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Topic: Allison Anthony, Royal Canadian... (Read 164 times)
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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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Another interesting tale...
Liverpool prisoner of war recalls ordeal
Leanne Delong/The Advance by Leanne Delong/The Advance
Article online since November 8th 2007, 7:01
Liverpool prisoner of war recalls ordeal
It was pitch black with 50 men held against their will, forced to use a corner of the room as a bathroom. Liverpool resident Allison Anthony boldly recalls what it was like to be a prisoner of war in a prison near Munich.
Born in 1924, a young Anthony joined the Canadian Military before the age of 20.
As part of the first division of the Royal Canadian Regiment, Anthony was in the infantry during World War II.
“When you’re in the infantry, there’s nothing in front of you but the enemy,” he commented.
He was captured on Boxing Day, 1944.
All his family knew was that he was missing in action.
Among a group of 24 men, Anthony said they had 22 wounded and two dead.
“We couldn’t see a thing,” he recalled; “everything was pitch dark.”
A slice of bread and a cup of “scilly” were given to each prisoner, recalls Anthony.
Prisoners had to work everyday on a railroad.
Anthony started working in the woods with his father at the age of 14, so the work did not bother him, he said.
He broke his wrist in two places, however, he added.
A prisoner of war for six months, Anthony knew one thing.
“I was quite certain I was going to be home.”
Finally, when the war ended, Anthony was able to write a letter to his family from England, letting them know he was okay.
“I was scared to death to get on an airplane,” said Anthony about coming home. “I always like to be on the ground.”
He arrived home in Feb. of 1945, a few days before his birthday on the nineteenth.
His family – he was one of 10 children - lived in Milton at the time.
To Anthony, Remembrance Day is about the veterans and the war.
He always recalls stories from those days.
For example, he carries with him a piece of shrapnel.
Anthony explained how it went into his chest to the right, now resting near his heart.
When he returned home, his doctor told him he was lucky to be alive, which is how Anthony thinks about himself today, lucky and pretty healthy.
He recalls spending seven days and nights in the “Bernina Pass tunnel” after the train they were on was mistakenly bombed by allied planes.
He remembers a young man who came up to him at the Lamone River where they were waiting for reinforcements.
That night, they were supposed to make an attack across the river, explained Anthony.
The young man took part in that attack.
“He went in that night and didn’t see daylight,” said Anthony.
Anthony worked a few different jobs after returning home, before settling in at the Mersey Paper Company. He is now retired.
He married twice, with his last marriage lasting for 55 years.
His wife Pearl recently passed away.
He also has two living children, seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
This Remembrance Day, Anthony said he might stay home, or venture to Bridgewater to have dinner with his veteran friends.
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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
Ultimate 2000+ Member
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Nice read Mike, thanks for putting it up...ranrad
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RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
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