Another River to Cross
Description:... There are 96 narratives in Another River to Cross. I decided that the "Field of Honour" deserved to be the first story in the book. It is about my visit to my brother's grave site in Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetary in Normandy. He was with the Royal Canadian Engineers and was killed, on June 6th, 1944, as he began his task of clearing obstacles from Juno Beach.
There are humorous stories, sad stories, action stories, and some are of events that took place on the periphery. Some accounts are descriptions of happenings that are one of a kind and probably would not be read elsewhere. My experiences are not exceptional and are probably the same as other front line soldiers and certainly not as intense as those of the Infantry fighters. However I did have a few close calls and certain actions will never leave my memory. I can still smell the acrid odour of burning cordite from the shells exploding very close to me. it was a time to pray for protection from above. I still think back to the time a V1 rocket (Buzz Bomb) landed, very close to me, many miles short of its intended target. It exploded with a tremendous blast shaking the very foundations of buildings along the street and left me bleeding from superficial cuts from flying glass.
Read about "Washing Machine Charlie" (also known as "the Mad Major"), the lone nightly visitor, a German pilot, harassing our area.
A friend bought a copy of "Another River to Cross" and passed it on to his son who was a member of the crew of HMCS Frigate St. John's of the Royal Canadian Navy. The book was read by him and other crew members while they were cruising in the Caribbean and then it was placed in the ship's library.
In June,2004 high school students from the Durham Region in Ontario took part in the 60th anniversary of D-Day at Juno Beach in Normandy. A student of Port Perry High School "adopted" my brother, James Sawdon, who lost his life on Juno Beach, June 6th, 1944 and was buried in Beny-sur Mer Canadian War Cemetery. "Mementos," one based on my story "The Field of Honour," were placed by the students in a time capsule at the Juno Beach Memorial site. It was a noble gesture by the youth of our country in remembering and respecting soldiers who fell in battle.
Feedback from readers:
"You are a fantastic writer and should be very proud of these accomplishments. Remember when you had doubts about starting to compile your stories into a book? Now you will be so pleased that you have persisted through it all."
Bill & Ann Peckham.
"I find the stories very interesting. I could only imagine what it would have been like to live through a war but with your descriptive detail it's like being part of your stories."
Kim Hurst, Oshawa, ON
"He has taken the book out of the library and was so impressed that he wants one for himself and one for his brother."
Jack Yuill, Glbert Plains, MB
"I really enjoyed reading your book...I found your recall to be amazing so many facts and so many memories. It must have been quite an achievement to have your book in print. It was an unbelievable time in history and your contribution along with all of the other men and women who served will never be forgotten."
Pauline Clarke, Reference Assistant, Adult Services, Pickering Public Library, Pickering, ON
"I've read a lot of war books over the years, but yours was the first to really give me theappreciation of the general situation facing the Canadian enlisted man. Your experiences were interesting and I could picture you enduring them. Too many of the other books deal with exaggerated feats of heroism and extreme situations. Much of your book dealt with the everyday experiences and the unusual little incidents you remembered, and that made it so unique and enjoyable. I actually found some of your recollections very funny, despite the fact that they came through the tragic medium of war."
Aug.20, 2005, R. Moyle, Pickering, Ontario.
War Amps of Canada have produced a documentary on the Sicilan and Italian Campaigns of Canadian Troops in WWII.It is called "A War of Their Own." Some events in this documentary probably have not been seen beforeThis can be ordered on-line at www.waramps.ca or call toll-free: 1-800-250-3030. The cost-recovery price is $14.00 Canadian (including taxes and shipping). People are also welcome to borrow it on loan free of charge from War Amps. Dear Mr. Sawdon, Another River to Cross is a fascinating account of what it was like to serve in an infantry regiment. This book is a fine tribute to the men with whom you served.
The War Amps is honoured to have your book as part of our military heritage resource library and museum which is located in our National Headquarters here in Ottawa.
Another River to Cross will be a valuable resource for members of Operation Legacy, whereby older members of our Child Amputee Program learn about war from those who were there so they can pass on thesefirst-hand accounts to younger generations.
The War Amps is committed to preserving Canada's military history and, through our documentaries, Web site and the various projects within Operation Legacy, we will continue to tell the stories of the Canadians who served our country.
On behalf of Mr. Chadderton, I would like to extend to you our sincere appreciation for your support.
Sincerely,
Lorraine Cornelius
Director, Audiovisual Production
The War Amps
lorraine.cornelius@waramps.ca
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