| The next stage in my homeward journey was to go from London
to Warrington, on the outskirts of Liverpool, to wait for a ship to Halifax
or New York. Near the end of January 1945 I sailed from Liverpool on the
Queen Mary to New York. We were very few passengers and the trip went smoothly.
Among the passengers were two famous symphony orchestra conductors, Sir
Thomas Beecham and Malcolm Sargent. Mr Sargent was very friendly; he went
around and talked to all the military personnel. Sir Beecham and his wife
never said "hello" to anyone and remained aloof throughout the
trip.
When the liner arrived in New York all the Canadians boarded an overnight train to Montreal, where we were billeted in Lachine, a suburb of Montreal. We were officially welcomed, then each one of us was given a train ticket to our hometown or the nearest station. I was ready and anxious to be on my way. At that time, Jacqueline's sister, Celeste, was studying at a convent in Montreal and I managed to contact her by telephone. I don't remember how I got her telephone number. Surprisingly, the nuns at the convent gave her permission to meet me at Union Station. At the same time I had to find accommodations to stay overnight in Montreal so there we were, "the little girl from the convent" and a military officer, in a taxi looking for a place for him to stay. After finding accommodations, I went with Celeste to the convent and met some of the nuns. From Montreal I travelled to Yarmouth, via Saint John, N.B., and Digby, N.S., arriving on 14 February 1945. In Digby I was met by my parents, my brother Antoine, and my Uncle Ben, who had provided the transportation. We stopped for lunch in Weymouth. There my mother accompanied my father to the Liquor Commission to buy a bottle of rye to celebrate my return. She was the only one who had coupons, or whatever was necessary to purchase liquor. My mother was certainly very old fashioned (strict and proper). Going to the Liquor Commission was not one of her daily errands |
Anselm Bourque Officier aviateur Nous sommes réunis, ce soir, pour vous dire notre grande joie de vous revoir au milieu de nous tous. Vous étiez parti, il y a déjà plus que quatre ans, laissant le meilleur des souvenirs de dévouement et de générosité. Vous étiez parti vous enrôler dans l'aviation pour défendre la noble cause du pays. Laissez-nous vous exprimer notre admiration envers le succès que vous y avez emporté, succès que les autorités militaires ont vite reconnu en vous élevant au rang d'officier. Nous, vos parents et amis, sommes fiers de vous, fiers de vos accomplissements. Vous faites honneur à ce petit village qui vous a vu naître. À vous donc, toute notre reconnaissance pour le sacrifice que vous avez fait en vous éloignant bien loin de ceux qui vous étaient chers et en allant dans un pays complètement étranger pour défendre notre patrie commune. À vous, toute notre reconnaissance pour avoir risqué votre vie même pour défendre nos intérêts communs, pour défendre notre manière de vivre qui nous rend si heureux. Vous qui avez voyagé à travers le monde et qui avez vu les conditions misérables de vie dans certains pays, vous vous rendez compte plus que jamais, combien nous sommes heureux dans ce petit coin du monde. Ici, tout le monde vit dans la paix et la concorde, non dans la haine de classes. Nous formons ensemble une grande famille dont les coutumes simples et hospitalières nous remplissent de joie et de bonheur. C'est pour défendre toutes ces belles traditions que vous êtes allé exposer votre vie sur le champ de bataille. En témoignage de notre affection et de notre admiration, nous voulons vous offrir de la part de vos petits cousins et cousine Ivan, Roger et Carol ces quelques cadeaux. Veuillez les agréer avec l'assurance que nos meilleurs voeux de succès et de bonheur vous accompagnent dans la nouvelle carrière que vous allez embrasser. Vos parents et amis de la Pointe du Sault et des Buttes Amirault. By then the RCAF had surplus personnel, especially navigators, the war in Europe was coming to an end, and I had already served a term in the Far East. It was difficult for them to find a posting where my services would be useful. In view of this, the RCAF was willing to give me my discharge and at the same time the Royal Bank offered me a secure job. I was interviewed by a so-called career officer at RCAF Halifax and on that particular day I was the only one who had a job assured in civilian life. Obviously, he recommended that I accept my discharge and the job. I was honourably discharged on 27 March 1945, four years and four months after having joined the RCAF. After a few months of leisure and a visit to relatives in Massachusetts, I resumed my career with the Royal Bank in June 1945. |
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Reflecting on World War II experiences in Dunedin,
Ontario, June 1990. |
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| The people of Sluice Point welcomed me home with a special evening, presented me with some gifts, and Gaulbert LeBlanc read the following address: | I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed my military career. It
broadened my outlook in general and it was an education in itself. I travelled
through a large part of the world and made many friends. My contribution
to the war effort was certainly not significant. I, nevertheless, had done
my duty to the best of my a bility. Fate had it that I returned home safely
and I thank God for it.
5 March 1996 A. S. "Sam" Bourque Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
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