The Military Museums

Sid Libin

Sid Libin joined the Calgary Highlanders as a Corporal early in the Second World War and was initially stationed at Pat Bay, British Columbia.

Sid Libin

Sid Libin joined the Calgary Highlanders as a Corporal early in the Second World War and was initially stationed at Pat Bay, British Columbia.

Sid Libin

While home on leave in Calgary in December 1942, he was called to report to the Armouries on Christmas Eve. His wife Jean drove him down, certain he wouldn't be shipped out on Christmas Eve. So she waited in the car, and after an hour a soldier came up to her and told her she could go home. Sid was leaving for overseas that night. She never got a chance to say good-bye.

But by chance, his sister Frances who was at a Christmas party at the Palliser Hotel that evening spotted Sid as he marched past on his way to the train station and was able to bid him farewell.

His wife Jean said she believed in miracles, because all non-commissioned officers were stripped of their stripes before leaving Canada. For some reason Sid wasn't. So when he arrived in London a few weeks later, as a Corporal, he was put in charge of anti-aircraft gun emplacement around London where he served until the end of the war.

While there, they were housed in the Queen Victoria stables, which wasn't heated. Sid said it was so cold they slept in their overcoats. They did a lot of marching, according to Sid, and there was nothing better than marching to the sound of bagpipes with a cold beer at the end of the march.

Sidney Libin was a quiet, unassuming gentleman who never raised his voice and had total respect from his wife and children.

Lovingly remembered by his wife Jean and children, Gail Stone, Leonard, Judy, Paul Libin and grandchildren.


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