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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1992-11-11, Page 15THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11 , 1992. PAGE 15. World War II memories are painful for veteran By Lisa Boonstoppel-Pot Memories of World War II still bring tears to Ralph McCrea’s eyes. The 68-year-old Blyth man says he rarely remembers his days as an infantry soldier and talks about them even less. But on Remembrance Day, the pushed-back memories flood to the surface and this year, he agreed to share his story with The Citizen. War memorabilia World War II veteran, Ralph McCrea of Blyth has a full collection of war-time aircraft including the B-29 American plane he's working on now. Mr. McCrea was an infantry soldier in the war and talked with The Citizen about his war-time experiences. Comrades learn about new programs for veterans by Sandra Josling On Saturday, Oct. 31 the Brussels Branch sent two teams to compete in the Zone C-l cribbage tournament. The Branch had a successful day with both teams qualifying for the District finals. District cribbage will be hosted by the Brussels Legion on Feb. 27. Team members are Ross Brighton, Bill Bremner, Bob Richardson, Eric Ross, Sandra Josling, Ken Josling, Margo Richardson, and Kathrine Haycock. On Nov. 14, the Branch has teams playing in the Zone C-l singles and double darts. Players will be travelling to the Exeter Branch for the competition. Also the fraternal membership will be participating in cribbage play at the Blyth Branch. Comrades Al Nichol and Ted Elliott attended a conference in Owen Sound for all Veteran Service Officers. The conference highlighted new programs for veterans. Inquiries can be directed to Mr. Nichol or Mr. Elliott or leave a message at the Branch. The telephone number is 887-6562. On Saturday, Nov. 28 a bus group from Hanover Branch will be visiting the Brussels Branch. The group will be arriving at 2:00 p.m. All members are urged to come out to meet the visiting comrades. The next general meeting is Monday, Nov. 16. The Pipe Band would like to thank Anita Gouthro for donating the Honey Bear that was raffled during the Band's 40th Anniversary dinner and dance. The lucky winner was Gwen Fischer. It began in 1942 when the 17- year-old Mr. McCrea decided to enlist in the Canadian Armed Forces. "I was only 17 and full of piss and vinegar," recalls Mr. McCrea. "I just wanted something to do." He, like many other local farm boys, felt it was just the right thing to do, and looking back, Mr. McCrea realizes he didn't have a STACEY SMITH Nine-years-old Grey Central On Remembrance Day it means we should remember all the people who fought for us so there would be peace for us. RICHARD HASKINS 12-years-old Brussels Remembrance Day brings back memories of the war and I think about how my grandma's two brothers had to fight against each other. One died. clue what he was getting into. A week after he signed up for an engineering position, he was in Chilliwack, British Columbia learning how to build bridges and railway tracks. He was also taught demolition techniques and how to lift booby traps on mines. After eight months of training, he was transferred to a camp in Nova Scotia where he learned his job was GEOFFREY BANKS Seven-years-old Walton Remembrance Day makes us think of people who fought for our country. They cared about our country and the people and fought so we could be free. MATTHEW BROMLEY Eight-years-old East Wawanosh Township On Remembrance Day I think of all the soldiers who died in the war and how they died. They won the war and fought for us to have a free country. to be a camp engineer, travelling across Canada and maintaining camps. "In other words, digging drains and building bridges," he said. "I didn't like that so I transferred into the infantry." He was soon in an infantry train­ ing camp in England where for a year and a half, he slept outside in all kinds of weather and crawled on his belly in the mud as he was taught survival techniques. Then came D-day, the day the Germans invaded Europe and for the first-time, Mr. McCrea got in the action. He was sent in as a reinforcement four days after D-day to replace the killed and wounded. "I was scared as hell," he remem­ bers, "I wished I hadn't joined up." But he had and was soon sweep­ ing through cities held by Germans where they'd search houses and attempt to rout the Germans out. The fighting became fierce and its here that Mr. McCrea chokes up on his memories. "When we found Germans, we shot them," he said softly. "It was­ n't a case of how many you could shoot but you shot them because you were going to die if you did­ n't." As quickly as the memories sur­ faced, Mr. McCrea tried to forget them again. "You block out things like that. You don't remember things like that," he said. "You try to only remember the good parts." The memories are so painful because during the fighting, he realized German soldiers weren't ROBBIE ARCHAMBAULT Eight-years-old Hullett Central Remembrance Day means you remember the people who fought in the war a long, long time ago. APRIL VAN AMERSFOORT 12-years-old Blyth Remembrance Day means you remember those who went to war and lost their lives for a freedom they never got to experience. It's so the veterans and their families arc not forgotten the monsters he had been led to believe. "We were fed a lot of hype about Germans," he said. 'We were told they were rough-shod guys who killed babies. But a lot could speak English and we would talk to them and we learned they had wives and families back home. They only wanted to get back home alive." "I want to make clear that the average German soldier wasn't a maniac like Hiller. The average sol­ dier was there because he had to be. They were scared like we were." For 11 months, Mr. McCrea was in the thick of things. Once, he was injured as he stormed into a house. Believing the house was clear, he stepped slowly through a doorway instead of jump­ ing through. In the process, he was bayonetted in the leg by a German soldier. It was only a flesh wound so within an hour he was bandaged up and fighting again. Despite the fear and the threat of danger, Mr. McCrea said he never believed he was going to die. "A lot of guys had premonitions that they would die and quite often they did," he said. "But I never did." He survived, he believes, because he knew he had a job to do and he concentrated on the job. "I knew there was possibility of death but if you dwelled on it you would go nuts," he said. He also believed the Germans would be pushed back. Eventually they were and the day he heard the war had ended, he and his fellow soldiers had just wak­ ened up from a sleep in a straw pile and were loading up cars and trucks to venture into Germany. Instead, they went back to the straw pile for a much needed rest. Months later, after being quar­ tered in the Queen of Holland’s quarters, Mr. McCrea returned home. He said people were glad to see him back but it was kind of like he had never been away. Being back was difficult for a while, he admits. "The worst thing was the loud noises. You would automatically duck and it took about a year before it sunk in that nobody was after your hide." He gradually settled into civilian life working at Mannings in Blyth and getting married to Amy to whom he's been married for 38 years. They have two children. Nowadays, he's retired and is a member of the Legion. His current position is Sergeant at Arms. Though he has bad memories of the war, he feels proud he was able to serve his country. His hope is that everyone will remember those who served. "We have to remember the sacri­ fice made to have what we have now," he says. "We have to remem­ ber we are blessed and so very, very fortunate." Legion remembers soldiers by Mary Lou Stewart Again this November, members of the Blyth Royal Canadian Legion Branch 420 will take the time to remember the soldiers who fought in WWI, WWII, and the Korean War by holding a Remembrance Day service at the Blyth Memorial Hall. They will also remember the peacekeeping troops currently serving in Yugoslavia with a Goodwill Parcel that will contain treats, reading material, Christmas cards and messages. Donations made by motions included- Canadian Diabetes Continued on page 16