then did guard ~uty at 51. I bird WgOro~ne; c:;~ ~h~~le he ~i~g~d date It ~reeu~'riti~~ i!r~;,aj~:l;~:~inr~s~~~~

Hubert, ~e look his p.llot tr anung IIOUI for special praise are Sgt Jack nervous and shell-shock cases, An-

at Crumlin and Dunnville and \~a, McKellar of Radison, Sask., and FASHION NEWS other uncle is in New Zealand,

posted overseas In May, 1941, With Sgt Jim Watson of Edmonton To Purses are to be worn by air- where he is a noted architect, mu-

the rank of sergeant. them he assigns a good share of women with both summer and WIO- sician and composer.

H fI W II' 'I fi ter uniforms, The strap IS to be:

II Ce edw a'b e blOgtOIl 11111 ie rstl illhe cfr,eldl! f~r the jol! wlucThlhedand (aJ worn over the right shoulder, All of his mother's family are

a - ana Ian om er squat ron ant I us e ow-airmen ot tile iun er- missing since Poland was invaded.

was commissioned in January, I birds have been able to do. under the lapel, with the purse Two of her brothers were officers

19<.2., After various ,srrelches of Born in Kapuskasing, Ont., he is resting on the left hip; in the Polish army, while her sister

training and converting to four- the son of H. J. Swetmau. who has (I» adjusted to allow the bottom was a nun and doctor in charge of

engine bombers, he wound up as I been in Great Britain for consider- of the purse to be even with a hospital for blind children, So

flight comma~der of what IS 1I0W able time on overseas war service the hem of the tunic. it's with a keen appreciation of the

the Thunderbird squadron. I organizations, His mother resides Purses may be worn on work- issues at stake, that LAC Fochs

Last August he was made a wing in Toronto, After graduating from ing parades or roll call at the dis- tackles his course at Fingal and commander. He was then, at 23. the high school at Kapukasing, he at- cr etion of the C.O.'s. Purses are throws in his efforts with the youngest in the RCA F to hold this I tended Sir George Williams Col- nOI 10 be worn on ceremonial pa- RCAF for this country which has, rank and given command of the lege at Montreal for a year and was rades, church parades or other spe- he believes, the greatest future of

squadron. I studying for a degree in commerce cial parades, all countries in the world today,

John Fochs, Course 103, Once Lived in

Berlin

By F/SGT. AL, GAMBLE

"Wtlrld Traveller at 19," That's LAC John O. S, Fochs. air bomber on 103, Due 10 Hiller, he's been kicked around a lot of countries where the RCAF is new making sleep a little difficult for rhe natives, and he's now living for the day when some well-aimed bombs of his will do a bit of kicking around the other way,

FINGAL OBSERVER, JUNE, 1944

5

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c.:.~ii

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Research by the Observer has disclosed that the name of Fingal has a long and honorable history. At LEFT: Arrow points to the Isle 01 Staffa in the Hebrides, which is the location of the famous Fingal's Cave, pictured at RIGHT

. F . .I

----,-,1

GAL,

Where did the name come from) L

Fingal was King of Morven, land of the North West Caledonians in Scotland. A SOn of the giant Cornhal, Fingal was born in the year 282 A. D. and became renowned for his love of freedom and truth .. the opening of hi famous "Fingal's· Thus the small rising town found-

Perhaps it was svrnbotic that he Cave" overture On the spot. 1 ndeed ed in 1832 in Western Ontario got should go to war in defence of the the music expresses the atmosphere its name. Once manufacturing weak, but his greatest exploit o( the cave. centre 0(' the province, Fingal has started when Cuthullin, vice-regent To quote an eye-witness of Men- slowly but surety retired from the of the Irish kingdom, appealed to delssohn's visit: "\\fe were put out producing world. In her heyday, him f?r aid against tl.le invading into boats and lifted by the hissing Fingal boasted four hotels. seven S~andlnavl~ns un~ler K1I1g Swar an. sea up the basalt pillar stumps to blacksmith shops, four big dry Fingal ~bhgcd Ins [ellow-monarch I the celebrated Fingal's Cave. A goods stores, two tailor shops, a by crossing the channel, landing I,n t greener roar of waves surely never millinery shop, three shoemakers Ir-eland. and, sweeping ~waran s rushed into a stranger cavern - its and a cabinet-maker.

armies back Into the sea, I'he de- many pillars making it look like the I

feated Swaran received k~ightly inside of an immense organ, black The~e were mor~ than 700 people treatment at the hands of his cap- and resounding and absolutelv there 10 tho e days. ow the vIItor, and history lets the tale drop without purpose' and quite alone ,Iage searcrly m.1sters 2~O. It wa .... there, the wide gray s~a within and with~ I t·e lalk o. a da1 )Yay TIHff~ sta[~er

All through Celtic legen,d. Fingal out." . f~~~:rlon ~:se~\I~:thw~ard'~'ow~~cr~

represented the true knight and . On such a spot Fingal gathered Stanler: f~ded away and manufachero.. hIS boys to take a smack at oppres- turers began to find the going

HIS .greatness IS cor:nme';torated SIOn and force.. tou h .

today In the name of Fingal !' Cave, OSSian, son of Fingal. who be- g .

on the isle of Staffa. Scotland. This came one of the best known Scot- Gone are the day~ when kegs of

cavern was actually the point at tish bards. wrote an epic poem on Labrador salt her rings lned the which Fingal's armies assembled LO his father's exploits, This became Sidewalks In front of stores and relieve the harassed I rish. It must a best-seller with the Gaels. and farmers loaded up a· keg or two to

have been quite a scene. was translated by James MacPher- take home,

In 1829, the composer Felix Men- son in the late eigh teent h century, Tasmania and England both boast

dclssoh n passed through Staffa on This aroused interest in Ossian and a town by the name of Fingal, hut a tour of Scotland. He was so irn- his poetry, and brought the name Ontario's Fingal seems to be the pressed by 1he cavern that he pro- Fingal Once more into the lime- only one which follows the old

duced pcndf and paper, and wrote light. king's traditions to the letter.

..

.. ' ~,."

ANCIENT SCOTS' HEROIC KING FINGAL'S GREAT GRAND·DADDY

• N

Mendelssohn was so inspired by his visit to Fingal's Cave that then and there he wrote the first notes of his famous overture, "Fingal's Cave:' Or "The Hebrides," ABOVE: Mendelssohn's original manuscript of the music .

Famous Warrior, Born in 282 A. D., Gave No, 4 B, & G. Its Name-Fingal Also Perpetuated in a Brilliant Overture by Mendelssohn

By LAC HARRY McNAB

Achievements of Fingal flyers ill aerial warfare overseas have a rich tradition. centuries old.

Fingal has been - connected with deeds of valor and defence of the right since the third century. Research by the Observer staff has unearthed some exciting facts about the origin of Fingal, and we proudly unroll the parchments to gen you up on our ancestral status.

, AN·CIENT EPIC POEM,

llIIaIXOOOKS.

.~ t.."".,,'Olllt.lt,c_poiU!.t

~01l$IAN d>e Soo ~ '-IN GAL. J

~

Renowned in song and story is Fingal's name, Here's the frontispiece from a famous book, which you may see in the Toronto reference library.

6

FINGAL OBSERVER, JUNE, 1944

London, Eng. (by Bomber Mail) - Typing this dispatch from my desk at the Ministry of Information is like kneeling before the block waiting for the guillotine to whip my head from Illy shoulders, as in the days of the French revolution. Reaso;': I al11 about to reveal all that can be said of a war-time trans-Atlantic voyage in a troopship. Penalty: The censor is waiting to strike. A colleague whispers, "Only the best men write on this subject-and live ,,,

Here, however. are hints for your trans-Atlantic trip; no pleasure cruise in wartime but on the other hand, not a journey of undue hardships. Unless you are on the biggest of ships, the seas, Atlantic storms, and the part of the ship in which you are berthed are the main factors bearing on your comfort.

Baggage rule: Take only what you can carry yourself. That may bringin;!" notes with you. he interpreted differently by differ- The journey: Troopships. espetnt people. When the crowd of cially the trans-Atlantic var-iety, RAF sergeants with me staggered are always crowded. Don't expect up the gangplank most of them the comforts of a well-heated barwere on their knees. Webbing, a racks with clean linen. Don't get kit-bag (the proportions of which scared at the sight of a bundle of are liwited only by your ability to hammocks, The introduction, if carry It) and perhaps a small ca,n- such. should be painless and a good vas hand-bag Or small cas,e (suit- ,I n;g-ht's rest should be assured. cases are taboo). These thlllgs arc lOne of the advantages is that covered. by the term baggage, you will enjoy some of ~lMe best

If you are an officer going ab roa d .whitc bread it is possiht-r: to get in for the first time you may carry wartime-baked dai1Jy on the ship suitcases instead of a kit-bag. But, -and yOUT last rgr'ip on luxury beyou must be able to handle everY-I' fore hitting 1I1he grey dough of the

thing unaided. United K.imgdol11.

Another tip: Don't completely fiJi .Ai.r.~cws en route to England

your baggage before embarking, hasce little to do once they are, III On most ships there is a large \'a..r.ir-! ~uarters. If you arc the read'ng etv of goods for sale. Fancy bioxes t.y~e take along your own books. of candy, fountain pens., liighters.1 It IS unlikely that on. compara,lIvely soaps, tobacco and ciganfl!ttes at tax- 'short voyages the hbrary WIll be

free prices. opened,

Three da vs affter the canteen opened, kit-llsag space was actually being sclrtl. I know of one instance wher1tt: a square eight inches of snsace was sold for five dollars.

Another man sold a small case By SGT. STAN MAYS Irather pronounced "igor.

for double that amount after he Special to Fingal Observer Then to my surprise he asked,

had crammed its contents into his "Shampoo, sir?" Surprise. I say,

already bulging kit-bag, Moncton, N.B.-It is only by the because there was no sign of a wash-

Don't be afraid of taking too big grace of God that your correspond- bowl in the room. nor was water a kit-bag. It pays. Pack it secure- ent is alive to write this storv. laid on. So just to see what haply and rest it lengthwise across the Least ways. that's how he feels pen ed I decided to call his bluff and

f bbi k about It right now Reason' Just a agreed. But I let myself in (or the

top o. your '~c m~ pac . few hours ago I was the Victim of whole works .... a ~reat produc-

Mad: Don t, wTl~e the folding la haircut and shampoo IT1 this Mar- tion they have here when it comes

type of Canad~an airgraph during I i tirne town-and I repeat. victim, to shampoos.

the voyage. v, hether you ":lad ,It Feeling that the shaggy locks Abruptly the enthusiastic clip-

on board or once you land, It WIll could do with at least a gentle ping stopped and I was grabbed by not be photographed, as In Eng- pruning before it became possible the hand, whipped out of the chair land the, sln~le. page non-folding to trip over their lengths into the and run up and down two Rights of alrgra,p~ IS s~11l In use ,and the f~ld- arms of a discip.. I climbed the nar- stairs and into a domestic room ed edition Will go ordinary mall. row staircase of a building on Main where a lady was busily ironing the

Letters to friends: One of the St. to a door marked "Barber." week's washing. Pointing to a chair strictest security regulations says Opening the door. I found myself beside a washing tub, the barber that if you bring letters from peo- in a. private house in circumstances said "there, please," and proceeded ple in Canada to friends in England very much like a visit to the local to take a large cake of washing soap these must be handed in aboard bootlegger, and apply it with quantities of ship, Otherwise, if they are mailed I was quickly disillusioned, It water to, by this time, my rather in England. it is tantamount to reallv was a barber's and I was im- reluctant head. Another bowl was evading censorship and the secur- mediately hustled into a large bare produced and doused Over the ity officers are very, very suspi- room where a solitary clipper stood soapy lather. a towel applied to my cious, The censorship delay won't I by a swivel chair and once I was head, my hand grabbed again and be long and it will still be worth seated proceeded to cut hair with that same breathless rush helter-

SGT. STAN MAYS, correspondent for the F";;ngal Observer in the European Theatre 01 Operations. Fonner trainee at Fingal, he now serves with the RAF in England.

By SGT. STAN MAYS, RAF London, Eng. (by Bomber Mail) -"London," remarked my friend. a Can a d ian sergeant-bombardier, "seems to be just like any American city." He was trying to be funny! Reason: In this part of England the kaleidoscopic khaki colorings of the Yanks outnumber the dark. and a little darker, blues of the RAF and RCAF respectively.

London hasn't changed much since I was here two years ago. A

l Iittle marc shabby, perhaps. but so full of military that it still runs with color, However, the coming of so many servicemen from Canada and the United States has brought innovations.

I n one of the newer ervicernen's clubs· in .... the West End (Canucks seem to prefer that part of the metropolis) facilities for the forroes

have doubled recently. .

Most popular centres are the Beaver club and Nuffi~d House. In the latter. presen"~ to servicemen by the automolsde king of England. you can gd. your pants pressed

I while y~u wait.

M II seems to be the opinion in I Canada that an Englishman doesn't know what a trousers-press is for, may I add that this service is well patronized by the lmp~ial troops,

But it is freelv admitted that this service was started mainly because of the insistence of North American servicemen.

Overseas dubs, catering only for Dominion visitors. have sprung up aU over London, providing an unequalled service of hospitality, invi-

lations. accommodation and food for Allied forces.

The Yanks mav have "taken High on a ladder in the British over" the City, but the Canadians Admiralty's war room stood a are there in force. Perhaps they WREN.' sticking pius in it map are a little shy of the big bars and which marked the progress of a the well-known pubs - but ill the North Atlantic convey. A trusty back streets of the City of London British sea lord stalked in, glanced (one square mile of the whole upward at the map. Said he: "Cap- metro) you'll find them in the cafes lain, that WREN will either have and pubs and houses. They seem to wear pants or we win have to to have made strong, quiet friendmove the convoy to the South At- 1 ships that last over many, many

[antic." I furloughs.

II I

London Letter

FIRST DISPATCHES ARRIVE BY BOMBER MAIL FROM FINGAL OBSERVER WAR CORRESPONDENT

Sgt. Stan Mays, RAF Air Bomber Who Trained Here, Describes Atlantic Crossing and His Return to London After

Two Years in Canada and U.S.

AN

EXCLUSIVE

OBSERVER

FEATURE

By SGT. STAN MAYS, RAF

Fingal C?bserver War Correspondent in European Theatre 01 Operations

WAR NEWS

Braves Moncton Barber 'Ere Sailing to the Wars

skelter back through the house to the chair, where the drying operations commenced.

That's how this writer counts himself lucky to have survived unscathed. For instead of a hair dryer the inventive genius of our talented haircutter had led to a towel, folded double. with a weight in one end, something like a sling, which he whirled around at great speed just a couple of inches off my brow, as he ran his hand through my hair to allow the cool breeze to penetrate,

Surprisingly enough it seemed to work, and within a few seconds the hair seemed dry-or could it have been wishful thinking? Then the cover was whipped off, a hand proffered for a dollar, and as the next unsuspecting victim requested a shampoo, the hairdresser put his head around the door and yelled into the house, "'Nother wash coming through."

And the moral is obvious. Get a haircut before you reach Moncton!

7

Crime Does Not Pay •••• Not Like It Used To

Staring you right in the face. as door. Good thing, too. for they're Baakon try' to -find where you you enter the guardhou e, is the always handy as models. Now. skip signed out, which you did. didn't neat little sign above. The neat lit- your eyes to the right. TOP: FlO you? BOTTOM: The Friday night tie number laughing at it and at the Bir tles, Fingal's chief of police. sets queue, just after the five-o'clock S.P.'s is "''irs. Christina Pierce. Fin- the example by giving himself the whistle, Wonder where they're all gal post;:l.1 clerk, who works next once-over. CENTRE: 'Valson and gOing?

I usual Occurrences. They go to I "Y" depot twice, only to have them

work when trouble starts. I cancelled.

The patrol car visits the met-e re- Sgts. F. J. Watson, Bill Littlejohn

mote sections of the airport and and O. O. Baaken constitute the you can find them circling past the I balance of the senior NCO's at the bomb dumps or bouncing out to the : guard house. Baaken .saw action 10 coal pile, Twice a month they strap I France In the last war and recently

Ion their best revolvers and nurse saw his ts-year-old son don khaki the $30,000 that means pay day I just-as he did 27 years ago.

back from the bank, Behind the wicket, on the. gate, THE local Gestapo consists of 20 t out, On patrols. it~s the corporal By CPL. HAROLD HERTZMAN l One day a pair of hooks is sewn on men. Top watchdog is DAP 'I SPI s t~at do the Job. Outside of THE recruiting officer smiles, a. transportation warrant reading Man FlO S. R. Birtles, World War ~P s. ran~·dand rFlood, kObtf of

Standing before him is six feet Fingal is made out and another. I veteran. Wounded at Ypres, he I ~~~. men I po Ice. wor e <?re

of enthusiastic applicant who RCA F St. Peter is ready for the 1 moved on to a Quiet, recuperative ~~r I~ If':' 1~n the ~1flddor police doesn:,t ev~n k!10~v what .S.P. stan,ds front gat~. I job in the Royal Iriih Constabu- I vic~ as r a pI~i~~~iot~:snma~awwh~l;

for .. You H: In, he. cnes, hastily Next nme you feel a nasty re- lary, better known as the ~I!lck I Flood was ke tho in a ~ uar

pressing forms and tickets into the mark about SP's coming on, just and Ta.n. and ~a~ a hand In policing at Burwash P~ison ~~ Ngort~ r gOd rookie's hands. place yourself in their position, A the Irish UI?TlSI~gS .folJ?w~ng the tario e n n-

At Manning Pool our hero gets day with these men and you'd have last. war. A [ob In Niger-ia In West .

along swell. But one day someone I an entirely different view of things. I Afnca filled In the years before his WHAT do these men do in the. ir asks, "What are you in as?" "I'm Tht;ir work goes on always. They're I last move came. Seventeen years . off hours? Pra~tica)]y any ti!fl.e gomg to be an S.P.," he answers. busiest just when the average air- ! ago he came to Canada and became during t~e day or n1~ht, If you VISit From that moment on he can't un- man IS starting out to have a bit of I a salesman. their prrvate hotel In 12B. you'll der stand why things change. He Ifun-week-ends. Christmas leave, Heading the ·NCO's is F/Sgt E h~ar a .st~ady patter of French uses the right soap. He doesn't have lor just any-ordinary evening, win- B. Smith of London If you were With a distinct English accent. The a trace of pink on his toothbrush. ter or summer. Working around ever ticketed for speedirtg in this boys have been told to learn "la But people avoid him like church the. clock means getting out of I neighborhood before the war there's langue francaise" and they now take parade. And. then one day his best ~varm b~ds at midnight, or not see- a good chance that the motorcycle special mstrucuon here.

frl,~nd told ~Im. .. 109 daylight for weeks.. I coP. was none other than Flight "Perh,~ps you'll also. see. CpJ.

. It dcesn t stand for special P~IV- Only a small part of their work I Smith. One of three former police- Curly Wolfe counting hIS chickens

lieg~s; It. means servlce. police. is actually seen by the station. men here. he was a mechanized before they hatch or even before You ,~e going to be an air force Those pairs of SP's that seem to be bobby during working hours and a he had the egg. He's genning up cop! heading for the canteen or down to jdirt track rider on his own time. To ory those handy feathered. critters THEN On to Trenton, Weeks of the hangars are actually foot patrols get overseas. he has toyed with the With an eye on an oc~upatlon after

law, parades, jiu-jitsu. and learn- whose job is to keep an eye open idea of 'remustering to a dispatch 1 the war. Interested In dogs. Cpl.

ing how to say fino" nastily enough. for fires, unlocked doors or any un- rider. He has had clearances to (Continued on page 10)

Fingal Gestapo's Bark Worse Than Their Bite

S.P.'s Aren't Such a Bad Lot When You Get To Know 'EmBut Who Wants To Know 'Em?-Station

Has Clean Crime Sheet

FINGAL OBSERVER, JUNE,

Revealed For First Time: Harvard Step Test Is Not Infallible

I Trainees' Guide and Mother, Too

~~lfIj:."I"'~I"'~iIII Central Control Sees ::~."':::"~~~"~"~

LAW "Chuck" W~l~.chuk. Cpl. ~~~_ Spencer and AWl G,ac' Nor_

FINGAL OBSERVER, JUNE, 1944

10

lAUNCHING PARTY FOR PATHfINO[R II

News: Richards Gets a tNEW' Bus

Begins Her Career in a .Cascade Of Chocolate

Milk

1f05NOKIN6

By LAC HARRY McNAB TH E cvcniug SU1I glistened On

polished metal. The crowd was silent. tense, eager. There' was a faint plop. a gurgle. then a stream of chocolate milk cascaded down the bonnet of the sleek bus at the gates of Fingal. Pathfinder I I had been launched.

o b s e r v e r Editor Sugarman, proud sponsor of the launching ceremony, aided by a "mike" from the M.T. sound truck, eulogized on the luxury and finer points of the latest addition to the Richards fleet. He wasn't even discouraged by the stark unbelief in the eves -of the

Fingalites present. .

Someone tittered as Ed ito r Sugarman displayed the airy interior and air-cushioned scat's with a wave of the hand. A glance silenced the scoffer.

"Manager Larry Moore took over and thanked the Observer Ior this opportunity to demonstrate Richards' alleged interest in our welfare. "We've had a struggle to get this bus," said Moore. "but we be-I lieve that nothing but the best in transportal ion is good enough for the folks at Fingal."

Shrieks of delight greeted the announcement that on the maiden run all passengers would ride free. And so, with a smooth purr and

comforting sway of efficient I '

springs, Pathfinder 11 started on her first journey to St. Thomas.

On Board Pathfinder II

1700 hr s, : We're off. Power and promise throb in the engine. The coach is airy, spacious and oh so comfortable. Can those nightmares or past travel be true? The old, familiar fields and trees flow past with an incredible smoothness.

1704 hrs.: Consternation raged among the passengenrs when, on tugging an attractive leather cord which runs the length of the bus, a sharp, efficient buzz was heard, and the bus promptly drew to a stop.

1708 hrs.: Someone was 'heard to sigh in ecstasy.

1713 hrs.: We are now over half way to 51. Thomas, Unbelief has left the eyes of the Fingalites. Admiration. grudging but genuine, has replaced it. Applause broke out when Pilot Moore stopped and waited at the railroad crossing.

1718 hrs.: A WD offered to kiss the driver when he honked the horn at a jay-walker. What a horn. So loud, safe and satisfyingly rich in tone.

1719 hrs.: With amazing care, Moore slowed down and took the gradient at Kettle Creek bridge under 10 m.p.h.· No shudder or grind was evident when the hill came, and it was with a sense of triumph that we hurtled down Talbot Street.

1720 hrs.: Expressions of gratitude, delight and relief fill Mr.

Phooey!

3 FLIGHT ENGINEERS ENJOY AN ICY DIP

(Continued from page 7) Kellow specializes in the red variety. Cpl. Me Kellar, "Killer" to his bunkmates, has unofficially been selected Fingal's one-man humane society after his recent removal of an obnoxious cat from the officers' mess.

A t a recent ceremony in the hospital Cpl. McCracken was invested with the D.M.C. (Distinguished Malingering Cross) for valor in managing to keep his blue suit. MeCracken was a baker before enlisting.

Many of the local gendarmes had unusual civilian occupations. Cpl. Harrison did some trapping. Cpl. Fuchs hauled beer out of Preston. Cpl. Elrick was a drug and toilette goods salesman in Winnipeg and did a spot of flying On the side. Cpl. McLeod was a hard rock miner. Cpl. Cramer snipped and soldered as a tinsmith. And up in North York, Cpl. Dawson pitched up a good game of checkers as a fireman. Daddy of the SP's, Cpl. "Pop" Jackson, was an insurance salesman.

"I christen thee Pathfinder II." 50 spoke LAW Lou Schnob Fingal WD, as she launched the new bus with a bottle of chQcolat~ milk. TOP: A view of the bus interior which has-believe it or not-head roo~" comfy seats and windows tha~ actually open. We understand that It s the first of many to corne. Did we hear you snicker?

Moore's ears as the crowd descendef' to the pavement. They have arr ived safely-and in record time.

Here ends the excerpt from Our

log. .

And thus the Observer popped another feather in its cap. Talk about crusading. The torch has burnt so fiercely that another new bus was promised within a month -which is just about now.

00 Station Parades

This is written to relieve the' minds of two WDts on this station.

If these two members of the feminine side of the air force think the three .airmen in blue, white and green shorts, respectively, cavort- 109 In the outdoor swimming pool on the cool evening of April 25 were the result of something they ate or drank, let them banish the thought. It was definitely not a hallucination. It was merely three Right engineers cooling off after a basketball session.

. Interviewed following their icy immersron, the airmen were reluctant. to talk but with a little perSuaSIOn finally said in unison:

"Brrr ll!" They then disappeared beneath thfQI~nkeh again.

AN EDITORIAL

IhliMUIHMlhHiifiiiblllliil_illIMnttMJjfiHiMriihlfiHilinm

"It's the only way he'Il ride when home on Jeav~. Ht'S a"Lancaster tali-gunlf£r,

FINGAL OBSERVER, JUNE, 1944

11

F a cts of Life (Bare) From Fingal Hospital

By LAC RALPH ROSENBERG I .. at Fingal; thej- are aware of the

. . Observer Reporter Becomes a Patient to Bring You the Full, fact that the staff has a record of

I N true newspaper tradition. the I .. " 100%. When they say you die of

, Fingal Observer stops at noth- Uncensored Story for the First Time - HIS Untque pneumonia, you die of pneumonia

109, to get the story, When the Journalistic Scoop Is Mentioned for Pew-litzer Prize , and nothing else,

Editor decided he wanted the In- Meals are wonderful, but "light"

side, uncensored dope on the sta- to say he least. What used to be

rion hospital, the staff wondered: he wishes he were a bed patient ,iy disgusted with the eyents of the a ward of big, healthy men is now But how? Bv whom? again. [dav so far, you feel a nice hot bath filled with replicas of Frank Sin-

None of the patients would talk. I Rright and early in the morning, I would soothe your shattered and atra. Only he's rat compared to us.

Neither would the. hospital staf]. just about the lime the filthy rich I battered .nerves; and. you ask ,for Quite a variety, too. \\ie get two However, genius being what It IS, arc coming home. we have to get onc ... innocently: little knOW11lR' choices at every meal . take it he hit upon the idea of having us up. An angel in white (minus halo) what lies ahead. Ah. but it's not or leave it.

bask in the sun for a few hours too "gently" wakes you so she can lake that easy. You have to 2"0 rhrouch

man)'. When said writer was "done your temperature and ascertain the "proper channel!'." You a ... k the It's amazing how orderly the men to a turn," they presented him on your pulse. \",'D who happens to he ncar your are when those attractive \\iD's are sick parade. Seeing the human Gosh. it must be nice to be awak- heel. who asks the \.yO in eharze. fussing here and there. However, piece of toast, the M.O. immediate- ened "gently." They must try it who asks the corporal in charge. we'd like to clear up a small item ly admitted said crumb, we mean, some time. One finds himself awak- who asks the sergeant in cha-ce. by saying that those fiendish. wolfsaid piece of toast. ened by a jab in the anatomy. who asks the nursing sister in like howls heard 'round these parts

So, to make a short story long. which usually sends your floating charge. who asks the doctor. who are NOT from ward .",A": they're yours truly ended up in ward "A" rib down in back of your liver. You says no; and that is that. So vou from surgery. An? It.S not tr.ue with a dozen other patients. As turn 'round, indignantly. but before dampen your eyelids and hide vour ablaut. the ~~r1s ?emg I~~ued With SOon as they took off that darn you can utter a word of disapproval, head under the covers, cursing the b ackJ~cks Just 10 case.

jacket with the folded sleeves, we an evil tasting (alcohol. no doubt) evils of the "system." ~ Having a lot of extra time, we set about get ttng the info, think- thermometer is shoved into your In the meantime. when the bed I find that 97~0/0 of the patients (a ing it would be qutie easy. mouth. She then, holds your hand pat~ents finish their meal. the up- recent .survey ~vith the help of. Time

Jolly Eileen "Bubbles" Lodato and takes your pulse; then. when pa trent s really start to work. A mag~zlhe) go In for the finer things was fussing about, so we asked her you try to do the same, the ther- certain Col. "Lil" Pinnows. the verv of life. These men, North Amera Question or two, to which she re- mometer is almost shoved down able hospital cook. finds all sorts of .ca's "new" generation devote their

plied. "Oh, I'm sorry. I darcu't say your throat . and they call this fiendish jobs for the blue boys to Idle hours to bettering themselves

a word .... Cpl. Hills, you know." a democracy. do. but t hey love her just ,the s~m~; and improving their minds. Always,

She then vanished into the third IF you are a bed patient, you dine honest they do. That knifing mer- always rmprcvtng. 011 yes that room down the hall on !he right. as the rich and gct your meal!' dent was pure fiction. Anyway, by also goes for the RAF lads in the Hmmmm, we thought. fhen the In bed A bed tray WIth three good the time the up-patients 3rc ward.

f,a~mer:.s I rdaughter, Ad~ Mable legs IS given to you. and you try to through the~' wish they .were, l_led At ou~ disposal are various en.

Newt Newton came round to jeat vour meal "the hard way" ,patlcnts aeam and start rmagmtng cyclopedias and other scientific

pass out the usual afternoon r e- feeding yourself With one hand, all sorts of ailments which, s~rang- hooks. and these are quickly abfreshment (straight or mixed. mind balancing the lop-sided tray with l v enough. the M.O. never discov- sor-bed by the patients. -When you). So we tried to pump her. the other and at the same time ers. Yes, they shoed of stood in radios ar.e on, they are tuned in to "~ewt" screamed and Red. mu.m- u sjn g an elbow to prevent your nil- bed, the music master works of 8ee,l?hng s~m~tlllng tha~, sounded like low from falling on the floor. You AFTER the M.O. gets through thoven, Brahms, Bach and Moe

Cpl. Hills 11 get me. find yourself so occupied. invar- with the regular morning sick Zark. Modern songs. such as "G I As the day wore on. we a~kcd iably your spoon, just full of parade, he comes to the wards. Red Jive," "Mairzy Doats" and "Father. others-Ted Leather. Ma.ry Cald-I Snappo-Crackics (the Breakfast of oatients "lie-easy" while the blue Pass the Hammer, There's a FI~ well. and even Sgt. Charlie Evans. Champions) misses your mouth hovs stand at attention by their on Baby's Head" are strictly taboo. But all were reluctant to say. a completely and ends up in your beds. The "doc" never seems to They hum and whistle not these wor-d ~~d each. mumbled ~omethlng left nostril. By this time the pil- worry about these lads in blue. for but fine works, musical gems. Ah about that Hills person. low has fallen on the Roar and vou he feels that if they're still stand- yes. many's the time One can hear

Hmmmm, \~'e thought again, not have upset the tray trying to catch ing up after wor-king for Cpl. Pin- them harmonizing On two of their taxing .our .mlnd \00 heavily, who it. thus making yourself look like news. they'll be okay. Bed patients favorite pieces, Beethoven's "First can t his Hills be. ~"'hat a brute grandpa's vest after a io-course aren't worried too much, about their Movement . From Ex-Lax" and he mll.st be! To think he b~ats meal. condition. for they have complete Schubert's "Refrain From Spit-

su.ch MIce people with a cat-o'cninc- Being a bit ruffled and thorough- confidence in the hospital staff here ting." True music-lovers.

tails, Oh yes, there was ONE who

failed to mention this Hills person MOST all patients in and out of

when we spoke to him, That Wf\S I the hospital in the past ten

the Thin Man, Cpl. Al Turton. He Th Va 'h' g Amer'cans months have come in contact with

JUSt turned pale and fainted, e nls In I Fingal'f permanent patient. Great

To Bntalfl.S Dick Lamb (Lamsie-divy

LO that Cpl. Hills was on F G d B h f G Wh R Fl to the Inmates). Dick is a fine chap

duty that night I I arewell to a ran unc 0 uys 0 eturn to y

I ,we eager y and is well liked by all,' even

awaited his entrance. However. Under the Stars and Stripes though he does seem to get in

that evening, when the moment everybody's hair; SOrt of a "human

came for this Big Bad Corporal to Bv FlO KEN ALEXANDER lor remain permanently, Some of us Vitalis."

:~t:;~mt~nl~~:e ~~~~~s~ha~n~E'~\~~~ WE. the departing Americans, who will want to share with these Officially, lights go out at 2145.

a SHE. Yes. it was Cpl. Thelma wish to tender a fond farl"w~1I voung people in the progress ann .fa~,ients, especially those in ward

Hills or the new-two-stripes. to tht air force. To Group Cap- development of their nation, will A, co-operate 1000/0 and say not

It wasn't a monster after all, but tain Kerr and his staff, the airmen return with the assurance that a word when one of the hospital a very attractive WD. After watch- and airwomen of No.4 B. & G .. and -"Here is a land I know, over assistants comes 'round and puts ing her a while, we found that she to our former associates at all sta- which' I have flown." them out. In fact, by 2147 all are

absolutely does not snort fire, nor tions On which we served _ good There will be none of the hesi- fast asleep and complete silence

does she carry a whip. She even cheer. Godspeed. tation and curiositv so frequently prevails. "Bubbles" Lodato and

smiled. though we did have to wait Tt is with deep nostalgia that we felt when a man first journeys to a Mary Caldwell marvel at the good a while (approximately 6 days, 11 look back upon our flying careers Io-eisn land. behavior of the men and we can hours and 22 minutes). in Canada. VJe leave with gratitude This. also. cannot be denied. Can- quote them as saying they have

Now for some simple facts about for what Canada has done for us. ada has introduced many of us to never seen a more obedient bunch, the hospital. There are two kinds We have a clearer concept of her the new world of Ryins;!', The Brit- When the time comes for a of patients: bed patients and up- people - generous. kind and rc- ish Commonwealth Air Training patient to be discharged, he finds it patients. The former cannot get sourceful. Our being here has Plan has coached us well and in not too easy to say farewell to out or bed. Up-patients are given familiarized us with these facts. this mentor-shin we will find the re- those kind people. He finds himblue flannel zoot suits and are al- Now, we who have journeyed north sourcefulness to meet what flying self realizing that he really enjoylowed up and around, and occa- know our neighbors. Linked with duties we have yet to perform. ed his stay in the hospital; at the sionally go outside for an "airing." this happy knowledge is the real- Again, cheerio! We who have same time wishing he never has to They. are also allo~\'td to par tici- ization that we take back with us been here and learned vour ways come back again (for obvious reapate In fatigue duues those kind inseparable friendships. . will understand and smile the smile sons). Yes, all in all, we found people manage to hink up. There- I n post-war days-and God will of friendship and aood fellowship that the station hospital is a lovely fore, as.you can fasily see, when a that those days be not far off-we when. in future flying. we see the place; in fact, the loveliest place we

bed patient becomes an up-patient, can return to Canada, either to visit tri-colored roundel pass by. know of-to stay away from.

FINGAL OBSERVER, JUNE, 1944

-----------------------------

12

Observer Artist Crashes National Nt Gallery

A graphic seascape, painted by I Gallery of Canada. The picture. en- I for .11le opening of the RCA r art LAC J, K. Dinesen, Observer staff titled "Brewing Storm." is repro-I exhhltion. which will be shown !n artist. was accepted for the RCAF duced above. Dinesen (RIGHT). cues across Canada and later will exhibition of art in the National and Mrs. Dinesen visited Ottawa to-ur RCAF stations.

Sheds Dry Tear Posting Day Is Here

Bennie His

HOW TO STAND AT AnENTION

-Official

Do YOU know your drill? Are By LAC BEN HALllER lout at the gate, the 48 and leave

you familiar with CAP 90? It is with mingled emetions that systems, and all the other, little

Then detail the position of atten- we take rypewriter in rand, That Item,S that made us,so happy In the

tion. stinks. Let's start eve- again. service. But .. ,,:e 11 try and bear

Give up? Okay. here's the offi- They say everythi.rg cornes to up un,der the stral~. .

cial dope on how to stand at atten- him who waits (evrn a Richards Seriously, we WIll 111155 the host tion-try it SOme time: bus), and so it has proven in our of friends we have made on this ou~:tsfo:~g;,t~e~n;l~d 0:n4iid~gr~O:s~ IK~~: case. After two years and four station, and although we are. ~ot straight,_ the body balanced and weight even. months at Fingal we're posted. much of a. hand at letter 'Yrltlng Iy distributed on both teet, between the fore Sgt. Tribe ard Cpts. McIntyre (having written one letter In the ~~dt c~!.rt~d :!~~I:n:ve~b~b~e:~~h::OO~th~~~ and Forbes \--re in the orderly last ~'ear and torn that up), we shoulders (which are to be level and square ro.om. when ve walked in, strictly promise to answer all correspond-

to the front) drawn down and baek without minding Our own business, you un- ence _ , ", eventually. .

~~easi~i~: ~~ ~!~:~11~~r~~!;dsb~~li~iot::n!~= de-stand. ifhey greeted us with In closing ',:e want to Wish the hanging easily from the shoulders as straight this tnte little phrase "Brother Observer continued success and a as the natural bend of the arm allows. wrists you've htt) it!" and then' told us we' long and robu t life a the lop ser-

b~::g~~:.v~J\~f ~t~ hj~i~:s.Ot:~~~:~ ~~!:d were P~ted to Debert, N ova Scot ia. vice paper In Canada,

to the side of the forefingers at the middle Durhg our stay here the lads . _

joint. the thumbs and back of the fingers have Had us posted at least eight

~~u~~1i:tetl~e ~~!:d ~~eht!~a;~thort~~h~~~~ tim • (rom Goose Bay to Coal

sers : head erect, eyes looking to their own H~.q)OT and points in between, and height and straight to the front: breathing so we took it" with a grain of salt.

~l~~~·t,ric~~~clJ:;: i~ :~fs P;:~Nio~ i! :f~r~~~ :rut when Sgt. Corbett at main ten-

importance, Therefore, a man ill not to be. Ince orderly room confirmed it, it at attention oftener, nor longer. than is began to sink home.

necessary, No one can be at a slat ion for

Now altogether, let's try it. the length of time we have and not

have formed little attachments that they will feel awful bad about siving up, Nostalgic grief will overwhelm us every time we'll think of the bus service, the L. & P. S., the "A W2 Jones, sir. Selected for her

duty picquet, the signing in and ill>ility, I presume."

Call of the Wild

I like pictures of pin-up girls.

J like shots of babes in swirrinin' J like stills of movie star1e~ . I'm a Fingalite-I like wih~len.

i I ~~~~~rd ~O~~~I~i~

board: To rent, furnished apartment, modern conveniences within t of a mile. Apply Mrs. H. V. Sutherland. (You get yourP.T. in while going for a shave.)

. .

Ask Sgt. R. R. 'Eaton, bombing - pilot, to show you his high-class log book .... leather-bound and gold-lettered, we hear,

. . .

Seven WD's sold 500 copies of "Wings' in less time than it takes to write this item. Thanks to Barb Boyle, Doris Nickerson, Red Davidson, Lou Schnob, Midge Dawson,

Sadie Hawkin and Virgie Morgan.

~'

Dunce or dandy-the digit decides: Little finger on the wall. won't you point straight up at all? So sing the errant air bombers, The little digit has the unhappy habit of drooping as the scores soar. When the finger's down. the students are sore, 100., An upright position means one of two things. Either the air bomber keeps red on red or he has a pat in the plotting office.

· . .

Anne Bennett welcomed her overseas posting for more reasons than you may know. First of all, her hubby just went over. And secondly, she has bags of relatives in England. including one who owns a pub in Cornwall.

• • •

Gene Lawson, Shirley Mustard and Myrtle Shepherd recently helped some flight-engineers celebrate their graduation.

• • •

April'. best bombing pilots (official): P/O Hercock, average liS yards; Sgt. Narraway, 134; P/O Doyle, 138; P/O Gilbert, 140; W 10 Neff. In; P/O Haist. 141; P/O Roy. 1.46; FlO Wickes. 149; P/O Beland, 149; P/O Bowyer, 150.

FINGAL OBSERVER, JUNE, 1944

13

FINGAL OBSERVER

Published daily, seven days a week. and monthly at "Friendly Fingal"No.4 Bombing and Gunnery School. Fingal. Ontaric-e-ender authority of Wing Commander W. H. Swetman, OSO. OFC.

Editor·in·Chief WOZ Ben Sugarman

Associate' Edircr , __ .. _. _

LAC Harry McNab WD Repcners .. Cpl. GWCrI Dawson LA W Edythe Eno~

F-eature Writcrs,,,,LAC Ben Halter P/O Ken Horsley F /Sgt. Al Gamble Sgt. Jim Tuck

PhOtOgraPhers·c·p·i.-C&~r::t~a~i.~~dn

Canccntsr., . LAC K., Dinl!sen

Associate Edit OfS of Daily Edition ....

Cpl. Harry Chapman Cpl. Harold Hertzman War Correspondent with ReAF (overseas)..G/C J. G. Kerr, AFC War Correspondent with RAF

(Overseas) Sgt. Stan Mays

Cir(\.liation Manager ..........................• W02 M. R. Palmer

The Daily Fingal Observer is distributed by joe-bey to every section on the camp. The Monthly Fingal Observer is distributed Ieee to 811 Fingal personnel on the lan pay parade each month. Extra copies; lOco Slibscription rates, anywhere in Canada or overseaa: Six months, $1; 1 year, $2. Subscriptions may be- lell with the Circulation Manager at headquarters, or with any memo ber of the staff.

GIG KERR BIDS fiNGAL HIS fOND fAREWELL

(Continued from page 2)

new service schools, starting at No. II, Yorkton. His party opened I Brandon, Claresholme, Aylmer" Hagersville and St. Hubert. He remained as CO. of 51. Hubert for' five months.

His next year was spent at AFHQ as deputy director of air training. That's the department that supervises. all tiying training.

For his tireless work in the service he was awarded the Air Force Cross in the King's birthday honors list last June, and with it came promotion to his present rank.

Overseas, it is expected that G/C Kerr will assume command of an operational squadron. As a group captain he' will be permitted to fiy on ops twice a month, and he is looking forward to adventure in the skies.

"I am delighted at the prospect of going overseas," he said, "and unfortunately we are not permitted to relinquish temporary rank to fly. and my flying will be confined to two trips a month."

Mrs. Kerr and their two children will continue to reside in St. Thomas.' Mrs. Kerr 1 popular president of the officers' wives club, is expected to continue in that

capacity, '.

"Look at this gorgeous stone my sugar daddy gave me last night."

"It's divine, but why didn't he have it set in a ring?"

"Well, he said if I'd come up again tonight he'd give me the mounting."

Mister Tom.on'. II line-lilte ,.nt-But no' the Tamaon tluJt pit. up tlte rent 1

Especially for the benefit of our I strip from the Scottish newspaper, \ (translation: 1'h! Browns) consult readers from overseas, we publish Glasgow Post. If you can't under- the RAF or the Editor's wife. Print. for the first time in Canada, a comic stand the dialect in "The Broons" led ·without permilSion of the Post.

Get Married -Eor Free in Station Chapel

We've got a brand new station I there has yet to be a wedding in chapel.' It's a lovely place, with the Fingal chapel.

new altar drapes and a new altar I Will some kind Fingalite take on' the way, to replace the one lost the hint and take the plunge on the in a recent fire. station? Just think of it: first wed-

But - the padres inform us - ding in the station chapel. We can

see the headlines now; and we can always- use a good st'1",.

Incidentally, there are DO fees attached to being marries by the padre on the station. It's all free, as laid down in K.R. (Air).

14

FINGAL OBSERVER, JUNE, 1944

They Dood It

Bond Committee Hits r60 Per Cent. of Quota

Setting an example for civilians.' cd not to list the sections by a ] ous records with prncticafly 100% . exceeded their original objective.

Fingal personnel subscribed 160'* I numerical standing. However, SOme I personnel sold and nearly twice the F 1 fi .

of ,the station's original bond ~';Iota_1 sections showed such outstanding amount collected in th~ Fifth Lo~n. rna gures. Fihh Siltth

With is%> of personnel parUClP3t-1 results that they deserve a round of G.LS. staff doubled ItS sales wit h _ Section Obtain~d Obtained

ing, a total of $120,350 was reached applause. an exceptionally good percentage Hospital $ 2,300 $ 2,550

in 1,181 sales. Works and Buildings knocked of per-sonnel sold. Works and Huildings_ _. 1,300 5.650

The drive got off to a good start, I the top out by obtaining 5000/0 of Armament and Servicing Squad- :'.I.T. Secrion.; 1,600 2.100

exceeding the original objective of their original objective and more r on battled it out till the last day, .Bervice Police __ . __ ._._ 1,iOO 1,400

$75,000 on the fourth day. We hit than four times the amount recelv- both having the same quota and I Equipment Section. 1,300 .2,100

the $100,000 mark on the eighth ed in the Fifth Loan. nearly the same number of person- Accounts 5,500 1-.800

day. The Sixth Loan exc~eded the Trainees collected more money nel. For several days in a row their G. 1. S.................... 8,150 16,450

amount received on the Fifth Loan than any other section, obtaining totals were the same, both well I Armament 4,850 6,000

by $30,000. That $30,000 in excess ;")00/0 more than last year's sales, over last year's subscriptions, with Flying 1?400 19,800

of the Fifth Loan is an amount with nearly 800/0 personnel sold. Servicing holding only a slight lead H.Q. 6,800 6,300

equal to the objective set for the Repair Squadron shows 75% in personnel sold. Station Services....... 2,550 7,400

entire station in the .Fourth Loan. more than the Fifth Lean sold, with Equipment Section finished with I Repai~ Squadron ... 8,950 14,850

Because every section made such 90% personnel partaking. nearly t wrce the subscription of the Servicing Squadron 5,250 6,150

an excellent showing it was decid- M.T. Section exceeds all prevl- Fifth Loan and all other sections Trainees 13,550 23,350

Judges, like other wise people, are peculiar-s-and judges apparently nourish a lasting distaste Ior professors and other impractical, academic men. At least, that was our impression from a speech by Judge Ernest Livermore, of Norfolk County, at the Fingal Forum.

In a vigorous -rs-minure address, Canada's youngest judge traced the origin of the present war. Surveying certain tendencies in cur-rent discussions of possible peace terms, he expressed the fear that idealists r might once again dominate the l

peace conference and produce a '-_:='--'-::___.:;""- .... '--~-_:_ _:_ .:_ __ __)

peace that could only result in another war.

After his address, a full-blooded discussion raged for some 90 rninute s, and even the serving of supper didn't put out the fires.

If you have any ideas, information, 'or surplus energy, or even if you just take pleasure in disagreeing with others, come along to the Fingal Forum. In fact, come along if you simply want to spend an evening pleasantly and listen to others talking their heads off. Best of all, come along for the free supper-every Tuesday night in the airmen's lounge.

IDEALISTS MUST NOT DOMINATE THE PEACE

Might Result in Another War, Judge Tells Fingal Forum

By PIO TED McWHINNEY

"And why were you late for parade?" "They called the roll before I got there."

FINGAL DRAMA GROUP WORK ON NEW PLAYS

publicly and on radio networks.

At the moment he is concentrating on W. W. Jacobs' "Monkey's Paw," while that energetic worker, Meg McLaughlin, is backing him up with a humorous melodrama.

There's a lot of dramatic talent on the station, both latent and developed, and it will be utilized in the future. The station looks forward with interest to further drama group productions.

Succeeding LAC Ben Halter, guiding spirit of Fingal's drama group and director of its first production, PIO George Gibson has taken over its leadership.

Gibson, from Toronto, has a wealth of experience in writing and producing plays for presentation

I DENNIS DE RIVERS

I RETURNS AFTER DPS

Demon Squadron WAG Is Now an Armament Officer Here

F /0 Dennis De Rivers, 22, who graduated here on the 12th WAG course, has returned from overseas and is now a Fingal armament officer.

Overseas for 21 months, he was on shipping strikes with the Demon squadron until medically grounded. He flew in Hudsons, Previous to that he spent two weeks in Iceland with a Whitley squadron. The RA F e.0. had never seen a commissioned WAG before and he posted four of them back to Britain, three of them Fingal grads.

After he was grounded, De Rivers took a specialist armament officers' cour-se in England. On his return to Canada he was armament officer at two O.T.U.'s in Eastern Air Command before he arrived here.

Read the

FINGAL OBSERVER

The Newspaper That Can and Dares Ten the Truthl

Published Daily and Monthly at "Friendly Fingal," Canada's Finest B. & G.

We Sell No AdtreTtisini

FINGAL OBSERVER, JUNE, 1944

15

The good people of Blenheim I of nations, with LAC Sam Ryan: Bess Mallory, ~.4l1slralia, and Jean sent us a minstrel revue that made Marie Ryan, his sister. who repre- Purvis, Canadr, with I.AC Ham a hit in a packed Rec. Hall. The sented Great Britain, and Agnes Hamilton, Firgal. RELOW: Loveblack-face end men posed with a Lipa, New Zealand. Before he en- Iy legs on tOO piano, posed by Jean few Fingal airmen after the show, listed, LAC Ryan rook part in eight Purvis, Bets Mallory and Ruth above. Pictures at RIGHT, from I of the group's annual minstrel Stevenson The guy in 3 dale is the top: Dorothy Mifflin, who rep-I shows, and it was a gala reunion AC2 W...rter.· Note: All the girls resented South Africa in the parade for him and the cast. CENTRE: may be feached at Blenheim, Ont.

SUMMfR SPORTS OPfN Attention: Psychiatrists!

C/O TROPHY CONTEST She Prefers Fingal to N. Y.

Six Sections Represented in Race for Commanding Officer's Award

masse for a posting back to the Fingal of a year ago. You who are lucky enough to still be there won't understand why, but ask anyone who has been posted away. Nostalgia grips me as I recall dancein the Rec. Hall, swimming, sports nights, evenings reading (1) in the lounge, digging up dirt and serving it up via the Observer .. Could kick myself from the Bronx to Brooklyn when I remember how I used to grumble and gr.ouse, whining for a posting out of what I thought was the forgotten corner. of Canada.

At Fingal I was, for obvious reasons, called the "Yank." Down here my "Canada-USA" shoulder badges have 'em guessing. They think I'm an apostle of the good neighbor policy, a policy much practiced down here. USO's come across with tickets to plays, dances, movies. People are very hospitable. Met a FjSgl. on leave from Coal Harbor who, seeing a write-up and picture in Esquire of a lovely New York model, phoned her up, was invited to lunch-and last we heard

of the bewildered and delighted Working himself to the point of

departure from the Capital. Life is NCO, he was escorting said beau- exhaustion in an attempt to save a wonderful here. Broadway with its teous damsel on a round of Goth- mail-carrying Flying For t res S lights and glamor; the hustle and am's night spots. No wonder air- which had collided with a Wellingbustle of Times Square; Greenwich men and airwomen, returning to ton in dense cloud 5,000 feet above Village with its slightly unusual duty from leave spent here, declare the Bay of Biscay, Cpl. Albert De population; the skyscrapers; the they require additional recupera- Marco, former Fingal AEM, has entertainment; the subways; the tion leave. Wonder what 1 will been awarded the Air Force Medal. stores; theatres-all this ~nd men, need? Probably several months' The citation, announced at Ottoo-all branches of .services rep-. rest in TTS, when I leave this big tawa, said DeMarco was exception-

resented. T . I f lif ally calm and showed initiative un-

.. Ah 'tis to be happy after manless 'I to~vn. his tumu ~uous. ast l~, der the most trying conditions,

Otta~a - and yet, would' you be- this perpetual holiday town, this while jettisoning everything move-

lieve it-I'd give up Manhattan en New York! Jable,

New York-This is Rena SidUes, formerly of Fingal and AFHQl, now at the newly formed RCAF Financial Liaison Unit, 37 WaIlSI., here in Manhattan.

It's been all of eight months since Fate and DAPS snaldied me up from my happy huntitg ground at No.4 and dropped nu into the veuerable lap of the great Winged Gods at Ottawa. And believe me, there was no burring there.

Then, wonder of wonders, I was posted down Jere. I give you my word, no tears were wasted On my

By CPL. RENA SICKLES

FORMER FINGALA.E.M. GONGED FOR COURAGE

Preparations for the most ambitious summer sports program since the opening of the station are completed.

Both men and women will find a part in the extensive schedule, which will include softball, soccer, touch rugby and giant volleyball. In addition, each Thursday will be inter-station sports day and will feature contests with teams from TTS, Crumlin, Centralia and Aylmer.

Competing for the C.O:s trophy, emblematic of proficiency in all sports, will be six sections from the personnel. Game nights are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and each section will be expected to field a team in each sport on playing nights.

31 Watt 51.,

New York, N. Y.

Dear M,jor:

PeriKps you can use tbe attached etfort. Afraid I'm slirhtl)· out of praerice, but I mean every word.

,Ih, of luck 10' the Observer. It's stil the best of its kind ... and rood

I.lick 10 the staff and personnel of No.4. Will be available at any time any

I Fingalite needs assistance in New York. Sincerely,

RENA SICKLES

16

FINGAL OBSERVER, JUNE, 1944

The Love Life 0/ An S. W. o.

EDITOR'S NOTE

Any coincidence between tbil .tory and Fingal's SWO or any SWO in the RCAF. living or dead, is purely resemblance. and is to be misconstrued as such.

By LAC HARRY McNAB

A FACE as cold and harsh as the Yukon winter. Eyes that were pools of ice.

A voice that was the thunder of twin Cheetahs.

That was the SWO! His personality dominated the lives of all who served on the station of Lagnif. His iron will shad- I

owed the working and recreational hours of the personnel. He re- I '

mained a grim. almost legendary figure, gazing from the heights of headquarters at the bustling \ ant-

life below. \:

It was whispered that he never

slept. .

Huddled over their milk-shakes, the J oes muttered fearfully of his .unending vigil. LAC's cast nervous glances round the wet canteen-before mentioning his name. - erap games crumpled and vanished on suspicion of his approach.

Thus - with the rigidity of a light-series carrier, and the unrelenting force of a Browning breechblock, the SWO held sway at LagnH.

It was in the spring of'1944 that the first strain of sweet wistfulness entered the SWO's life.

May had bloomed, and the air held promise of blue-skied days, I

and coni, fragrant nights. Yet Lag nifires were not enjoying the

weather. I

By way of recreation the S\VO had taken to spending his, spare

time supervising some cha·rming ~ -By LAC J. It Dinesen

little Joe jobs he had invented. --===::.._----------------~--;-----

The whiplash of his tongue was cloth of his trousers leg was onerarely off the shoulders of some third of an inch of shoe-lace. perspiring AC.

The sun was purpling the walls of the guardhouse One evening. An air of frantic industry was evident. Several inert figuj-es, sprawled on chairs, indicated that the SP's were busily investigating the rabid criminal tendencies of Lagnif.

An unobtrusive figure crossed the attention area. It was an LAC, with buttons polished, pants razorcreased, hair cropped and marching at strict attention. He strode forward boldly; then suddenly Quailed. Not ten yards away a silent. expectant figure had loomed up. The bodies on the guardhouse porch had vanished.

The LAC felt the steel probe :of those eyes on his person. The SWO! It could be no other. That tense, vulture-like stoop. Still there couldn't be anything wrong tonight.

Then the ground shook. Buildings Quivered. Everything blurred for an instant as the SWO's bellow reverberated through the silm

camp. .

"Come here=-Y'Okl!" Quaking,. the LAC approached, and stood rigidly at attention (See page 12.)

The black-browed figuru loomed over him. ·Wit.h a sneer en .his lips, the SWO pointed to the victim's feet. Peeping below tho shuddering

A look of overwhelming menace lit up the glowering countenance. T.riumph glittered il;l the ice-blue orbs. "Right," he snar-led. "You're on charge. A disgusting spectacle to be dribbling about the attention ar-ea!"

The LAC motioned as if .ro' speak. "Quiet," barked the SWO.

~:;:::,itd~r mJno~e~lfete~~i~: be70~~

you. Tuck in that shoe-lace before I add 30 hours pack drill."

Hastily tbe pallid LAC did as he was bid. Then he awaited the next blast.

It never came.

At lite far end of the attention area, silhouetted against the golden sky. a figure had appeared. A lissome, blue-clad figure that minced toward them with a wistful smile 00 her face. The LAC winced. A WD! Ugh, what humiliation!

He glanced cauriousfy at the SWO. He felt his knees buckle. What had happened to the man of steel. This couldn't be true. The harsh, taut, wicked lines liad vanished from his face. He was smiling gently. A tired, understanding

smile. .

If Well, now, old man," the $WO said (his voice would have melted the nose of a blockbuster). "We'H have to be more careful of our ap-

pe_~rance in future, won't we ?O'

He took another glance at the approaching figure. She was within earshot now.

Stark unbelief was registered on the LAC's face. The SWO nodded, "So just remember next time, won't you? Run along now." Weakly the victim nodded. He turned about, and made for the wet canteen. This had been roo much for him.

The SWO fumbled with his tie, smoothed a ruffled hair and grinned feebly as the WD hailed him,

"Good evening, Major," she

countered coyly, A delightful band of flaming scarlet infused the SWO's head. H. gawked a while, put his hands in and our:of his pockets. gazed at nothing in particular, then faltered -- ··G-good evening, LAW."

She smiled, H. toyed with a stray nickel that had wandered into his pocket. Then, mustering his waning courage, said: "You wereeh-going out of camp for the evening, Miss Popplewort?"·

"No," she replied, '4] was just about to take a stroll around the drome. It's such a lovel), evening."

Two buttons snapped off his tunic breast as he si8'he.d.

Raising his eyes'to her tunic belt he- Queried: "Miss Popplewort, I sincerly trust that 'you won't think this presumptuous of me. For many weeks now, I have been battling

Pub lis h e d For the First Time Anywhere. World Copyright. 1944.

A Sonnet

Dedicated to All SWO's

This is the 10\'(' life of all swo

\Vho seems to have sirl Iriends wherever you go;

It might be POri Stanley on a bright su nny day,

You"Il sec them dad IJlicih in b a th IIlg array,

It might be De t r c it on a hri"Ju moon. lit night ,

But she's always a vision oS chum and ddight;

She may be tall, Iair and sweetly serene,

She may be short, dark and a .... -ondrous dream;

Then Olea ill his taste changes and you will see

.\ girl like a vision (rom a prl."viou'l spree.

Wbo hOI!' oodles of pel) and bubbles with life,

But is not quite the t):pc you would pick for a wife;

For her face is her for·tune, so the poor girl is broke

And. the whole ruddy poem is just a

good joke. -RIP

with myself. You will- never Quite realize the fierce struggles that have been going on under m)' tunic. Now, I realize the time has come to state my case, to lay before your elfish size fives my desperate straits. Sleepless nights, unfinished meals; incomplete charges, and fantastic urges have accompanied my thoughts for you. Ever since I saw you daintily sucking that ice cream cone, I have wandered far in the realms of faerie. Miss Popplewort -I must ask you. now. Will you

.. er ... would you walk with me to the snack bar and share my chocolate milk ""

What will she do? Will Penthi .. lea Popplewort loucb the forbidden fruit and have a sIu&" of the SWO'. cbccolate milk? What danieroul chum l.s she nearing now? And whatt of the SWO? wm he win his Lady fair? wm he stop beine a hard guy? Or will b. be banished to Newfy? Be sure to read every· thrlllina: hne of this dra· matic new serial. publillhed for the tit'$t

j:::t~l:~et:te of~~~HEWiJj~i.°L:~·EJt,I~

AN SWO" (illustrated). An exciUliv .. Observer feature.

BORN

A a:duLhr~~'E."f"c. ~=:'. ~: ':o~~

treal.

A dauehter, Karen Me, to Cpl. and Mrs. R. J. Kellow, at ~.mlaaton.

PROMOTED

t~c~':: B~a~. t~::~'e:a~erj~nl:

!ncr.. to Corporal.

LAW'. F. A. Barden. G. Priddin&".

M. Wilson to Corporal.

P-L_O R. L. &tevenlOn to P /0.

MARRIED

F ~~ki~~n~· a~L~='=-1~~:!n!~:t~

FlO H. R. White to Betty Jane Gertrud. Palmer. at Ay1mer, Onto

Wife: "Goodness, George, this is not our baby. This is the wrong carriage."

Husband: "Quiet. This carriage has rubber tires."