VOL. II

FEBRUARY, 1943

NO. 8

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

ON ACTIVE SERVICE

James Shaw

J-7595 F/O. JAMES SHAW

R.C.A.F. Station,
Patricia Bay, B.C.

James Shaw is another one of our Hespeler boys with the R.C.A.F. He was born here twenty-one years ago, and received his education at the Hespeler Public School and the Galt Collegiate Institute and Vocational School.

Jim’s first job was clerking in the Men’s Shop where he remained for only a few weeks. He commenced his service with the D. W. & W. staff in September, 1940, as a draftsman, in which position he remained until he enlisted.

Before enlisting he was a frequent participant in various kinds of sports, including rugby, lacrosse and hockey. He was particularly fond of tennis and spent much of his leisure time on the tennis courts.

Jim enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force on December 16th, 1940, and was posted to Manning Pool, Toronto. Later he received training at Picton, Fingal, Goderich and Brantford where he received his wings and the commission of Pilot Officer simultaneously. In May 1942 he was promoted to Flying Officer. He is now stationed at Patricia Bay, British Columbia, where he is on coastal patrol duty.

Birthday Celebration

Chris. Linder Celebrates His Eightieth Birthday and Sixty-Second Year of Continuous Service at Mill

On January 22nd, Christian Linder reached his eightieth birthday and at the same time completed 62 years of continuous service at the mill. This gives Chris the double record of being the Company’s oldest active employee and of having the longest service record in the history of the mill. The Company and his department (Drawing In) conspired to make this birthday a memorable one by throwing a surprise party for Chris in the lunch room after work, complete with a dinner for everybody in the department and a mammoth birthday cake and presents for Chris.

It was in May 1875 that the Linders with their twelve-year-old son, Christian, arrived in Canada after the long journey from Saanen, Switzerland, where he was born. Incidentally no fond mother trying to express her hopes for her son ever made a happier choice of name or ever had a son who bore the name with more cause than Christian. In these days of nicknames and abbreviations we forget that names have meanings and even sometimes forget the names themselves. Anyway our Chris is Christian and has tried to live up to it.

To get back to our story—the Linders settled on a farm in Muskoka. And Muskoka in those days was about as accessible as Peace River is now. Chris stuck to the farm until he was eighteen and then set out to earn his living and get a job. Apparently it was a step not lightly undertaken nor easily to be retraced for he came to the R. Forbes Company (now D. W. & W.), got his job in 1881, and still has it.

Chris’ birthday presents included a woollen jacket from his fellow workers and an easy chair and ottoman from the Company, which he acknowledged with a turn of eloquence that eighty years can mellow but not subdue.

He has seen many come and go. May he see many more.

Birthday Party

Christian Linder Birthday Party. Held in the Cafeteria.

Chris Linder surrounded by admirers and birthday presents at his party in the lunch room.

Piecing It Together PIT stop (Chris Linder)

Jackspooling

May Hayward peeping out from behind a jackspooler.

May Hayward peeping out from behind a jackspooler.

D. W. & W. ENLISTMENTS

Army……………………. 95
Air force ………….…… 55
Navy………..……………. 8
__________________________
                                 158

Letters from the Boys

It seem as if I were the only one who has never written, expressing my appreciation for the D. W. & W. News which I have received regularly. I am sure you will realize just how grateful we all are for receiving a copy and overlook the slight negligence on my part.

Everyone whom I come in contact with from home and even those who are around when the copy arrives, think it is the best they have seen and like to read of our town. One thing that puzzles me are the pictures of the girls you have from time to time. Although I have never met them, I must say they are adding greatly to the reputation Hespeler has, and gathering quite a host of admirers.

Aside from the ladies, it is nice to see pictures and addresses of fellows I knew who left quite some time ago, and surprising to find most of them are now married. Besides the pictures of friends scattered near and far, the D. W. & W. News helps to prove just how large our plant is for a small town by its illustrations and photos of the factory at work.

Where I am stationed at the present time the country is very picturesque with the ocean quite close, but to me, as with many of the fellows from home, Ontario still remains the best province. Wherever home is and the people you have associated with in the past are, that is the best. So you may see just how anxious we are to receive each edition.

In closing may I extend my many thanks to all for the Christmas parcel which I received and in turn wish everyone a very Happy New Year.

Yours Sincerely,

R84360 Cpl. Edward Cakebread,
No. 2 R.D., Bell Lake, N.S.

ON ACTIVE SERVICE

Elsie Highton

W-1444 L/Cpl. Elsie Highton

“D” Company, C.W.A.C.,
No.3 B.T.C.,
Kitchener, Ontario

Elsie Highton was born in Hespeler on September 3, 1919. She joined the D. W. & W. staff in February, 1935, and enlisted from the Woollen Spinning Department on September 17, 1942. She is now taking an officer’s training course in the Canadian Women’s Army Corps.

Agnes Stoddart

W-20466 Pte. Agnes Stoddart

“A” Company No. 4 Platoon,
Hut 1. B Wing
B.T.C., Kitchener, Ontario

Agnes Stoddart was born in Falkirk, Scotland, on November 27, 1923. She joined the D. W. & W. staff in February 1939, and enlisted from the Worsted Drawing Department on October 29, 1942, with the Canadian Women’s Army Corps. She is at present attached to the staff in Kitchener.

Jean Finch

W-306925 AW1 Jean Finch

No. 3 F.I.S.
Arnprior, Ontario.

Jean Finch was born in Hespeler on August 26m 1924. She joined the D. W. & W. staff in December 1938, and enlisted from the Winding Department on August 14, 1942, with the Women’s Division, Royal Canadian Air Force.

Council to Make Application for Mobile X-Ray Clinic

The proposal put before the February meeting of the Works Council in connection with the local auxiliary of the Freeport Sanatorium bringing a mobile x-ray clinic to the plant for the purpose of having employees x-rayed as a preventative measure against the spread of tuberculosis met with the unanimous approval of the council. No specific date was set but it is expected to take place within the next few months. This service is offered to each employee free of charge, the company bearing the expense involved.

As a result of request made at last meeting in connection with the matter of fire exits in the mill, an inspection of the entire plant was made by Inspector Burns from the Factory Inspection Branch of the Department of Labour. Recommendations to reduce the fire hazard in the mill included the construction of an outside fire escape at the end of the dyehouse.

Arrangements have now been completed to hold “refresher classes” for all first aiders once every three months. Mr. Kremer of Preston and Nurse Baker will instruct these classes.

The delay in posting daily bonus sheets in the Worsted Spinning and Twisting Departments has been investigated in response to request made at last meeting and these are to be posted as promptly as possible.

Council received request for outlet drain for Dyehouse backwasher, also for yarn scouring tanks in Dyehouse; weekly inspection of first aid cabinets and replenishment of supplies; improved method for loading bags of wool in Dyehouse, also different method of unloading cars during cold weather in the Woollen Yarn Section.

It was suggested that some patriotic decorations along with Roll of Honour will be hung in the lunch room now that renovations have been completed.

Considerable time was devoted to a review of wage rates. A comparison of D. W. & W. rates with those published by the Department of Labour for the woollen industry in Canada indicated that most rates were well above the average for the industry. Three rates which were not are being investigated at once.

Letters from the Boys

The Editor:

Well, I am supposed to be working tonight but I have a few hours off so I thought I might as well get in touch with you and thank you very much for the smokes. I have been receiving them regularly. Some of the fellows have not been so fortunate as I have in receiving smokes.

I have been getting the paper regularly too and appreciate it very much. It’s very nice to see who’s who and what’s doing. There are some very good pictures in your paper, and I must say some interesting subjects, too.

On my last leave I stayed with a fellow who works in a large mill over here. I went through it and was very interested to see them using almost the same methods as we did at D. W. & W. They are a long way behind on their dyeing though, as they are still using wooden tubs. One of the fellows in the dyehouse was quite surprised when I told him we were using stainless steel tubs. He said that not many mills in that district were using them yet.

I am not very flush for news at the time so I must sign off. Give my best to all the old hands in the Yarn Shipping.

Yours,
R118668 LAC. Farrow K.W.
409 Squadron,
R.C.A.F. Overseas.

Active Service Addresses

R118668 LAC. Farrow K. W.,
409 Squadron,
R.C.A.F. Overseas.

Can. R103382
LAC Farnsworth, H. G.,
R.C.A.F. Overseas.

A103016 Lorne Fuller Sigmn.,
Cdn. Signals Reinf. Unit,
Canadian Army Overseas.

A28091 L/Bdr. Stanley Inder,
29/40th Field Batty., R.C.A.
Canadian Army Overseas.

A29590 Pte. Jardine A.F.,
90 L.A.D. R C.O.C.,
3rd Medium Regt., R.C.A.
Canadian Army Overseas.

A29591 Pte. Jardine H. B.,
90 L.A.D., R.C.O.C.
3rd Medium Regt. R.C.A.
Canadian Army Overseas.

B11415 L/Bdr. Kennedy G. A.
100 Btty. 4th Regt. L.A.A., R.C.A.,
Canadian Army Overseas.

A56866 Pte. Kroeker H.,
5th Can. Inf. Reinf. Unit (Armoured Div.)
Canadian Army Overseas.

R89788 LAC. Marshall H. V.
Radio Mechanic,
Att’d. R.A.F.
R.C.A.F. Overseas.

A35325 Gnr. Alex McLaughlin,
16th Batty., 12 Fd. Reg., R.C.A.,
Canadian Army Overseas.

A17013 Pte. Kenneth McLaughlin,
R.C.A.M.C., No. 1 Neurological Hospital,
Canadian Army Overseas.

Canada R84186 Sgt. D. E. Midgley,
R.C.A.F. Overseas, Att’d R.A.F.

B84070 Sgt. Harold Morris,
41 Cdn. Gen. Trans. Coy.,
Canadian Army Overseas.

A99366 Pte. Wm. B. Newnes,
R.C.A.M.C., No. 10 Can. Gen. Hospital,
Canadian Army Overseas.

A35344 Bdr. George Oliver,
16th Field Batty, 12th Fd. Reg., R.C.A.,
Canadian Army Overseas.

A35354 Gnr. John O’Krafka,
43rd Battery, R.C.A., 12th Fd. Regt.,
Canadian Army Overseas.

A37433 Pte. Albert Parsons,
H.L.I. of C., “A” Coy.,
Canadian Army Overseas.

Can. R131042,
LAC. Pipher J. A.,
R.C.A.F. Overseas.

A37818 Pte. James Reid,
H. Q. Coy., H.L.I. of C.,
Canadian Army Overseas.

R114277 LAC. Reist N. J.,
412 Squadron,
R.C.A.F. Overseas.

B34634 L/Sgt. Ray Reynolds,
5 Cdn. Med. Regt. Signal Section, R.C.C.S.,
Canadian Army Overseas.

B83470 Gnr. Richardson T. P.,
29th Battery, R.C.A., 11th Army Fd. Regt.,
Canadian Army Overseas.

Soldier’s Son

Charles Wildman Jr.

Charles Wildman Jr., son of Gnr. And Mrs. Chas. Wildman.

Alma Beer

Alma Beer, Shipping Room.

PERSONALITIES

BORN

Jan. 11th, a daughter, Evelyn Joyce, to Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Kohli.

Jan. 25th, a son, to Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Davis.

Jan. 27th, a son, Phillip Joseph, to Stoker and Mrs. Gordon Werstine (nee Kathleen Kelly).

Elizabeth Kloepfer was presented with a pen and pencil set by the Worsted Spinning and Twisting Depts. (night shift) upon leaving to enlist with the Canadian Women’s Army Corps.

Jessie Phillips was presented with a pen and pencil set by the members of the Worsted Spinning and Twisting Departments (night shift) when she left to enlist with the Canadian Women’s Army Corps.

D. W. & W. enlistments for this month include Jack Alexander, Maurice Bruce, William Cox, John Durnford and Reginald Jiggins with the Army.

On Tuesday evening, January 12, some of the members of the Woollen Spinning Department enjoyed an old-fashioned sleighing party.

List icon Show all D. W. & W. News editions

We would enjoy hearing your thoughts on our Newsletter.

We appreciate comments from our men and women based in Canada and overseas. If you have anything to add, we encourage you to also leave a comment here. If you'd like to contact us privately, please write to our switchboard operator. Our Office will respond to your letter as time permits.

1 Comment

  1. Pete Little
    Pete Little on February 22, 1943 at 6:23 pm

    I received your welcome parcel of cigarettes while I was still in Quebec at Lachine Depot, and they really were acceptable as well as the paper.

    All the boys in the room where I slept, read the paper and remarked on the way the Company kept in touch with its service men, as a number of these chaps worked in very large concerns and never heard a word from their plant.

    I have been very fortunate in getting a posting to Brantford and best of all bunk in the same room as John Reid, another Hespeler chap. Every day we mention Hespeler either one way or another, then the conversation swings to the Mill.

    I have gotten a number of addresses of the boys overseas from the paper and turning over a new leaf for ’43 am going to do more writing.

    R169948 AC2 Pete Little,
    No. 5 S.F.T.S., Brantford, Ont.

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Our community invites you to share this with your community

List icon  Show all D. W. & W. News editions

Popular Newsletters (last 30 days)

  • The Old Mill D.W.&W. News Vol. II | No. 12 An older photo of our Mill. James Allan of Hespeler was the winne... 6 views | 0 comments | posted on June 2, 1943
  • John McLaughlin and his wife Theresa D.W.&W. News Vol. II | No. 9 Pride in the quality of materials coming from Dominion Woollens... 6 views | 0 comments | posted on March 3, 1943
  • Traffic Problem at the front of Dominion Woollens D.W.&W. News Vol. II | No. 10 We need to be aware of a dangerous traffic hazard. The Royal Cana... 6 views | 0 comments | posted on April 1, 1943
  • Ethel Beamish, Alma Eagle and Elma Mather D.W.&W. News Vol. II | No. 3 To Our Boys — We have been looking for the names of your units am... 5 views | 0 comments | posted on September 2, 1942
  • Elmer Simmen D.W.&W. News Vol. IV | No. 2 Sympathy to the families of Ronald Linhorst and Harry Scott who w... 5 views | 0 comments | posted on August 1, 1944
  • The Haks Softball Team Left to right, back row: Elmer Goebel, Tubby Marriott, George Wolfe, Mervin Eaton, Ralph Stark, Wally Stark. From row: Wilbur Armstrong, Frank “Red” Wildfong, “Boots” Furness, Horace Winton, Jerry Schwantz, Charlie Brueckner. Mascot, Frank Carroll. D.W.&W. News Vol. III | No. 4 We are sad to report that our long-time friend and employee, Chri... 5 views | 0 comments | posted on October 2, 1943
  • Jean Holmes, Erna Schoenke, Jean McKay, Edith Zvaniga, Catharine Kohli, Shirley Hortop, Betty Brix D.W.&W. News Vol. III | No. 3 The softball teams always have a cheering section. The housing sh... 4 views | 0 comments | posted on September 5, 1943
  • Soft Water For Woollens D.W.&W. News Vol. I | No. 6 The familiar label on woollen goods “Wash in lukewarm soft water”... 4 views | 0 comments | posted on December 1, 1941
  • Gordon Hall D.W.&W. News Vol. I | No. 12 The old L.E. Weaver home has been converted to a girls' residence... 4 views | 0 comments | posted on June 2, 1942
  • Back home in Hespeler D.W.&W. News Vol. II | No. 7 A view of home for the boys. The first meeting of the 1943 Works... 4 views | 0 comments | posted on January 2, 1943