Dave Davies 25 Pl 1960-1962 Born Chelmsford

Dave Davies
25 Pl 1960-1962
Born Chelmsford England, June 13, 1943 arriving in Canada 1944 grew up in Victoria B.C. and joined the
RCASC Soldier Apprentice Plan in 1960. After a long trip across Canada for the first time by myself got to
Borden and was assigned to the famous 25 Platoon. Many long term memories but some of the prominent
ones are roommates Bill Ballantyne, Bob Davidson, John Crowder and one morning during our inspection
by Sgt Fuller & Cpl McNeil as we stood besides our beds Sgt Fuller opened Bob Davidson’s dresser draw and
when he opened the draw for inspection the shirts all popped out as Davidson forgot to press them. I had
to bite by my tongue to stop from laughing and then to top it off as Sgt Fuller was looking for skin books
he asked Davidson what was underneath his mattress, Davidson’s response was springs Sgt, then the whole
room laughed which ended the inspection for us and we were awarded some extra duties.
That is just one of the many stories I recall.
After the Soldier Apprentice Plan I was posted to 2 Transport RCASC, from there was off to Cyprus with the
first increment in 1964 and served with John Borden, Cpl Flemming, Sgt Douglas, Tim Pye, John Currie,
Woody Kirkpatrick to name a few. After return to Canada while on leave in Victoria B.C. got married to my
next door neighbour Lei (didn’t want to look too far) and consequently I re-mustered to RCEME. Posted
1965 to 1 Field Workshop Calgary where my daughter Laura was born, 1968 to 1 RCHA Germany (Hemer
and Lahr) where my son David was born, 1971 to 1 Service Bn Calgary, 1974 to 3 Field Squadron Royal
Canadian Engineers, 1 Combat Engineers, Base Maintenance, Chilliwack, 1979 to UN Headquarter Egypt,
1980 to 3 Royal Canadian Regiment Germany, Base Maintenance Baden.1984 to Base Maintenance
Esquimalt. Retiring as an MWO, Victoria, B.C. January 1991 with 31 yrs service as I was supposed to go
back to the field in Edmonton but decided to go Camping in my 5th Wheel instead with the grandchildren
Alexandra and Nathan.
Looking back I have many memories of when I was a RCASC Soldier Apprentice. This plan was a great
education in growing up and was a definite contributing factor towards my 31 years in the Army.
Dave a few years (decades) later
Dave is somewhere in this photo
DYR
The “Ford” hotel downtown Toronto
DYR
The “Originals” Club downtown Toronto
Tony Musson
18 Pl 1958-1960
I'm not sure what you are looking for, for your book, however; this is my career history after apprentice
training
60/61 3 Tpt Coy Gagetown
61/63 18 Coy Churchill
63/65 4 Coy Montreal
65/66 HQ UNEF/CBUME
66/69 HQ CFB/HQ 3 CIBG/HQ 3 CBT Gp Gagetown
69/72 CDN Mission to UN New York
72/74 403 Hel OTS Gagetown
74/80 HQ 4 ATAF Ramstein
80/84 HMCS Queen Regina
Retired as MWO in Dec 84. Went on CL B Svc Jan 85 with HQ AIRCOM DET REGINA Upgraded pension to
Capt and finished CL B Svc in Jun 94.
JACK SHORE
15 PL 1957 - 1959
I joined the Soldier Apprentice Plan to further my education and to seek a long term career in the Canadian
Army. At that point in my life I had completed grade nine and was looking for a career that would give me
long term security and, at the same time, a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment. I joined the RCASC
Apprentices at #13 Army Personnel Depot in Ottawa ON 26 June 1957 and reported for training to 15
Platoon in early September at Camp Borden. In a way it was a home coming for me as I had resided in
PMQs at RCAF Station Borden from 1949 to 1953.
During my Soldier Apprentice Training I was fortunate to graduate in 1959 with two additional years
education and the dual trade qualification of Administrative Clerk and Transport Operator. I went on to be
employed as a Administrative Clerk and my first posting was to the Office of the Adjutant General of the
Canadian Army.
During my career I served in various duties and responsibilities as follows:
Administrative Clerk Office of the AG Ottawa, ON;
No 1 Transport Company London Ontario;
United Nations Organization(ONUC) in the Congo, Africa;
Transferred to the Royal Canadian Dental Corps in 1964 and served as a clerk with the Director General of
Dental Services in Ottawa. Ontario;
Served as the Career Manager for RCDC tradesmen in Ottawa, Ontario
Office Manager for medical/dental career managers;
Chief Clerk 2 Canadian Guards/3rd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment Petawawa Ontario;
Commissioned from the rank of Master Warrant Officer with the 3rd Battalion RCR to the rank of Captain
in 1972;
Administrative Officer for13 Dental Unit Trenton, Ontario;
Personnel Support Officer Canadian Forces Base Kingston, Ontario
Employed as Staff Officer Support Training with Training System Headquarters in Trenton, Ontario;
Promoted to Major and posted as the Senor Administrative Officer for the Office of the Director General of
Dental Services;
The last twelve years of my career were spent with the Office of the DGDS, serving in five different
positions, and cumulated with promotion to Lieutenant Colonel and appointed the Director of Dental
Resource Management.
I served from 26 June, 1957 to 20 June, 1993 for a total of 36 years retiring from the CAF at the age of 52.
It is my firm belief that the two years I spent with the Soldier Apprentices served to mold and instil within
me a sense of pride and accomplishment. This in turn allowed me to set new personal goals and push
forward in acquiring further education and skills. I graduated infused with the attitude that hard work and
loyalty would be recognized and rewarded. In retrospect I find that this was, indeed, the case. For this I
owe a debt of gratitude to the NCOs, Officers, and civilian teachers of Apprentice Training Company as
well as to the fine young men that I was privileged to know and serve with.
NIL SINE LABORE
Jack Shore Top Apprentice Graduating 1959
Steve Soulis
10-12 Pl
First heard of the ATC at the age of 15 in my grade 9 mixed classroom,
Jean Harris, a classmate at Quebec High School, Quebec City. She told me that her brother had just joined
the ATC Corp of Engineers. I went to 3 PD and the rest is history. At ATC in Camp Borden, I was in both 10
& 12 platoons.
At the ATC and later postings including the Middle East, I am very fortunate to have made many friends.
Presently I have the honour of being the President, RCASC Association (Ontario)
They say that all good things come to those who wait! The best thing of the 2 year apprentice plan I am
sure was Graduation Day. A Marching out Parade, The removal of Green Flashes, speeches and a grand
luncheon for families and guests.
A Proud Veteran Stefan Soulis
Evans
This is the program of the Graduation of 23,24 and 25 pl. Generously shared by Ray Willis of 23 Pl.
ToeCaps Gleaming 2 ½ Soles
Dave Maxwell & sister Marilyn
Wearing his prize Corps Jacket (our Colours)
Willy Roose 25pl Looking “Cool”
Bill Raspberry
Williams
Neil
Joseph O. Leopold Roberge
8 Pl 1954-1956
Born and raised in a small town, St-Romuald, on the south shore of the St-Lawrence River directly across
the river from Quebec City. Had a normal upbringing, if that is possible in family of 16 children; I was the
second born and that was in 1938.
During the early years of high school, a rebellious streak surfaced and before I knew it, I was looking for any
avenue to get out of town, so to speak. Someone in my group of quasi juvenile delinquents suggested that
we should all join the military, in particular the R22eR who were just returning from the UN Korean war
mission. The next morning, only one other member of the group joined me and off we went to Number 3
Personnel Depot in Quebec City.
After a few interviews, my “buddy” decided that it was not for him and that he was returning home. So
there I was alone, 5 feet in height, weighing 108 lbs and applying to join the famous Vandoos. They must
have been truly short of personnel, because my fabricated birth certificate passed muster for within 2 days
I was dispatched to Valcartier for Depot Training. That stint did not last very long. Soon, I was found out,
brought to the front of a morning inspection and summarily dispatched back to Number 3 Personnel Depot
along with all that new kit I had been issued.
Needless to say I was not welcome back at the Depot. Processing out seemed to take forever. Every day
there was extra drill, kitchen details for 2 days, and then the final interview with the Adjudant. After giving
me “The gears” for about 15 minutes which seemed like an eternity, he threw some pamphlets at me with
instructions to go have lunch and return to see him at 1300 hrs with a decision. He also said: “If you don’t
want to join this group, return with all your kit because you are not keeping any of it”!
That is how I found out about the program for Soldier Apprentices. Of course I would join, returning home
would mean a lot of eggs on one’s face and I had met a few guys who were being processed for the same
program and we hit it off. A few names come to mind: Gilbert Coté, Yvon Houde and Larry Aubin. Later on,
at Valcartier I met others like Serge Masson, Gilbert Aubé, Arthur Rondeau and many more.
At first, I opted for driver training but there were too many who had selected this trade training and I was
moved to clerk training as I already had typewriter qualifications to carry me along.....not to mention that
with my size and the lack of extra lift cushions, I could hardly see above the steering wheel of the 2 ½ ton
trucks.....of course we all had to qualify on those vehicles in any event.
As I was always attracted to sports, so I became involved in the CATS hockey and boxing teams at Valcartier.
During our second year at CFB Borden, I also participated in the same 2 sports. In boxing, I won the
Central Command boxing novice featherweight Championship and went on to be a finalist at the Amy
boxing Championship in Kingston in the Spring of 1957. In hockey, I played goal for the Apprentices Team
and the School team as well. I completed Junior Matriculation at CFB Borden in 1959.
Soon after being posted to Rivers Manitoba in August 1957, I went on para training and immediately after,
was asked to become an assistant instructor at the base Gymnasium. I Took Physical Training instructor
course group 2 in Winnipeg in 1958 and Junior NCO training early in 1959. I progressed to the rank of
Sergeant in 1963. I was posted to the 2R22eR at Valcartier, married in 1964. When the battalion was sent
to Germany in 1965, I went with the unit as it was the norm in those days. I returned with the unit to
Valcartier in 1968 where I continued to serve the battalion and base Valcartier in the role of SGT Gp3 PTI
until I was offered a commission from the ranks in December 1971.
My first posting as a Lieutenant Base Physical Education Officer was to CFB Bagotville in January 1972. In
1974, I was posted with the UN mission at Ismailia, Egypt for a 6 month tour. Upon return, promoted to
Captain, I was posted to the Collège Militaire Royal de St-Jean until 1978. In June 1978 I was posted once
again to Lahr Germany, this time as Physical Education and Recreation Officer for the Base and the Brigade,
but also as the administrator in matters of PE&R for all the Canadian Forces serving in Europe.
In 1981, upon promotion to Major, I was posted to FMCHQ as Command Physical Education and Recreation
Officer. There was nowhere else to go from there but National Defence Headquarters. So it was that in
1984, I ended in the last posting of my career in the regular forces. I retired from the regular forces in 1991
after 35 years service.
After a few months playing golf at Uplands at CFB Ottawa, I was asked to fill the position of Base
Coordinator of Official Languages. This was a temporary (Class C reservist) post which included structuring
and supervising the second languages courses offered by the Canadian Forces at the time. While so
employed, I was asked to go to Cambodia for a 6 month tour.....turned to 11 months as the mission was
winding down and I requested to stay until the end. Total military service 37 years, 289 days.
My thoughts on the Apprentice Soldier Training Program are well known. I once introduced a motion at
one of our Reunions to try to motivate the Canadian government to reinstate such a program albeit
modified to reflect realities of the CURRENT Canadian community and lifestyle. Regrettably, the motion
was defeated.
The program as it was structured and conducted for our time was indeed a very good one. As you may
glean from the bio, as a young man in 1955, this program provided energy sapping work and learning which
propelled us to function properly in society. I could go on and on about the benefits obtained through this
program, but suffice it to say that this program was so successful that it overshot the objectives set out at
the
start of the program.
Rivers Manitoba
Lee and Grand daughter
Lee and Yvon Houde 8Pl
Lee and George Potvin in later years
John Raymond Imhoff
22 Pl 1959-1961
DOB, 03 May 1943 in Bathurst, NB.
While living in Red Rock, On (Thunder Bay) the Army recruiters visited our High School and gave a talk on
the Soldier Apprentice Program.
It certainly got my interest so I went to 8PD in Winnipeg in July 1959 and was accepted into the program.
Had a very enjoyable 32 years with the CF. Was extremely fortunate to have had four postings to Germany
61-64, 69-72, 78-81 and 87-90.
In 1965 married Theresa Maurice (Dunrea, MB) and have two children, son Brian, born in Winnipeg and
daughter Brenda, born in Calgary. In 2009, Brenda’s son Jamie Healy joined the Navy and currently serving
at Air Command HQ in Winnipeg as a Resource Manager (Pay Clerk).
Hi-lites of my career was being the Parade Commander at my Apprentice Graduation in 1961.
Was the TQ3 Supervisor (WO) at Tn Coy in CFSAL when we trained the first female MSE OPS.
I took my Commission as CWO in 1982 while in Petawawa.
On my European tours, began as Tpt Op in 1961, in 1970-72 as Tpt Supervisor (Sgt) at 4 CMBG HQ,
In 1978-81 as Tn Controller (MWO/CWO) at Base Lahr and 1987-90 as SO Tn3 (Capt) at CFE HQ. What a run!
I retired in spring of 1991 while serving as the BTNO in CFB Chatham, NB.
Theresa and I moved to the west coast in the spring of 91 and will be settling in Coquitlam in April of this
year.
Fred Beairsto
20 Pl 1959-1961
Year/ where Enlisted: 1959 - Halifax, NS
Pl Staff names: Lt F.W. Cooper, Sgt Ron Spence, Cpl Taffy Owens, Sgt Tom Keigen.
Bio of yourself: Posted to Nfld Area HQ, St John's, Nfld on graduating SAP in 1961, Eastern Command HQ Halifax 1964 - 1966, 12 Personnel Depot - St John's 1966, CFS St John's 1966 - 1968, Royal Nfld Regt 1968 1970, CFRC St John's (personnel selection unit) 1970 - 1971. FMC HQ - Mobile Command HQ - 1971 - 1974.
Royal New Brunswick Reht (North Shore) Bathurst, NB 1974 - 1977, CFS Mill Cove - NS 1977 - 1982, HMCS
ASSINIBOINE - Halifax, NS 1982 - 1983. Date of release 13 December 1983.
Trades Trg: Tpt Op Gp 1, Adm Clk Gp 3, Personnel Selection Trg.
Sports, Band, Drill team:
Softball. 20 Pl was Band Pl - Tenor Drum.
Number of years served: 24 yrs
Thoughts on program: Excellent program
Ken Collett
29 Pl 1962-1964
About me. In June 1962 I went to Ottawa along with 200 others and wrote a series of exams and
interviews and by the end of the week there were 2 of us left, I went to RCASC and the other guy went to
RCEME. At 13PD i was given my first service # which was SC139759. In Sept of 62 I went to Borden and was
in 29PL. I remember we had Jack Bresoline as our Cpl and Vern Smith and Schlagell were our platoon
leaders.
During my second year we had so many guys kicked out that we went from 3pls to 2. During ex green flash
in blackdown I was employed in the kitchen as I was the only app who wanted to become a cook and I got a
very good recommendation from Sgt.Maj. Laverty. {not sure if spelled correctly}After grad I was posted to
3BDE SVC BN in Gagetown where I did nothing for 3 months. One day a lance jack told me to go and gas up
a deuce and a half, I told him that I did not have standing orders for Gagetown. He went crazy and hauled
me in front of the platoon officer who I told that I wanted to be a cook. His words were that the pride of
the RCASC was its drivers, not the clerks and cooks. My reply was, all you do is aim the six and a half ton
automatic, the next day I was in the kitchen working for Sgt.Maj. Cec Stamp.
The pay guys were always good to the cooks and would give us an advance whenever we wanted for a few
cookies of course. I remember Carl Harquell a pay Sgt in Gagetown. I was getting an early pay and he said
do you want to go to Germany and of course I said yes and was quickly posted to 1 RCHA where I served
under Jack Bloom until I came back from Germany in 1970 with TB and posted to Ottawa (Rockcliffe). I
worked for CWO Bill Aird for 5 years and then he wanted me to go to CFSAL so off I went for 4 years. Met
some great guys and loads of cooks.
After CFSAL, I was posted back to the RCHA in Shilo for a couple of years then off to Summerside with Bill
Cruickshank for 2 years then back to CFB Shilo for another 2 years. My next move was to Petawawa which I
loved and received my commission under Capt Ron Howe then was off to Gagetown once again. I have now
gone full circle, I started out as a cook learner in Gagetown and ended up going back as the Capt. working
with CWO Gary Deeley who was also a private with me in Gagetown.
Four great years in Gagetown and I was off to CFB Trenton and working for a Col Doug Wilson who was
truly a jerk. My initial interview with him as a section commander went as follows. "that’s a funny looking
uniform" I was army, "I have never fired anyone and I hope your not the first" end of interview.
While in Trenton Tom Clancy who was an ex army guy and was running Warkworth Prison was looking for
cooks so I did the competition and got the job, so after 31 plus years in the military I retired one day and
started the next in the prison system. I worked a total of 10 years then finally retired in 2003. Remember
the Col from Trenton who was a jerk well that’s the same guy who got caught flying the herc drunk and got
a $6000.fine and never to become a general.