Ar Slcwm'! MacDonald D.F.C., MD. C..M.

Section 3 ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE

I was quite happy in my job with my discharge in my pocket and covered as one in the shop that was exempt from enlistment, which we know as a key man. I had to sell my old Dodge to get clear of it, so I sold it to a Mr. MacDougald, who was also a key man. I drove him home from work. When I arrived at the boarding house on Temperance Street New Glasgow, the phone rang and I picked it up. It was Mr. MacDougald telling me that he was called up for the next day in the army, and to report to Halifax. What was he to do with the car I sold him? I was so disgusted that I went for a walk and saw the sign - ”Sign up in the RCAF." I went in, and the officer said it was too late, but he gave me a return ticket to Truro for the next day. So I went and joined up. When I went back the next morning - who was the first man I met but MacDougald, who was deferred, as he was one of the keymen. Was the Production Manager ever disgusted, after all the time he had spent trying to teach me. I guess he thought, what other sucker would work 14 hours a day? I was given three days off to settle my affairs and was to report to Halifax. Then I was sent to Manning Depot in Toronto.

Many people complained about their trials in the Armed Forces, but one did not have to worry about footwear, clothes, food or transportation — all on the house, although my pay fell from $175.00 a month to $39.00. I had the feeling that if I served, I could go to college and become a doctor - my aim since I was 8 years old. I was 30 years old when I joined, and the age was to be about 28. I claimed that I was two years younger, and although they requested my birth certificate, I never gave it to them.

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