Marville, France
New Corporal's Club

Comments by Cal Shermerhorn: - The original Corporal's Club was located in Barrack Block 15 between April 1955 and September 1956. I do not recall the reason for moving to a new location, but a decision was made to move to Barrack Block 20 in September 1956. The new Cpls Blub in BB #20 was located across from the sports field and the Station Theatre.

We decided to have a "closing out bash" in the original Cpls Club. There was a giant TGIF and they even brought in a "greased pig". The smell was terrible and everyone stunk to high heaven. Our clothes pretty well had to be destroyed. I don't recall what happened to the "porker" - but the entire evening was a crazy affair.

We had a casket on display in the original Cpls Club - whereby members threw into it whatever they felt like - probably some empty bottles of LaSlavia beer. When it came to the day of the move, we held a funeral parade. It was a short walk from BB #15 to BB #20, so it did not taken very much time for the procession to reach its destination. The "burial" of the casket took place at the new Cpls Club (BB #20). I was one of the official mourners at this ceremony along with Jack Simpson.

It would be very interesting to dig up the casket at this time - perhaps someone already has. It was to have served as a "Time Capsule"


Click on the description text to view the photograph.
  1. Unidentified attendees at the opening gala function - September 1956.
    Courtesy Cal Shermerhorn.

  2. Unidentified attendees at the opening gala function - September 1956.
    Courtesy Cal Shermerhorn.

  3. Awaiting the "cutting of the ribbon" at BB #20 - September 1956.
    Courtesy Cal Shermerhorn.

  4. Paying their "Last Respects" - September 1956.
    Courtesy Cal Shermerhorn.

  5. Paying their "Last Respects" - September 1956.
    Courtesy Cal Shermerhorn.

  6. Personnel gathered around the grave site - September 1956.
    Courtesy Cal Shermerhorn.

  7. Personnel gathered around the grave site - September 1956.
    Courtesy Cal Shermerhorn.

  8. Personnel gathered around the grave site - September 1956.
    Courtesy Cal Shermerhorn.

  9. Personnel gathered around the grave site - September 1956.
    Courtesy Cal Shermerhorn.

  10. The grave site at BB #20 - September 1956.
    Courtesy Cal Shermerhorn.

  11. Ceremonial parade arrives at Barrack Block #20 - September 1956.
    Note the baseball "backstop" in the sports field across the road.
    Courtesy Cal Shermerhorn.

  12. Ceremonial parade in procession to the new Cpls Club in BB #20 - September 1956.
    Station Theatre is the large building in the background.
    Courtesy Cal Shermerhorn.

  13. Ceremonial parade in procession to the new Cpls Club in BB #20 - September 1956.
    Courtesy Cal Shermerhorn.

  14. Ceremonial parade departs the old Cpls Club in BB #15 - September 1956.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada C208037.


Photographic Credits

All photos are used with permission.

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Updated: May 11, 2004