Memories

Raising The Maple Leaf

It was a beautiful sunny day with a slight breeze when we first raised our new maple leaf flag.
The troops and squadrons were lined up with all Sappers looking smart in their uniforms with rifles and bayonets clean and shining.

At twelve o'clock noon (1200 hrs) the following activities all happened at the same time :

* The men, very smartly, came to the position of Present Arms.
* Us officers, not quite as smartly, lowered our swords to the position of Present Arms.
* The new flag was unfurled and proudly waved in the breeze.
* The recently purchased chimes in the Protestant Chapel, commenced the daily rendition of a    Christian hymn - this time "Bringing In The Sheaves".

When the parade was dismissed the officers went to the officer's mess to have a drink on Major Syd Horne, the Protestant Padre. Syd was last seen marching with the Camp Commander. We did not have the opportunity to overhear what was said but we did notice that Syd was listening and not talking.

Arthur D Smith Capt Ret’d RCE

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