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Topic: Veteran's tales - LCol (Ret'd) Ted Shuter (Read 300 times)
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I have received the following postscript from LCol Shuter following his provision of three stories from when he was serving in the Regiment as a soldier (links to stories below): Veterans Tales - A Last Word
The brief tales of my early service experiences were written at the invitation of the Regimental Adjutant, Capt. Mike O’Leary. The problem each time was to overcome inertia, but once started, they were written as fast as I could scribble. The messy results, and as I am not a typist, were sent to my daughter, Leslie, who managed to decipher my poor writing, and return a typed copy by e-mail. With little editing and only a few corrections, this is what was sent to Capt. O’Leary, for better or for worse. Thanks Leslie.
Writing memories after more than 65 years have passed is difficult to do with absolute accuracy , I tried to segue into that time frame, and desperately try to recall details. Now anyone knows that “old soldier” tales are suspect as to the facts, and can be distorted over the years. If any of my old comrades are left, they may well dispute some details, or add to them. Either way, have your say. As Capt O’Leary says, not enough is heard from the others who served in those days. It was amusing to re-live those times, and I hope that others will give it a try.
I did avoid the use of names, not that I have forgotten many of them, but to be sure of not embarrassing any one. The point at issue is that soldiers can be cruel in their assessment of their seniors, and they are too often accurate!
In some parts of these brief tales, it would seem that nothing much happened for long periods of time. That is quite correct, the training was highly repetitive to the point of boredom. I do not believe that there was a clear object or goal in this, the aim seemed to be that we must be “kept busy”. We would do the same old drill movements, and the same old small arms routines ad nauseum. The syllabus MUST be followed, and all the time filled ! In other words, we were always training. However, with the benefit of hindsight I can see that there was a positive result. Repetition brought on automatic responses – for example –arms drill, Slope Arms, Order Arms etc,, these became automatic actions, no thought at all, and I can still do them. My daughter adds that this was useful in later years when I was teaching my Air Cadet grandson the old arms drill for his colour party drill. Another example is small arms. The eccentric (but beloved) Vickers Machine Gun had various problems including a series of stoppages during firing. These would be set up in practice, and practice hour on hour we did. Then, suddenly, the hands just did the right thing at the right time with little or no conscious thought – Pavlov would love it! We were not robots, but these basic actions did become automatic – and saved our lives in some cases. So, a word to the young soldier – it may become boring and “we already learned that”, but repetition is not just a time filler – it has a real reward. .And besides, the aim of every soldier should be to become all that he can be, and he (or she!) will get promoted according to the effort given. Hang in there.
Pro Patria
Toronto, Ont.
July 2006
E.H. Shuter LCol Shuter's stories can be found here: Veterans Tales #1 - Niagara - http://thercr.ca/history/1919-1939/niagara_1930s.htmVeterans Tales #2 - Toronto - http://thercr.ca/history/1919-1939/toronto_1930s.htmVeterans Tales #3 - 1939 - http://thercr.ca/history/1919-1939/vets_tale_3_1939.htm |
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
Ultimate 2000+ Member
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Fascinating reading. I was by the ole base in Niagara on the lake just last week, the ranges are still present.
Ifr I may be so bold as to suggest, sir, it would be a most excellent idea were LCol Shuter's contemporaries to join the fray and contribute some history of their own.
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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ranrad
Ron [Andy] Andrews
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Hi all! Have just finished reading Col Shuters Veterans Tales, and cant thank him enough for his history of those days. Very interesting and i hope all will take a few minutes and read them. I encourage him to write more if he is okay with that. I also encourage all out there , no matter what era to , maybe sit down and jot out their memories. I think you will be pleasantly surprised with what you write, and it will then be permanent, for all to read and gain a better understanding of our countries , or at least a good part of ,history. I also encourage you. George to do likewise. You have an important history, and i would love to read about it too. ranrad
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RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
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