Lest We Forget

Today is Remembrance Day, a time to reflect on those who served our country for the freedom we enjoy today. I think about my late father-in-law, who was in the Canadian Engineering Corps. He experienced first-hand the horrors of war. He was honorably discharged because of a physical injury, but more serous was the injury to his mind and soul. At that time, there was very little known about PTSD and going for help was so stigmatized. As a result, he suffered all his life. He had vivid flashbacks and tried unsuccessfully to "chase them away", often with self-destructive means.

We had his medals put in a frame. They are all listed on his service record. As you can see, three of them are silver. One is missing, the Italy Star. We are hoping to get it replaced.

My father faced a much different challenge. His beliefs as a pacifist kept him out of front line action, and he was labelled a Conscientious Objector (CO). However, there were service alternatives for him. His work was in the Seebe Prisoner-of-War camp.

(more information )
"Seebe Internment No 130 originally held conscientious objectors and enemy seamen. The camp later held 650 prisoners of war that were mostly officers captured from the German Afrika Korps by the British Eighth Army in North Africa.

The guard tower No. 8 that still exists today, like the others, was equipped with a mounted machine gun or “Bren” gun. The gun fired up to 750 rounds per minute in a 90 degree swath. Each guard was issued a rifle and ammunition when they went on duty.

Veterans’ guards were on duty for 24 hours with breaks of two to four hours. Three men were assigned to each tower with one remaining on duty in the tower at all times.

Guards were under strict orders to prevent escapes with a warning wire that was installed just inside the fence. If anyone crossed the wire guards were ordered to shoot. During soccer matches permission was granted to retrieve the ball."

Both men served their country, and today we enjoy freedom of speech, worship, and so much more. I am forever grateful to all those who helped give us this freedom.