I joined the CWAC in May 1942, in Regina, Saskatchewan. I was sent to Sainte Anne de Bellevue, Quebec, for basic training. When Basic was over, I was posted back to Regina where I worked in a dry canteen. It was there I met my husband and was married in November 1944.

I did enjoy army life, and I had a great time working in the canteen. It was a whole new life for me. One day I was watching a drill instructor from the men's army drill some young recruits, when he stopped and gave them a 10-minute smoke break. I looked up and was puzzled to see a whole lot of white balloons flying high in the sky. I asked a male corporal standing beside me, "what are they sending those up for?" He didn't answer, but only looked at me and laughed. Later I asked one of the girls why he had laughed, so she explained what they really were.

At that point I sure felt very young and stupid.