That summer and fall I did the same in the regiment’s home territories of Hastings County and Prince Edward County, a scant three hours eastward of Albion Township. Even before the 9th of September, 1939, the day Canada committed herself to the war against fascism, men and youths from the two adjacent counties had begun volunteering for service. By war’s end, more than two thousand lumbermen, miners, and bush rangers from Hastings (the northernmost county), together with over a thousand farmers, fishermen, and small-town dwellers from Prince Edward County had served with the regiment. It took one of its nicknames – Plough Jockeys – from the southerners, and the other – Hasty Pees – from the northern county men. I needed to know more about the peacetime lives and the world that had spawned and nurtured these men. The first of many visits was to the home of Cliff Broad, a close comrade during the Italian campaign and the man who had led Baker Company during the Lamone bloodbath.
