[Mike Timoshyk]

I understand Ed. What I found interesting while touring the Commonwealth War Graves throughout Europe and the Middle East was the number of older soldiers particularly in the First War. The meat-grinder of trench warfare with its terribly high attrition rate and the indiscriminate shelling in the rear led to the recruitment of many of the older soldiers such as my grandfather who served...particularly in the Service Corps. This was true in WW2 as well. To be sure the pointy end of the stick is always reserved for the young...and many Arty and Armoured guys found themselves seconded to infantry units as replacements as a result of shortages due to casualties and recruitment issues. One of my uncles was a good friend and fellow Offier who served with Connie Smythe. He often spoke of how through Connie's celebrity status Connie was able to overcome the unwritten understanding that Officers would not speak publicly about the sometimes desperate shortages the army was experiencing in the field. Perhaps it is time for us old codgers to reflect on the service of the Veterans Guard and the Training Cadres.

cheers

Mike