Paul Voynovich
Lance Bombadier
A Troop - 154th Anti-Aircraft Battalion - Royal Canadian Artillery
The Guns
Drilling, firing, and caring for anti-aircraft guns consumed the lives of the gunners in training at Camp Bedford, Nova Scotia. These sleek weapons lobbed large rounds into the air that were capable of taking down a sizeable aircraft and necessitated that their handlers be proficient in all aspects of them. This is why so much time was invested into training for the fresh gunners, which included 27-year-old Paul Voynovich who was assigned to Troop A of the 54th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battalion. The former truck driver for Electrical Metallurgical Company had been called up under the 1940 Mobilization Act and now had the responsibility of ensuring that he performed at a top level alongside his fellow gunners. The gun team had to function as one unit able to adjust the guns position and keep the piece constantly fed with ammunition. It was a job that created a close bond among the gunners and helped lighten the burden of homesickness which they all felt.
With his fierce work ethic and good disposition, Paul was well suited to working among such a team and would do well within the Battalion. Yet beyond his clear complexion and friendliness lied a hint of sadness, which stemmed from some tough years. The fall of his parent’s homeland, Yugoslavia, to the Germans in 1941 was a sore blow. But an even greater tragedy struck in 1942 when he and his wife, Neillie Hodowon, lost their newborn child in August. The tragedy had just struck when he was called up for service the following month and had to ship out east, splitting the couple during one of the toughest periods of their lives. Yet despite such crisis, he caried on and performed his duties.
Newfoundland
After some time spent in Nova Scotia, the fully trained 54th was redeployed to Newfoundland in 1943. The island was a unique place to Paul who hailed from the well populated industrial city of Welland, Ontario. It was almost a different world and even its capital, Saint Johns, had a unique quaintness to it, sitting upon the rocky cliffs that bordered the large void of the Atlantic. The scenery was fairly beautiful though the gunners would quickly grow tired of it after long postings watching the sky for enemy activity. Their job was to defend the military facilities in and around St. John’s, which had become a lifeline for allied aircraft ferrying and merchant convoys (1). The relatively desolate city had sprung to life during the war and Paul found himself working alongside personnel from both the Commonwealth and the United States (1).
Though it was unlikely anyone would ever see a German plane, the crews still continuously honed their skills by conducting training exercises. During one event in particular, Paul’s crew managed to bring down the first aerial training target, known as a drogue, in September of 1943. Such a success gave them bragging rights, which made for conversation other then complaining about the endless cold. Snow and horrid temperatures were common, and much effort was expended in keeping the guns functional during these periods. |
Multiple winters came and went for the men whose unit was renamed the 154th Anti-Aircraft Battalion, though the 54th designation remained ever in their hearts. Paul received a promotion to Lance Bombardier and eventually to Bombardier for his solid work in the crew. But it was clear the war was finally coming to an end and all were eager to return home after spending a few years scanning the boundless skies over the vast Atlantic. Paul was eventually given orders to demobilize and returned to the Niagara Peninsula and to his wife. He would spend his time working as a volunteer firefighter, fishing, and raising his two children. Yet his years in the military remained an important part of his life giving him stories which he passed down to the next generation. |
Sources:
(1) Neary, Peter. “The History of Newfoundland and Labrador During The Second World War.” Canadian War Museum, https://www.warmuseum.ca/learn/dispatches/the-history-of-newfoundland-and-labrador-during-the-second-world-war/#tabs
(1) Neary, Peter. “The History of Newfoundland and Labrador During The Second World War.” Canadian War Museum, https://www.warmuseum.ca/learn/dispatches/the-history-of-newfoundland-and-labrador-during-the-second-world-war/#tabs