The Citizen, 2001-11-07, Page 9THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2001. PAGE 9.
Lest we forget
Veteran's story that of the everyman in war
War stories - great battles fought, tales of
secret daring and high adventure, for some per-
haps but not for many.
Most war stories are like Ethel resident, Alf
Sutton's, tales of comradeship sometimes
spiced with comedy and tragedy, but usually
just ordinary people trying to get along in the
very strange world of wartime.
Sutton, was living in Brampton when he vol-
unteered for overseas service in 1940. He had
already served for 10 years in the militia with
the Lorne Scots (Peel, Qufferin and Halton
Regt.).
His militia training had been in signals so he
soon found himself a Corporal signalman in
the 1st Canadian Corps of Signals and on the
RMS Sythia bound for Britain in a convoy.
Sutton recounted, "On our arrival I questioned
the lack of lifeboat drill on the way over. Our
sergeant explained that it wasn't necessary as
we had been loaded with high explosives." -
Once in England, time was spent between
running his signals detachment of five and
being trained in all the military skills from first
aid to hand-to-hand combat. The thing that he
remembers most fondly are the leaves which
allowed him to visit relatives and the friendly
families that took him and his buddies into
their homes.
He is not quite as fond of remembering that
during the Battle of Britain they were stationed
near London, under the flightpath for the
German bombers and that the area was used by
the raiders to dump their unexploded
- bombs.
After the Sicily landings the unit embarked
for a 16-day trip to Palermo. After successfully
negotiating the Straits of Gibraltar they were
attacked by Dornier torpedo bombers.
Sutton was not on watch at his anti-aircraft
station so he had to go below to await the
results. He recounts how he and his mates
heard the battle over the ship's intercom.
"Torpedo coming in on the port bow," followed
by a deadly silence, then "He missed us."
Unfortunately the convoy's hospital ship was
not missed and had to be beached.
From Sicily they crossed to Italy and then
worked their way up to Ravenna on the
Adriatic coast. Sutton and his unit provided
signals support during the battles for Ortona,
Monte Casino, Pescara and all the little deadly
skirmishes in between.
At each stop they would unload what was
needed from their Bedford lorry, dig slit
trenches and deal with the cold and rain of the
Italian winter while keeping a wary eye open
for German planes always ready to strafe the
careless. It was a grinding campaign, which
led to worn out men and machines, and little
glory for its participants.
Sutton's group went from Italy to rejoin the
bulk of the 1st Canadian Corps in the
Netherlands. Here the reality of the war on the
local citizens was brought home when he was
confronted by two Dutch girls begging for his
help.
Their mother was ill from malnutrition and
they wanted help. After assuring himself that
this was the case, Sutton ignored the regula-
tions that forbade the soldiers from becoming
involved in this type of problem and 'liberated'
some' food for the family.
Sutton was one of the lucky ones. He served
overseas for the whole of the war and was
never severely injured.
He is quick to admit that he was often cold,
hungry and afraid. He says, "When I was
scared to death what did I do? I prayed of
course." He also says, "I admit there were
times when my prayer was only a second or
split-second long."
When he came home he worked as a printer
at newspapers in Brampton and Oakville
before joining his wife in the postal service. On
retirement, in 1973, he and his wife moved to
Ethel and have lived there ever since. He is a
member of the Brussels Legion Branch 218,
the Masons and is a life member of the
Brampton Lions Club. AIf Sutton
Early Christmas shopping
Kay Hesselwood, left, assists her customer Mary Huether
during the Brussels Legion annual craft sale held this past
weekend. (Vicky Bremner photo)
Senior
shares
view
through
poem
Over There — "Lest We Forget"
Some left by ship —
Some by plane,
Some left —
Never to return again.
Young men turned soldiers over
night.
It was not their war;
To fight for right.
Taken from homes
Where peace reigned supreme
The nightmare of battle
Surpassed their worst dream.
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We honour their valour;
Grieve for lives lost
Those who make war,
Should pay the high cost.
Five locations decorated for the holidays
s Friday, Nov. 16 @ 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 17 @ 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Join us afterwards at the decorated
Blyth Memorial Hall for refreshments
and stroll through a variety of vendor booths.
Tickets available from any skating member or by calling
523-9720 and 523.9978 and at the following locations:
Blyth: Luann's Country Flowers Wingham: Sewing Galore
Black Creek Clothing Goderich: Quitters by the Square
Clinton: Between Friends Londesboro: Londesboro Co-op
When wars are over,
When all is said and done
Battles are made
Not by those handed a gun.
— By Verne Dakin
November 11, 2001
"Christmas Home Tour 2001"
to the Blyth
Skating Club
Blyth Community Centre
Social Hour 6:30 - 7:30
Dinner 7:30 - Roast Beef & Ham
Cost - Before Nov. 15th $32.00 a couple
Cost - After Nov. 15th $38.00 a couple
Dance 9:00 - 1:00
SUZIE Q & MISTER B
FOR TICKETS CALL ALEX BLAIR 523-4964
The Blyth Lions would like to take this opportunity to wish
each and everyone of you a
Very Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year
Proceeds for community betterment
Order from our menu or enjoy our
delicious daily specials served from 5 pm - 8 pm
Thursday - all-you-can-eat spaghetti &
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Friday - try our Chinese Buffet
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Saturday - Fabulous BBO Chicken,
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Sunday - Take your family out for brunch
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fresh fruit, tea, coffee & dessert $9.95 served from 11:30 am - 2 pm
Sunday Evening Buffet - 5 pm - 8 pm
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523-9730
ti