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Enlistment
I took a Saturday afternoon train to Montreal, had a medical, was sworn in by Art's professor, Major Graham, now padre of the regiment, returned to Ottawa on a night train, and, now in the army, gave my employers a week's notice. This was a pivotal moment in book because it shows that he thought he had a duty to do as a Canadian citizen and joined the army, as well as it shows the fact of how spontaneous it was, he went there, did what he had to do and returned just that day. -
France
My Saga really begins in France. The eight months of preparation was a routine matter of common interest. Although I started to tell of what happened to one individual Canadian in Flanders , I felt that I must relate how he got there. This moment is significant because it shows you just don't join the army and get sent to the trenches, you need to have training and months of preperation, therfore the reason for him saying "my saga really begins in france." -
In the Line
I followed the leader but couldn't see the bottom of the trench and put my hand out on a white "stone" to break my fall. The "stone" came loose in my hand. It was a human skull, evidently put there as a guide. I shoved it back in place and said, "Stay there, old man" Some fool things you don't forget. This is another pivotal moment in the book because it shows the harsh environment of the battlefield that encompassed WWI, and the fact you need to ignore things you see to be sane. -
Finding help for a Wounded Man
We had just reached the wounded man when another shell came, some distance away. The corporal called, "I'm hit! Got a piece of shrapnel in my arm." He disappeared in a hurry. I didn't know what to do-I couldn't desert a man on the road. This represents a important point in the book by showing the brothership that soldier get in the line of duty. The fact that one will risk their life for someone they don't necessarily know. -
Gassed
A salvo of gas shells came over and exploded beside the road. I recognized their buzzing sound and knew they were supposed to contain the Hun's yellow cross gas, said to be lethal. They weren't lethal, or I shouldn't be writing this. This is a important point in the book because it shows the risk he took by not using his gas mask like he learned in training. If the gas was as leathal as its said to be he would have had a quite literally slow and painful death. -
Stretcher Bearer
The attack to take Passchendaele Ridge was on and there was plenty of work for us. I was carrying stretchers all that day and all night. On October 29 and 30, I worked 30 hours without food; every time I came down with loaded stretcher, I got a shot of rum. This is a pivotal moment in the book by showing the true determination he had for his country and for his job, he went back and forth taking wounded soldier after soldier, but that only made him more determined. -
Armistice
We had been two months at Dibgate when November 11 came, bringing the news that the war was over. Of course, I was glad it was over. At the same time, I was disappointed. I had set my goal to be a pilot and never made it. Just before November 11, I was told that I was going to work on engines and then learn to fly. You can't have everything! This is an important point in the novel because it marks the end of WWI as well as his career in the Canadian army.
