Post War

DEMOBILIZATION: From Wombleton, there was a week sunbathing at “R” Depot, Torquay on the coast of South Devon. Then, from August 2nd, we ‘rock ‘n’ rolled across the not-too-rough Atlantic on the Duchess of Richmond destined for Greenwood to train for the Tiger Force in the Pacific. We were mid-Atlantic (reading “Kitty” and “Lady Chatterly’s Lover” and other naughty books!) when the big bombs brought Japan’s surrender. Hence, from Lachine, Quebec, we travelled across Canada in rather ancient railway cars to the long anticipated welcoming arms of Mother and my sister Audrey in the Regina’s CPR Station. From that beautiful evening, I journeyed back from hometown Govan to #6 R.C. Regina on three occassions until my papers were finally found and I received my final pay as a Squadron Leader aircrew at the huge rate of $9.70 per day.
     The town had a “Welcome Home” celebratory evening at which its dozens of returning servicemen and women were honoured and presented with chests of silverware (‘rain checks’ substituted for wartime shortage of some sets). Our household still uses our on luncheon occassions.

POSTWAR: Although flying was in my blood, commercial opportunities were few so off I went to University of Saskatchewan to graduate with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in 1949. I worked in a proffessional Pharmacy before joining in 1951, the Sask. Dept of Health as Supervisor of Drug Services in Canada’s first Health Care Plan. From there, I went into drug wholesaling in Winnipeg and Saskatoon until, in late 1953 and for 25 years becoming the Senior Administrative Officer of the pharmacists’ Canada -wide Canadian Pharmaceutical Association headquarters in Toronto. My involvements in national and international Pharmacy were recognized by being invested a Member of the Order of Canada in 1976.
         I answered a call in early 1979 to assist in the creation of a Drug Services Plan in Barbados, West Indies. We lived there for five years. Then I accepted assignments of the World Health Organization regional divisions in countries of the Third World (East Africa, India, West Indies), latterly in Belize, Central America.
FAMILY: Hazel Evelyn Rockwell and I were married July 31, 1948. Not known to each other pre WWII, she served in the RCAF WD as a Sergeant in Accounts and post - war became Secretary of the new Regional School District headquarters in our hometown of Govan. In addition to being a fine homemaker and mother, she is an avid golfer and Bridge player
Our first daughter, Lillian is co-owner/manager with her husband Larry Hall of a professional pharmacy, Ajax, Ontario. Our son, Jack, is a manging partner in aircraft servicing at Buttonville Airport, suburban Toronto. He and his nurse wife, Karen, have two sons studying in Uiversity of Western Ontario.
Second daughter, Jocelyn, is a Visiting Nurse with the St. Elizabeth Society based in Barrie, Ontario. With husband Lester Bates, a supervisor with car glass manufacturer, They have two teenage sons.
AWARDS: Distinguished Flying Cross - June 17, 1944,--------Order of Canada June 25, 1975------!939-’45 Star---------
Air Crew Europe Star (w France and Germany Clasp)--------Defense Medal--------Canadian Voluntary Service Medal and Clasp------War Medal ---------Canadian Centennial Medal------Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal-------Canada 125th Commemorative Medal------Bomber Command Medallion.