A New Beginning

June 10th 1945
This has been quite the 3 years. On January 12^th 1943 John asked me to be his wife, I was expecting it to be later on in the year, but he surprised me by asking me while having dinner together with my family. My mom and sister seemed really happy for me, and I think my dad was too, but you could see that he was a little bit worried and happy at the same time because not only was I going to be a wife I was also going to move to Canada, but we don’t know when yet. 2 months later on March 4^th 1943 John and I got married. I was the happiest girl in the world.
2 years later the allies have claimed victory of the war. It was declared just a month ago. I was so happy and relieved that it was over.
Now, I’m writing as an official Canadian in my new home of Alberta. The boat ride getting here wasn’t so bad because I was able to meet new people and meet others who had left everything at home and were starting a new chapter in their lives with their husbands just like me. Being in Canada for over a month now and I have to say I really miss my home I’m feeling very homesick. I really miss my family and the way we used to be together and do things as a family. It feels really different because I’m used to the city and have everything surround me. Now, that I am surrounded by farm land and more farm land I feel very out of place. I think it will take me a while to get used to this new life, but I don’t mind it because all I want to do is be with the love of my life and enjoy our new life together.
John and I have been together for over 2 years now and I just found out 2 days ago that I am pregnant! John and I are thrilled. Right now though, I still have to adjust to this new life as a Canadian, I know it won’t be easy, but I’ll make it through
~ Shirley Reynolds

Finding Love Amongst War

March 3rd 1941,

My name is Shirley Reynolds, I am 21 years old and I live in Britain. I live with my 2 sisters and my parents. Today on this date 18 months ago was the biggest news for all of us because Churchill declared war on Germany. My father talks about his experience through the Great War and by his stories it didn’t sound like a good experience to go through. It kills me to know that these men will have to relive this horror again, and right now many lives are being lost. During these last 18 months has been a great for me, but also a struggle.
After the war was declared there was the battle at Dunkirk where many servicemen were saved and brought back here to Britain. That boat saved so many lives and especially one handsome looking Canadian serviceman in particular, John Bays. I met John 5 months ago at a dance in our town. Right from that moment when we laid eyes on each other and danced together I knew that he was the one for me. Ever since that night I have been in constant contact with him, I even snuck out once. If my parents were to ever find out I would be in so much trouble. I hope something will evolve out of our relationship because I can’t picture myself without him.
On the downside of the war is the constant Air Raids during the day and night. We never know when it’s going to hit us and it could be at any time. My mom, my dad, my older sister, and I sleep underground so that we can be safer. We sent off my little sister, Angela with a close friend of hers off to another family because it isn’t safe for her to be here right now with the same as the other younger children. The city is destroyed, but if it wasn’t for those men fighting against the Germans I don’t think we would be here today and so I really have to thank them. Hopefully, this war will be over so that John and I can spend more time with John because I don’t get to see him as often and so I can see my little sister Angela because I really miss her.

A Lonely Soul on the Prairies

November 3, 1941

It was my son’s birthday. He turned 18, I couldn’t believe how fast he was growing. It seemed like yesterday when I held him on my lap while we drove the tractor together. But now he had officially become a man. He had enlisted into the army that day, he was ready to do what was right! He was ready to defend the battlefields for the nation!
A month had passed since the day my son left. I was of the many farmers of the west that had re-experienced prosperity again. The demand for food was very high. I was not harvesting and producing food just for our Canadian soldiers, but the British soldiers as well. The Brits were in desperate time, but we Canadian farmers were there to help. However unlike some farmers, I was fortunate to have not experienced a labor shortage. I had gotten two more German Canadians on my farm. Also the Farm Service Camps were helping my farm as well. I had a handful of youngsters working on my farm. Those days of depression were way behind me now. My farm had been reborn.
The only thing I could do for my son at that point was work endlessly, producing foods for the soldiers out on the battlefields. My work style affirmatively changed during that month. I had produced more wheat than I normally had. The thought in my head was, “Every grain I grow, could feed a soul. For every one of those souls, one of them could be my son.”
The next day, I was in the kitchen when I had heard the news on the radio. Pearl Harbor had been attacked. When I heard of this attack, all I could think about was my son. I knew he wasn’t at Pearl Harbor, but an attack just reminded me of our soldiers fighting. I went out to the mailbox and the red flag was up again. I had gotten a letter from my son. I opened with the letter with my wife. In the letter, he said that his training was over and he was ready to go fight in the battlefields. He was being shipped to Hong Kong. He was going to be stationed there, in case Japan attacked. At that moment I became scared, thinking that I might lose him forever.
When I heard the news, that Japan had attacked Hong Kong, my heart froze. I became scared and felt helpless. On December 26, 1941, I had heard the worst news. Hong Kong had surrendered. Of all the 2000 Canadian troops, there were 793 casualties. I heard that many of these soldiers were captured by the Japanese. Weeks had passed and I hadn’t gotten a message from my son or the Canadian troops. I almost knew what had happened, but I didn’t want to believe it. I had lost my son…

- Gurt Bachett

Working at the factory...

I can perfectly recall the hot-blooded argument which I had with my father back then. When I told him that I was working at an ammunition factory, he strongly disapproved. He believed that this was such an “unfeminine” role. In his mind, only men were capable for such dangerous and tiring work. He wasn’t the only one.
At work, some men glared at us women with those nasty, disgusted, and unwelcoming look. They were surprised to see the women’s unexpected high quality of work. They were probably frustrated and perhaps even threatened that we were finally stepping out of our traditional roles and expectations. I purely enjoyed the freedom of working out of home and gaining a pay cheque with my own hands.
Regardless, the working conditions were tough. Although we worked just as much as the men do, we were paid much less compared to them! It was even more infuriating to see the unskilled men to be rewarded more than the skilled women! My boss argued that it was because the men had “greater family responsibilities” than women did. What nonsense! I worked long hard hours, involving such great dangers and hazards. At the end of the day, I was always covered in filthy dust everywhere. I even moved closer to the factory to adapt to the lengthy hours of work everyday.
Some female workers became very upset about such injustice and discrimination between the men and the women. I was among those who vocally objected about this issue to our boss. But time after time, our protests always resulted as a failure. We understood that it was much more important to get the weapons ready to support our courageous people at the war front. In the end, we had to put our frustration aside and work hard, hoping and praying for victory.

-Marilyn Anderson

Injustice for Women

Today I picked up the free copy of our newspaper as usual. On the front was another poster – “Roll up Your Sleeves for Victory!” – a typical slogan to encourage women to work to contribute to the war effort.
I flipped through to the daily Gallup Poll. It really helps to know what the general public thinks when I’m writing my articles. I read it, and dropped my mouth in shock.
“Gallup Poll of Canadians – 75% of men and 68% of women polled believe that when the war ended men should be given preference over women when applying for jobs.”
A benefit of being a news reporter on the home front is being able to come in close contact with the people and see the changes in their lives. Surely, I have noticed a change in society’s view of women. But what was this? I was furious! And is it not ironic, that on the front cover was a propaganda poster promoting women in the work force, and on the back was this poll?
It is understandable that the men want their jobs back and are afraid women will lose their femininity. That came with surprise. But the women…I was disappointed. Have they not learnt worth in society and the workforce? I mean, look at how many women work now, both directly and indirectly, from factory workers to nurses to the Royal Navy Service. As odd as it may sound, I am actually thankful for this war for increasing the working opportunities of Canadian women. I am especially impressed with mothers helping with the war effort from home, who now need to single handedly raise several young children. But they hardly ever get recognition for their work.
I have decided to exploit the unjust placed on working women in my next article. Hopefully Canadians will learn to admire the role of women everywhere in our society.

To read my article for an in depth view of this injustice, stay tuned to The Globe and Mail!

~ Patricia Meyer

Conscription Crisis

May 3, 1942

Last week, our Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King finally announced a national plebiscite (a vote by the electorate determining public opinion on a question of national importance) to ask the citizens of Canada if they would or would not support conscription. Even though King promised that conscription would not happen in this war as it did in the first World War, I knew it was inevitable. I, as well as many other English speaking Canadians, understand King’s compassion for a strong bond between English Canadians and French Canadians. Unfortunately, the bond between the French and English is almost unrecognizable; it is quite possible it doesn’t even exist. So when I heard the news of this vote for conscription, I already predicted the outcomes. And they were remarkably accurate. Around 60 percent of Canadians voted in favor for conscription. 79 percent of the English population voted in favor, while 73 percent of the French populated voted no conscription. I, being English Canadian, feel that in order for Canadian’s to survive through this war we are going to need everyone to help one way or another. I really do not appreciate that the French do not take this World War seriously at all. If a nation is at war, every citizen in the nation is part of it. Even women like me have joined the army to support the war, why don’t they feel the need to do something, anything to help Canada win the war? I think the French are cowards, or in other terms, zombies. Even though they are alive, they do not contribute to Canada in any way. Well, not in the a way which helps Canada win the war. I completely support William Lyon Mackenzie King, because if the English Canadians and the women are making such an effort to fight for Canada, the French Canadians should too.

-Emma Bailey

Enlisting In the Army

September 18, 1941

It has begun. Two months ago, the Canadian military authorities finally succumbed to the pressures of women who desire to support the war effort. Not only that, but they finally accepted the fact that in order for an Allied victory in World War 2, Canada would need more than just male soldiers. They would need eager, diligent, courageous and patriotic women to be in the Armed Forces. The Canadian Women’s Army Corps was created and word spread that recruiting would begin in September. That very night, when I heard the excellent news, I confronted my parents and told them firmly that it was my time to shine. It was my chance, as well as the rest of the Canadian women’s’ to do our duty and support the Canadian army. They respectfully and kindly accepted my decision, so I began my preparations for enlistment and training. On September 1, 1941, I was the first to line up at the local enlistment center in Alberta. I wanted to enlist as soon as possible so that I may begin my training at the Vermilion center which is not far from my home, so I will be able to see my parents and my little brother every once in a while. When I was called in to the room, I was checked by a female recruitment officer. I was instantly jealous of her and wanted to be in her shoes so badly, but instead of getting worked up, I prayed I would pass all the tests. I began to talk to the lady recruiting and she described the requirements women needed to be eligible to join the Armed Forces. My goodness, were they ever so strict. I thought that the Army would be a bit more lenient considering it is a World War we have to win. Plus the boys in Europe could use a little extra juice from our lady like encouragement. She explained that women who were enlisted must be British and aged between 18 – 45 years old. They must be single, logically, and must have completed eighth grade. They must be a minimum height of 5 feet and weigh at least 105 pounds. But most importantly, they must be tested medically and be in top shape to join the army. After 30 minutes of nerve wrecking tests, the kind lady said I checked out perfectly and I would be able to join the Army. I burst with excitement and fainted. The next thing I knew, I was under a nice blanket in a bedroom. It seemed like a senior officer’s quarters and as I started to sit up the recruitment officer who recruited me walked in. She smiled and said, “If we’re going to make the CWAC successful, we’re sure going to need a lot more enthusiastic women like you.”

-Emma Bailey