Over the next little while you'll see names pop up (especially in Edward's letters) so I thought I would give you a back ground.
Mom (or Mother as Frank writes): Alma Dow
Dad, Pop or Daddy: Jack Dow
Grandpa: Frank Kerr, father of Alma
Nanny: Isey Kerr, mother of Alma. Sends Frank and Edward letters and care packages
Milton and Patricia "Pat": Frank and Edward's younger brother and sister
Mildred: Girlfriend and later wife of Edward
Bill Elms: Friend of Frank, later in life became the RSM of the 48th Highlanders
RSM Frank Jamieson: Regimental Sergeant Major of the 48th Highlanders, left the unit in 1942.
CSM "Tiny" Shaw MM: Became RSM in 1942 until after the invasion of Sicily.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
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."
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."
Medical Arrangements
A side note from Frank's journal.
Medical Arrangements (Frank took this from Part I Order No 21 dated 30 September 1939)
Despite the warning of the Medical Officer several men have already developed VD. This is looked upon as a serious offense, and quite apart from the fact, it is an incurable disease. The Medical Officers Room (136) will be kept open at all times until further notice, and any man who is foolhardy as to expose himself to the possibility of contacting this disease should report as soon as possible after exposure and he will receive treatment, which will to some extent be kept strictly confidential- no report made and no record kept-and the men are urged in their own interests to avail themselves of this prophylactic service. The supplying of this service should in no way be looked upon as countenancing immorality.
Medical Arrangements (Frank took this from Part I Order No 21 dated 30 September 1939)
Despite the warning of the Medical Officer several men have already developed VD. This is looked upon as a serious offense, and quite apart from the fact, it is an incurable disease. The Medical Officers Room (136) will be kept open at all times until further notice, and any man who is foolhardy as to expose himself to the possibility of contacting this disease should report as soon as possible after exposure and he will receive treatment, which will to some extent be kept strictly confidential- no report made and no record kept-and the men are urged in their own interests to avail themselves of this prophylactic service. The supplying of this service should in no way be looked upon as countenancing immorality.
Monday, December 29, 2008
September 1939
So I finally got a hold of my Granddad's old journal he kept from 1939 to 1942. Called "Journal of a Highlander" it recounts his time with the 48th Highlanders of Canada. I also have in my possession Edward's letters but as this blog will go in chronological order we will be getting to those in a few weeks. I'll start off in 1939, when Frank headed back to Toronto.
4-9 September 1939
I left the farm on Monday and started to hitch hike back to Toronto. I was lucky and was able to catch a ride all the way back home. Tried to find out as much as possible from Bill Elms (Granddad's best friend and future RSM of the 48th Highlanders) about what the 48th Highlanders were doing. I was told that the unit had been mobilized and there was to be a general muster parade on Tuesday evening. Went to the general muster parade on Tuesday evening. Went to school (Jarvis Collegiate) and told my home room teacher I was going to enlist and would not be returning to school. On parade with the Battalion on Tuesday night at 2000 hrs and it was on this parade that the Commanding Officer called for volunteers for active service. Volunteered for service this evening. Down to armouries on Wednesday morning and started the necessary procedures to enlist in the Canadian active service force. Had medical board at Grace Hospital and back to the armouries to proceed through the remainder of the enlistment procedures. Allocated regimental number B-72774. I know I was the 274th person to be enlisted as the Regimental Number allocation started at B-72500 and that number was given to RSM Frank Jamieson, a very fine soldier and gentleman, Required to report each morning at 0800hrs at the armouries to commence training. As I was a bugler I had the job , along with others, of sounding the calls to signal the various times when markers, fall-in, Officers call and Orderly Sergeants were required. Started to use the North Campus of the University of Toronoto on Friday for daily parades. Saturday in addition to the morning parade we paraded at 2045hrs to Fort York armouries to march to the CNE to take part in closing ceremonies of the 1939 Exhibition.
10-16 September
No parade on Sunday. Canada offically declared war on Germany on the 10th of September. Training commenced Monday at the North Campus of the University of Toronto. I paraded with the pipe band and will eventually have to learn to play a side drum. The battalion mounted a small picquet on Grace Hospital. Parades were canceled on Wednesday due to heavy rains ans as a result the training was done indoors. I am still living at home and going to the armouries each day. Back on campus Thursday for training. The band practiced bugling and drumming. Friday I received my first pay of a $1.30 a day, in addition to this we were to receive a small subsistence allowance. I received $15 which included my pay from the 6th of September plus the subsistence allowance. This is the most money that I have ever received at any time for anything and I felt like a millionaire. The unit stopped recruiting on Friday as the quota for the battalion is filled. Finished parades on Saturday at noon and the rest of the weekend was free.
17-23 September
Parades commenced at 0800hrs on Monday. New regimental routine established which required that a duty bugler be available each day around the appropriate calls. The battalions now mounting a full guard on the armouries each day and if you are detailed as a duty bugler you are required to sleep in the guard room at night. A regimental barber shop opened in the armouries which is quite convenient but the line-ups are quite long. Weekly route marches started friday. The route for the first march was South on University, West on Front to Spadina, North on Spadina to College to South Campus of the University of Toronto. Half day training on Saturday with the rest of the weekend free. Toronto was still quite a blue town as far as Sunday entertainment was concerned. In 1939 there was absolutely no entertainment available for anyone anywhere and shows had not opened in Sundays until much later in the war.
24-30 September
Training commenced again on Monday at the North Campus. For the first week we trained in the afternoon on vacant land at Harbour and Front. All the ranks were told Monday that we must wear unifrom on at all times and off duty. Training was restricted during the week due to rain. Route march Friday, Elizabeth St to Gerrard, East on Gerrard to Parliament, South on Parliament to Fleet West on Fleet to York, North on York to Front, West on Fleet to York, North on York to Front, West on Front to University, North on University to the armouries. 20 men detailed this week for duty with the City of Toronot Police.
4-9 September 1939
I left the farm on Monday and started to hitch hike back to Toronto. I was lucky and was able to catch a ride all the way back home. Tried to find out as much as possible from Bill Elms (Granddad's best friend and future RSM of the 48th Highlanders) about what the 48th Highlanders were doing. I was told that the unit had been mobilized and there was to be a general muster parade on Tuesday evening. Went to the general muster parade on Tuesday evening. Went to school (Jarvis Collegiate) and told my home room teacher I was going to enlist and would not be returning to school. On parade with the Battalion on Tuesday night at 2000 hrs and it was on this parade that the Commanding Officer called for volunteers for active service. Volunteered for service this evening. Down to armouries on Wednesday morning and started the necessary procedures to enlist in the Canadian active service force. Had medical board at Grace Hospital and back to the armouries to proceed through the remainder of the enlistment procedures. Allocated regimental number B-72774. I know I was the 274th person to be enlisted as the Regimental Number allocation started at B-72500 and that number was given to RSM Frank Jamieson, a very fine soldier and gentleman, Required to report each morning at 0800hrs at the armouries to commence training. As I was a bugler I had the job , along with others, of sounding the calls to signal the various times when markers, fall-in, Officers call and Orderly Sergeants were required. Started to use the North Campus of the University of Toronoto on Friday for daily parades. Saturday in addition to the morning parade we paraded at 2045hrs to Fort York armouries to march to the CNE to take part in closing ceremonies of the 1939 Exhibition.
10-16 September
No parade on Sunday. Canada offically declared war on Germany on the 10th of September. Training commenced Monday at the North Campus of the University of Toronto. I paraded with the pipe band and will eventually have to learn to play a side drum. The battalion mounted a small picquet on Grace Hospital. Parades were canceled on Wednesday due to heavy rains ans as a result the training was done indoors. I am still living at home and going to the armouries each day. Back on campus Thursday for training. The band practiced bugling and drumming. Friday I received my first pay of a $1.30 a day, in addition to this we were to receive a small subsistence allowance. I received $15 which included my pay from the 6th of September plus the subsistence allowance. This is the most money that I have ever received at any time for anything and I felt like a millionaire. The unit stopped recruiting on Friday as the quota for the battalion is filled. Finished parades on Saturday at noon and the rest of the weekend was free.
17-23 September
Parades commenced at 0800hrs on Monday. New regimental routine established which required that a duty bugler be available each day around the appropriate calls. The battalions now mounting a full guard on the armouries each day and if you are detailed as a duty bugler you are required to sleep in the guard room at night. A regimental barber shop opened in the armouries which is quite convenient but the line-ups are quite long. Weekly route marches started friday. The route for the first march was South on University, West on Front to Spadina, North on Spadina to College to South Campus of the University of Toronto. Half day training on Saturday with the rest of the weekend free. Toronto was still quite a blue town as far as Sunday entertainment was concerned. In 1939 there was absolutely no entertainment available for anyone anywhere and shows had not opened in Sundays until much later in the war.
24-30 September
Training commenced again on Monday at the North Campus. For the first week we trained in the afternoon on vacant land at Harbour and Front. All the ranks were told Monday that we must wear unifrom on at all times and off duty. Training was restricted during the week due to rain. Route march Friday, Elizabeth St to Gerrard, East on Gerrard to Parliament, South on Parliament to Fleet West on Fleet to York, North on York to Front, West on Fleet to York, North on York to Front, West on Front to University, North on University to the armouries. 20 men detailed this week for duty with the City of Toronot Police.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Frank and Edward Dowe
My Granddad Francis "Frank" Samuel Dowe was born on June 8th 1920 in Toronto to Jack and Alma Dow. My great-grandfather's lack of formal education led to the misspelling of his last name, something that has never been corrected. For those of you who have read "Memories of the Great War" you know that Jack had returned from the Great War in March of 1919 and settled down with Alma at 52 Dearbourne Ave. At the time of Frank's birth, Jack had found employment working as a line man at Toronto Hydro.
What his childhood was like, is unknown, so I'm going to skip ahead to the Summer of 1939. At that time Frank had just dropped out of high school after falling grade 11 for the second time. By his own admission it was not from a lack of smarts but ambition. He spent the summer working on a farm that belonged to a relative of his mother's and deciding what to do with his life.
Frank would not have to wait long. On September 1st 1939, Frank received word to report back to Toronto. As a member of the milita with the 48th Highlanders of Canada, Frank was one of the first called up to active duty.
Seeing an opportunity for three meals a day and a pay cheque, Frank happily made his way back to Toronto.
Edward Albert Dowe was born on May 12th 1922 in Toronto, the second child of Jack and Alma Dow. Like my Granddad, I don't know much about his childhood, except that he took after my great-grandfather the most in mechanical aptitudes and an interest and hockey and baseball. When War was declared Edward had graduated from high school and was studying to become a toolmaker. Whether dissuaded by his parents or wanting to finish his apprenticeship, Edward did not follow his brother right away into the military.
What his childhood was like, is unknown, so I'm going to skip ahead to the Summer of 1939. At that time Frank had just dropped out of high school after falling grade 11 for the second time. By his own admission it was not from a lack of smarts but ambition. He spent the summer working on a farm that belonged to a relative of his mother's and deciding what to do with his life.
Frank would not have to wait long. On September 1st 1939, Frank received word to report back to Toronto. As a member of the milita with the 48th Highlanders of Canada, Frank was one of the first called up to active duty.
"By an Order in Council of the First day of September, 1939, P.C. 2482, His Excellency the Governor in Council has authorized the organization of a Canadian Active Service Force, and for that purpose has, under the provision of Section 20 of the Militia Act, names as Corps of the Active Militia those Units, Formations and Detachments set out in Schedule D annexed. By the same Order in Council and under and by virtue of the powers conferred by Section 64 of the Militia Act, the Governor in Council has placed on Active Service in Canada, those Units, Formations and Detachments as set out in the said Schedule D, and those Corps and parts of the Militia as set out in Schedule E annexed hereto"
General Order 135/1939
Seeing an opportunity for three meals a day and a pay cheque, Frank happily made his way back to Toronto.
Edward Albert Dowe was born on May 12th 1922 in Toronto, the second child of Jack and Alma Dow. Like my Granddad, I don't know much about his childhood, except that he took after my great-grandfather the most in mechanical aptitudes and an interest and hockey and baseball. When War was declared Edward had graduated from high school and was studying to become a toolmaker. Whether dissuaded by his parents or wanting to finish his apprenticeship, Edward did not follow his brother right away into the military.
By 1941, Edward, anxious to serve enlisted as ground crew with the Royal Canadian Air Force.
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