It was forty years ago today that I reported for duty at le College Militaire Royal de St. Jean. This picture is from a few months later when I was home on leave wearing my dark blue Number 4 dress (or was it number 9? hmm maybe it really was 40 years ago!). Come back in 5 years and maybe I'll post a colour picture of me graduating in scarlet.
Looks like you're trying out for a part in "Four Feathers,!!!!! A chap of the better sort!
ReplyDeleteNot so far off. I would fit right in with pictures of Canadians off to the Boer War.
DeleteA handsome young man. Was CMR francophone when you were there? If so, we're you?
ReplyDeleteCMT was bilingual then. All military duties, drill, etc was conducted in the "language of the day" English one week, French the next. Room mates were paired one of each where possible. Studies however were in the cadet's mother tongue except the 3rd & 4th year Canadian Studies program which I was in, ours were in the language of the professor. I had a low level of French when I arrived but was rated fully functional by 2nd year. Gotten a bit rusty during the years on the 2 coasts.
DeleteHmm that is of course CMR not CMT. I should also mention that it was NOT coed at the time (pity).
DeleteThe odd thing is, my neighbor here was one of the first class at CMR in 1952.
I saw photos of what St. Jean looked like before the "Megaplex" or "Battlestar Mega" as we called it.
ReplyDeleteLots of little huts that must have been really cold in wintertime.
Ah, I believe that would be the base across town.
ReplyDeleteGreat picture, Ross - what a fine looking chap! What were your toy-soldier interests at that time?
ReplyDeleteIt was a tough year for toy soldiers. Preps got little free time (I remember the hockey fans being given special permission to come in the TV room for the final for the first Canada-USSR hockey tournament) and were allowed few personal effects. I had my 2 Blandford encyclopedias with me - Kannik & Saxetorph, they helped keep me sane but my Airfix were at home, a bit of everything - WWII, ACW, Naps some things don't change! Got my 1st Romans & British at Christmas. After Christmas things loosened up a bit and I worked on some 54mm figures and got my copies of Charge! and Little Wars and started building 30mm Charge! armies for Quebec 1759. Butt ugly figures but I loved them and still have them. Never finished though since 25mm Ancients took off next year with the arrival of WRG 3rd edition and a fellow enthusiast and regular wargaming opponent .
DeleteI like the jaunty angle of your cap and look forward to more such photos from your murky past.
ReplyDeleteBe careful what you wish for!
DeleteWhat a smart rig out - you looked just the ticket!
ReplyDelete