Captain James T. Crook
He enlisted in the army in early September of 1939, at the age of 19. After a brief training period in Woodstock, NB, with the Carleton and York Regiment, he left Halifax on an ocean vessel to train in England. The Carleton and York Regiment was part of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade along with the West Nova Scotia Regiment and the Royal Twenty-Second Regiment. In England, there was more intensive training as the Germans were bombing the British territory.
It was very important to be in excellent physical condition to take part in the training which meant 10 to 15 mile hikes with full packs and rifle. This training was on going for May months before troops were ready. James was also required to take officer training. It was a great responsibility to be in chare of a company of men, at such a young age. But in wartime people mature much faster especially when they see their friends wounded or killed. James died of shrapnel wounds May 23, 1944 at the age of 24. It was a sad day for the family and though out the war. I was 5 years old in 1939 and 9 years old when he killed, he was my brother and I never got to know him.
It is important for young people to know that real people get killed in wars defending our freedom.
From his brother Raymond
