THE RABBIT

THE RABBIT  

(Rabbit - Government property taken or converted for private use.)

SHEARWATER 1961

Since I was underage, I used my buddy 21-year-old Feduck’s ID to go drinking, usually posing as a Dalhousie student. While stationed at Shearwater, we’d ditch our uniforms for "Mufti / civvies" as soon as we were off the clock. Our go-to spot was the Mid-Town Tavern—it wasn't a rowdy sailor bar, and we made sure to keep it that way.

One night, a waiter mentioned he’d bought a new boat but couldn't get his license without a proper first aid kit. Eager to cement my status as a regular, I volunteered to score him one. The next day, I climbed into a Tracker aircraft, unsnapped a high-end First Aid kit from behind the rear seat, and tucked it under my coat. We called this "rabbiting," and while my crew knew I’d done it, I wasn't typically a thief—aside from the occasional vending machine scam.

The waiter was thrilled. The kit was top-tier, even containing morphine.

The following morning, I goy that same aircraft for a pre-flight inspection. I immediately noted "First aid kit missing" in the logbook. After lunch, the entire squadron was called for a special muster. My heart sank when the Chief Petty Officer called me out: "Able Seaman LeDrew, step forward!"

I’m dead, I thought. Someone squealed.

But as I braced for the hammer to fall, the Chief continued: "Able Seaman LeDrew is the only man among you who actually checks for the first aid kit during inspections. Well done, LeDrew. Take the rest of the day off."

I walked away to the sound of my crew’s groans, the luckiest "thief" on the base.