November 1939

29 October-4 November 1939

Church parade on Sunday to St. Andrews. I am not sure that all this long parading on Sunday is making enthusiastic Presbyterians. Wednesday the unit parades for an inspection by Major-General A.G.L McNaughton who we were told was the Commander of the Canadian Forces and would be taking us overseas. I had never heard of him until now. Companies are out practicing digging trenches this week- that is something we in the band have not had to do. The Royal Cecil Hotel on Jarvis Street was placed out of Bounds but that does not worry me as I never frequent the place.

5-11 November 1939

Sunday parade canceled. Dental inspection of the unit started on Monday. During the week, in addition to duties around the barracks I was detailed to play Last Post and Reveille at my old school, Jarvis Collegiate, on Friday 10 November. I got a fine reception there especially from my old French teacher, Mr Brockenshire, who used to be an officer in the 15th Battalion (48th Highlanders) in the Great War. I also played, that same night, for the 123rd Battalion CEF Association, my Father's old unit from the Great War. At the civic service at the cenotaph on 11 November. Corporal Cam Fraser led us as we sounded the Last Post and Reveille. The buglers were myself, Bill Elms, Ted Ralph, Al Bond and Stan Seggie. A detachment of 200 men from the Battalion paraded as well. The weather was cold and wet.

12-18 November 1939

The Regiment paraded on Sunday to the 48th Highlanders Memorial at Queen's Park together with the veterans of the 15th, 92nd and 134th Battalions of the old Canadian Expeditionary Force. Bands from the C.A.S.F. and N.P.A.M were in attendance. Same buglers sounded Last Post and Reveille as sounded the calls at the City Hall on Saturday. Monday we all had pictures taken individually by a photographer from the Toronto Newspapers. One Officer and three Sergeants left for a course in England this week. Route march this week to the Royal York Golf course where a tactical exercise took place. Band played to and from the training area. A second medical examination was started for all ranks at the Fort York armouries. It was not a very rigorous examination and seemed only to confirm the medical category that I was originally assigned to us in September.

19-25 November 1939

Church parade this Sunday at St. Pauls Anglican Church on Bloor Street. I suspect that we went to this church as our new CO Lt-Col E.W. Haldenby is an Anglican and a big wheel at St. Paul's. Our new Brigadier, Brigadier Armand Smith, took the salute at the march past after church. Remainder of the day free. Ever since we have come to the Horse Palace the Band has beaten Retreat outside the main entrance to the Horse Palace, at least twice per week. As there has been a surplus of drummers in the band I have not been on everyone. In fact I have missed more of tehm than I have taken part in.

26-November-2 December 1939

The Battalion paraded on the campus south of the Fort York Armouries for an inspection by Lord Tweedsmuir the Governor General of Canada. He toured the ranks and afterwards we had a march past. Third series of inoculations started this week. Training slowed down. Unit concentrating on gas training and the issuance of battle dress. Had to go through the gas chamber to test our respirators.