VOL. I
APRIL, 1942
NO. 10
Published at the Hespeler, Ontario Plant of Dominion Woollens and Worsteds, Limited
ON ACTIVE SERVICE
A9119 Pte. Fred Bloomfield
Canadian 1st Div. Petrol Company
R.C.A.S. Corps,
Canadian Army Overseas
Fred Bloomfield was born in Hespeler twenty-one years ago, and at the age of three moved with his parents to Beaverdale where he has lived since that time. After obtaining his public school education at Maple Grove school in the country, he attended Hespeler Continuation School.
One of Fred’s first jobs was clerking in a drug store. However, preferring to have a part in manufacturing rather than selling finished merchandise over the counter, he commenced his service with the D. W. & W. in 1937 and gained his first experience as a cutter in the Knit Goods Department. He also worked as a comb minder in the Topmaking Department and as a dryer operator in the Cloth Finishing Department before joining the Worsted Drawing room night staff as a machine operator, at which he was employed when he enlisted.
A good sportsman, Fred was a familiar figure in hockey circles, and played on both the Beaverdale team and his local church team. He also enjoyed hunting and was never happier than when on a cross-country tramp with his dog and gun.
He enlisted in London, on September 9th, 1939, with the Canadian Army Service Corps, and trained at London and Camp Borden. He has been overseas since July 14th, 1940.
First Aid Moves to New Quarters
Extension on Ground Level of Wash Room Tower Accommodates First Aid Room and Makes More Space Available for Cafeteria
Completion of the last wash room tower has made space available for a new first aid room on the ground floor of the tower between the weave room and the cafeteria. The space vacated by the first aid room will be used to increase the capacity of the cafeteria.
The first aid room is now an up-to-date dispensary giving round-the-clock service to employees. Nurse Baker (days) and Nurse Elliott (nights) together with the trained departmental first aid attendants provide service twenty-four hours each day supplemented by local doctors who are always on call.
The new first aid room has been specially designed for the purpose. Painted concrete floors and tile walls with natural color British Columbia fir woodwork give a bright and pleasant appearance. The quarters are divided into waiting room, treatment room, washroom and two rest rooms. A forced ventilation system removes the odours of antiseptics and medicines that distinguish most dispensaries.
Since our camera is not equipped with a wide angle lens it is not easy to secure a picture that does justice to the subject. The illustration above covers one corner of the room with a glimpse of one of the rest rooms beyond.
New First Aid Room
Cleanliness and plenty of light are all important.
Treatment Room
Nurse Baker and two willing models, Ethel (Flash) McLaughlin and June Coles, pose for a first aid room illustration.
Letters from the Boys
Jan. 5th, 1942
D. W. & W.:
Just a line to let you know that I got the cigs that you sent to me. I would like to thank you very much for them, for a Canadian cig is one of our best friends over here. Give us a cig and we will try and do the rest ourselves.
I am back in the hockey games. We start the first on Jan. 7th. Out of the 11th Regiment I am the only one from Hespeler that is playing hockey. I will be playing against Harry Watson from Hespeler. He is the only one I know that is playing on the other teams. The weather is just a little cold, a lot of rain today. There was a little snow, not much, it just lasted for about five minutes, then stopped.
I want to thank you again for the cigs and also for the paper which you send to the Hespeler boys overseas.
Yours truly,
A28091 Gnr. Stanley Inder,
29/40th Field Batty., R.C.S.,
Canadian Army Overseas.
Elsie Leitch, Mary Early and Adella Schumacker on the night shift in the twisting department.
ACTIVE SERVICE ADDRESSES
A64778 Gnr. Lawrence Atchison,
55th Field Battery,
19th Field Regiment, R.C.A.,
Camp Borden, Ontario.
R66499 Cpl. Hector Bird,
No. 5 Manning Depot.,
Lachine, Que.
Leading Stoker Thomas Davis No. 21408,
H.M.C.S. Restigouche,
c/o Fleet Mail Office,
Halifax, N.S.
R103382 LAC. Farnsworth H.G.,
Security Guard
R.C.A.F. Station,
Darthmouth, N.S.
A28320 Gnr. Allen I. Gamble,
5th Canadian Medium Regt. R.C.A.
Canadian Army Overseas
Sgt. D.E. Midgley,
R.C.A.F. Overseas.
R114277 LAC. Reist N.J.,
R.C.A.F.,
W.T.T.—R.A.F.,
Canadian Base P.O., Overseas.
A35280 Cpl. Ziegler D.E.,
A.D. & M.S.,
W.W.,
Woodstock, Ontario.
R84053 P/O James Shaw,
No. 9 B.R. Squadron,
Bella Bella, B.C.
A28421 Pte. Jack Woods,
16th Bty., 3rd Lt. A.A. Reg., R.C.A.
Canadian Army Overseas.
A56621 Cpl. Rubery A.E.,
Infantry Reinforcement Unit,
5th Canadian Armoured Division, C.A.,
Canadian Army Overseas.
BRAVE MEN SHALL NOT DIE BECAUSE I FALTERED
Sales Room Open 6.30 p.m. to 8 p.m. At Request of Night Workers
Request “No Parking” Zone on Queen and Cedar Streets
Commencing Monday April 13th, the Sales Room will be open one night a week from 6.30 p.m. until 8.00 p.m. for the convenience of employees working on the night shift. This arrangement has been made in response to requests from the night workers.
The matter of “Plant Housekeeping” which has been neglected somewhat for the past few months was brought before the meeting and it was agreed that the monthly inspections should be continued. Mr. Foss was appointed to serve on the Housekeeping Committee along with Mr. Aitken and Mr. Hutchings. It was stressed that good “Plant Housekeeping” is essential to accident prevention.
It was brought to the attention of the meeting that the parking of cars on Queen Street and Cedar Street made it extremely difficult for car drivers entering Queen Street from Cedar Street to see approaching traffic. It was stated that it also made it very dangerous for pedestrians crossing the road at this point. Council passed a motion that the Town Council be requested to establish a “No Parking” zone on Queen Street West.
It was reported that the action taken in connection with conserving electricity was already showing results.
Council was informed that there was no improvement in the number of people failing to punch the time clock. Although some objections to present procedure were indicated it was pointed out that it will be necessary for employees failing to punch the clock to sign a statement in the pay office verifying the actual hours worked before obtaining their pay, as audit requirements call for this information being on record.
Received report that ventilation in cloth carbonization and tarn scouring rooms has been delayed considerably due to the many rush jobs on hand, but it is expected that work on this will soon get under way.
MARRIED
Elsie Edwards to Len Brown. Will reside in Hespeler.
Helen Ringler to Harry O’Krafka. Will reside in Hespeler.
BORN
March 26th, a son, John Edward, to Mr. and Mrs. Edward Hodges.
March 26th, a son, Barry John, to Mr. and Mrs. Coughlin.
Letters from the Boys
Jan. 20th, 1942
The Editor:
Here are just a few lines to thank you and everyone who is responsible for me receiving the D. W. & W. News. It is really very kind of you to think of us over here. Through your paper I have been able to get in touch with some of the boys from Hespeler who are over here, and it also keeps us informed of different happenings and changes around the plant and around the town itself. I would also like to thank D. W. & W. for the cigarettes which they sent me at Christmas time. They sure came in handy, let me tell you.
I have enjoyed myself very much so far in England, seeing a few places which I never expected to see. I spent one of my leaves around London, and another up in Bradford. I might say when I was in Bradford I had the pleasure of going through one of the Spinning Mills there. It sure was a a treat to see a worsted spinning room again and I may say that I can still put up the ends in the spinning frames. I have also spent a little time up in Wales, and it is very nice up there.
There isn’t much more I can say, but I would like to say hello to all the boys I used to work with and girls too, for that matter.
Well, I am afraid that will have to be all for this time, so once again thanks a million for the paper and cigarettes. All the best of luck to D. W. & W. and its employees.
Cheerio and keep smiling.
From
A35354 Gnr. John O’Krafka,
43rd Battery, R.C.A.,
12th Field Regiment, C.A.S.F.
Canadian Army Overseas.
LETTERS FROM OVERSEAS
Jan. 26th, 1942.
The Editor:
I received a copy of the D. W. & W. News today and wish to thank everyone for remembering me. It certainly was a pleasure to hear from the old town and the Mill again.
I met a number of boys of the 29th Battery. They are all howling for action. My brother Earl, Lloyd Beer and a few others were telling me all the gossip of the town.
I’m happy to know that the D. W. & W. Ltd. Is still going with a kick. I wish I was back home for a while to see it and all the hands.
Tell the hang in the Worsted Spinning Department that I am writing this letter with the pen of the set which they have me when I joined the Navy in 1936.
Please remember me to all the folks. May your News carry on successfully.
Hoping to receive the News again. I remain
Yours truly,
Leading Stoker Thomas Davis No. 21408
H.M.C.S. Restigouche,
c/o Fleet Mail Office,
Halifax, N.S.
Nov. 9, 1941.
The Editor:
Here I am writing to thank you for your paper, the D. W. & W. News, of which I have received two copies. It is the best thing I have had sent to me since I have been over here (that is in the paper line.) We can see by your paper just how everything is going back in good old D. W. & W. plant and also in the town of Hespeler.
We also like to see the pictures in the paper because it shows us how much the girls have grown and how much better looking they are since left home.
I hope you will send us one of your papers each time they are printed.
Yours truly,
B83469 Gnr. E. Howlett,
81st Battery, 14th Field Regt.,
Canadian Army Overseas.
Jan. 4th, 1942.
The Editor:
Received your December edition of D. W. & W. News and first off I must say that Clifford Tremaine certainly shows a good display of wit. Longfellow certainly couldn’t have done any better.
I can only repeat what I’ve said in my last letter, that your paper is swell and now it has me wondering who this Marie Mundy is. I bet there’s quite a few others doing the same brain racking as I’ve been doing.
A few days ago I received a parcel of cigarettes from the D. W. & W. and would be obliged if you would pass on my heartiest thanks to those responsible.
Best of luck,
A35344 Bdr. George Oliver Jr.,
16th Field Batty.,
12th Field Reg., R.C.A.,
Canadian Army Overseas.
PERSONALITIES
Len Brown, who was called for military training, was presented with a leather stationary case and a money belt by the Winding Dept., before he left.
Barbara Small who left the employ of the Company to go in training for a nurse at the Hamilton General Hospital was presented with a Parker pen and pencil set by the Winding Dept.
Bruce Jackson, Len Brown, Harry O’Krafka, Robert Inglis and Edward Hodges have been called for military training.
The girls from the Winding Department entertained Mrs. Len Brown (nee Elsie Edwards) at the home of Ethel Hedges, in honor of her marriage which took place on March 7th. During the evening the guest of honor was presented with an end table and candlesticks.
On Friday, March 14th, a number of the members from the Burling & Mending Dept. made a trip to Toronto by bus to attend the Skating Carnival at the Maple Leaf Gardens.
Mrs. Harry O’Krafka (nee Helen Ringler) was honored by the girls from the Drawing Department at a miscellaneous shower on Thursday evening at her home.
Lydia DeVere, who underwent an operation at Galt Hospital recently, is reported to be making favorable progress.
The Burling & Mending Dept. continues to do its but for the “Milk for Britain” Fund. Contributions for the past month amounted to $10, making the total contributions to day $40.30.
The Woollen Spinning Dept. presented Bob Inglis, who was called for military training, with a money belt and a Waterman’s pen and pencil set.
The Payroll Dep. Entertained Ada McKellar, bride-elect of this month, at a dinner party at the home of Misses Kribs. During the evening the bride-to-be was presented with a silver bread tray.
John Gowing has enlisted with the Air Force and is attending the Galt Aircraft school.
Ada McKellar was presented with a Duncan Phyfe table by the office staff on March 28th, when she left the employ of the Company to be married. She will live in Kitchener.
D. W. & W. ENLISTMENTS
Army……………………. 59
Air force ………….…… 39
Navy………..……………. 3
Removing Dyehouse Fog
This is what happens to the fog that used to fill the dyehouse.
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Received your February paper today and it struck me that I’d ignorantly forgotten to send my appreciation for your Christmas cigarettes. I do now, and with them my thanks for this month’s edition.
Might I add that your photographer is a lucky person—the new showers are very alluring, but my nurse (I’m in a hospital at present) can’t, for the life of her, see what “towelled beauties” have to do with the manufacture of woollen goods. Between you and I, she’s just a pessimistic character with a crab-apple face.
Please publish my congratulations to Doug Midgley on his promotion to sergeant.
Thanks again,
A35344 Bdr. Geo. Oliver,
16th Field Batty.,
12th Fd. Reg., R.C.A.,
Canadian Army Overseas.