Turtle Lady Genealogy: Week 22 of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Prompt

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

Week 22 Prompt – So Far Away

I believe that this is So Far Away because of the blog's length. The end is very far away! It is very long. But maybe I chose this topic because his military service took him so far from home and maybe so far away from his innocent life he once knew.

According to the war museum.ca/education, "the attestation paper was a personal information form that the volunteers for the Canadian Expeditionary Forces, (CEF) completed during the enlistment period throughout the First World War." This was carried into the Second World War as well.

Jake's Attestation papers are a detailed snapshot of his life on his enlistment day, January 27th 1942.

On the first page of the Attestation Paper, we find that Jake Peters resided at 508 Avenue K. South in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He is born in Hague, Saskatchewan on March 28,1917. His religion is Lutheran and his "calling" is laborer. He is married to Lydia Vivian Peters. He has not served in an active formation or unit of the Canadian Army or any other naval, military or air force of Canada. At the bottom of the first page is Jake's declaration to serve and his oath to be faithful to His Majesty, he signs that he has not bore false witness in his attestation.

Page two and three lists the "particulars of family" of the recruit. Jake Peters official rank and number is listed as: L74422, Pte., D.O.# 28 of 28.1.42. Unit number 12A District Depot C.A.A.F (Canadian Army Active Force) Saskatoon. It lists him a married man regularly supporting his wife. He has one female child who is 10 1/2 months old named Mary Elizabeth Peters. His father and mother, Frank & Elisabeth Peters is living as a retired persons at 208 Ave B North in Saskatoon. Jake does not support his parents or any other dependents other than his wife and child.

The fourth page, Section A recaps his general information such as name, rank etc. Section B lists his education and employment. Jake was 16 years of age when he left school attaining Grade 4 of public school. He was not attending school at the time of his enlistment. He never entered a trade apprenticeship. Jake fluently spoke "English and Dutch" however he only read English. It is presumed that the listed "Dutch" was really German because the German word for German is Deutsche.

Section C lists that Jake was working at the time of his enlistment. Section E lists the particulars of his employment. (Section D is about unemployment and N/A). Jake lists his employer as Hamp's Cycle Shop of Saskatoon. He had worked in this bicycle shop for one year "overhauling bicycles". Hamp's Cycle shop did not promise him employment after discharge and yet they did not "refuse to promise you employment on discharge". Jake wished to return to the employment of Hamp's after the war.

Section F were questions on particulars of farming experience. Jake was born on a mixed farming farm in Saskatchewan. He lists his actual farming experience as one year in length. He does not want to return to farming after discharge and furthermore does not feel competent to operate a farm.

In Section G, Jake states he has not made "any arrangements for re- establishment in civil life after discharge. " He does list his ambition as entering a "mechanics course" upon discharge.
As the Attestation papers gave us a picture of Jake on the day he enlisted, Jake's Record of Service gives us a glimpse of his life from the day of enlistment until discharge. In the record of service, entries are only made when there was something to note about the specific recruit. It is a diary of sorts. I find it unfathomable that they were able to do this for each enlisted man in the war. Jake's entries are as follows.

On January 27, 1942 in 12A District Depot of Canadian Army (Active) located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan he enlisted for general reinforcements in the Canadian Army and was assigned the rank of private.

On March 12,1942 he was " S.O.S. on trans to C.A.(B)T.C. 131 Alberta". S.O.S. is an acronym meaning Struck off strength - when a soldier ceases to be a member of a unit because of transfer, injury or death. Jake was transferred to the Canadian Army Basic Training Center (C.A.(B)T.C.) in Camrose, Alberta.

His next service entry is May 7, 1942 where it states, "Sick, admitted to Camrose Military Hospital." He was discharged from the hospital on May 12 1942. There was no specifics to the nature of his illness.

May 16, 1942 he left Camrose and transferred to 13 D.D. (district depot) in Calgary. In Calgary on May 17, 1942 he was ordered transferred to "Spec. Basic T/C North Bay, Ontario." On May 19, 1942 he leaves Calgary for North Bay, Ontario.

May 20, 1942 he is "T.O.S. #22 CAEBTC" TOS means taken on strength as in entry of

a soldier to a unit. In this case he is now with Canadian Army Engineer Basic Training

Center in North Bay, Ontario.

On September 15, 1942 he was allocated to R.C.A.S.C. (Royal Canadian Army Service Corp) and given the designation or rank of a soldier who drives vehicle- DVR. On this day he is transferred from #22 CAEBTC to Camp Borden. Ontario.

September 16, 1942 Jake is transferred to A19 RCASC (A) TC REinft. In the record of service it notes that as of September 23, 1942, his wife, Vivian, change of address to 512 Avenue K South. This is the address of Vivian's mother. She has moved back home. Coincidentally, this is a month or so after their second baby (Diane) is born.

On November 6, 1942, Jake is given his embarkation order as follows, "issued transport warrant No. - A 305662 emb. On that same day he was granted a 11 day embarkation leave and was entitled to ration allowance of 50 cent per Diem for the 11 days.
On December 4, 1942 he was S.O.S. A19 RCASC (A) TC REinft and attached to No. 1 RCASC reinforcement unit overseas. He was transferred out December 11,1942 and disembarked December 18, 1942 in the United Kingdom.

On January 26 1943 in the U.K. Jake was once again subject to questions regarding his health history, education and past employment history. A few more details of Jake Peters is taken at this time. He is 25 years and 10 months. He weighs 138 pounds which carries on his 5 foot 3 inch frame. His eyes are blue and assessed to have a visual acuity of 2 (1 - 3 Scale). His hearing acuity is 1 on the same type scale. He is right handed and has a "measurable" attitude towards his own health. Apparently he had an operation on his nose in 1936. His education is listed as Grade 4 by 16 years of age and was deemed to have normal conduct in school life. He speaks English and German (actually listed Dutch) and writes English well. His main occupation pre war (1936 to 1942) was a truck driver of limited skill and working for various employers earning $18.00 per week. His second occupation during this same period but "off and on" was a repairman of bicycles earning from Hamp's Cycle about $12.00 per week. He has worked with heavy and light trucks and cars. He had also driven a tractor. It is noted that he is not "accident prone". It states that his farming experience was limited to 3 months. He wishes to be a truck driver after the war although he has no employment offers. The questionnaire continues with his marital / home life. He is married to a 21 year old wife who is in fair health and has a good attitude regarding service. Jake has 3 dependents - his wife and 2 children. He has 5 brothers and 3 sisters of which he is 7th in position in the family. Jake told him that he had a normal childhood and was Lutheran. Jake has no hobbies but loves cycling and playing baseball as third baseman. He had one 4 day hospitalization for a "cold". His criminal history is nil to court martial, major and minor offenses, civil convictions or fines! (Really?) He has no psychiatric history.

Jake desires to be a truck driver in war service.

The Lieutenant assessing Jake at this time has this assessment of him, he has a shy and quiet disposition of average build and fair grooming. He has inferior learning ability. Shy, slow of speech. Very limited possibilities. Jake was co operative during the interview and said his reason for joining the army was "following the crowd and sense of duty." The Lieutenant listed his possibilities of employment as loader or "driver 1/c".

On February 25, 1943 he is attached to 8 Canadian Infantry Brigade RCASC. A brigade is a unit of approximately 4000 men commanded by a Brigadier - Commander. And on March 16, 1943 he ceased to be attached to this unit.

On April 27, 1943 he is attached to 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade Company and it states the next day that he is removed from the Army Service Corp Reinforcement Unit.

On May 5, 1943 he is attached to the 41st Canadian General Transport Company of RCASC.

A notation at the bottom of this page of his service record shows 6 months of professional pay at $1.50 per day effective January 1, 1943.

October 26, 1943 he embarked with his company to the Mediterranean. They disembarked Nov 8, 1943 as CMF (Central Mediterranean Force). Specific places are never mentioned on Record of Service.

For a short period (August 29, 1944 to October 29, 1944) Jake was attached to No. 32 Canadian Corps Troops Composite Company.

The next entry in his service record shows Jake as embarking with his 41 Canadian General Transport Company on February 17, 1945 and disembarked February 19 1945 in France. He qualified as "cook C" on March 11, 1945. And on April 27, 1945 he was granted training plan as a cook.

The last few entries in Jake's Record of Service details the end of his service. "T.O.S. from C.A.O.S." on January 29, 1946 in Regina. At this time he is granted disembarked leave until March 11, 1946. The next entry states he ceases to be on disembarkation on leave on March 6, 1946 and was awarded the 1939 - 1945 Star, the Italy Star, the France and Germany Star.

The last entry says "S.O.S. on discharge CARO 1029 5-c-1 period of service January 27, 1942 to March 15, 1946." Jake Peters as a private in the #12 D.D. (District Depot) in Regina under district order #75 was discharged to civilian life.

Military paperwork continues for each man, Jake is given his "Canadian Army (Active) Discharge Certificate". This certificate lists his name, rank, number and date of enlistment. He served in Canada, United Kingdom, Continental Europe, and Central Mediterranean Area. He is discharged from the army under routine order to "return to civilian life (on demobilization)." They give a physical description upon discharge which is noted on this certificate. Jake was 28 years and 11 months old. Height is 5 foot 3 inches with fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. It notes no marks or scars.

Date of discharge is March 15, 1946 in Regina. Jake signs it as well as his captain who signs for his issuing officer, Lt. Col. H. E. Murray. Jake signed that he received his Certificate of Discharge, War Service Clasp (General Service Clasp) No. 748300. Jake also received a priority suit purchase certificate and application for civilian ration. The discharge certificate comes with rules. Firstly the discharge certificate must be carried when in uniform. Secondly the uniform can only be worn for 30 days after discharge or when duly authorized in writing.

On March 14, 1946 he was interviewed for one last time. It appears to be an interview for the purpose of reintegration into civilian life by a "counselor". This interview has assessed Jake as having a grade 2 level from a town school by 1932. His language is English. His occupation history is listed as farm laborer using horses only from 1932 to 1934. From 1934 to 1940 he did odd jobs such as sawing wood, coal yard work, etc. His immediate pre-enlistment employment in 1941 was trucking and egg candling from Saskatoon Produce Company Saskatoon Saskatchewan.

A short account of his service, training & duties is shown as a driver 1/c (2 week course) and he drove a truck for about 2 years in the army. He qualified as Cook C trade tested and employed for two years with trades pay. His total service was 49 months with 37 months in U.K., Sicily, Italy, France, Holland, Belgium and Germany.

He had no education courses while in the army. He had no physical limitations. The counselor recorded Jake's own words for future plans as follows; " I plan on seeking a job with Quaker Oats in Saskatoon on general lobar work."

The counselor's recommendations are as follows:

"Peters has a fair chance of getting employment in a flour mill in his home town, his in-laws and his wife having worked there for a number of years. His occupational background has been connected to general lobar jobs and trucking. Slight build, rather slow, but conscientious attitude, he would appear to be capable of handling work at a mill as a general laborer. As an alternative he would consider working as a truck driver. He has done some trucking in civilian life and for two years was employed as a truck driver in the army. He is considered suitable for work as a truck driver. He also qualified as Cook B in the army although the documents show him as having C qualifications. He was employed for two years as a cook and would be willing to accept a job as a cook's helper providing he could support his family. His chances of success in this field are not good and employment in this trade should be considered as only temporary.

He is interested in acquiring a home of his own and is considering use of his re establishment credit. If he secures permanent employment in the flour mill he is considered a fair prospect for such assistance with the possibility of consideration under the small holding plan of the VLA. " The counselor recommends he should seek employment as a general labourer at a flour mill, or a truck driver or a cook's helper.
These military papers give us an insight into a period in my father's life that took him far away from home and his family.