MikeM said:
Don't wanna give away the secrets! ;D
No MikeM, I don't think thats it. But while we are on the subject of SDB's an FDB's and serving in that
Era of their hayday. Principally No.4 SDB Montreal - No.12 SDB Camp Borden and No.1 FDB Soest
Germany. Yes we had one in almost every part of Canada.
Admittedly, I'm not familiar with to-days conditions or routins, but after reading this thread, they
sound like Club MED instead of ED., by comparison
There are a few minor differences between then and now for sure.
1. The point system referred to was only to earn Remission (time off) from their sentences.
2. All the Staff were Provost, with the exception of the Cooks RCASC and the MIR Cpl. RCAMC.
3. There was no privileges ie: Radio, T.V. or Smoking.
4. No. 1 Diet was accompanied by Vitamin Pills. SD's wore only socks & coverhalls and cells were lightless
5. All Staff members except Officers, The RSM were addressed as STAFF.
6. When a STAFF entered your cell, you immediately screamed staff, dropped what you were doing
and ran to the fartherest wall with your nose and toes against it.
7. Your cell usually consisted of a built in wooden table and bunk, bleached white from scrubbing.
8. If SD's arrived without full marching order and weapon, (RCAF & RCN), they were issued it.
9. We did not detain Female SD's.
10.Escorts immediately turned SD's over to the Admitting or Rotuda Staff. (Medical certification) was
usually done by SD's unit M.O. if not by daily visiting RCAMC MO.
11.If a Gate or Compound was in evidence at the entrance (1 FDB's was a 100 ft.) The SD at
the High Port & full Marching Order was Double Quick Timed from the gate to the Entrance.
The Escort stood at attention at the Gate till the SD got it right.
12.Occupational Therapy, Kit, Drill, Obsticle Course, Cell, Grounds and Building Maint. Cleaning Materials,
Sandstone (used to strip paint, galvenize coatings and Wood surfaces) , Red Floor Polish, Bootblack
Blanko and Brasso.
13.The meals were quite good and served in two mess tins and a cup, (which were part of your kit
lay out.
14.Every thing was done at the Doubletime except marching back to your cell with your meal.
15. WO's &NCO's were stripped of rank also if DB time was going to be part of sentance.
I've listed about all of the routine and good things. One thing for sure, you could always tell someone
that had just reurned from a stay at a DB, he had the best Kit, Boots and Brass on Parade.
Yes its true the return rate was very small and the majority went on up the ranks.
_