October 1939

Looks like Frank was kept busy in October...

1-7 October 1939

No parade on Sunday. No change in training routines. Each day band patiently practiced piping and drumming and ensemble playing. Route march on Friday took a swing through the centre West of Toronto. GGHG guarding the armouries this week. Saturday was the last day for commuting from our homes to the armouries. We had to bring a kit bag and large pack to the armouries Saturday morning. Marched to the CNE grounds on Saturday afternoon with the colours of the Regiment cased. Took over the Horse Palace as a barracks. We are sharing this building with other units. Quite a shock to the system to find yourself living in stables which only recently were used for horses and they certainly smelt appropriately.

8-14 October 1939

Regiment paraded Sunday to St. Andrews Presbyterian Church for a church parade. Had quite a long march to and from the CNE to the Church. However, we are Infantry soldiers and that is the way we get from place to place- walk or march. Off on Monday to pick up items of personal kit we require at the Horse Palace. Some of the unit went to the Long Branch for rifle shooting practice. We are allowed to be away from the barracks each day until 2130hrs without having to require a pass. Medical inoculations started Tuesday and Wednesday for Typhoid and Small Pox. I had quite a severe reaction to the shots. My arm became very red and extremely sore. Never ceases to amaze me that I can get money for doing something that I like.

15-21 October 1939

Church parade this Sunday to St. Andrews Presbyterian Church. Band paraded as usual. The RC's excused this parade as they had an early mass in the Music Pavilion on the grounds of the CNE. Had the remainder of the day free. Went to Long Branch Rifle Ranges on Monday for rifle qualifications. Dress regulations published and we are required to wear grey coats after retreat and when walking out. Officers and RSM can only wear Sam Browne belts without cross strap and other accouterments. Route march this week. Regimental routine established with reveille at 0600hrs, Breakfast 0700hrs, First Parade 0830hrs. As bugler I was required to do my share of duty bugler and sound all calls especially on duty with the quarter guard. No problem with me as I know them all. Battalion adopting to changes in dress regulations for training and walking out and drill. No more white spats-khaki only. Blue puttess for drill and no sporran except for walking out and church parades. Second series of inoculations commenced this week with generally the same results as before for me, sore arms and inflamed arms. Wet canteen established in one half of the riding ring in the Horse Palace. The other half is the canteen for the Toronto Scottish. RCAF Manning Depot established in the Coliseum and it was at this time that I heard two airmen talking to one another in French in a public place. It was the first time I had ever heard that language spoken in Toronto.

22-28 October 1939

Church parade this Sunday. We were still practicing as a band as well as receiving basic instruction in the handling of weapons. Bren guns were still very scarce and very few of them were in evidence in this period of our training. Bath house established in the Horticultural Building in the CNE and it was great to go over every week for a shower. The unit has a concert on Monday night in the Horse Palace and the 48th Highlander Brass Band under the direction of Captain John Slatter VC supplied the bulk of the entertainment. The War Diary referred to the band as being from "the old N.P.A.M."