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.
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| Jake Peters Attestation Paper |
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| Jake Peters Record of Service Page 1 |
Wendy
