A Pint of Rum It was October 1939 and Phillip was leaving for military training and his uncle accompanied him to the train station. Phillip was eighteen, from Springhaven, Yarmouth Co., in Nova Scotia. Stories of his time at home often mentioned that he was a very good singer and a guitar player. His uncle told the story of his departure and of going with him to the train station to see him off. The uncle had purchased a pint of rum for Phillip, a little something to have during the journey. But, not wanting to make anyone aware of this, he attempted to slip it into Phillip’s pocket as the recruits were ready to board the train. Thinking he had successful slipped the pint into the pocket unknown to others, he let go of the bottle. The pint fell to the ground and smashed! Following basic training and service in Canada, Phillip was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Brigade, West Nova Scotia Regiment and was part of the allied advance through Italy. He was wounded in action on May 23 and died from those wounds the following day, May 24, 1944. The stories of Phillip Blanchard were among the first collected by Wartime Heritage and have been told throughout Nova Scotia and England over the years. Read the Phillip Blanchard story at: http://wartimeheritage.com/whawwii/whawwii_blanchard_phillip_joseph.htm