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Source Organization
Kitchener Public Library
Collection
Soldier Information Cards - World War Two
Transcription
Berges, Claude
[clipping] May 27, 1943
[image] Home - Sgt. Claude Berges of the R.C.A.F., son of Mrs. and Mrs. E.A. Berges is home from England for further training courses.
Feel s Bombs 12 Miles Away
Sgt. Claude Berges, Home From England Finds Morale High
"You wake up in the middle of the night and the house is shaking. It's just like an earthquake. They tell you in the morning that some place 12 miles or more away was bombed."
Sgt. Claude Berges of the R.C.A.F. was describing the devastating effect of the bombs which have bitten into the soil of England. But he smiled in explaining that the "eggs" now delivered to Der Fuehrer carry even more punch.
Transferred Overseas
Just back from overseas, Claude, who is 25, enlisted with the 24th Field Ambulance in July 1940. He was overseas in 1941, and in July, 1942, transferred to the R.C.A.F., receiving his initial training at an R.A.F. school. Now he is back in Canada for an eight-month course as a navigator, wireless operator and bomber. He is eager to finish and be off overseas again.
Sgt. Berges will train at Belleville, where he will probably find things less exciting than at some of his former training grounds.
There was a day overseas, for instance, when he was up in a "kite," about 17,000 feet, while the airdrome below was being raided.
"That's why they send a lot of the boys over here for training." said the airman.
"Freer" Over There
Claude was delighted to return to Canada and home, but he really believes things are freer and easier in the Old Land than here. "They sort of live for today" and get all the fun they can over there. The people are friendly and the English girls nice. In Surrey alone, about 7,000 Canadians have married English girls.
"The morale of the people is high and they have more confidence than ever in Churchill, especially since the defeat of Rommel. The working people particularly are right behind the Russians."
Sgt. Berges was fed well in the Isles. He belives the Canadians overseas on the whole get better and more food than the British service men. Something which the Canadians do need and appreciate all the time, however, is cigarettes. They have to rely for the most part on what they receive from Canada. "Fags" in England cost about 55 cents a package, and they are not as good as the Canadian brands.
Plenty of Potatoes
There were plenty of potatoes in England. On the other hand, he had eggs only on the average of one every three or four months, and the meat ration is smaller by far than here.
One commodity which is plentiful at the air force centres is tea.
"They usually stop at 10:30 in the morning and again in mid-afternoon for a 'spot of tea.' It takes something pretty serious to break the schedule," he said.
Prior to enlisting Sgt. Berges was a drug apprentice. When asked how he would feel if the war ended tomorrow and he were back preparing to be a druggist once more, the young man replied, "I'd probably feel lost for quite a time."
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene A. Berges, 94 Weber Street East, he has a brother overseas in the army.
[clipping] Feb 12, 1945
Kitchener Flier Missing During Operational Duty
Flt. Sgt. Claude G. Berges, 26, one of three brothers on active service, is reported missing on air operations overseas, according to word received today by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene A. Berges , 94 Weber St. E.
Born in St. Jacobs, the young airman had lived in Kitchener for 17 years. He enlisted with the 24th Field Ambulance , R.C.A.M.C., in September, 1940, and went overseas with that unit. In Britain he transferred to the R.C.A.F. and returned to Canada to train as a wireless air gunner at Hamilton and Belleville. He returned overseas in April, 1944.
Flt. Sgt. Berges was educated in St. Mary's Separate School and the K-W Collegiate. His brothers in the services are. Staff-Sgt. Louis Berges, R.C.E., in England; and Chief Wireless Operator George Berges, with the Merchant Marine.
Other members of the family are, Edward, Annette and Gertrude, all at home; Mrs. Ed Reitzel, Kitchener, and Dell, Toronto.
[clipping] Aug 17, 1945
Claude Berges Presumed Dead
Mr. and Mrs. Eugene A, Berges, 94 Weber St. E., have received word from the Royal Canadian Air Force to the efect that their son, Flt. Sgt. Claude G. Berges, 26, missing since February of this year, is now presumed dead.
A native of St. Jacobs, the young airman had resided in Kitchener for 17 years. He first enlisted with the 24th Field Ambulance, R.C.A.M.C., in September 1940, and went overseas with that unit. While overseas he transferred to the R.C.A.F. and laterr returned to Canada to train as a wireless air gunner.
Flt. Sgt. Berges was educated at St. Mary's R.C. School and the K-W Collegiate. In August, 1942, he was married in Quebec to the former Hilda Delaney, 166 Aberdeen St., Quebec City. Two brothers are also in the armed services, Staff Sgt. Louis, R.C.E., overseas; and Chief Wireless Operator George, with the merchant marine. Other members of the family are Edward, Annette and Gertrude, all at home; Mrs. Ed Reitzel, Kitchener, and Dell, Toronto.
[clipping] Kitchener Daily Record Nov 26, 1946
Bury Bridgeport Flier in Norway
Bridgeport, Nov. 26 - Word has been received by Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Berges, Bridgeport, that their son, PO. Claude Gerald Berges, is buried in Grave No. 9 in the Forde Civil Cemetery located 14 miles southwest of Aalhus, Norway.
He was reported missing Feb. 9, 1945, but no trace of his had been received by the parents until a wire arrived from Ottawa the other day.
It was on his first operational flight over Norway that he was lost. He was 24 years of age, was educated at the K-W COllegiate, and was employed at a Kitchener drug store at the time of his enlistment.
He joined the 24th Field Ambulance early in the ar, re-enlisting in the R.C.A.F. in England in 1943, and returning to Canada for training. He returned to England in August of 1944.
The young airman was married in August of 1945 to Hilda Delaney of Quebec City. She is residing in Quebec.
[photograph]
[KDRIS]
[N] Claude G. Berges
[HA] 94 Weber St. E. Kitchener
[CO] Drug Apprentice
[PB] St Jacobs Ontario
[FME] Scots Fusiliers
[PR] Sergeant
[DE] 25 july 1940
[UE] 24th Field Ambulance C.A.S.F.
[MS] Single
[S] Claude Berges