Lieutenant-Colonel A.A. Ernst
West Nova Scotia Regiment

He has a pleasant rather earnest manner, common sense and a firm character. His appreciation of ground is good and he can give clear verbal orders. His tactical knowledge of his own rm is good and that of other arms is up to the average of his rank.

He expresses himself clearly and sensibly in discussions. Although 46 years old he is fit and wiry and is fit to command.

(Commandant, Senior Officers’ School, 1941)

Born in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia on 12 July 1895, Arnold Albert Ernst was an accountant and a First World War non-commissioned veteran. He served for a year with the RCR as a private until he was severely wounded at Vimy Ridge. A bullet had passed through both lungs and he coughed blood for several days. He ended the war as a sergeant and rejoined the militia ten years later as a commissioned officer. On mobilization in September 1939, he transferred from the Halifax Rifles to go overseas as Major in the West Nova Scotia Regiment.

Continue reading →