By John A. Robertson
Review by Les Peate

This book was brought to my attention by an old comrade of mine from The Royal Canadian Regiment. I had known the author as an excellent raconteur for many years and so I was interested in reading his story in print. The story is basically "Robbie’s” account of soldiering in both the non­commissioned and commissioned ranks during the last half of the past century.

It should appeal to two distinct readerships: those who served in the Canadian army/Canadian Forces of that era, and those who did not. The veterans will recall many of their own experiences, while for the others it paints an excellent picture of a soldier's life at home and abroad.

"Robbie's" progression through the ranks is well chronicled. Like Kipling's "Tommy", he was not always a "plaster saint" and some of his scrapes - and related near escapes - are vividly described. However, there is little doubt that he was a competent soldier - not only was he a battalion intelligence NCO, but as a sergeant he was selected as a drill instructor at the Royal Military College.

Most of the book deals with his service in the Canadian Black Watch. He describes his tours in NATO and Cyprus. The final chapters deal with his short career (and promotion) with The Royal Canadian Regiment and his remaining service in the officer ranks.

For those who did not have the (dubious) advantage of wearing khaki during the 50's and 60's, the book should provide an illuminating account of regimental life. The author has generously provided explanations of many military terms without overdoing it and breaking the flow of his account.

There are a number of humorous - even hilarious – anecdotes. While in many ways the author's experiences parallel those of hundreds of others who served during this period, I have seldom, if ever, seen them so well described. Strongly recommended!!!

ISBN: 1-4120-8442-3
Trafford Publishing
Cost: C$25.95
EUR17.59
£ 11.66
US$22.57

About John A. Robertson, CD

Major Robertson enlisted in the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment of Canada) in 1953 and from 1954 to 1958 he was an instructor of recruits. During that time he became a parachutist. In 1962 he was went with the 2nd Battalion Black Watch to Germany. In the course of his tour of duty in Germany he was assigned as a Winter Warfare instructor to the German Army.

On his return to Canada in 1965 he was sent as a drill instructor to the Royal Military College where he remained until 1969 when he re-joined his Battalion for a tour of peacekeeping duties in Cyprus. He was promoted Warrant Officer in 1971 and attended a jungle warfare course in Jamaica. Later that year he was commissioned and returned to Cyprus for another tour of duty.

Major Robertson graduated from Queen’s University in 1972.

In 1974 he instructed at the Combat Arms School in Base Gagetown, New Brunswick. He was posted to Ottawa in 1975 as infantry career manager. He returned to peacekeeping in 1981, this time in the Golan Heights of Israeli-occupied Syria. Upon his return from the Middle East he held a variety of positions in National Defence Headquarters.

Major Robertson retired in 1992. Since retiring he has become a volunteer guide and lecturer at the Canadian War Museum and has been a tour guide on many Canadian military history tours of battlefields in Europe. In 2000 he was awarded the War Museum’s “Guide of the Year” prize and in 2002 was awarded the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal for his services to Canada.

Major Robertson and his wife, who comes from Edinburgh, Scotland, and their married children, all have their homes in Blackburn Hamlet in Ottawa.
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