Young recruit joins the Canadian Women's Army Corps (CWAC).
After completing basic training where she learned to march, fire a weapon, maintain her uniform and equipment, she was posted to then Camp Borden (primarily a training base for the Canadian Forces, located northwest of Toronto, Ontario) to support the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps.
The RCASC was made up of all supporting trades that are the backbone of the military which would include cooks, mechanics, supply of weapons such as bullets, and drivers, etc. Doris was proud of her service supporting the overseas war efforts from Canada.
After the war Doris was released from the CWAC and she used her veteran benefits to go to school. She became a nurse which she proudly did for the remainder of her working life.
War medals awarded much later in life.
When I became a part of the family in 2011, I found out that Doris was never presented with any service medals. As a veteran myself, I found this odd. With her permission, in 2011, I applied through Veterans Affairs Canada and sure enough, Doris was owed the war medal 1939-45.
Since receiving her war medal, she has proudly worn it to Remembrance Day ceremonies and other military formal events.
Doris is a true inspiration: she helped to pave the way for the rights and freedoms that modern women enjoy today. It wasn't until WW II that women could serve in the Canadian Army in a segregated unit with no men.
Ryan (the client) recounts his service in Afghanistan.
I served in the Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR) and the Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR) joining the Canadian Forces in 2001 and retiring medically in 2021 from injuries after my deployment to Afghanistan in 2006.
During my service with 1 RCR, after fighting through Operation Medusa, the largest offensive lead battle for the Canadian Army since WW II, my vehicle, a LAV III (light armoured vehicle), struck an IED (improvised explosive device).
I completed selection for Conduct After Capture Instructor (CACI) during my posting to CSOR with 1 Special Operations Company (1 SOC),
During my CACI course where I was being taught how to teach others to survive as a PW (prisoner of war) Doris would often joke with me about how the old army was more tough. She would say "well my brother Bill didn't have any training before he was captured by the Germans, but he was strong and smart enough to know what he had to do".
Special note to Mr. Gingras and Mrs. Turski: Thank you so much for your service and for defending our freedom, something we too often take for granted. Words are never enough.
A Poem for Remembrance Day
"The inquisitive mind of a child."
Why are they selling poppies, Mummy?
Selling poppies in town today.
The poppies, child, are flowers of love.
For the men who marched away.
But why have they chosen a poppy, Mommy?
Why not a beautiful rose?
Because my child, men fought and died
In the fields where the poppies grow.
But why are the poppies so red, Mummy?
Why are the poppies so red?
Red is the colour of blood, my child.
The blood that our soldiers shed.
The heart of the poppy is black, Mummy.
'Why does it have to be black?'
Black, my child, is the symbol of grief.
For the men who never came back.
But why, Mummy are you crying so?
Your tears are giving you pain.
My tears are my fears for you my child.
For the world is forgetting again.
(author unknown)
What a wonderful story and so good that you have so much information in regards to this family. I love the poem.
The client was very generous in sharing information about his service in Afghanistan as well as giving me information about Mrs. Turski. This was my first commission in 2023, a great way to start the year. Thanks Sally.