Arkell Man Is Staunch Patriot (from the Guelph Mercury newspaper for July 7th 1942.) Patriotism is a grand quality in the present war, and few citizens in this Dominion are as strongly patriotic as David T. Hume, age 48, Arkell, now a gunner in the 2-63rd Battery RCA (R). Gunner Hume is a veteran of the First World War, serving overseas from 1915 to 1919 with the 54th Battalion, C.E.F., that is, the Canadian Expeditionary Forces. He has been rejected twice for active service in the present war, but the urge to do his duty resulted in him enlisting in the 2-63rd about two or three months ago. On drill nights, each Monday and Thursday, Gunner Hume comes in from Arkell on the train, arriving here at 7:30 o’clock. After training is over, usually 10:30 o’clock, he starts out on the six-mile journey to his home, on foot. Sometimes, he gets a ride as far the schoolhouse on the York Road, east of the Ontario Reformatory, but it is still quite a lengthy walk from there to his home. ________________________________ Organized Home Guard When the war broke out almost three years ago, David Hume organized a home guard in the community of Arkell. His knowledge of army life, gained in World War I, proved invaluable in training the group, and so efficiently did he drill them that virtually all of the men of military age in the unit are now in the Canadian active army.
Twice Wounded Gunner Hume carries the honourable scars of battle upon his body, received while in the service of King and Country over 25 years ago. While in France, he was severely wounded on two occasions and spent many months in hospital in Britain.	Gunner David Thomas Hume in World War I photo.
He loves the army and his only regret is that the passing of time, combined with war injuries, has taken toll of his strength to the point where he cannot be accepted for full time duty as a soldier once again. His fellow soldiers in the 2-63rd Battery are proud of Gunner Hume and hold him in great admiration and respect. ◄ End of file ►