Nostalgia | Written Works by Andrew C. Moffat

What is the plural of “Moose”?

[Original image “Moose against the evening nature” © figura13/Dollar Photo Club]

In 1946 I was at the Artillery School in Camp Shilo, Manitoba. I was in University COTC and taking my training for a Commission in the Artillery.

Captain Jerry Keeler was my instructor on the day in question and we were to learn the art and skill of directing artillery shell fire as Forward Observers.

We were on a high bluff overlooking Sewell Lake at the north edge of the training ...

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25
OCT

0

Education, History Lessons, humour, Military, Nostalgia, Wildlife

The Pregnancy of an Innocent

[Original image “Stork with Baby” © Anastasia Popova/Dollar Photo Club]

When, as an Advanced Care Paramedic, I was working in Labour & Delivery in a Maritime Hospital, I had an experience that surpassed all others!

A 36 year old single girl came in who was nine months and twenty minutes pregnant! She was accompanied by her boyfriend, mother and aunt.

Right off the bat she declared that she would not have a sedative – not now and not ever!

At the very first ...

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24
OCT

0

Education, humour, Life in General, Medical, Nostalgia

[“Ink Spots Billboard 3” by Unknown – Ad on page 138 of Billboard 1944 Music Yearbook; also published in ad on page 3 of the Billboard 1943 Music Yearbook. Licensed under Public Domain via Commons; Musical Notes Illustration original image © nmarques74/Dollar Photo Club]

In 1943, when I was 16 years old, I was living in St. Thomas where my father was stationed in the RCAF.

That Spring I had an opportunity to go to London, Ontario, to a concert ...

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20
OCT

0

Education, In The News, Life in General, Nostalgia, Opinion

Chester School

[Original image “Abandoned schoolhouse with red apple” © pictureguy32/Dollar Photo Club]

The day of the one-room country school has long gone.
What a shame!
From the time I was born in 1927 until I was 7 years old I lived on a prairie farm. I started Grade One in a one-room country school when I was four years old, and remained there for 3 and a half years.
...

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27
SEP

0

Education, Family, History Lessons, Life in General, Nostalgia, Opinion

A Captain Commands the Regiment

[Original image “Canada flag of Maple Leaves on Cedar Backing” © shsphotography/Dollar Photo Club]

In 1957 three important things happened almost simultaneously: The CO of 4 RCHA in Germany was replaced by a new and unknown LCol from Canada; I was promoted Captain; I was posted to 4 RCHA from my post as Senior LO at Bde HQ in Germany.

The Regiment had gone through many touchy months of discord and personality clashes. The new CO didn’t know who he could ...

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20
SEP

0

Family, History Lessons, Military, Nostalgia

A Flight of Anxiety

[Original image “Engine of plane” © Vasily Smirnov/Dollar Photo Club]

When those of us in the Regular Forces graduated from RMC we were posted directly to our Units in Korea.

Because we were going to Korea as individual replacements and not with a Unit, we were spared the long, and very uncomfortable sea trip in US Naval transport craft. We flew in Canadian Pacific commercial aircraft – both going and eventually when returning to Canada the following year.

I had gone to ...

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14
JUL

0

Family, History Lessons, humour, Military, Nostalgia

Light Time in the Officers Mess

[Original image “Canada WW II soldier’s beret and medals” © ericlefrancais1/Dollar Photo Club]

In 1949 I was a Second Lieutenant with 1 RCHA for the summer between my terms at Royal Roads.

The Regiment was on summer training at Camp Wainwright – we all lived in Bell tents – two officers to a tent, and the men were in marquise tents.

Even though we were “roughing it in the Field”, our CO, Lt Col E.M.D. [Teddy] McNaughton, insisted that on every Friday ...

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13
JUL

0

History Lessons, humour, Life in General, Military, Nostalgia

The SS Columbia 1955

In 1955 I was the Senior Liaison Officer at HQ 2 Canadian Infantry Brigade stationed in Edmonton. We ran the Summer Concentration in Camp Wainwright prior to our departure for Germany where we would replace 1 CIB as Canada’s NATO contribution.

At the end of July the Bde personnel were given 2 weeks “Departure Leave” and we were to assemble in Quebec City from where we would sail ...

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5
JUN

0

History Lessons, humour, Military, Nostalgia, Opinion

When Horse Artillery had Horses

[RIAN archive 90027 Gun Crew Moves to New Positions” by RIA Novosti archive, image #90027 / Lander / CC-BY-SA 3.0. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons]

In 1956, when I was Senior Liaison Office for 2 Canadian Infantry Brigade in Germany, I was charged with finding a new and dry site for the HQ while on Exercise. We had suffered two weeks of solid rain and General Rowley was keen ...

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30
MAY

0

Family, History Lessons, Military, Nostalgia

The Colour Black

When I see all of the publicity these days concerning racial conflict in the USA, I am reminded of my only three experiences with “Blacks” when I was travelling in the USA.

In 1942 two High School chums and I decided to take the short jaunt from St. Thomas to Detroit to see the famous stripper, Sally Rand.

We were early for the afternoon show so we entered a cafeteria for lunch.

It was crowded to the ...

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30
APR

0

Family, History Lessons, In The News, Life in General, Nostalgia