The Boss

John Harold Becker of St. Thomas, Ontario enlisted with the 91st Battalion and served with the 74th Battalion in the Canadian Expeditionary Force in France. He knew how to give credit where credit was due.

Below you will find his note to the Valet Auto-Strop Razor Company Ltd.

'The Boss', Elgin Military Museum Collection

An Auto - Biography

I'm an Auto-Strop - nicknamed 'Valet'. I joined 'the Boss' in nineteen eleven, shining new in a fine leather case, and I spent some time at my daily job on growing a beard and it began to look as tho' I'd have the ordinary life of any old razor.

Holding My Ground

But, the War showed up and I woke one day in a little bell tent with an 'Army issue' right alongside trying to beat me out of my job. On kit inspection, he'd show up strong; but, when Sam Browne passed I'd land on top and hold my place till the next time came.

Six Months on One Blade

In billet and tent and trench and hut I carried on and more than once, in a real good show, I wondered who next would be my boss. I've been soaking wet and freezing cold and I've worked six months with only one blade and all that time I sharpened myself. I've cut eight days' growth in lather raised with soap 'ordinaire' in luke-warm tea of the army kind and never once did 'the Boss' tell me that I pulled or scratched.

I Felt the Thud

I felt the thud when 'the Boss' was plugged and had a rest for a week or so while a barber boy kept the bristles lopped. But I came back strong and landed home in daily use and I kept that up till a year ago when a younger boy of the Auto-Strop kin took over from me and I retired.

An early Valet - date unknown.

Caressing the 'Map'

A 'Valet' Auto-Strop Razor Pat. 1911

My Leather case is not so fine but twice a month or thereabouts 'the Boss' comes round and lets me caress the well-known 'map'. I can still do a job but 'the Boss' says "No, you're a head-line turn in my war museum." That being so I can see my way to a long, long life and I'm satisfied - seventeen years and I'm not through yet.
All of which is absolutely true - I'm 'the Boss'.

J.H. Becker
Formerly 75th Btn. C.E.F.