Operation Ferdinand

1-How old were you when you enlisted?

PAT-I was 17 years old when I enlisted, I lied!

2-Did you ever have second thoughts after enlisting?

PAT-No, as a child I had always wanted to become a soldier so when I got the chance I was very excited!

3-Where were you first stationed?

PAT-I was first stationed in Korea during the Boar war then I was transferred to Germany for 2 years.

4-How did you get overseas?

PAT-I took a ship called RMS SAMARIA for 9 days to get to Germany.

5-What was one of the scariest things that happened while training?

PAT-During one of our training sessions while learning to use Tommy Guns a soldier turned around and started shooting through the door our commanding officer kept yelling everyone down, everyone down. Bullets were flying by my head we were all very lucky not to have been hit.

6-What was your first job after enlistment?

PAT- After training and enlistment I was in charge of recruiting new soldiers, but I only did that for a few months before being sent overseas.

7-What is one of the most amazing things you did overseas?

One of the most amazing things I did while overseas was being able to eat with the Queen of Whales. It was an amazing experience and our picture was put up on the wall!

8-How many awards/medals did you receive?

PAT-I received multiple medals, including the Long Service Medal, Norad Medal, as well as a Honorary Discharge Medal. He received more medals but cannot remember the names!

9-What was your favorite thing to do overseas?

PAT-My favorite thing to do while overseas was during my 16 day leave I  would go to Holland it was an amazing experience.

10-How long did you go to school?

PAT-I only went to school until grade 2 but then had to go back to school while training in the military.

11-How much did you get paid?

PAT- I got paid 52 cents a day. But usually spent it all very quickly.

12-How were the living conditions where you lived?

PAT-The living conditions weren't bad where I was stationed. I was very lucky.

13-How long did you train?

PAT- I trained in Fredericton for 3 weeks then I went to Edmundston for 3 months, next I went to Utopia for 2 months Then Debfut Nova Scotia for 1 year then to Sussex army camp for 6 months then I went overseas.

14-How did you become paralyzed (from the waist down)?

PAT- I became paralyzed after coming back from overseas I was working in Saint John he fell 50 feet and hit the ground. The only thing that saved his life was as he was falling he grabbed on to wires to slow himself down.