B/128032 Trooper FARAGHER, Arnold B.

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

It is with great personal regret I must announce the passing into the ranks of the White Battalion of another Canadian Soldier.

B/128032 Trooper FARAGHER, Arnold B., late of the 1st Canadian Armoured Carrier Regiment, died this morning at Owen Sound from complications due to previous heart surgury. He was 82.

Arnold "Red" Faragher was born and grew up in the mining country of Northern Ontario, supporting his family from the age of 14 onwards. At 18 he joined the Canadian Army and volunteered for overseas service. After some time with the 12th Manitoba Dragoons in England, during which time he'd been posted on a tank-driving course, he ended up being "volunteered" as a Driver/Mech for the first draft of 'Kangaroos', as they came to be called, at the beginning of August 1944. He was one of the originals who by themselves "commanded", drove and maintained the Defrocked Priests throughout August and September of that year, before becoming the core element of the newly-created 1st Canadian Armoured Carrier Regiment.

Red served with the Regiment right up until disbandment, then returned to Canada to be demobbed and carry on with a healthy, successful civilian life. He was damned proud of his service though, and especially of having been a Kangaroo. He was inexhaustible when it came to telling stories, for his experiences over there were deeply ingrained in him, never far from the surface. One of his best friends, another 'original' Kangaroo, was killed in action on 9 Feb 1945, and Red never forgot him. His other best friend - the three had been together since basic training - died three years ago in New Brunswick.

I like to think they're back together now, the three of them, stirring up shit and making the officers' lives miserable as they were wont to do so long ago... all three were quintessential 'Canadians Overseas', independent, resourceful, disdainful of trumped-up authority and constantly in trouble. The Kangaroos was an ideal outlet for their energy and aggressiveness, due to the independent nature of their existence on the battlefield.

Red and his delightful wife of 60 years, Marge, were personal friends of myself and the Empress; we have stayed at their house in Matachewan (where they retired), and have met them several times elsewhere (and talked regularly on the phone). They were both wonderful people, and I feel particularly for Marge right now.

Trooper Faragher, I salute you. Rest assured, wherever you are, you will never be forgotten. This country will probably never again see the likes of you fellows, and I want you to know that we appreciate what it all cost you. Thank you for your lives.

Oh, and say "hi" to Aurele and Don for me, too.

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

If anyone here will be at Beltring tomorrow, will you find Hanno and pass the text of this message along? The Faraghers were personal friends of his as well, and I know he'd like to be informed. Try Pete Ashby's spot for starters.

Thank you.

Geoff

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Arnold "Red" Faragher, Holland 1945....

[Dwight Pruitt]

May he rest in peace. We truly stand on the shoulders of such men.

[badger1bear]

Hello Geoff

I will see Hanno this morning, I will print off the above and see that he gets it.

regards Simon

[Frank Misztal]

He was getting old and paunchy
And his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion,
Telling stories of the past.

Of a war that he once fought in
And the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies;
They were heroes, every one.

And 'tho sometimes to his neighbors
His tales became a joke,
All his buddies listened quietly
For they knew where of he spoke.

But we'll hear his tales no longer,
For ol' Bob has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer
For a Soldier died today.

He won't be mourned by many,
Just his children and his wife.
For he lived an ordinary,
Very quiet sort of life.

He held a job and raised a family,
Going quietly on his way;
And the world won't note his passing,
'Tho a Soldier died today.

When politicians leave this earth,
Their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing,
And proclaim that they were great.

Papers tell of their life stories
From the time that they were young
But the passing of a Soldier
Goes unnoticed, and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution
To the welfare of our land,
Some jerk who breaks his promise
And cons his fellow man?

Or the ordinary fellow
Who in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his country
And offers up his life?

The politician's stipend
And the style in which he lives,
Are often disproportionate,
To the service that he gives.

While the ordinary Soldier,
Who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal
And perhaps a pension, small.

It's so easy to forget them,
For it is so many times
That our Bobs and Jims and Johnnys,
Went to battle, but we know,

It is not the politicians
With their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom
That our country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger,
With your enemies at hand,
Would you really want some cop-out,
With his ever waffling stand?

Or would you want a Soldier--
His home, his country, his kin,
Just a common Soldier,
Who would fight until the end.

He was just a common Soldier,
And his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us
We may need his like again.

For when countries are in conflict,
We find the Soldier's part
Is to clean up all the troubles
That the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honor
While he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage
At the ending of his days.

Perhaps just a simple headline
In the paper that might say:

"OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING,
A SOLDIER DIED TODAY."

(Copyright © 1985; A. Lawrence Vaincourt)


In light of Geoff's friend passing away, I thought this was most appropriate and pretty well sums it up for me.

With sincere condolences,

Frank sends...

[badger1bear]

That was a very moving and thought provoking piece of work that the author penned. While I was at Beltring today I was sadened by the old soldiers there. Standing with their tins and buckets, not rattling them or getting in your face, to try and weadle some money out of you but just standing there. Full of pride and honour with medals showing. These men and women gave up everything to fight for us and their country. Their youth, their families and the utmost sacrifice.............. Life itself. They are not bitter, they were just made in a different mould if you like. They dont moan and they dont complain they just get on with their life, quite unlike some of mankind today who wants nothing more than some one else to do the work for them.
I couldnt help but notice that some people went out of their way to avoid passing these honoury men and women let alone make eye contact. I dug deep in my pocket each time I passed them and I filled up with pride when I stood face to face with one, his face had a cheery smile and he wore his medals with pride. These men and women gave everything for their country when they were asked. We should never forget them even when they pass on.
May this man from a different time, now rest with his fallen comrades. I didnt know the Gentlemen myself but I would like to offer my Sincere Condolences to his family


Simon

[Frank Misztal]

It is pretty sad the way our veterans have been treated (and continue to be done so today), most notably by our politicians.

Incidentally, I did a little research on the author and found his website. Interestingly, his short bio indicates that he was an LAC in the RCAF as a mechanic during WW II.

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

I've known that poem for years now, but no one was ever able to tell me who wrote it! Thanks.

Geoff

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball
If anyone here will be at Beltring tomorrow, will you find Hanno and pass the text of this message along? The Faraghers were personal friends of his as well, and I know he'd like to be informed.

It brought tears to my eyes when - thanks to Simon - I read Arnold died. I know the Faraghers from their visit to the Netherlands two years ago. The first week they visited a family in Tilburg where Arnold used to be billeted in 1944. The second week I took them to various places of interest, like Groesbeek cemetery and the Kangaroo memorial at Mill. Fun stuff included the sights and sounds of Holland, like a tour along the tulip fields in Dirk's Chevy Gun Tractor.

It was a privilege knowing him - may he rest in peace.

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Hanno et al,

It is my great privilege to be able to tell you that effective today, I have been asked to deliver the eulogy for Arnold Faragher at the family's celebration-of-life this Sunday coming. I am humbled.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by badger1bear
While I was at Beltring today I was sadened by the old soldiers there. Standing with their tins and buckets, not rattling them or getting in your face, to try and weadle some money out of you but just standing there. Full of pride and honour with medals showing.

Here are some of these gentlemen:
http://cm.thewarandpeaceshow.com/alb...dday.sized.jpg
source: http://cm.thewarandpeaceshow.com/gallery/2003thurs

I gladly donated the change I had in my pocket when I passed by and personally thanked these veterans for what they have done.

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball
It is my great privilege to be able to tell you that effective today, I have been asked to deliver the eulogy for Arnold Faragher at the family's celebration-of-life this Sunday coming. I am humbled.

I'm happy to report that this gathering went really well. It was a huge gathering of extended family and a few friends, and from the response I received afterwards, it seems my remarks were well-taken. It was tough at times to talk about such a friend, especially in front of his wife and kids, but it was a real privilege.

I think I bade him an acceptable 'farewell'.

BTW, they have ALL seen this thread on MLU, as well as the 1CACR site. What we do and the way we think IS appreciated, even outside 'our circle'.

Thanks everyone for your support, both on and offline.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

In memory of our friend Arnold, who passed away a little over a year now.

The attached picture was taken when he received the "Thank You Medal". The Dutch gave this commemorative medal to the Canadian vets who went back to Holland in 1995. Later they decided to present one to all of the Canadian vets who liberated Holland, whether they had been able to return to Holland or not. The Dutch/Canadian Legion from Ontario delivered the medal for Arnold to his son Bert, who presented it to his father during a family luncheon with 19 of his immediate family gathered. This was early in April 2002, just short of a year since Arnold and his wife Marjorie visited Holland.

H.

[Jon Skagfeld]

Originally posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball
Hanno et al,

It is my great privilege to be able to tell you that effective today, I have been asked to deliver the eulogy for Arnold Faragher at the family's celebration-of-life this Sunday coming. I am humbled.

Geoff:

Does Vic Norburn know?

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally posted by Jon Skagfeld
Geoff:

Does Vic Norburn know?

Yes, Jon, of course. At last November's 1CACR get-together, I was privileged to say a few words on Arnold's behalf.

Hanno -- thanks for that pic. It brought back a lot of very fond memories. In ther next few weeks I shall be transcribing more of the audio tapes I made with him. I shall see you get a copy.

Brad -- Thank you for the lyrics and the audio file. I find the "original" to be especially moving myself. You're right, it's timeless.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

I know the Faraghers from their visit to the Netherlands two years ago. The first week they visited a family in Tilburg where Arnold used to be billeted in 1944. The second week I took them to various places of interest, like Groesbeek cemetery and the Kangaroo memorial at Mill. Fun stuff included the sights and sounds of Holland, like a tour along the tulip fields in Dirk's Chevy Gun Tractor.

It was a privilege knowing him - may he rest in peace.

Here are some pictures of Arnold and Marge Faragher's visit to Holland back in 2001. I happened to come across them again, so I thought it was best to share them here.

Arnold at Kranenborg, Germany. This town just across the border in Germany,
is where his best friend Aurele Deslisle was killed on 9 February 1945.
Arnold really wanted to go back to the spot where Delisle's Kangaroo was hit:


Arnold next to the grave of Cavalier (Trooper) A. DELISLE (D 15800).
He is buried at Groesbeek cemetery- see link:


Arnold pointing out the name of Trooper H.G. JOHNSTON (M 8053, killed 17 January 1945).
Johnston is MIA, known to have been killed by mortar fire between Dieteren and Susteren, Limburg (read more here):


Arnold and Marge at the Groesbeek cemetery and the well-known Groesbeek windmill:

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Arnold and Marge at the Ram Kangaroo memorial at Mill, The Netherlands - see http://www.mapleleafup.net/vehicles/.../restore7.html

We went there to visit "his tank". Arnold passed away in 2003. In 2005 I returned there with his fellow veterans, Troopers Art Bell, Bill Miller Sr. And Ed Sawchuk.

[Bill Miller]

I regret that I never got to meet Arnold.

The Groesbeek windmill photo you posted reminds me of an unidentified image in the Archive collection from the Regt's unofficial photographer, Cpl Grant Herbison. I don't know if it the same windmill, or the significance of why he photographed this one?

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Bill Miller

I regret that I never got to meet Arnold.

Bill, sorry to hear that, you would have liked him for sure.

The Groesbeek windmill photo you posted reminds me of an unidentified image in the Archive collection from the Regt's unofficial photographer, Cpl Grant Herbison. I don't know if it the same windmill, or the significance of why he photographed this one?

The picture of Cpl Herbison is of a different windmill. Have you any clue where he took the picture? There were many windmills in Holland back then...

Read this entry for the significance of the windmill at Groesbeek:
https://www.tracesofwar.com/sights/6...Graoesbeek.htm

Hanno