CAPTAIN JOHN CLYDE REID MM, CD (Ret'd)

To describe this incident it is necessary to regress to September 12, 1939 when I transferred from The Kent Regiment (MG) and enlisted in The Royal Canadian Regiment. I held the rank of Sgt. in the Militia, but was required to revert to Private, and I was posted to 13 Platoon of C Coy. at Wolseley Barracks in London, Ont.

We deployed to Valcartier, Quebec in late November 1939, and began preparations to proceed overseas. Just before entraining for Halifax, the government issued a decree that no one could proceed overseas until they reached 19 years of age. This resulted in about 50 soldiers being returned to HQ in London. Some were under age, some were over age and some were found to have disabilities which made them unfit for overseas service. Since I was only 18, I joined this group.

Upon returning to London, it was found that I had some talents and I was progressively promoted from Lance Corporal to WO II over a period of about two years, and although I was soon over the age prescribed for overseas service, each time I applied to go on draft I was told that my services were still needed at RHQ.

Captain Reid (right) receiving a presentation last year (2010)
from the London Branch of the RCR Association.

Finally, in mid-1941, I had myself paraded to the C.O. and requested permission to proceed overseas to rejoin the unit. He gave me two alternatives – (1) to revert to Private and proceed overseas or (2) go to Brockville for Officer's training and then go overseas. Naturally I accepted option (2).

I finished the course, was commissioned in The Regiment, and rejoined the unit. I was posted to command 13 Platoon of C Coy! Many of the platoon were originals from 1939 and it would be an understatement to describe my arrival as a shock to us all. "Spin" Reid was my Platoon Sgt.

Over the next couple of months I was subject to many forms of perverse humour and "dumb" insolence by my old buddies – but I felt that the only way to deal with the situation was to ignore it until they tired of their fun – and accepted me as their Officer.

Now we get down to the reason for all this background information. Right from the outset, I had full cooperation from Sgt. Reid and his sympathy for the awkward situation that existed.

One Saturday morning I headed down to the Platoon's Nissen Hut to oversee the regular checking of equipment. The entrance to Nissen huts consisted of two doors – the outer one being for entry/exit, and the inner one to provide blackout protection. As I entered the space between the two doors I noticed that the inner one was partly ajar and I heard Sgt. Reid talking to the troops. I was able to see that he had the whole platoon lined up in front of their bunks and was pacing back and forth between them and speaking in his Sgt.'s voice. Discretion seemed in order, and I remained outside the inner door. To sum up the story, "Spin" was expressing the view that the fun had been going on long enough, and that it was to cease and desist immediately. To emphasize his point, anyone who stepped over the line henceforth would be invited to meet with him behind the hut!

There never was another problem. They were a damn fine bunch of soldiers and I was proud to be their Officer until I was transferred to the Anti-Tank Platoon.

"Spin" and I have been close friends ever since. I will strongly miss him.

Pro Patria!
S.E. Atkinson Capt. (Ret'd)