VOL. IV
JANUARY 1945
NO. 7
Published at the Hespeler, Ontario Plant of Dominion Woollens and Worsteds, Limited
LDG. 1ST STO. DOUG. BARCLAY
H.M.C.S. New Waterford,
c/o F.M.O., Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Doug. left the Company in November, 1943, to join the R.C.N.V.R. At the time of enlistment he was employed in the Steam Plant.
MAJOR CHARLES H. BARRETT
Headquarters,
Fourth Canadian Infantry Brigade,
Canadian Army Overseas, B.W.E.F.
Charlie was a member of the H.L.I. non-permanent force before enlisting with that regiment for active service. Previous to enlistment he had been with the Company six years.
William Shakespeare had a way of saying things that so often can be applied to present circumstances. While not necessarily students of Shakespeare, most blood donors are familiar with those lines for they appear on the back of each “report card” issued by Blood Donor Clinics.
Much is said these days about “The War Effort.” In the lunch-room the other day, one of our men made this remark, “It seems to me that the most purely personal war effort a civilian can make is to be a blood donor.” If you are a civilian and are not a blood donor, this is your chance to make a “purely personal war effort.” And don’t think for one minute that you are unable to do it—unless your doctor says so.
Thousands of lives are being saved on the battlefields of World War II which would have been lost during World War I. Carried by our fighting doctors, those little packs containing enough dried blood serum and distilled water for an immediate transfusion are doing the trick.
While there is still room for improvement, the people of Hespeler and the employees of our mill are not lagging behind. Of the latter, and at the time of writing, Allan Wilford and Fred Humphreys lead the parade with fifteen donations each, while George Oliver is close behind with fourteen. Those who still harbour doubts concerning blood donor work should talk to these men. Further, our plant nurses have complete information on the subject and will be glad to answer any of your questions and, incidentally, will register you.
If you haven’t signed up yet, don’t let another day pass. It is so easy to do your dull share in this “purely personal war effort.”
Good quality top and efficient spinning make for fine quality yarn—but it is the careful bleaching to snowy whiteness before dyeing, that produces clean delicately shaded yarns.
When the skeined, hand knitting yarns come to the dyehouse they appear in their natural yellowish condition. The yarn is immersed in a solution of hydrogen peroxide (the familiar H202 of our school days) for twelve hours after which it is extracted to remove the excess liquid, then subjected to a treatment called stoving in which the yarn is exposed to the vapour of burning surphur for twelve hours.
In the photograph, Frank Burchett is removing yarn from the extractor.
Army……………………. 128
Air force ………….……. 75
Navy………..……………. 18
___________________________
221
Cpl. Norm Reist arrived home from overseas on Christmas Day. He has been serving overseas with the R.C.A.F. for the past three years and is home on a 30-day furlough. It’s nice to see you back, Norm.
Charlie Barrett Awarded M.B.E.
As this issue goes to press we have just received word that Charlie Barrett has been awarded the M.B.E. (Member of the British Empire). Our heartiest congratulations, Charlie.
Killed in Action
Word was received here on Dec. 28th that Pte. Bill Cox was killed in action in Italy on Dec. 15th. Bill was a member of the Weaving Dept. prior to his enlistment in November, 1942. He went overseas a year later and has been serving in Italy since last February. Our sincerest sympathy is extended to Mr. and Mrs. Cox and family.
To be president of a Union with well over 500 members is both an honor and a responsibility. Herb carried the honor lightly but he was fully aware of the responsibility and worked hard to be a good official. The latest figures for both membership and results show how well he succeeded.
Herb was rejected from the Army because of ill health but he liked to tell about his years in the militia previous to the war. He was with the Queen’s Own Rifles and went with them on some of their tours. The highlight of his military career was being chosen for the Guard of Honor platoon during the Royal visit of 1939.
At home, Herb spent considerable time beside the radio. He liked the antics of Fibber McGee and the “brain teasers” of Vox Pop. He also enjoyed the Lux Theatre dramas and his favorite musical program was “The Album of Familiar Music.” Most of us will agree that his taste in radio programs was good.
Herb filled his niche in life to the best of his ability, and who amongst us can do any better than that.
MUSICAL SOCIETY
Plans have been made by the committee in charge for the society’s first concert which will be held early next month. Membership and attendance have increased to a point where it is felt a very successful concert can be given. We are looking forward to this, because from what we have gathered it is going to be entertainment of a first-class calibre given by our own members with a little outside support.
CHRISTMAS DANCE
The Club celebrated Christmas rather early this year with a dance on Dec. 16th at the Oddfellows’ Hall. Approximately 250 merry-makers turned out for the affair, despite the fact that Christmas shopping was uppermost in the members’ minds at that time.
PLANS
Consideration is now being given to the organization of a dramatic group and a glee club. Other possibilities are also being investigated. However, these two activities seem to be the most likely ones. Quite a number of members were expecting to see a glee club when the musical society was organized and were a little disappointed. We hope to be able to take care their interests very shortly.
I have before me September’s “D. W. & W. News” which arrived last night along with three hundred Winchesters. I wish to express my thanks. The News always affords me some extra special reading and I feel sort of let down when I come to the end. This particular issue left me high and dry with many thoughts and emotions. I fairly devoured the front page, realizing only too well that it is just five years since I had my last look at the old home town. Those snaps brought back memories. Post Office, farthest end of town; Library, where I spent quite a few hours; Town Hall and the good old Lacrosse meetings; C.N.R. and passing the time of day with Dode and Bill; Public School, where I spent a great deal of my school age life under the supervision of the best O.C. a boy or girl could ever have, Principal J.D. Ramsay.
Page two, and I see extracts of a letter from Ray Reynolds. We used to work together in the Card Room and often used to meet and conflab on the roads of Southern England, so far from Hespeler. The picture of his daughter and I think of my own, Rose Marie, just eighteen months old. The three pictures at the bottom of the page, three men who have paid the Supreme Price. We must not fail them.
Page three, Union Notes, I always look at them. I, for one, like to keep up to date on what my chances are after this fuss is over. The Letter Box always gives the address of somebody who isn’t so dashed far away, if we could only get over, or if they hadn’t moved. The two gals tomorrow will adorn the Order Board and again some fellows will think I am holding out on them because I can’t answer certain questions.
Page four. It’s a good start here to add my congratulations to George Edmonds, and wish him the very best of luck. I find that fifty per cent of the names on the page I don’t know, and figure perhaps an even larger per cent at the mill right now don’t know or remember me, so we are even.
Well friends, this particular paper sure started me thinking of the Biggest Little Town in Canada, and also the “Best” – my Home Town.
R183937 F. Sgt. Robert Burn,
R.C.A.F. Overseas.
Once again I want to thank you and the company for the cigarettes received last week. It seems that the only time I get around to writing you is after receiving one of your parcels; but we have been kept very busy the last couple of months dumping our calling cards on the Reich, and so my letter writing has suffered considerably.
I do hope the people at home realize how much their gifts mean to us over here, and it is really beyond words to put our feelings in a letter. Some day soon we hope to be all back home again and so able to thank each one personally, but till then we have a job to do, just as you have on the home front.
Please say hello to all the boys in the office, or perhaps I should say girls, for I believe that there are not many there who were present when I held down the desk in the corner. I’d like to be especially remembered to Harold Seekins and Rus Wehner to whom I promised to write, but have never achieved my aim.
I’ve seen quite a few of the fellows from home over here and they are all as anxious as I to get home again.
A9119 Cpl. Bloomfield, G.W.F.,
2 C.I.B. Coy., R.C.A.S.C.,
C.M.F.
It would be impossible to let an item like this, namely the supplement to the October issue “Active Service Addresses” slip by without acknowledgement and heartiest thanks. It has solved a great problem for me, and I assure you it has brought the same results for others.
When we get the opportunity to travel past the different units, I often wonder if any of the Hespeler lads are present. This is my answer.
While I am with you for a few moments, I would like to thank everyone for the regular supply of cigarettes. The old D. W. & W. is second to no one.
Thanks again, and all the best that can be had for Christmas, and may the New Year be a prosperous one for all.
It’s good to see Fred Sharpe back on the job. Fred has been on the sick list for the past three months.
We are sorry to hear that Pte. Jack Grieg has been wounded in action in Italy. It is not known as yet to what extent he was wounded, but we sincerely hope it isn’t serious.
Alice Oliver breaks trail at Puslinch.
See the original photo
LAC. Bob Amos who is serving overseas with the R.C.A.F., was married to Joyce Millington of the W.A.A.F. in St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Doncaster, England, on December 9th. Congratulations and best wishes to you and your bride, Bob!
Elizabeth Pulbrook Renner was presented with a silver tea service on behalf of the office staff, prior to her marriage.
The girls in the Mule Spinning Dept., were glad to see Wren Pauline Dugmore, who called in to say hello while home on furlough from the east coast.
Mr. and Mrs. O’Krafka have received word that their son Alf. Who is serving overseas with the R.C.A.F., has been promoted to the rank of flying officer. Congratulations, Alf!
AW1. Shirley Harlock, now stationed in Hagersville, paid a visit to the Spinning Dept., while home on leave.
We wish every success to Frances Stager in her new life with the W.R.C.N.S. Frances was presented with a writing portfolio and a bill fold on behalf of the office staff before she left.
AW1. Jean Masterson of Fingal visited the mill while home on leave.
Word was received here by his wife that F/O Robert Hughes-Games has arrived safely in the United Kingdom. First reported missing in action, Bob was later reported interned in Sweden, and until his arrival back in the United Kingdom has been in that neutral country.
Pte. Mel Watson, Pte. Alex McCormick and LAC. Tom Foss were recent visitors in the Weave Room.
Pte. Bruce Mackey and Tpr. Harvey Stager of Camp Borden were also recent visitors at the mill.
Enlistments for this month include Jack Daly, Weave Room, and Randy Perry, Worsted Carding Dept., with the Army, and Frances Stager. Cost Office, with the W.R.C.N.S.
Ruth Baird who has been off work sick for the past three months has returned to work. Glad to see you back, Ruth.
S.A. John Wildman was home for a few days from the east coast where he is stationed with the R.C.N.V.R., and came in to see us.
We wish to express our appreciation and thanks to Ralph Tanton and all those who assisted him in doing such a find job of decorating the lunchroom for the Christmas season.
We are glad to see Charlie Beckman back on the job again and hope he is feeling a lot better.
Writer Don McArthur of the R.C.N.V.R., home from Halifax for the Christmas holiday dropped in to wish us all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
D. W. & W. wishes to thank the boys and girls in the service for the many Christmas greeting cards which they received.
Our deepest sympathy is extended to the bereaved of Herb McCord, who passed away on Dec. 10th. Herb was a member of the Cloth Finishing Dept., and president of the W.W.U.
We are sorry to hear that Mrs. Dolson has received word that her son, L/Bdr. Ted Dolson, who has been with the R.C.A. in Italy, was reported missing since Dec. 16th, and he is believed to be a prisoner of war.
Town Council 1945, Seated: Ald. Ross Eaton, Reeve Art Young, Mayor Allan Wilford, Ald. Alf. Roos. Back Row: Ald George Sims, Ald. Joseph Smith, Town Clerk George Woods, Ald. Cameron Macnab, Ald. Chris. From.
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Sorry I’m so late in doing this but I thought I’d like to drop you a line telling you how much I appreciated your Christmas gift. It was really wonderful to know that at Christmas time all those at home were thinking about the rest of us no matter where we were.
I enjoy the mill paper very much, in fact the boys in the hospital do too, and after seeing some of the shots your photographer has taken. I used to get teased about coming from such a small town, but not any more, I pass the paper on to them and they have also seen our ship, so Hespeler is the “Biggest Little Town in Canada” now.
We had a very nice Christmas down here. As usual the officers served us our Christmas dinner which included soup, turkey and all the trimmings even to a glass of beer. The hospital was all decorated. Each ward had their own Christmas tree and on Christmas morning Santa Claus came to see them and deliver his gifts. Everyone did have a good time and kept that blue homesick feeling away. Here’s hoping I get back to leave this summer. I haven’t been home in warm weather yet, so when I do I’ll be down to visit you all at the mill.
W3526 L/W Pauline Dugmore,
H.M.C.S. Stadacona,
Halifax, N.S.