They called the Crow's Nest home and the National War Memorial their playground
Hiscock family lived in club’s apartment in the 1950s-60s in what’s now a dining room
For some, the Crow's Nest Officers' Club was a place for naval officers to grab a drink during wartime, but for years, one family called it home and the kids used the neighbouring National War memorial as their playground.
The naval club in downtown St. John's started life as a naval officers' club in 1942 and has since become a museum and designated as a national historic site.
For siblings Charlie Hiscock, Ann Hiscock Daniel and Don Hiscock, the naval club was their home from the 1950s to the 1960s, as their father Harold Hiscock ran the establishment. The National War memorial featured prominently in their childhoods.
"It was our playground. I mean, we walked down the steps and we played. We slid in the winter time and cut our knees on the concrete over there. It was just a wonderful place," Charlie Hiscock told CBC News.
They also had picnics on the spot, she said, in part because they weren't allowed to go too far from home.
The memorial services that take place on Nov. 11 and July 1 were also big events they saw.
"We didn't really pay a lot of attention to the War Memorial as being a memorial. It was our playground, except for those dates," said Don Hiscock.
"Other than that, it was a place to hang out, climb, and, you know, do all the things that kids do."
Charlie Hiscock said their father couldn't attend the memorial service because he'd be getting the club ready.
"All the biggie wiggies would be up to the club for drinks after the service. We were involved in helping out and we'd see the service and then head inside," he said.
Don Hiscock chimed in that they'd climb on to the roof and have the perfect view of the service.
"And when they put the periscope in, you could swing the periscope around and just zoom on in," added Hiscock Daniel.
They were aware of the significance the memorial held to people, as their father served in the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, said Charlie Hiscock. While their father didn't tell them much about his wartime experience, he told them the "fun stuff," he said.
"He didn't tell us any of the bad stuff."
Looking at the National War Memorial, undergoing renovations ahead of Monday's centennial ceremony, Hiscock Daniel said she's impressed by the plans to entomb the Unknown Soldier at the site.
"That's really important. I think that's amazing, that they've done that."
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With files from Weekend AM