VOL. IV
NOVEMBER 1944
NO. 5
Published at the Hespeler, Ontario Plant of Dominion Woollens and Worsteds, Limited
In Memoriam
SGT. JOHN UNGER
Killed in action August, 1944.
PTE. RONALD LAMB
Died of wounds received in action, on October 19th, 1944.
They gave their lives so that we who remain will build a better world for those who follow.
For something dearer, and for you!
Think in what cause we crossed the
seas!
Remember he who fails the challenge
Fails us too.
–Lawrence Binyon.
Wren Bugler Adds New Note To Old Refrain—Buy Bonds
How often do you, who comb the fleece, spin the yarn and weave the cloth, ever think of our raw material other than in terms of bulky bales bearing mysterious markings and symbols? We revere the inventors of basic textile machinery and marvel at modern improvements but how much credit do we give to those rugged gentlemen who, since the beginning of time, have striven to improve sheep and its wool for specific purposes. While the shepherds tending their flocks by night on the hills of Bethlehem heard “the good tidings of great joy,” sheep raising was a thriving industry. Centuries before, old Abraham had “prospered in the Lord” through his great flocks and herds. The ancient Babylonian spun and wove in his humble home. The arrogant Roman flourished his gorgeous woolen toga—his summer lightweight or his winter heavyweight. In the beginning, the sheep was covered with hair. His wool was merely a soft down next to the skin. Through the years, breeders gradually eliminated the hair and developed coarse wool and fine wool types of sheep. Eventually each country had its own strains and each strain its own colorful history, its peculiar users and its loyal supporters. No sheep, however, has had a more interesting past than the Australian Merino. His ancestors came from Spain. The Spanish Merino was the outcome of various fine wool sheep brought in from Asia, Africa, Greece and Rome by the Phoenicians hundreds of years before Christ. Gradually, the flocks became migratory, always travelling with the seasons. Constant movement developed hardiness in the strain. Constant warmth resulted in fine long fleece since it caused the body oils to penetrate to the very tips of the wool fibres, keeping them fine and pliant and preventing breakage from dryness. So valuable did these sheep become during the eighteenth century that to take one out of the country was punishable by death. But smuggling was rampant. In addition, most of the European royalty were related to the Spanish king and were not loath to ask for these bearers of the “golden fleece” in return for political favours. Eventually Merino blood found its way into the flocks of Europe. It is said that one flock of three hundred sheep obtained by the Elector of Saxony in 1765 produced, under the excellent care of a Saxon shepherd, the finest fleeces the world has ever known. The Spanish Merino was introduced into Australia in 1764 by the first man to cultivate land in the Colony, a Captain McArthur. He had been astonished to see the influences of climate and herbage on the fleece of some coarse-haired Indian sheep he was raising for mutton. Today Australia has more than a hundred million heads of sheep and many of the flocks have maintained their identity for over a hundred years. And so, when you speak of top, of yarn and of cloth, think occasionally of the sheep and his background. Think, too of our Canadian experimenters who labor unceasingly to produce good wool in spite of the intense fibre-breaking cold of our climate and who succeed amazingly well. And where does the Merino fit into their plans? One of the most successful strains they have produced is a cross between the Romney Marsh, a hardy sheep of true British origin and the French Rambouillet which is the direct descendant—you guessed it—of the Spanish Merino.Ambassadors of the Seventh
Karl Homuth introduced Capt. G. E. Jackson and Leading Wren Purvey who assisted at the opening of the Seventh Victory Loan Campaign.
UNION NOTES
If you happen to like romantic tales you will agree that “Hearts Content” sounds like a good setting for a novel. Or, if you have a touch of wander-lust then “Gold Cove” and the “Bay of Exploits” sound like good places to go. And, if you have a sense of humor, you will want to visit “Tickle Hat.” Should you want to know more about these places just ask the Newfoundland girls who started working here a few weeks ago. There must be some interesting tales behind those names and the girls won’t mind talking about their home-land.
We of the Union hope that you girls from Newfoundland will like working here, we hope you will like the district and we would also like to have you join our Union, if you haven’t already done so. The girls from the Sudbury district will be able to tell you about the gold mines of Northern Ontario and you girls from the Bonavista region can tell about the limestone quarries. Or, if the girls from the Summerside district miss dear old Winterside across the bay, then the girls from the Timmins region can tell you about ‘high grading” in the newly developed mine. And surely the girls from Trout Mills will be able to find some interests in common with the Shallop Cove girls. But, whether you come from Newfoundland or the Northern Ontario districts, you will find the Hespeler girls friendly and helpful. Also, they are quite proud of their own district, as they should be. Why don’t you all get better acquainted?
You folks in the Service will be getting impatient at the delay in our imaginary journey through the mill. Last month we left you talking to your friends in the Weave Room. This month we will see how the boys in the Maintenance are getting along. So let’s hike down the steps and visit them. Here comes Jim MacGillivray in his smart grey uniform. We must speak to him, he is sure to know you and will want to hear how you have been getting on. Those good looking girls waving at you are from the Mending Room. We will visit them later. They lead all the other departments in subscribing to war charities so we can’t leave them out, and you will want to see them.
But here comes Bert Johnson on the way to a repair job, still cheerful and will have you laughing in a minute. Have him tell you about his trip to Petawawa with the Reserve Army, and if you have been in the Navy he may ask if you have seen Allan. Here is another chap you will remember, Fred Munch. We must find out what news he has for you before we go into the shop.
Carol Matthies is busy threading a two-inch pipe, so we will talk to him later. But here is Fred From on the way to the Drawing Room with a bunch of gears, and right behind him comes Levi Eaton. Levi will be glad to see you. He is still one of the best-liked overseers in the mill. That chap at the buzz-saw is Henry Wehner. You will want to speak to him, and he can tell you about the rest of the gang that we haven’t had time to see.
But let’s go over to the carpenters’ benches to see Morley Washburn and Frank Featherstone. Morley is still one of the best cabinet-makers in town. Ask him to tell you about the last picnic the Maintenance Dept. had. It’s well worth hearing about. Frank Featherstone is busy splicing a belt but he likes to talk to you chaps in the service. Frank is the Union Treasurer and keeps our accounts in first-class shape. There may be a few others you will want to see so we will leave you here. Next month we will visit another department or two so that you can meet some more of your friends “back home.”
Secretary, W.W.U.
Back Perching
Throwing some light on the final process of Burling and Mending.
D. W. & W. ENLISTMENTS
Army……………….…. 125
Air force ………………. 75
Navy………..………….. 17
__________________________
217
RECREATION CLUB NEWS
Musical Society Dunks
With the lifting of restrictions on coffee, one of the lost arts was revived at a recent practice of the Musical Society, that of dunking doughnuts in coffee. From what we can gather the evening with one of the most successful so far. Everyone present enjoyed the surprise feed put on by the committee in charge.
With six practices gone the organization is beginning to show the result of their endeavours. Some employees are still backward about turning out to these practices. You are all welcome It is hoped to be able to put on a concert in the near future, so if you are not already in, turn out next Wednesday, before it is too late.
Hallowe’en Dance
Did you ever see a dream walking? Well we did. Yes, it was at the Hallowe’en dance. The evening started off very quietly, first a highlander turned up, then it was a little old lady, then Santa Claus, after that came a most peculiar creature, then a stream of characters came representing past, present and odd situations.
Prizes were given at the grand march. Kay Peters took the best lady’s, George Bailey the best man’s. Alice Oliver for the funniest lady’s and Fred Humphreys and Ernie Hartrick combined to take the funniest man’s.
IN THE LETTER BOX
A105242 L/Bdr. McIntosh J.L.,
20 W.T.S.F.F., Main H.Q.,
21 Army Group, B.L.A.
Canadian Army Overseas.
“Just a line or two to say thanks a million for the cigarettes and paper which I have been receiving ever since I have been here in France. Of all the places for dust one day and mud the next, this place takes the cake, but I guess things could be worse. We are very well fed and have plenty of cigarettes so that’s the main thing. We are all hoping it will be over soon and we will be in Hespeler again, for me anyhow it can’t come too soon. I want to say “hello” to all the old mob in the Weaving and Winding Department and to ask them to keep up the good work, and it will soon be over.”
A106697 Pte. Clulow R.J.
“B” Coy., Lincoln & Welland Regt.,
Canadian Army Overseas.
“Just a few lines to say “hello” and thanks for the cigarettes which I received some time ago. I am in the hospital at present suffering from a broken ear drum and a wound in the foot, due to a little action which I saw recently. I am in France, and as you know we have not come here to play marbles. Believe me I hope it will soon be over so we can all return home. I am very fortunate to be in a Canadian hospital. I have met Wally From who is just the same as ever, and I imagine he will always be that way. I would really like to tell you a lot about some of the things which I have seen since arriving in this country, but the censor says ‘No.’ So that’s that.”
A59655 L/Cpl. Armstrong H.L.
H. Q. First Cdn. Army, M.T. Section,
Canadian Army Overseas.
“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.
A56621 Sgt. Rubery A. E.
No. 4 V.R.D., 1 Can. C.O.D.
R.C.O.C. Canadian Army Overseas.
“Just a line to thank you for the cigarettes and the D. W. & W. News which I am receiving regularly from you. I thought I had missed them last month, but received two lots at once. I am very grateful for the smokes as they are so much better than the ones bought over here, and the News keeps one up to date with the mill. I see quite a lot of new faces there and also a lot of the old timers.”
IN THE LETTER BOX
A105242 L/Bdr. McIntosh J.L.,
20 W.T.S.F.F., Main H.Q.,
21 Army Group, B.L.A.
Canadian Army Overseas.
“Just a line or two to say thanks a million for the cigarettes and paper which I have been receiving ever since I have been here in France. Of all the places for dust one day and mud the next, this place takes the cake, but I guess things could be worse. We are very well fed and have plenty of cigarettes so that’s the main thing. We are all hoping it will be over soon and we will be in Hespeler again, for me anyhow it can’t come too soon. I want to say “hello” to all the old mob in the Weaving and Winding Department and to ask them to keep up the good work, and it will soon be over.”
A106697 Pte. Clulow R.J.
“B” Coy., Lincoln & Welland Regt.,
Canadian Army Overseas.
“Just a few lines to say “hello” and thanks for the cigarettes which I received some time ago. I am in the hospital at present suffering from a broken ear drum and a wound in the foot, due to a little action which I saw recently. I am in France, and as you know we have not come here to play marbles. Believe me I hope it will soon be over so we can all return home. I am very fortunate to be in a Canadian hospital. I have met Wally From who is just the same as ever, and I imagine he will always be that way. I would really like to tell you a lot about some of the things which I have seen since arriving in this country, but the censor says ‘No.’ So that’s that.”
A59655 L/Cpl. Armstrong H.L.
H. Q. First Cdn. Army, M.T. Section,
Canadian Army Overseas.
“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.
A56621 Sgt. Rubery A. E.
No. 4 V.R.D., 1 Can. C.O.D.
R.C.O.C. Canadian Army Overseas.
“Just a line to thank you for the cigarettes and the D. W. & W. News which I am receiving regularly from you. I thought I had missed them last month, but received two lots at once. I am very grateful for the smokes as they are so much better than the ones bought over here, and the News keeps one up to date with the mill. I see quite a lot of new faces there and also a lot of the old timers.”
Stormy Weather
HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE
Able Seaman John Cunnington was married in Edinburgh, Scotland on Sept. 19th, to Isabella Stewart. Best wishes to you and your bride, John.
We wish every happiness to Isobel Ride and Jimmy Leirsch, who were married on Sept. 30th, while Jimmy was home on furlough from the west coast.
Isobel was presented with an end table and a set of book ends on behalf of the Woollen Spinning Dept.
Ab. Rayment was a recent visitor at the plant, while home on leave from Halifax.
We extend our deepest sympathy to Ruth Baird in the loss of her brother, Lieut. Jim Baird, who died of wounds received in action on the western front.
Gus Johnston of the Woollen Carding Dept., has received word that his son, Flight-Lieut. Kenneth Johnston, who has been serving overseas for the past three years, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Flt.-Lieut. Johnston has completed one tour of operations and is now nearing the completion of his second tour.
We send our best wishes to Fred Sharpe to remind him that he is missed here. He was taken home from work some weeks ago as a result of a heart attack. We are glad to hear that Fred is gradually improving.
We regret to report that L/Cpl. Maurice Bruce has been severely wounded in action in Italy. Maurice enlisted in January, 1943, from the Weaving Dept. His wife and son, Donald, reside in town.
We are sorry to hear that Cpl. Jack Brent has been wounded in action in France. How seriously we do not know, as his family have just received the message without detail. The best of luck to Jack.
John Foss dropped in to say hello while home on a six day leave from the east coast.
Harvey Stager of the Woollen Carding Dept. has enlisted with the Army and at present is stationed in Orillia. Best of luck, Harvey!
The following members of the Safety Committee attended the zone meeting of the Grand River Valley Division of the Industrial Accident Prevention Association held at the Highlands in Galt recently: Ruth Foss, Elsie Leitch, Marguerite De Rosier, Nurse Baker, Helen Wenzel, Gilbert Povey, Charlie Smith, Frank Dugmore, John Garside, Ross Eaton and Fred Hutchings.
Beatrice Ringler underwent an operation for appendicitis recently. We are glad to hear Beatrice is getting along fine and hope to see her back to work soon.
Sincere sympathy is extended to Richard Beer and family in the loss of his wife and mother.
As this issue goes to press we learn that Pte. Jack Caswell has been seriously wounded in action in Italy and Gnr. Robin Lowe has been severely wounded in action in Belgium. We hope they are both well on the way to recovery by this time.
Tom Highton was home recently from the west coast and paid a visit to the boys in the Weave Room.
Cpl. Reg. Jiggins, formerly reported missing in action, is now a prisoner of war in Germany.
IN THE LETTERBOX
A/B L. Munch, V-19660
H.M.C.S. Eastview,
c/o F.M.O.
Halifax, N.S.
“I was very happy to receive the mill paper once again and to know the mill has not forgotten me. Sometimes when I am at sea for three weeks or more at a time I read over all the papers I have and note the changes that have taken place at the mill within a year. It is certainly surprising.
I was interested in reading some of the letters from the boys in Italy and France and thought what a lot more they have to talk about than I have, as our letters are censored very closely.
I picked Bruce Ellis’ address out of the paper this time. It is one I have been looking for for some time.
I am over in the United Kingdom again for the eighteenth time and have seen a great many strange and interesting sights.
I wish to say in closing keep up the good work back home. We will do our best to get the material to the boys on the battle fronts.”
Temperature: 94800
Ralph Tanton surveys his handiwork. View full image.
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I have been receiving the “D. W. & W. News” quite regularly. The last one carried the picture of Ruth Richards coming out of a swan dive. I pasted her picture on the roof, or rather the ceiling of my tent, and the wolves were around as thick as wasps all afternoon. Can’t say I blame them. Where do you get all those masterpieces?
It was a coincidence that, shortly after reading Billie Cox’s letter in one issue, he should be brought into our dressing station. I hardly recognized him at first, but then they got some blood and dust washed off him he looked a little more like the chap I used to know.
Just now we are sitting in the middle of an immense field of grapes. Pretty nice eh? About a hundred feet away are three dead oxen and a smashed gun—not so nice. To make matters worse the wind is changing so I guess we will soon have to move.
From here I am watching a column of tanks winding up the road. Boy! Do they ever make a cloud of dust. Down in the valley there are a bunch of 25 pounders blasting away. It makes me think of what a chap I knew used to say, “It’s a grim issue, old boy, a grim issue.”
I must close as old Irish Davies, who claims to be our cook, is making threatening gestures to the effect that if we don’t come and get it soon it won’t be any good. I always maintain that it isn’t a helluva lot of good at the best of times, but I guess it’s matter of opinion. Well, whatever it is, I’d better go and get it.
A17013 Pte. McLaughlin, K.,
A. Coy., No. 5 C.F.A.,
C.A., C.M.F.