EPISODE 360 ERNIE SUTCLIFFE AND THE FIREMAN’S LIFT AND OTHER 38TH ROVER CREW STORIES

alan skeoch

une 9, 2021

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I am not sure I should tell this story. Some readers will not see the humour

and might be offended at the crude incident. I know when it happened I did not know what was the

appropriate reaction. Laughter? Disturbed facial expression? Pretend it never happened and get

on with the show.?

THE SETTING: Parent’s night for the 38th Boy Scout Troop. Entertainment by the 38th Rover Crew

Runnymede Presbyterian Church trusted us. We had a young congregation with dozens of young people

who actually came to church. Once or twice a year Reverend Currie even asked a young person to

deliver the sermon. Imagine that. We tried not to disappoint.

On this particular evening I had the job of being MC. Let me put this event in dialogue form.

“Good evening parents of the 38th,…”

(the lights in he hall dimmed. Dinner plates had been collected)

“Tonight we have a special guest. Ernie Sutcliffe is a member

of the Toronto Police Force and a friend of our Rover Crew.”

(Ernie steps from behind the curtain…polite applause)

Ernie has agreed to show us how to do the Fireman’s Lift. In tough situations like

a burning house fire it is necessary for an officer to act fast to say

lives. He will demonstrate how to get a person lying prone on the

ground up onto his shoulders fast and efficiently.”

“first thing we need Alan, is a volunteer”

“Boy Scout Bob Denny has agreed.

“OK, Bob, just lie down on the stage on your back.”

“Like this?”

“Correct…you can even close you eyes.”

“Now watch closely everyone…The Fireman’s Lift…works every time.”

“Show us, Ernie.”

“I just reach down and grab him by the crotch like this….”

In lightning speed Bob Denny flew into the air…using his own muscles…

and Erne caught him , flipped Denny onto his shoulder and strode off

the stage. It happened faster than I could blink. Ernie grabbed poor

Bob Denny by the balls and Denny jumped as high as Ernie’s shoulder.

I was flabbergasted. How would all those parents react.

No worry there. They were hooting and laughing …

Someday I will get the nerve to ask a cop…a Metro member of

Toronto’s finest…whether that is really the way they do the Fireman’s

Lift. At the time I could not ask Ernie who left he church chuckling.

I am not sure how Bob Denny felt about the show. Ernie was never

a member of our crew. He showed up now and then.

alan skeoch