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This story is taken from an interview with Edwin Cole, and has been added to the site with his permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions. The interview and transcription was by Bruce Logan.
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Edwin was from Quebec, Canada.

Edwin enlisted under Non-permanent Active Militia, NPAM. He transferred to regular forces on Sept 1st 1941.

He was aged about 17-8. In the Canadian army, if you looked old enough you could get away with it. If you were warm you were in good health.

He did basic training at St John Quebec and advanced training at camp Borned. He served in a medical unit as an Other rank. That meant you could do anything - stretcher bearer, driver in a 6yo ambulance.

His unit was deployed overseas 1943. In mid-1943 he arrived in England.
The Division when he arrived had a surplus of field ambulances, so they were re-employed as a field dressing station. He was posted then to camp Aldershot. He did different little courses, then was posted to North Africa, and served in the Algiers area.

After the invasion of Italy [summer 1943] , Edwin was stationed in a town named Cervia. The Locals were always trying to get more food. Edwin's unit stayed there so long, he felt he was almost a resident.

They left in February 1945 from Leghorn. It was a Divisional move, from Leghorn to Marseilles. They got issued new vehicles.

Edwin served with the RCA — Royal Canadian Artillery - for the duration in Europe. Then they were moved from Holland to England.

He volunteered for 6th Canadian Division to go to the Pacific with the US Army. However, the the war ceased.

Edwin came back to Canada, and was in the reserves again.
He stayed on to complete 30 years in the military, including 2 years in Germany.

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