Apprentice Training Memories 1953-1967 and beyond.

Bill Ballantyne

25Pl 1960-1962

The years was 1960, what is a young lad to do in Prince Albert Saskatchewan? I had heard

somewhere about an army plan for 16 year olds where you got a trade and some further

education. In May of 1960 I was sworn in as SL163235 Pte (A) Ballantyne W.

Later just after Labour Day we boarded a train for a place called Camp Borden Ontario. What a

journey for a group of prairie boys, it took us 2 ½ days to appear at the Bog Road Station.

The unlikely gaggle of young boys standing in front of a big white building was daunting to say

the least.

Men in uniform were shouting, some waving sticks. I thought uh oh what have i got myself into.

Eventually things quieted down and we were formed into 3 groups, these were known as

platoons. Numbered 23,24,and 25. I was very lucky in that I was placed in 25Pl.

This platoon turned out to be the best platoon of our intake and I was a proud member and

made many life long friends.

I was a good runner in those days and the Harrier team was certainly a place for me. I did love

to run free as a bird, with no Instructors or Officers yelling at me as I sped over hill and dale.

I stayed in the military until 1965 then took my option for a no penalty release.

I obtained a job with Corrections Canada in 1965 and remained with them 30 years retiring in

1995 as a unit manager. I enjoyed my 2 years and to this day I am still in touch with many

platoon mates.

1962 Winner Central Command Harrier Race Receiving medal for Exemplary Service

1988 from

Saskatchewan Lt Gov. Frederic Johnson

Jim Dawson 23 Pl 1960-1962 I was born 4 December 1943 in Sarnia Ont. I was very young at the time and wished to be near

my mother. Overall in my early years I was raised by my Grandparents until was 3. This was

because my Dad was serving overseas in Holland

Having been raised on a farm most of my life, I learned the hard way that cows have a mean

streak. Even their tail is a weapon for them, I mean you can’t blame them as I was pulling on

their teats. My schooling began in a one roomed school with 8 grades. With a single teacher

who should have worked with the German SS.

My Highschool was in Petrolia.Which believe it or not I really enjoyed.

In the summer of 1960 I ventured into the personnel Depot in London Ont. Lo and

Behold I desperation they accepted me into the soldier apprentice plan as a Transport Driver.

On Sept 12th we took took the train from London to Toronto, where we met up with

other apprentices, and boarded another train for Bog Rod station in the depths of Camp

Borden. (My home for the next 2 years)

Arriving at Bog Rd at about 1500 hrs or as I knew it 3 pm. The life that I enjoyed, instantly

ended.

The noise of the steam engine, plus about 80 young men getting off the train, created

quite a sound .

To be met by Bull Spence, CSM Harry Woodside, Sgts Jim Fuller and George Timms, Major

Venus and a gaggle of assorted Cpls.It was pandemonium at the least, but not for long. Many of

us got the shock of our lives when we called any of the Sgts Sir. Drill canes waving we tossed our

gear into 2 buses. Yes Buses. But that turned out to be a trap for the following reason. Sgt Major

Woodside with Major Venus Venus by his side bellowed form up in 3 ranks. As we looked about

in confusion 3 ranks whats that? Do we eat it smoke it or drink it? Then the Sgt yelled at the top

of his lungs Attention quick march. As 80 odd people stumbled along stepping on one anothers

heels, Sgts, Cpls yelling “pick it up” “ get in step” Eventually about an hour later (actually

perhaps 10 minutes) we arrived in front of a big building, with jeering teenagers crying out from

the second floor windows. We soon learned that these were our Senior year apprentices.

The next two years went by remarkably quickly.

However I survived the 2 year program, despite many sleepless nights. I was taught how to be a

Team member and to think on my feet. I did not realize at that point how much this discipline

would guide me in life and my life choices.

Our camaraderie shone bright as a searchlight and even 50 years later I still have friends from

those days.

After Apprentice Training Company. I was posted to 2 Tpt Coy again in Borden and again in

August.

At 2 Tpt there was not as much discipline as at ATC. The H Huts we were barracked in

were the pitts after the Hennesy Hilton. The big exercise in 63 was in Gagetown 15 weeks in the

boonies living in hootches and the back of our trucks if available. I was learning how to be an

actual Transport Soldier. Upon return to Camp Borden I was informed that in 15 days I would be

off to 1 Tpt Coy RCASC. I arrive in Germany yes you guessed in August actually the 12th again.

The next three years are a bit of a blur as we seemed to specialize in Prost X. Shortly after

arrival in Soest we were of to Saltau for the NATO exercise.

In my 3 years in Soest I had but one life mistake. I married in 1965. The following August I was

posted to Canad, this time to 2 Coy Lakeview. Then when integration struck I was moved to

Downsview an air base.I spent a year in Downsview when I was posted again in August back to

Germany for another tour. August is a month that is beginning to haunt me. When 1 Tpt

morpehed into the Service battalion, I bounced around Soest winding up in Werl at Ft St Louis

where I became part of the rear party as I elected not to move to Lahr.

Later that year I was posted to Chilliwack, where I spent the next 5 years learning all that

I could about operating every piece of heavy equipment from Tractor Trailers to Graders and

Dozers.

In yes August of 72 I became single again when my wife returned to Germany.

August 25th 1972 I became a member of the public once again having served 12 years. I

started out driving Tractor Trailers on the Alaska Highway, till the following summer. That

summer I was employed by a small paving company. Deciding this was not up my alley, I started

driving Logging Trucks for the next year and a half. All this proved was that I was strong as an Ox

but dumb as a tractor.

Later that year I left for Ft Mac as it is now known. Syncrude was commissioning the

mine, the plant and the people. Syncrude was and still is as far as I know .The largest open pit

oilsands. When I left Ft Mac it was 3 miles long and 5 miles wide.

I met and married my wife on Christmas Eve 1976. This changed my life again.

In 1980 I became the supervisor of “Bucket Wheels” and “Draglines”. It seems that all

the time I spent at Syncrude I was always picked for start ups or shut downs in the plant. The

time that I spent with Syncrude 19 years and 6 months were the best of my life.

When I first arrived at Ft Mac I met guys that were a blast from my past. In fact it was

the brotherhood of the RCASC Truckers Sgt (R) Robby Robinson, WO2 (R) Gerry Wills and S/Sgt

(R) Cec Short. They were all instructors with Syncrude. A fine welcome to Ft Mac

After I retired from Syncrude I moved into waste management. I became a manager at a First

Nations Company

known as Denesoline ( Den-a-so-la-na) I left that position yes again in August of 2004.

We moved to the Belleville area. My lovely wife Shirley and I raised 7 kids we have 22

Grandchildren and 6 Great Grand children. That is the reason that Shirley has silver hair and I

am Bald, but still beautiful. I have been informed by my kids and grandkids that I can now

retire, when Canada gets an Honest Government. (small chance) so I carry on as a uniformed

member of the Commissionaires.

I hope that everyone who went through the Apprentice system before during and after

my time. Are all in good health and spirits. May good fortune fall upon you.

Norm Hieb 23 Pl 1960-1962

Hi Robby, you sure are a voice from the past.

I would be happy to share some of my experiences from those bygone years. Sadly to say I

moved numerous times over the years and most pictures were lost in transition and some I

gave to others like Doug Mackillop and Ed Bosch. Sadly they both have passed away and I have

no way of retrieving any of them. The only pic I have is of Ray and me. The only memorabilia I

have are two medals, one being for winning the Apprentice light tug of war and and the Camp

Borden light tug of war in 1961. I can still see the shocked look on the old geezers faces when

they realized a group of 140 pounder boys in men’s clothing whipped their asses. I smile

every time I look at them. For the life of me I can’t remember the Cpl’s name who got us there,

but I will.

I’ll try to go back and see how much I remember the what and why of 50 years ago. As I type

this I’m astonished how long ago that was.

1. I joined in May of 1960 at the age of 16.

2. Not being 17 until Feb the following year I received half pay, $44.00 a month

3. I was in 23 platoon. I was a transport op.

4. Those first 2 years formed me into the man I’ve become, you know the usual crap, punctual,

neat, not questioning to many directives from whom ever I worked for, an employers dream.

5. After the apprentice I was posted to 4 tpt coy, Winnipeg.

6. Did a stint in Germany with 1 tpt.

7. Posted to 3 Field Amb in Calgary.

8. Field Amb sent me on Jnr NCO course. As luck would have it, it was the last one the Queens

Own Rifles would have before being disbanded. Not a fun time but I give full credit to the

apprentice training for instilling the will not to quit.

9. Next the Field Amb sent me on a jump course. Now I was in my element, hard work but

enjoyable.

10. In August 1968 the Airborne Regiment was formed in Edmonton. I jumped at the chance. I

did 2 years there with the Airborne Service Coy along with Ed Bosch.

11. In 1970 I remustered to Mapping and Charting Establishment as a cartographic draftsmen.

Later changed trade name to Map Repro Tech, Army Engineers.

12. I retired in 1983 as a WO.

13. I was 39 and when I was a young my dad told me not to stay in school to long, as all the the

good jobs would be gone. I took his word for it.

14. I retired to a lake front property I purchased years earlier in the Kenora Ont. area.

15. A year later I was hired on as a trainman for CP Rail. Three years later I wrote a conductors

exam and passed. I conducted freights between Kenora and Winnipeg, Kenora and Ignace. After

I qualified for a CP pension I moved to Calgary, where I started from.

16. Now being 66 I have a very enjoyable and rewarding job. I volunteer at the Poppy Fund,

Veterans Food Bank in Calgary. The only one of its kind in Canada.

Doing this has brought back a ton of memories and you know I can’t think of a bad one.

Well done Norm and team Norm’s Sports Medallions, Light Tug of War 1961