VOL. I
SEPTEMBER 1941
NO. 3
Published at the Hespeler, Ontario Plant of Dominion Woollens and Worsteds, Limited
Capt. N. A. Baird (Adjutant)
Highland Light Infantry
Canadian Army Overseas
Neil Baird was born in Brantford in 1910 but moved to Hespeler in his early years. He attended Hespeler Public School and the Galt Collegiate Institute.
After leaving school he worked at Clare Bros., Preston, for about a year. In August, 1932, he came to D. W. & W. as relief payclerk. Following this he worked as foreman in Yarn Assembling and Packing Department. About a year later he was made Supervisor of the Time Study Department. Neil was working in this department when called for active service on June 1st, 1940.
Neil was a member of the H.L.I. of C for several years before war was declared. He rose to the rank of Captain and served as Adjutant for some time before enlistment and continued in this capacity after volunteering for active service.
His father served in the American Army for six years in the Philippines.
Neil was a member of the Conservative Organization of South Waterloo and also the Little Theatre Movement in Galt.
A Casualty in the Shop is Just as Serious as One in Army
On August 25th, Chief Inspector Mabson of the Industrial Accident Prevention Association spoke to a meeting of overseers, foremen and members of Works Council on “Responsibility of Leadership.” Demand of Works Council for extension of accident prevention program to bring in overseers and foremen resulted in the inauguration of periodical meetings of supervisors of which this was the first.
Chief Inspector Mabson stated that Ontario workmen suffered over 10,000 accidents in the month of July, of which 47 were fatal, and in most cases placed in the responsibility upon supervisors who neglected to practise accident prevention and to din its precepts into the ears of their men. He stressed the fact that few accidents are unavoidable and that the immediate cause of most was lack of guards and lack of training. Especially in these days of intensive production must every workman be thoroughly instructed in the doing of his job and warned of the hazards he must face at it.
He concluded that insurance does not prevent accidents nor replace men who are injured. The 10,000 and more casualties among Ontario workmen in July provided as great a victory for Hitler as 10,000 casualties on a fighting front. While the proportion of deaths was smaller than in battle the cost to Hitler was nothing. Every day loss reduced in some measure the flow of equipment that enabled men to win battles.
Marjorie Pearce, Norris Nisbet, Edna Jackson, Helen Jackson and Beatrice Mundy send greetings from Puslinch Lake. (No assignment too arduous for our photographer)
An addition to Hespler weaving capacity that many men overseas have not seen is the half section of Crompton & Knowles Automatic Worsted looms pictured above. These twelve looms were installed at the beginning of last year on the floor immediately above the weave room space formerly occupied by the Warp Room. The latter had been moved to the top floor of the same building to make room for an expansion of the weaving department. This rearrangement of floor space was a direct result of the outbreak of war and an anticipation of the step-up in production that our war effort would entail. While the number of looms installed was not large it has made possible not only a satisfactory production of uniform fabrics for the Department of Munitions and Supply but also a continuous flow of civilian fabrics which, though not large enough to satisfy our regular customers has kept D. W. and W lines on the market and made certain theat they will not be forgotten.
The new looms are driven by individual motors and are equipped with improved stop motions, brakes and let off devices, all tending to reduce defects in weaving and save time in pick backs. They are capable of higher speeds than any looms previously installed.
Only the constant replacement of old equipment with newer, faster and more dependable machines can guarantee a product that is a little better an a little less expensive and only that kind of product will keep D. W. and W. customer buying D. W. and W. good and keep D. W. and W. wheels turning.
August 26, 1941
The Editor:
I received with thanks your second copy of your proud paper and indeed it should grow as it is a welcome visitor to me. Although I’m fortunate to be in Canada, I’m sure the boys overseas will welcome any news from home, as it is most tiring this waiting for something to happen. Fellows, that is what will help to the war (your interest in the boys overseas) for it keeps up the morale which is deeply stressed in the Army. It will take lots of hardships, lots of waiting but in the end victory will be on our side. We in Camp Borden have a paper called the “Bullet” and when the next edition comes off the press I will send one to you, as it will give you a good idea of the vast amount of training, as well as all kinds of sport that takes place.
Wishing your paper every success in the world, I remain.
Sincerely yours,
Members of the Works Council again found it necessary at the September meeting to go into the matter of traffic at the crossing in front of the mill and a thorough discussion develped concerning measures to relieve this situation. It was stated that it was very difficult for employees to watch the traffic on the main thoroughfare as well as cars coming from the mill. Complaint was also mad about cars parking on the highway waiting for the employees. Most complaints received, however, concerned high speed through traffic on the higway. It was agreed that traffic on the main thoroughfare would have to be taken up with the Town Council. It was also pointed out that lack of a continuous sidewalk along the highway and into the mill yard constituted a serious hazard and should also be discssed with Town authorities.
In reply to questions made at the meeting about contributions to Unemployment Insurance a typical case was sent to the Comission and a reply was received explaining the calcuation of contributions and benefits.
Other points covered by the Works Council were as follows:
Received reports of Christmas Savings Club — $12,955.41 left in fund to date.
Requested that another punch clock be placed in the Weave Room.
Requests for new lighting in Burling and Mending Dept., at perches outside the laboratory, in Wool Sorting Dept., and also in the Yarn Scouring room were received.
It was reported that plans for repairs or replacement of leaking roof over Worsted Spinning Department were being made.
A check-up was made on the number of bicycles that could be kept in the new shed and was found that there was barely enough room for all. More space will be made available shortly.
Received report that the Atlas picker had been temporarily guarded; belts over dryer in dyehouse have been tightened; curtains have been placed on windows in Spooling Dept.; new dressing room in Drawing Dept. has been completed; wool sorters’ window have be screened’ new lighting is completed in Spooling Dept.; small drill press recently purchase for the machine shop is now in working order.
Shy Mr. Michael John Moran (No Use for Photographers). The admiring audience is his parents, Granville and Molly (Scott) Moran.
Devine — Sauder
The parsonage of the United church was the scene of a quiet wedding at two o’clock on Saturday afternoon, August 16th, when Miss Alice P. Sauder of Hespeler, daughter of L.C. Sauder of Lockwood, Sask., became the bride of William Kenneth Devine, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Devine. Rev. De. E. Foster officiated. Mr. and Mrs. Deveine are making their home in Hespeler.
Black — Wolfe
St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church was the scene of a pretty wedding Saturday morning, August 16th, when Mary Louise, daugher of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Wolfe, became the bride of John James Black, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Black. The ceremony was perfomed by Rev. Vincent A. Pautler. A wedding breakfast was served at the Old Mill. Mr. and Mrs. Black are making their home in Hespeler.
Obermeyer — Tyman
A pretty wedding was solemnized on Saturday morning, August 16th, when Helen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Tyman, and Lawrence Joseph Obermeyer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Obermeyer were united in marriage by Rev. L. Hart. A reception followed at the home of the bride’s parents. They are making their home in Preston.
Renner — McMaster
St. Mary’s Roman Catholic church was the scene of a preetty wedding on Saturday morning, August 9th, when Adelaide M., eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward McMaster, and Harry John Renner were united in marriage. Rev. J. F. Ford officiated at the ceremony. Following the ceremony a wedding reception was held at the home of the bride’s parents. Mr. and Mrs. Renner took up residence in Preston.
Jack Black, who was married on August 16th, was presented with a tri-light lamp by the office staff.
The Burling and Mending Department presented Mrs. Louise (Wolfe) Black with a Duncan Phyfe table.
Mrs. Max Elliott, R.N. has been engaged as plant nurse on night duty.
The Combing Department presented Mrs. Devine (nee Alice Sauder) with a coffee table.
John Ringler, who has been off for several weekswith an injured finger has returned to work.
Bill Devine, whose marriage took place on August 16th, was presented with a smoker by the Top Manufacturing Department.
The Burling and Mending Department presented Mrs. Helen (Tyman) Obermeyer with a set of dishes.
Eldon Gadke has been off work for several weeks with a bruised arm resulting from an accident in the Cloth Wet Finishing Dept.
Mrs. Thelma (Urstadt) Mooney was presented with a silver tea service by the office staff on August 22nd when she left the employ of the company to be married.
Those who have enlisted in the last month include Verne Bartels, Ted Turner, Gordon Dalgleish and Scott Davidson, all with the Air Force.
On Tuesday evening, August 26th, some 30 employees from the Worsted Spinning Department hiked to the flats at Beaverdale. The evening was spent in games and a sing-song. Hot dogs and marshmallow around the camp fire completed an enjoyable evening.
The Woollen Spinning Department enjoyed a weiner roast at Beaverdale on Tuesday evening, August 26th. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of a Parker pen and pencil set and a money belt to Ed. Meiers, who has been called for 4 months’ training.
Mrs. Helen (Pipher) Furtney was presented with a tri-light lamp by the office staff when she left the employ of the company to be married. She will live in Toronto.
Mrs. Helen (Ehrhardt) Reidt was informally presented with an end table, book ends and pictures on behalf of the staff of Worsted Drawing Department.
Russell Dahmer, James Hill, Stephen Glanville, Willard Kinzie, Howard Greaves, Bernand King, Heinz Kroeger and Ed. Meiers have been called for 4 months’ training.
Isaiah Beer, former D. W. and W. employee, stricken with a heart attack while on parade with other war veterans in St. Cahtarines on August 10th, died before a doctor could be called. He had travelled to St. Catharines with memembers of the Hespeler branch of the Canadian Legion to march in a decoration service at St. Catharines cenotaph and was stricken while the parade was returning to the base.
The late Mr. Beer was 62 years of age and had retired about eighteen months ago. He left the D. W. and W. dyehouse staff in 1933.
A Canadian Legion guard of honour attended the funeral. Last post and reveille were sounded by Rhys Fowler. Pall bearers were John Stoddart, Dan Quinnell, Rex Thomson, Frank Dugmore, Frand Dill and Frank Finch.
Pat Garibaldi was presented with a desk by the office staff on Sept. 8, the eve of his marriage.
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Many thanks for the paper which I received this morning. It brought back memories. I could almost feel myself walking past those green gates once more.
I read the paper from cover to cover. Best of all I liked the photos of the inside of the “Old Mill”. They were very clear and could be easily placed.
I found the reading very interesting and I believe the other boys will too.
We seem to be doing alright over here so far. There haven’t been any raids around this part for some time now, much the better, as for my part I like good night’s sleep.
I am looking forward to the next issue, hope it won’t be lost. In closing I wish to thank all the kind friends who are making this paper possible. It seems to mean more than just a paper.
Cheerio and thumbs up.
“One of the boys”
FRED BLOOMFIELD