The Nuking of Happy Valley and Other Tales Told in the Mess

About the Book

Throughout his 36-year career in the Canadian Army, the author saw some wonderful sights and met hundreds of interesting people, some of whom appear in this collection of anecdotes. From the first sergeant major at cadet camp to the witty and erudite professor at the staff college, they all enlightened and amused the impressive youngster who grew into an ancient and, at times, cynical old colonel. Along the way there were adventures galore at places with unusual names: Canoe River, the Imjin, Shilo, Kophinou and at others better known: England, Labrador, Ottawa and Washington. Those adventures are the stuff of stories that old soldiers tell when they gather in the mess and the emphasis is on the good times.

These are the stories.

About the Author

James Henderson, aka Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) J.G. Henderson, CD, RCA, psc, afsc, pcsc, G, joined the Reserve Army as a Boy Signaller at the age of 13. Thirty-six years later he retired from the Regular Force. He then joined the staff of CHAY FM radio in Barrie, Ontario and served as News Director and Operations Manager. Following his second retirement, he published a quarterly, Military Digest, and contributed articles to various publications.

In his Army years he survived a train wreck in the Rockies, floods on the Prairies, forest fires in Labrador and real or apprehended insurrection in Montreal. He fought the Chinese in the Far East, stood on guard in West Germany and kept the peace in the Mediterranean.

This is Henderson's second book. His first, Shorty, is the story of a Canadian aviation pioneer, Victor John Hatton.