VOL. III
OCTOBER 1944
NO. 4
Published at the Hespeler, Ontario Plant of Dominion Woollens and Worsteds, Limited
ON ACTIVE SERVICE
J39566 P/O EARL CONSTANT
45 AT Group, R.A.F., Dorval, Que.
For length of service with the Company, Earl stands high among enlisted employees, having worked here close to nine years. Last we heard, Earl was on his way to India.
A105806 PTE. WILLIAM COX
15 Can. Gen. Hospital,
Canadian Army, C.M.F.
Bill was with the Company about a year when he enlisted with the Army. At that time he was employed in the Weave Room as a magazine filler. He saw action in Italy and was reported wounded on August 28th. He is recovering nicely.
First: D-Day Soon: V-Day Then: $-Day
“The objective of Canada’s plan for rehabilitation of our armed forces is that every man or woman discharged from the forces shall be in a position to earn a living.” There you have it in a nut-shell. These are the first words you read in a booklet prepared by the government to inform service men and women and Canadians generally of steps taken for civilian rehabilitation of those in uniform. The booklet is called Back to Civil Life.
As you thumb through the pages—and many thousands of copies must be well-thumbed by now—the gigantic plan unfolds. “Personnel will be permitted to keep their uniform” catches your eyes and you think it is a small beginning, but then, as you read of a clothing allowance; of an extra month’s pay and dependent’s allowance; of reinstatement in the old job; of continued unemployment insurance coverage; of grants for vocational training; of gifts and loans for farmers and others doing private enterprise; of disability awards; of free university training; and of the war service gratuities, you begin to realize that a grateful country is being practical about it. Not only are they “saying it with flowers”—they are saying it with dollars.
One of the provisions that interests industry most is the Re-instatement in Civil Employment Act. If the ex-serviceman was a bona fide, permanent employee and within three months or in certain cases, four months of his discharge, he applied to his old employer for reinstatement, it is the duty of the employer to give him employment on terms no less favorable than would have prevailed had the period of employment not been interrupted by war service. It’s all so terribly legal – and necessarily so—but when that time comes, law or no law, there’ll be welcome on the D. W. & W. door-mat for all company men and women within sight of the “hills of home.”
And when we say “all company men and women” there is something very significant about that little word “all.” The Act does not protect an employee who got into uniform after replacing another who joined up before him. But we have more than two hundred employees in uniform—we miss them all—and we want them to know that, when this terrible business is over, there is a place for them in this miss.
We all look forward to $-Day, when our warriors are home again reaping the rewards of their unselfish service.
Back On The Job
Ex-service men Doug. Wilson, Jack Coughlin, Ivan Stark, Jimmy Tordoff and Len Robinson sat in for this picture.
IN THE LETTER BOX
2 C.I.B. Coy., R.C.A.S.C.
Canadian Army, C.M.F.
“Having received your paper as regularly as can be expected under existing conditions, I realize I should send my thanks to you, and all who are making this small package of ‘dynamite” possible. When mail comes in and the large brown envelope is on my desk, my thoughs immediately go back to that “large brick pile,” the good old D. W. & W. Four years is a mighty long time, but I could never forget my happy days spent between those huge walls. I feel quite safe in saying, everyone away from home now would give almost anything to be even bobbin boy again. There’s no place like home.
Since I’ve joined the service, I’ve travelled far. It has been very interesting, but at times rather lonely. All in all, I would not have missed a day of it. I had the fortune of seeing Rome. What a grand city! What grand women!!! I think it would be a great place to live in peace time. They have everything!!! (Bar nothing!!!)
To try and let you in on the life, as I see it. At present the radio is playing and anyone not interested in the program is out with the volley ball or horse shoes. The old saying “All work and no play makes Johnnie a sad boy” is taken into consideration. Thanks Auxiliary Services.
Best I cut the chatter and get on with the work. They may take a dim view should it not be finished.
Cheerio friends, and may you carry on the good work.”
A106270 Gnr. Armstrong Geo.,
30 Bty., 6 L.A.A. Regt., R.C.A.,
Canadian Army, A.F. France.
George writes from France as follows:
“While reading the mill paper last night I thought the news was kind of old. On looking at the date I noticed it was December 1943 edition. That sure is pretty fast mail service, and no doubt it has travelled quite a few places before it finally got to me here in France.
I had a very interesting letter from Doug. Midgley telling me how much he enjoyed his visit back to the old town. He said that he received a royal welcome and the people could not do enough for him. Hespeler and its people sure are thoughtful and we know that we will all receive a good welcome when we return and we hope it is soon.
All the boys on our gun crew want to look at the paper when it arrives. They all like to look at the pictures of the girls. So let’s have lots of them for they sure are good.
No doubt the sport fans around the mill have read in the Toronto papers about our Major Connie Smythe being wounded. So now our battery has a score to settle with the Luftwaffe for the loss of our Major and a few of the boys that went with him.
In closing I thank you again for the cigs that are coming regularly. And I hope all of you have enjoyed a good holiday this summer which I notice the mill is giving this year.
HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE
Mr. and Mrs. Pat Garibaldi are the proud parents of a daughter, Anne Marie, born on Sept. 8th.
We are pleased to announce the birth of a son to Sgt. And Mrs. George Kohli (nee Mary Deemert) on September 15th. They are calling him Harry Joseph.
Another couple of proud parents—Pte. And Mrs. Bill Smellie. They received their little girl, Barbara Jane, on Sept. 19th.
The girls of the Burling & Mending Dept. were pleased to have a visit from Cpl. Gladys Parker, who was home recently from Dunnville where she is stationed with the R.C.A.F. (W.D.)
Our best wishes to Hazel Haist of the Winding Dept. who became the bride of Pte. Norman Paulitzki on September 2nd. Prior to leaving she was presented with a lamp by the girls in the Winding Dept. Hazel and hubby left for the west coast where the latter is stationed.
F/O. Charlie Klager called on us while home on furlough from Montreal. Charlie is with the R.A.F. Transport Command and had just returned from a flight to Algiers.
Tpr. Jack Alexander called in to see us before leaving for Shilo, Manitoba, to continue his training with the paratroopers.
We are sorry to hear that L/Cpl. Howard Greaves has been severely wounded in action in Italy. This is the second time L/Cpl. Greaves has been wounded. We all send you our best wishes, Howard.
LAC. Clarence Arndt. Tpr. Lorne From. LAC. Ted Turner and AW1. Shirley Harlock were also recent visitors at the mill.
Cpl. Reg. Jiggins is reported missing in action on Sept. 6th, while serving in Italy. This is the second time Cpl. Jiggins has been reported in the casualty list. We sincerely hope his parents soon receive better news.
Gnr. Alex McLaughlin Home From Overseas
Gnr. Alex McLaughlin wounded in action in July while serving with the Canadian forces in Normandy has been returned to Canada. After receiving treatment at the Chorley Park Military hospital, Toronto, he returned to his home here.
He suffered a compound fracture of his right leg, flesh wound and nerve injury, and although well on the road to recovery, his leg is still in a cast.
Alex enlisted with the R.C.A. on June 11th, 1940, and has been serving overseas since early in 1941.
We are certainly glad to hear that Alex is getting along fine and hope to see him around soon.
The New Truck
In Loving Memory of Jack and Barney. Our two teamsters Chris From and Joe Haney now drive a horseless carriage.
UNION NOTES
Last month we were taking you folks in the service on an imaginary trip around the mill. We are to visit the Weave Room this month, so what are we waiting for?—Let’s get going.
We have to go down one flight of stairs and who do we see but Dave Dougall who is still moving a lot of freight on the elevator. If you have seen the 51st Highland Division on your travels just tell Dave about it. He will be an eager listener. So would any other Scot, for that matter.
Here are four boys coming in that you will want to speak to, Doug. Falle, Jim Naisens, Bill Weatherstone and Banks Duncan. The looms still make a lot of noise, your ears will tell you as you go through the door. Did you notice the new Neon lights over the first few rows of looms. Pretty nifty, eh? What’s more the chaps on these looms think they are O.K.
That pleasant faced chap fixing the loom near the door is Tom Mead—we will stop and say hello. Tom is the Union Steward for the Weave Room now and a good one. At the bench you will see Ross Eaton and Bob Proud hard at work. We will speak gently to Bob Proud since we hear that he tosses 300-lb. bar bells around three or four times a week. Maybe he does, he look pretty husky.
Joe Pirak and Bob Bucholtz are busy at their looms but will be glad to see you. So will Mrs. Munch and Mrs. Murray, only they will want to hear about some of your adventures, and they will be able to tell you about the folk you used to know who are not working in the Weave Room now. You mustn’t forget to look up Charlie Davis, he will be glad to see you back. Charlie has followed the war news closely and is glad that it’s nearly over. Maybe there are a lot more in the Weave Room you will want to talk to. It’s O.K. with us. Go ahead. Next month we will continue the journey if the war with Hitler hasn’t ended in the meantime.
Secretary, W.W.U.
RECREATION CLUB NEWS
The opening dance of the season turned out to be a successful affair, although we did see more airmen, at times, looking over the sights of Hespeler than were on the dance floor. Cool weather should change the situation.
On Saturday, Sept. 16th, some 45 members of the Recreation Club did their bit for the war effort by lending a hand in the collection of milkweed pods. The results were worthwhile too—four large bags. To “top off” the afternoon the gang gathered around the fire for hot dogs, doughnuts and coffee.
As we go to press another dance is under way, which should top the first both in attendance and fun for all.
Musical Society
The Musical Society has had its first practice. A very large number have planned to follow this form of recreation through the fall and winter months. There is no doubt that those who are participating will be able to look back next spring and feel that they have had a really enjoyable time.
It is planned to have a concert as soon as the group can be made ready. A proposed executive is being placed before the members for their approval.
Tennis
Considerable use was made of the tennis courts this year and with conditions fast becoming unseasonable for tennis, it would be wise to get those last few games in before we close for the year.
Next season with a really early start we should be able to run off a tournament or two.
Softball
Haks and Independents are battling it out this year for the championship of the Industrial League. At the time of this writing Haks seem to be the stronger of the two clubs and should come out on top. However, anything can happen in a ball game as the Mill team learned this year. It just takes one bad inning per game and you are on the side lines.
Our congratulations to the team that wins. To the losing teams we can only say, “try again next year.”
And speaking of next year we hope to see all the boys back and out on the ball field again, doing their fighting in a game that can be called because of wet grounds.
D. W. & W. ENLISTMENTS
Army…………………….……………. 123
Air force ………….….……………… 75
Navy………………………………….. 17
_____
215
A Winning Hand
Buy one more than before! Clarice Baker leaves room for the 7th Victory Bond
LAC. Bud Beckman, home on furlough from the west coast, was a recent visitor at the mill.
L/Bdr. Bill O’Krafka, home on furlough from the east coast paid a visit to the boys in the Woollen Yarn Stores. Bill was in there giving the boys a hand for a week.
Ready for the Midnight Alarm
Fire Chief George Heuther, Deputy Chief Wally Jardine and the boys of the old brigade are mighty proud of their new fire truck.
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It is quite some time since I have written to you in appreciation of the cigarettes and mill paper which come very regularly. There is much more truth in it than fiction when the fellows say we are looked after better than any town or city in Canada that you wish to mention.
I was very sorry to hear of the casualties, as some of them were my best friends. They are very hard to replace, if possible at all. We never know who will be next on the list. All we can do is hope it isn’t our name, if it is, we won’t have anything to worry about.
Things are going quite well for me so far and when I get lonesome I just take a stroll up the road and have a chat with Bob Caswell about the old times we used to have in Hespeler. This way we spend a quiet evening instead of getting tangled up in some of this French calvados or cognac which is very powerful stuff. I wish I could be home this Christmas to have a drink with some of the boys as I have a big bottle of champagne in my kit bag.
A59655 L/Cpl. Armstrong H.L.
H. Q. First Cdn. Army, M.T. Section,
Canadian Army Overseas.