Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 171 continued ... He couldn’t see anything after losing his glasses. Because he could not see, they went off the road and over a ditch onto another road. Just in this particular area, there were piles of huge steel floats stacked in pyramid shapes. These steel floats were used to hold up submarine nets. Each of these floats was about four feet in diameter – really quite large. Because Sparky was unable to see, the army jeep bumped the corner of one of these huge floats. Down came the steel pyramid! As soon as John and his buddies realized that these floats were coming down, they kept going in the jeep because they were ahead of them. The floats were like a steel wall right behind them. They went all over the place. They went into the water and everywhere. The boys made it safely back on board their ship. No one was the wiser as to how these floats had come down. Once the captain of their ship heard about the incident, he figured it must have been one of his crew who were responsible. The next morning at 0500 hours, they set sail. John was discharged from duty in 1946 and returned to Truro, NS. He initially worked as a labourer with the town and then with Canadian National Railway (CNR). After taking a typing course, John worked in the Claims Department for CNR where he worked for 35 to 40 years. John enjoyed this work because it called for “the use of the noggin”. During his years of service, John was also the CNR union representative which could be at times quite stressful. For hobbies, John has thoroughly enjoyed gardening, fishing, hunting and playing cards with the boys. Also, he enjoyed bowling and was president for quite a few years. John was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 16 since 1946. He passed away at Camp Hill Veterans Hospital in Halifax on August 16, 2020. John had three brothers who also served. They are as follows: Francis Raymond (Frank) McCabe, F65891 enlisted in No. 6 District Depot, Canadian Army on 25 September 1942 at the age of 22. He served on the front lines in North Africa, Italy (wounded) and was posted to the United Kingdom. He received the 1939-1945 Star, Italy Star, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp. He was discharged on 22 March 1946. Postcard: “Dad you can have this one if you want it. I know you don’t keep any photos but you can keep this one to ward off all mice and such. Frank, Rome March 2/45.” Ernest Herbert (Ern) McCabe joined the Navy on 30 June 1944. He was posted to a minesweeper. After the war, he was discharged on 12 April 1946. He reenlisted on 09 June 1955 and served until 12 December 1974. He received the 1939-1945 Star, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp and Canadian Forces Decoration. William James McCabe, F65924. Born 23 October 1922, died 30 September 1985.
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