Cornwallis Reflections: A Lesson in Time
As the owner of Cornwallis Museum Online (cornwallismuseumonline.ca, cornwallismuseum.online, corwallismuseum.com), I’ve dedicated myself to preserving the digital legacy of the over 500,000 Canadian military personnel who went through basic training at HMCS Cornwallis and CFB Cornwallis. My own experience as a recruit there left an indelible mark, one I reflect on now with a mix of humility and gratitude.
During my basic training, we faced a grueling final exercise in the dead of winter—a long forced march to Granville, Nova Scotia. Exhausted, we recruits slept in the snow along a wooded path, while the NCOs rested in a cinder block building nearby. The next morning, I woke to a chilling realization: I was alone. Everyone else was already at breakfast. Scrambling down, knowing I was in for it, I entered the building and was immediately met by Master Corporal Dave Lamb. Let’s just say it was an experience I’ll never forget—and it wasn’t pleasant.
Later that evening, I drew the short straw for Fire Picket Duty from 2 to 4 a.m., a miserable shift that robbed me of much-needed rest. I felt doomed, pushed to my limits. Yet, at 63 years old, I can honestly say I’ve never been late for work a day in my life. I wonder why.
Years later, Dave and I have reconnected, and I now look back on that moment with fondness. Those tough lessons forged something lasting in me—discipline, resilience, and maybe even a sense of humor about it all. Thank you, Dave, for the experience that shaped me. Cheers.
Wayne Wiebe