Related Keywords Web Resources [Basic instruction] was just military orders; knowing how to march, turn, advance and how to handle a .303 rifle. There were all kinds of basics to learn. For some, it was harder and for others, it was easy. Me, I was lucky since I already had a foundation so it was easier for me. It always seems a bit easier for some than others, that's why. A soldier had to be completely trained in terms of military conduct before going to Europe. We were in Farnham. From Farnham, they took us to Saint-Bruno to give us a three-inch mortar demonstration. The mortar fired shells above little hillocks. We formed a semi-circle shoulder to shoulder; there were about 62 of us. The bomb was placed incorrectly and so it exploded in the mortar. Exactly ten people died right on the spot and then three more died on the way to the hospital. Twenty people were injured. What a tragedy. A piece of shrapnel took off a quarter of my right shin and then another piece grazed my lip and got lodged in my teeth. It looked worse than it was. There was a lot of blood but it wasn't that bad. It was only later on that I realised that I had lost my hearing completely, when I was being transferred to Ste-Anne's Hospital to be operated on in order to remove the piece of shrapnel from my leg. I was discharged about one week later. But