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WWII Gas Test Subject's Daughter Reveals Hidden Trauma
11 Nov
Summary
- Father was a mustard gas test subject during WWII.
- Journal entries detailed his paid exposure to chemical agents.
- Service impacted family with headaches, hearing loss, and violence.
Audrey Podolsky Mireault preserves a poignant keepsake: her father William John Podolsky's war journal from his service during World War II. For 20 years, this document has been a reminder of his experiences, particularly difficult around Remembrance Day.
Her father's service was confined to Canada due to a foot impediment. Initially, Mireault struggled to understand why he was not deployed overseas. However, upon reviewing his journal after his death in 2006, she uncovered the profound truth of his service.
The journal revealed that William Podolsky volunteered as a test subject for chemical agents, including mustard gas, for which he was paid $1.50 on September 14, 1944. This exposure, along with other tests, contributed to post-war health problems.
Mireault notes that her father suffered from persistent headaches, hearing difficulties, and exhibited violent tendencies towards his family. She believes a lack of support and understanding exacerbated these issues, significantly impacting their home life.
Local military historian Gord Crossley confirmed Podolsky was stationed in Shilo, Manitoba, working in artillery. This placement could explain his hearing problems, stemming from constant gunfire and testing equipment without modern hearing protection.
Crossley explains that during WWII, soldiers volunteered for chemical agent testing and treatment development, often due to medical reasons precluding overseas service. Mireault is dedicated to ensuring veterans like her father, whose contributions on the homefront were crucial, are remembered and honored.
