Photo of Frank Coulton
Frank and Jean (Brown) Coulton, Married in England, July 25th.
Piecing It Together for Frank Johnston’s Mastery of Photography
VOL. II
JULY, 1942
NO. 1
Published at the Hespeler, Ontario Plant of Dominion Woollens and Worsteds, Limited
ON ACTIVE SERVICE
LLAC. Bernard “Bud” Beckman
R114044
No.4 Service Flying Training School.
R.C.A.F. Station, Saskatoon, Sask.
Bud Beckman was born in Hespeler nineteen years ago, and made it his home town until he enlisted. He received his education at Hespeler Public and Continuation Schools.
He took his first full time job with D. W. & W. in September 1938, as a floor-boy in the Cloth Finishing department. Later he assisted the weavers as a magazine filler. Having earned a chance to learn weaving, he was soon given an opportunity to go on the automatic looms as an apprentice weaver. For the length of time he had been weaving he was doing exceptionally well and showed every sign of becoming a first-class weaver.
While Bud was interested in sports of all kinds and was a loyal supporter of local teams, he was particularly fond of reading.
Following the example of his father and two uncles who were on active service in the last war, Bud enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force on June 7th, 1941 (his eighteenth birthday), and was called for service on June 23rd, 1941. Since enlisting, Bud has seen quite a bit of Canada, having trained at St. Hubert, Quebec, Dartmouth, N.S., Trenton and Saskatoon. He is now on Security Guard duty and is stationed at Saskatoon, Sask.
ARMY WEEK
All Canada Devotes a Week to Honour its Boys in Khaki
As we write this, Army Week is just starting on one of the brightest, quietest Sunday mornings of the year. It seems fitting. Bitter controversies over conscription and the alleged stupidity of generals fades into the background. Whatever was the reason for Amy Week – publicity, glamour, politics – this seems the proper moment to forget it and give some thought to what the Army means.
We are an imperfect people in an imperfect world. Except in rare cases our actions are dictated by selfish, though not necessarly reprehensible motives. As a people our collective will is a confused and indeterminate thing. It is slow to take shape and despairingly slow to change. Sheltered by two of the great powers of the world the hard realities of national existence have affected us little. We have not been taught to fight in any cause, let alone a good one. Those who would have had us all taught to fight when necessary have been scorned and suspected. But through bitter reverses and inexorably approaching disaster the will of this people to survive has crystalised in an Army—proud, confident, young and tough. They themselves would say, “To hell with glamour, we are FIGHTING men!”
And they are.
Ninety-Six Years Young
Miss Christie Witmer who 70 years ago as a young lady of 26 worked in the weave room. She will celebrate her 96th birthday in September, is quite active and spends her time raising flowers and knitting. She has knit 75 pairs of socks for the Red Cross.
The Romance of Wool
Those silky fleeces of Australian wool disintegrating into their various qualities under the numble fingers of Len Jagger and Morley Freeborn left Sydney just a few weeks ago in the hold of a boat that carried the implements of war on its southern journey. Over those slatted tables that allow loose dirt and sand to shake out onto the floor pass fleeces from half the world—South Africa, South America, New Zealand, Australia and Canada. To the sorter no label is required. He may never have seen Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Wellington, Montevideo, Port Elizabeth or even Calgary but to him every fleece shouts the name of its home port in unmistakable terms. Its color, odor, feel, the color of the sand and soil adhering to it, the length and fineness of its fibres, the bits of grass and burrs entangled in it all proclaim its country and district of origin and the breed of sheep from which it was shorn.
Extending back from the man in the street or the soldier, sailor or airman is a long and complicated line of communication passing on information of the kinds of fabrics required, how strong they must be, how soft, how warm or cool. Sifted through the clothing salesmen, the technical committees of the services, the tailors, our own salesmen, designers, production men come the scraps of information, praise and complaint being gradually converted into terms of fabrics, yarns and wools and finally over the desk of our wool buyer translated into the terse, cryptic, penny saving cables he sends to friends, acquaintances, correspondents and perfect strangers in all the distant wool shipping ports of the world.
Those two lads above nonchalantly plucking a stretched staple of wool picked from the fleece on the table before them are making our first check on the return journey of your praise or blame coming back to you now in the form of wool for your next suit or uniform.
D. W. & W. ENLISTMENTS
Army ………………69
Air Force …………41
Navy ………………..5
_______________________
Total………………115
Letters from the Boys
The Editor:
I wish to thank you for the swell gift of cigarettes. It was a real surprise to me and one that I truly appreciate, also the paper.
It is nice to know that D. W. & W. is still interested in us. Thanking you again and wishing you and “our” paper the best of luck.
R103382 LAC Farnsworth, H.G.
Security Guard, R.C.A.F. Station,
Dartmouth, N.S.
The Editor:
I write in acknowledgement of your most recent gift of cigarettes. As cigarettes over here are poor and scarce, you can imagine how much they are appreciated.
I also enjoy your paper which I receive regularly. It gave me quite a surprise to find a picture of my grandfather in it.
Thanking you again for your thoughtfulness.
Yours sincerely,
A31356 Gnr. Frank Coulton,
100th Bty., 4th Lt. A.A. Regt.
Canadian Army Overseas.
The Editor:
Many thanks again for the cigarettes which just came in. They couldn’t have come at a better time.
As I look outside just now I can see the sun is trying to shine. It must be our weekly ration coming in.
Thanks a million for your D. W. & W. News which is also coming regularly. The news from the mill is always welcome and we all enjoy reading it.
B83470 Gnr. Richardson T.P.
81st Battery, H.Q.,
14th Fld. Regt., R.C.A.,
Canadian Army Overseas.
The Editor:
First of all I want to thank the D. W. & W. for the cigarettes I received. It was a pleasant surprise.
Since I am now a long ways from home more than ever will I want to receive your wonderful little paper, the D. W. & W. News.
We had a fairly fine crossing, but the first two days I was sea sick. Our arrival was as I expected, with rain, but ever since we have had lots of sunshine. The trains are very funny, especially the whistle which sounds like a peanut roaster.
I have not bumped into any of the boys from home as yet but hope to soon. If any of the lads from the H.L.I., who know me, read this, please drop me a line. I would also like to see Lloyd Beer.
Thanking you again and please keep sending that paper.
Canada R84186 Sgt. Midgley D.E.
R.C.A.F. Overseas.
Romance Without Wool
Reclothing a Card Roll
Wesley Wildfong and George Wiechers applying wire card clothing to one of the 30 rollers that make up a worsted card.
PERSONALITIES
The Burling & Mending Dept. presented to Erna (Dunn) Himes a Duncan-Phyfe coffee table in honor of her recent marriage.
On Wednesday evening, June 17th, the girls from the Worsted Spinning and Twisting Dept., had a kitchen shower for Peggy (Inglis) Schmidt at the home of Dorothy Kaufman. On Thursday evening Peggy was informally presented with an ornamental clock and radio lamp on behalf of the staff of the Worsted Spinning & Twisting Dept.
Bill Kribs who was called for military training was presented with a wrist watch by the members of the Dyehouse.
Bob Games whose marriage took place on June 13th was presented with a silver tea service on behalf of the office staff. He was also presented with a leather stationery case as he leaves this month to report for duty with the R.C.A.F.
Edward Schmidt whose marriage took place on June 20th was presented with a tri-light lamp by the members of the Top Manufacturing Dept.
“Punch” Harvey was presented with a Waterman’s pen and pencil set and a leather writing folio by the members of the office staff when he left to report for duty with the R.C.N.V.R. in London.
Evelyn (Franks) Noble was presented with a set of fishes by the Burling & Mending Dept. before leaving to be married.
Laura (Featherstone) Dougall was presented with a combination book case and china cabinet on June 26th when she left to be married.
Charlie Wildman who was called for military training was presented with a Waterman’s pen and pencil set and a leather writing case by the Cloth Examining & Shipping Dept.
D. W. & W. enlistments for this month include William Newnes and Ross Martin with the Army and John Cunnington and Percy Harvey with the Navy.
On Friday, June 26th, when Dorothy Armstrong left the employ of the Company, she was presented with a Waterman’s pen and pencil set by the members of the office staff.
Marie Kitchen was presented with a cameo ring on behalf of the office when she left the employ of the Company.
Charlie Wildman, Ralph Meyers and “Lefty” Johnson have been called for military training.
Playing is Important Too
August 15th Is Next Date From Adjustment in Cost of Living Bonus
It was announced at July’s Works Council meeting that the next date for adjustment in Cost of Living Bonus is August 15th at which time the National War Labour Board will advise if any change is to be made.
With reference to increase in sales of War Savings Certificates it was reported that a considerable number of increases in weekly contributions had been made as a result of action taken by council.
A plan for “hospital care” sponsored by the Ontario Hospital Association was brought before the meeting and discussed. It was found that while this organization may be more comprehensive than our own Mutual Sick Benefit Society, its premiums are much higher and higher benefits are obtainable. It was decided to hand the material over to the Sick Benefit Society for consideration.
Appearance of millyard drew some criticism from council. Council stressed the fact that bobbins, bottles, etc., carelessly thrown about the millyard, not only marred the appearance of the yard but also constituted a serious accident hazard.
In response to request made at June meeting for emergency lights, watchman’s electric lamps have now been placed in those departments working nights, for this purpose.
Council received reports that all lighting fixtures have been installed in Burling and Mending Room; fans have been installed in the Yarn Scouring and Wet Finishing Depts., also in the Wool Loading and Picker Room; steam hood has been replaced over crab in Wet Finishing Dept.; work is in progress on ventilation in Cloth Carbonizing Room.
Council also received request for more adequate storage for lumber.
MARRIED
Erna Dunn to Mervyn Himes. Reside in Collingwood.
Dorothy Bleich to Robert Hughes-Games. Reside in Hespeler.
Margaret Inglis to Edward Schmidt. Reside in Hespeler.
Evelyn Franks to Robert Noble. Will reside in St. Marys.
Laura Featherstone to Sgt.-Maj. David Dougall. Will reside in Terrace B.C.
BORN
May 28th, a daughter, Julia Ann, to Leading Stoker and Mrs. Thos. Davis.
June 3rd, a daughter, Dorothy, to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Ziegler.
June 7th, a daughter, Barbara Ann, to Mr. and Mrs. Reginald Winfield.
June 13th, a daughter, Beverly Ann, to Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Schmidt.
ENGAGEMENTS
Mr. F. J. Gilstorf has announced the engagement of his elder daughter, Jean Alma, to Mr. Herbert Arthur Atkinson, son of Mrs. A.G. Atkinson, and the late Mr. Atkinson of Galt. The marriage to take place on the latter part of this month.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry O’Krafka have announced the engagement of their second daughter, Edith May, to Mr. Willard Roy Rickert, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Rickert. The marriage will take place the latter part of this month.
GUARDS SWORN IN
Five men were sworn in Thursday by Acting Magistrate High R. Polson as special constables for the purpose of being guards at D. W. & W. They were Leonard Conner, Malcolm McMillan, George Williams, F. Warne and Walter Reeve.
We would enjoy hearing your thoughts on our Newsletter.
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I am writing to let you know that I have been receiving the cigarettes sent by the Dominion Woollens & Worsteds every month since December. These cigarettes are very much appreciated—much more than can be imagined back home. Tobacco is hard to get over here and a regular supply from home is something to be grateful for.
I also want to thank you for the “D. W. & W. News” which I get regularly. I am always glad to get this paper as it enables me to keep in touch with former fellow employees.
Wishing you the best of luck in your work and thanking you once more for the cigarettes and the paper, I remain.
Yours gratefully,
A37818 Pte. James Reid,
“A” Coy., H.L.I. of C.,
Canadian Army Overseas.