Piecing It Together for Franklin (Frank) Johnston

In our PIT stop feature, we assemble additional pieces of the puzzle. Readers are able to learn more about the mill, its employees and the Hespeler community at large.

Acknowledgement

This website’s existence can be credited largely to Frank Johnston. He is responsible for capturing almost all of the photography within. He was instrumental in capturing the stories of hundreds of Hespelerites over the years.

80 years after the first newsletter is published, this Throwback Website was created to honour his work and present it to a new generation. Thanks Frank, you did great work at preserving the stories of your generation in our community.

Background Information

Frank and his wife Aileen, will go on to have two children, Brian and Miles. They remain married until the very end. Frank passes away July 22, 2011.

“On the day he left Galt Collegiate, he put in an application at the ‘Big Mill’ and then walked to Guelph to apply for work at a company that was hiring. By the time he walked back home his mother said the “Big Mill” had called and he could start the following day. He worked full-time though the many different owners; DW&W, Silknit and then for Waterloo Textiles. He was known as one of the best ‘dyers’ in North America. Frank was still working at 80 yrs. of age, but then reduced his schedule to half-days, and continued until age (approx.) 85. A career of nearly 69 years at the same location.”

Quote from Lary Turner, January 2021

Frank Johnston in the Lab

Frank Johnston

28 year old Frank from still image captures in the 1945 Film “Know Your Suit”.

Frank Johnston in Lab - 1990s

Still in the lab after more than 60 years.

Frank Johnston

Working with one of his high-end cameras.

Frank Johnston

Frank on a photoshoot with Helen Meaney from Dominion Woollens. Showing her magazine photos of what he’s trying to recreate. Helen also makes an appearance in the film Know Your Suit in 1946.

Curiosity & Talent

He was able to accomplish many things in his lifetime.

Like many of his generation, Frank didn’t have extensive formal education, but he never let this get in the way of learning and living life.

He became proficient at his job in the lab. He was a master of the dying process of woollen materials. He tested materials for strength and durability and became an expert at identifying fibres qualities under the microscope.

He was an excellent painter and sketch artist. As can be seen here of a production of his wife Aileen.

Frank Johnston painting of Aileen

He experimented with sculpture and created two controversial statues on his Weaver street property.

This video below shows the statue in the front yard that cause such a stir in the community for depicting bare breast.

Below is the statue he created and placed in the back yard. It is believed to be modeled after his wife Aileen.

Aileen Johnston Statue

Learning to Fly

It appears that Frank masters the art of photography and decided to move on to other hobbies. In the 1950’s he learns to fly and becomes a ground instructor at the Breslau airport.

He combines his two skills and takes many great aerial photos of the company Mills and the Hespeler community.

Dominion Woollens Orillia

Hespeler Aerial

Aileen and Frank at Manuel Carreiro's home

Aileen and Frank at Manuel Carreiro’s home.

Leaving a legacy

There should be no doubt that Frank had a full and meaningful life. A husband, father, explorer, avid learner and someone we can thank for preserving so many stories.

He started working at the Mill with some of the original employees from the R. Forbes Company – from the 1880’s. He saw the company change hands several times and was a dedicated employee throughout all of them.

He ended his career at the Mill with Waterloo Textiles – where he remained, an invaluable technician in the lab.

Our hats off to you Frank Johnston!

Frank Johnston

Obituary – July 22, 2011

VOL. II

JUNE, 1943

NO. 12

Published at the Hespeler, Ontario Plant of Dominion Woollens and Worsteds, Limited

ON ACTIVE SERVICE

LR-66499 Cpl. Hector Bird

No. 5 Manning Depot
Lachine, Quebec.

Hector Bird was born in Hespeler on October 10, 1919, and made it his home town until the time of his enlistment. He received his education at the Hespeler Public and Continuation School.

On leaving school he worked at the W.A. Kribs Co., Ltd., for a short time, and then joined the D. W. & W. staff on September 23rd, 1935. During the course of his employment here he worked in various departments and became familiar with several stages in the manufacture of worsted and woollen cloth and yarn. Among these departments were the Hand Knit Sales, Knitting, Combing and Winding. In September 1939 he became an automatic weaver and remained at this work until he enlisted.

Hector was interested in most sports but was particularly enthusiastic about lacrosse. He was on the local team prior to his enlistment, and is still carrying on with the R.C.A.F. team at Lachine. During the year of 1937 he spent a great deal of his spare time studying a correspondence course in woollen and worsted designing.

He enlisted on March 6th, 1941, with the R.C.A.F. and has received his training at Toronto, North Bay and Lachine where he is now stationed with the Personnel Identification Branch of the R.C.A.F.

LETTER TO THE TROOPS

To the Boys and Girls on Active Service

Dear Boys and Girls:

Every time we get properly stuck for something amusing, entertaining and suitably patriotic to grace the front page of the News, we just sit down and write you a letter. After looking over the file of issues since July, 1941—almost two years ago—we have decided that we are definitely not amusing, or entertaining either, and words of patriotism ill become those who risk nothing. Besides, the professionals do it much better. We suspect that any entertainment value we have is contained in your own letters and the few photographs we print. We could do with more of both. The letters are up to you but the pictures are limited by a modest budget and the little time one over-worked photographer can spare from his regular job.

We have been publicly spanked on more than one occasion for showing too little imagination in our choice of pictures—and quite rightly too. Possibly if you persist you will get what you want. In any case don’t be backward about asking for it.

Do you know we raise the prettiest girls in the business? Company papers (called house organs) are fatuous bores, usually, so we revenge ourselves on some of the concerns who keep us on their mailing lists by sending them copies of D. W. & W. News. All it’s gotten us so far is some comments that all our girls are pinched from the Follies. Well, we know of more elaborate papers that have less than that to boast of.

Cheerio,
The Editor.

Queen’s Theatre

What Harry Harmer and the milk bottles have to do with this we have no idea.

Town Council

Hespeler’s 1943 Council. Left to right—Back row: Aldermen Art Young, Allan Wilford, Dr. G.A. Cowan, George Shepherd, George Williams. Front row: Alderman Chris. From, Reeve Jim Panabaker, Mayor Jack Courtney, Town Clerk Matt Jardine.

ENGAGEMENT

The engagement is announced of Helen Schultz to Edward Kinzel of Preston. The marriage is to take place July 10th.

MARRIED

Ruth Young to Edgar “Ted” Hudson. Reside in Hespeler.

Aileen Brown to Frank Johnston. Reside in Hespeler.

PIT stop (Aileen Johnston)

PIT stop (Frank Johnston)

D.W. & W. Enters Two Soft Ball Teams

Two teams from the mill have been entered in the recently formed five team Industrial Softball league in town. With travelling restricted as it is today, and not having had any sport in town last summer, it was decided to revive the town’s sporting blood.

The “Weavers” and “Toppers” are the mill teams. In their first two starts, Toppers walked over their opposition. In their third game they didn’t do so well. About the middle of June they meet the Weavers. What then?

Which team are you supporting? Come on out and see the boys perform. Monday and Wednesday are the nights.

One In A Million

You cribbage players will know just how Ed. Davison felt the other day when, during the noon hour, he and some of the boys were playing cribbage and Ed. was dealt a perfect hand of 29.

D. W. & W. ENLISTMENTS

Army……………………. 97
Air force ………….…… 64
Navy………..……………. 9
__________________________
170

James Allan Winner of $150 Victory Bond

James Allan of Hespeler was the winner of the $150 Victory Bond in the draw which took place on Tuesday, May 18th, in the lunch room, in connection with the Fourth Victory Loan campaign. Every $50 in value of bonds bought entitled the buyer to one chance in the draw.

O/D Percy Harvey of the R.C.N.V.R., Halifax, acted as master of ceremonies at the draw. The names were drawn by little Miss Monica Crane.

The other prize winners were as follows: 2nd prize, a $50 Victory Bond, Thos. Feakes of Hespeler; 3rd prize, $25 in War Savings Certificates, Clarence Bartels of Hespeler; and 4th prize, $25 in War Savings Certificates, Geo. Huether of Hespeler.

Active Service Addresses

B130579 Pte. Geo. Aitken,
B.H.Q.
Irish Regt. Of Canada
Canadian Army Overseas.

Major N.A. Baird,
Headquarters First Canadian Army
Canadian Army Overseas.

Capt. Chas. H. Barrett,
H.L.I. of C.,
Canadian Army Overseas.

R145509 LAC. Laverne Bartels,
R.C.A.F. Seaplane Base,
Dartmouth, N.S.

B108509 Pte. Elgin Culp,
No. 25 Basic Training Centre,
Simcoe, Ont.

ON ACTIVE SERVICE

A29590 L/Cpl. Fred Jardine

90 L.A.D. – R.C.O.C.
3rd Medium regt. R.C.A.
Canadian Army Overseas.

Fred Jardine was born in Hespeler on November 12th, 1921. He joined the D. W. & W. staff in October 1939 and enlisted from the Woollen Picking Room on July 19th, 1941, with the Royal Canadian Ornance Corps at London. He went overseas in June 1942.

A37975 Pte. Jack Brent

“B” Company
Highland Light Infantry of Canada,
Canadian Army Overseas.

Jack Brent was born in Malton, Ontario, on June 9th, 1924. He joined the D. W. & W. staff in June 1940, and enlisted from the Worsted Spinning Department on June 2nd, 1941, with the Highland Light Infantry of Canada at London. He has been overseas since August, 1941.

A29591 Pte. Bert Jardine

90 L.A.D. – R.C.O.C.
3rd Medium regt. R.C.A.
Canadian Army Overseas.

Bert Jardine was born in Hespeler on December 28th, 1923. He became a member of the D. W. & W. staff in March 1939 and enlisted from the Weave Room on July 19th, 1941, with the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps at London. He has been in England since June 1942.

Letters from the Boys

The Editor:

You paper and cigarettes are coming through to me regularly and needless to say you have my sincere thanks for them. As I am the only person in this hospital getting your paper, I pass it along to the patients in my ward after I am finished with it and show them this thriving industry that we have back home. Many of the boys express amazement at the size of the mill in such a small town.

So far, in the four months I have been here I have yet to meet any of the Hespeler boys who preceded me overseas. Maybe it is just as well when you consider the type of work I am doing.

Well, thanks again.

Yours sincerely,
A99366 Pte. Bill Newnes,
No. 19 Can. Gen. Hospital,
Canadian Army Overseas.

The Editor:

As usual I’m a little late in writing, but I still think of the Mill, and well I may. As regular as the day, the cigarettes you send come, and I wish to thank you. They are certainly appreciated and I assure you that all the other boys over here will say the same.

I also receive the paper you send and look forward to it each month. Helps us all to keep track of what is going on over there, as you have really made a number of changes and improvements.

Thanking you all,

Yours sincerely,

A37994 Pte. Bruce Ellis,
“E” Company,
3 Cdn. Inf. Reinf. Unit,
Canadian Army Overseas.

The Old Mill

The picture is a little out of date but it’s the first chance we have had to print it.

Spring Is Here

And this really proves it, even if we did have to scratch in the apple blossoms on the plate with a pen knife. The girl? – Della Fulcher, Filling Winding

PERSONALITIES

Bud Hunt, who reported for duty with the R.C.A.F. in Toronto on May 24th, was presented with a Schaeffer pen and pencil set on behalf of the Worsted Yarn Mfg. Section.

Enlistments for this month include Randall Clulow in the Army and Bud Hunt and Vincent Campbell with the Air Force.

Jessie Scott who has been transferred from the Burling & Mending Dept. to the Payroll Dept. was presented with a silver cream and sugar on behalf of the Burling & Mending Dept.

On Saturday, May 22, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Midgley received a cable advising them that their son Sgt. Douglas Midgley, who has been serving overseas with the R.C.A.F. since January 1942, has been commissioned as a pilot officer.

Sgt. Wm. Lamb, home from overseas, visited the mill on May 25th.

Frank Johnston whose marriage took place on June 5th, was presented with a silver gravy bowl and tray on behalf of the Laboratory staff.

Doug. Johnson, who has enlisted with the Air Force, was presented with an identification bracelet on behalf of the Woollen Spinning Dept. when he visited at the Mill on Saturday.

BORN

May 5th, a son, George Charles, to Mr. and Mrs. Lester Rahman.

May 5th, a son, Richard Harold, to Mr. and Mrs. Harold Chadwick.

May 11th, a daughter, Carol Lynn, to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wamsley.

May 19th, a daughter, Sharon Ann to Sgt. Harry O’Krafka and Mrs. O’Krafka.

UNION NOTES

The W.W.U. held its regular meeting on Monday, June 7th, in the Town hall.

The Agreement has now been signed by both the Company and the Union. During the life of this Agreement it is the duty of every one of us to gather all the information concerning our own particular job so that the Agreement can be amended if necessary next year. If you have a kick, let’s hear about it. Our Union meetings are open to all members and you should make it a practice to attend. You elected us, now support us. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 7th, at 7.30p.m. in the Town Hall. The regular meeting date for the Union has been set for the first Wednesday of every month.

On June 8th, we were informed that our joint application with the Company to the Regional War Labour Board for vacations with pay and time and a half for overtime had been approved. The Board also made the time and a half provision retroactive to May 10th.

Your President visited the office of the Board last week to make sure that our application had been properly made our and that no difficulty was expected in securing approval. The officers of the Board were very helpful and anxious to co-operate. They told us to call on them at any time for any assistance they could give. It is very likely that this personal contact helped a lot in getting our application approved.

Incidentally your President has guaranteed payment of our printing bill and has forked out money in travelling expenses to get things done for you. Now that the Union has been successful in getting something that will pay your dues for years to come please sign up for those few cents in dues so we can have a little expense money ready for the next time we have a job to do. We said we could get you more with less trouble and less expense than any other way it could be done and we have proved it. Now is the time for you to get behind us and make the W.W.U. 100% strong.

During the fall and winter term it is our intention to have speakers address the meetings, after the business session. Now if you have any ideas as to what would interest the majority of the members pass it along to your Steward.

Remember this is YOUR Union. Its success depends on YOU.

Individual Union membership cards are being distributed by the Shop Stewards. Perhaps you have yours now. If not you will receive one within the next few days.

More Time Study stewards are needed. We urge that more Union members take advantage of the Company’s offer to train them in Time Study and Bonus work.

To Our Fellow Workers in Uniform:

Address us, Box 133, Hespeler, for any information you might like to have regarding your Union.

President, W.W.U.

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1 Comment

Harry A. Munn on June 26, 1943 at 4:28 am

I have received several copies from friends of your D. W. & W. News and really find it an interesting paper. May I be so bold as to ask if my name could be entered on your mailing list. Since I was at one time in your employ, naturally I find your news very interesting.

At present I am firing a boiler at our new Naval base near Digby, Nova Scotia.

It has been seven months since I last saw the fair town of Hespeler and I must say it’s cheerful to get news from the home town.

Hoping that my name maybe entered on your mailing list, I remain

Harry A. Munn,
V-43736, Stoker 1/c,
Naval Training Est,
Deep Brook, N.S.
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