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The Train Sgt-Major - Continued
from page one...
And so it went until we
arrived in Winnipeg. The train stopped alongside a platform adjoining the main station, a
domed building of impressive proportions. As usual, the officers
debarked as did, of course, the Train
Sgt-Major. We also noticed, as we peered through soot stained windows,
that a large contingent of our friends from the Provost Corps in
Winnipeg were strategically placed along the platform to dissuade anyone
who might be having second thoughts about going to Korea! Most of the
officers, as well as the Sgt-Major, disappeared into the train station.
What happened next was related by one of the cpl C Pro C who was
attached to the Unit. It
seems that the Train Sgt-Major cut quite an impressive figure as he
strutted to and fro in his full majesty under the sizeable dome of the
station. Civilians gaped at
his magnificence! After a while, our C Pro C cpl marched
up to the Sgt-Major, halted and standing at attention advised the
Sgt-Major that the train was leaving in five minutes. "Don't tell
me when the train leaves, Corporal, I'm the Train Sgt-Major! I know when
the train leaves." The cpl withdrew to the exit leading to the train. A minute or so later,
a C Pro C Sgt from the
Winnipeg
contingent repeated the warning and was similarly rebuffed; at this
point, the unit C Pro C cpl reboarded the train which shortly left the
station. The word that the Sgt-Major had missed his train spread like
wildfire and was accompanied by more than the occasional whoop followed
by the removal of web belts and unbuttoning of tunics! Even our platoon
Sgt could not repress a grin.
Then as now for most of the route, the main tracks of the railway
paralleled the main highway between
Winnipeg
and
Portage
la Prairie, some 40 miles west of
Winnipeg
. We were about half-way to
Portage
when a roar of voices arose from the left side of the railcar: We all
rushed to that side and peered out. There, no more than 50 yards away,
was a taxi, a 1948 Ford to be precise, barreling down the highway and
slowly outpacing the train. In
the rear seat, with the window wide open and with his body perilously
projecting out of it, waving his pace stick frantically, was our beloved
"Train Sgt-Major!" This continued for some time until the taxi
finally
outpaced the train and disappeared from view accompanied by various
epithets from the troops including the hope that the taxi have a flat
tire, run off the road and other suggestions not suitable for
publication! The Train
Conductor had evidently taken note of the situation for the train made a
very brief stop in
Portage
to embark its errant passenger. To compound his embarrassment, he
boarded near the end of the train and had to make his way through the
officers' car and several others before arriving at our car and
immediately proceeding to his corner roomette, face flustered and
perspiring.
We saw precious little of our Train Sgt-Major for the rest of the trip
but no one appeared to be sorry!
Published courtesy of Capital
Comments, newsletter of KVA National
Capital Unit #7,
Ottawa
,
Ontario
.
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