In 1943 from basic training in Trenton four of us were sent to # 3RD in Vancouver. Western Command was then to ship us to various bases within that Command. I was posted to Prince George, Fife was to go to Terrace Thule to Smithers and Johns to Prince Rupert.The procedure was to take the CN to Jasper and then proceed up the Jasper - Rupert line to our destinations. The train arrived at Prince George about 4 am, and with my baggage I duly arrived at the base. The next morning I noticed that one of my kit bags was missing, however I had one that wasn’t mine. The station agent was advised that Rockey was missing a kit bag and after furnishing him with details he said he should have it back in a few days. After about 10 days he called me and said he had my bag. I got transport and went to the station and picked up my bag. During the conversation I mentioned that I had Thules kit bag the guy who went to Smithers. He looked at me as if he had seen a ghost. "You no good SOB I have been looking for that bag for 10 days and there must have been a dozen telegrams going up and down this line almost daily looking for that thing" he said ... "Why didn’t you tell me you had it?"

I said "I wasn’t going to give it up until I got mine." He ran into his office and slammed the door. I figured I had better go out the other door so I did quickly!!!