Drill Halls and Cadets — Nikki Thornton Photo Files

Nikki Thornton

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Scan of some 35mm positive strips, can really start to tell the difference between source material.

I’d figure the same lads from the Drill Hall or members of the Lanark & Renfrew Scottish Regiment.

The group was made up of high school students from Almonte, Carleton Place, Perth and Lanark. Lots of fun that summer. We took first aid, rescue, map reading, signals, military drills, finishing with 2 weeks of small arms training with FN rifle, hand grenades, mock battles at Camp Petwawa.

Third Row from Left: Warren Robillard (Carleton Place), Jerry Milotte (Lanark), Dave Wylie (Almonte), Reed Kilburn (Almonte), Doug Beasley (Perth), Patrick Dunn (Almonte), Bob Campbell (Lanark), Unknown, Doug Thornton (Carleton Place), Mike Doyle (Almonte)

Second Row from Left: Unknown, Glen Paul (Lanark), Tucker Harris (Carleton Place), Francis Coleman (Carleton Place), Bob Gordon (Carleton Place), Joe Moore (Perth), Unknown (Almonte), Bob Robillard (Carleton Place), Dave Levine (Carleton Place), Mike Mills (Almonte-Blakeney)

Front Row from Left: Corporal Philip Twigg, Corporal Mike Dunn (Almonte), Sergeant? Unknown, Lieutenant Michael White, Corporal? Unknown, Corporal Bryan Rogers (Carleton Place).

Thanks to Nikki Thornton

Drill Hall in Carleton Place (Late 50s or early 60s) ( no names)

John Street, the current home of the RCSC Lanark.

#42: Lanark and Renfrew Scottish Regiment Company Summer Program, c. 1960

Taken in front of the John Street Drill Hall.

Tim Neil — Major Gord Neil became the Commanding Officer of this Regiment in the mid 60’s

Joe Moore

Some Perth fellows there, Dale Foley, Don Bell, Jack Hartwell, Ron & Don Cummings (Innisville)

Karen Lloyd

See lots of random faces….Brian Black, Brian Rodgers, Ted Paquette, Ted Walsh,Dave Brown….

Photo- Peter Bradkey

Carleton Place Cadets in front of the high school

Peter Bradley

In the ’50’s we wore battle dress uniforms with white belt and gators with bicycle chain to hold your trousers straight and a beret to top it all off, so this picture was before or after that time

Ray Paquette

I agree with Peter. I was a member of the cadet corps (1954-1956) and the band from 1956-1959 during which time we wore olive drab battle dress and berets. The dress of the cadets (wedgies and work dress) was introduced post 1968 and the Forces unification

Dan Williams

I know we recruited a lot of guys from the high school band when we started the OYB band in 1959. I think the majorettes as well. Andy Dunlop, my brother John, Lornie Hudson, Garry Greer and Yappy Brown were the drum line. All from the high school cadet band I think.

Alex Vorobej

Cadets Parade-Photo-Mike Jeays 2007

From Gord Cross–CPHS Cadet Band 1958– Tell me where this is on Bridge Street??:) I know..

Ray Paquette The young man appears to be dressed in an Army Cadet uniform. The store he is in front of was Bowland’s Grocery (Carleton Place) at the time the maple tree was growing out of the side walk. I walked by on my way to and from Central School

Royal Canadian Army Cadets of Carleton Place High School paraded the school grounds. Thanks to Gord Cross for this photo and maybe someone can tell me what year this was..

Larry Clark

My memory is very foggy on this, but I believe Lloyd would have graduated 1955 and I would date this about 1953. Could be that I am in this photo but impossible to tell. The shop teacher Mr. Vought(sic) was the school liaison. I recall target practice in the Gym where they stored a bullet catcher at one end. Perhaps the photographer (Newton) would be a clue.

The Carleton Place High School Cadets– Photo from Gord Cross.. no idea of year or names

Linda Seccaspina

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RonBarb Goebel

6 hrs ·

It was really nice to see our local cadets assisting with our Branch #192 Poppy Campaign today.

The Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Patch Assortment

Clipping thanks to Doris Blackburn/ Karen Blackburn Chenier Don Dutton and Mrs. Dutton enjoying an Almonte Sea Cadets evening.

CLIPPED FROMThe Ottawa CitizenOttawa, Ontario, Canada30 May 1951, Wed  •  Page 37

CLIPPED FROMThe Kingston Whig-StandardKingston, Ontario, Canada20 Oct 1952, Mon  •  Page 5

The old drill hall was on Beckwith Street=

CLIPPED FROMOttawa Daily CitizenOttawa, Ontario, Canada17 Nov 1897, Wed  •  Page 3

Fact–A new Militia Hall (1866) was located on Beckwith Street and the Carleton Place area had recently contributed 60 well trained and equipped volunteers during the U.S. Fenian raids into Canada.

Drill halls built in 1866 at county centres including Perth, Carleton Place and Almonte were used for many years. The Carleton Place drill shed was at the market square between Beckwith and Judson Streets, at the former site of the skating rink which is now the library.

CLIPPED FROMThe Ottawa CitizenOttawa, Ontario, Canada06 Nov 1943, Sat  •  Page 18

Vintage Carleton Place Sea Cadets 1970s

The Man that Brought “Canada” Back to Carleton Place – Bill Bagg

HIGH SCHOOL CADETS RESCUE CHILD IN RIVER

Remembering local Almonte Scouts — Jack Lyons and Harold McGrath

Do You Remember? 1900 in Almonte — Dugald Campbell

Vintage Fashion History — The Exquisite Charm of Pepe Le Pew

A three-quarter length coat by Bruyere in black wool with skunk fur sleeves. The model wears a hat with a wide up-turned brim which frames her face- Mary Evans Click

Seems one day on the 12th line of Ramsay became no joke for snow plower Mel Royce. Royce who once plowed the streets of Almonte and the 12th line of Ramsay encountered quite the stinky situation.

That snowy Wednesday day he was making progress up the line until he came across a skunk in the middle of the road that wasn’t too keen on moving. Well, Mel wasn’t going to move either with his snowplow and wondered why the skunk wasn’t hibernating with the rest of the skunks.

Well, as the standoff continued two young lads Alex Symington and Cecil McIntyre, decided they would do their good deed as it was also Boy Scout Week. They discussed a plan among themselves and then began to pelt the skunk with snowballs. The skunk still didn’t move from either defiance or stupidity. Minutes later with both sides trying to decide what to do, the skunk just decided to move and sit on the side of the road for a spell. I am pleased to also offer the news that Mel Royce finished clearing that road for everyone that lived on the 12th Line of Ramsay.

ANYBODY LOOKING FOR A SKUNK COAT?

It seems that skunk furs — properly deodorised of course —were once very much in demand for ladies’ coats and fur places. Mind you nobody walks into tho furrier and asks for a skunk coat. It’s like a lot of other products: it’s thoroughly disguised under some less offensive sounding name. In the 1940s a full-length skunk coat with bishop sleeves, hanging straight from the shoulders, might worn over a black velveteen two-piece jacket dress, the jacket all edged in white braid, and the dress featuring a high cowl neck. A Krimmer coat illustrated the new rounder, softer shoulderline. With it might be worn a poudre blue wool dress bound in matching velveteen, and a raspberry wool shirtmaker frock featured tucks at the shoulders and brass buttons. 

Skunk fur is rather long, with coarse, glossy guard hairs of about one to two inches, which have the qualities of strength and longevity. Normally the under-fur is grayish underneath the black guard hairs and white underneath the white guard hairs. If the more valuable all-black pelts were not used or available, the entire pelt was dyed a uniform, glossy black.

Skunk fur has been used in the fur industry as early as the mid 1800’s, gradually increasing in popularity into the 1900’s when it exceeded production of the most traded fur – Muskrat. As the United States recovered from the Great Depression a strong market for fur trimmed cloth coats created a demand for skunk, with pelts doubling in price into the early 1940’s. Previous to the 1950’s it was sold under different names including Alaskan sable, and American Sable.

Photo-Click here

After the identity of the fur was known, Skunk took a dive in popularity. This continued into the early 1970’s at which time the offbeat, unconventionality of it seemed to restore its appeal for a brief time after which it went out of use again. An upsurge in the popularity of Skunk fur has taken place with fashion houses such as Prada and Fendi using the black or brown-and-white varieties in items from handbags to throws and long, sweeping coats.

“The hop growers loved the skunk because they ate the hop grubs that damaged the hop vines. The hop growers of the state, centered in Madison County, petitioned the State Legislature to pass a law giving the skunk a closed season. Thus the skunk became the first New York State furbearer to have legal protection!” “Many times a farm boy could earn more in a season’s trapping than his father made in a year on the farm. Skunks saved some farms during the Depression by the income from their pelts.” Norman Evans, Stories From Old Georgetown

Written by Pauline Cameron & Katie Kemsley

February 23,2023–Wowsa. Just in, a 1930’s hand made skunk fur coat. Yup. Skunk fur. Possibly made by a trapper. Or Cruella Deville

We’re big fans of vintage fur here, which is finding a second “life”. And this is a really beautiful and interesting piece. Skunk fur is quite coarse, long and so striking.

In great shape except for one elbow, which could easily be repaired with a black fur patch. You won’t see another one of these soon! $325. Big Vintage– 95 Mill Street, Almonte, ON, Canada, Ontario-heybigvintage@gmail.com

CLIPPED FROMThe Windsor StarWindsor, Ontario, Canada22 Dec 1941, Mon  •  Page 11

CLIPPED FROMThe Windsor StarWindsor, Ontario, Canada07 Nov 1940, Thu  •  Page 31

Fleas, Skunks and Other Irritants — Linda Knight Seccaspina

RUMOURS -Raccoon or Skunk?? Fact or Fiction- Stanzel History

Skunk Street — Shane’s Field– Clayton – George Belton 1939

The C.P.R “Dominion” Accident 1945 Carleton Place

March 1945

Six passengers received minor injuries on the first section of the Ottawa-bound C. P. R. “Dominion” passenger train went through an open switch at the Lake Avenue crossing and collided with the detached engine of a westbound freight.

No crew member was injured, but two cooks in the diner were scalded by hot coffee when the jar of the collision stalled the contents of the urns. A number of passengers received a shaking up but all proceeded on to their destination.

The collision might have been more serious but for the fact that the freight engine was separated from the buffer. It is understood the engine had been taken up to the tank when it backed on again off the main line the switch was not closed. As a result of the accident the second section of the “Dominion” was held at Almonte and was delayed about an hour. The freight engine was so badly damaged that it had to be replaced.

Dr. J. A. McEwen of Carleton Place, C. P. R. doctor at that point, gave medical attention to those passengers who suffered cuts and bruises. Assistant Divisional Superintendent F. J. Liston of Smiths Falls went to the scene and took charge.

CLIPPED FROM
The Ottawa Journal
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada12 Mar 1945, Mon  •  Page 1

On May 10th, 1946 Canadian Pacific passenger train #7, ‘The Dominion’, westbound, hit an open vandalized switch just west of Renfrew station and the locomotive, Royal Hudson 2858 and a baggage car rolled onto their sides.  There were no injuries. Auxiliary cranes from Smiths Falls and Chalk River rerailed them. 2858 is currently sitting in the locomotive bay at the Canada Science and Technology Museum, Ottawa. Colin Churcher

The Dominion

The Dominion was the CPR’s premier cross-Canada passenger train beginning year round June 25, 1933 until superseded by The Canadian an all-stainless steel diesel hauled train effective August 24, 1955. The Dominion continued in operation until February 1966.The Dominion operated as two separate complete trains.
Number 7 ran between Montreat and Vancouver. Number 8 in opposite direction.
Number 3 ran between Toronto and Vancouver. Number 4 in opposite direction.

Headend traffic was handled on a separate un-named train not in the public time table.
Number 5 ran between Toronto and Vancouver. Number 6 in opposite direction.
Number 9 ran between Montreal and Sudbury and Number 10 in opposite direction.

CLIPPED FROM
The Ottawa Journal
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada06 Oct 1945, Sat  •  Page 19

Canadian Pacific Railway Co., Wreck. Part of a wreck scene in the vicinity of the shops in Carleton Place. Negative envelope shows 1900-1910
ID #: MAT-04600
Subject: Canadian Pacific Railway Co.,Wreck,Déraillement
Collection Name: Aubrey Mattingly Transportation Collection

Carleton Place Railroad Notations

Train Accident? Five Bucks and a Free Lunch in Carleton Place Should Settle it

The Titanic of a Railway Disaster — Dr. Allan McLellan of Carleton Place

Convictions: Moonshine in Darling, Party in Appleton and Firetrucks 1948

December 1948 Almonte Gazette

Lloyd James who lives in Darling near Calabogie was convicted of keeping liquor for sale illegally in the District Magistrate’s court, here, this Thursday morning, and was sentenced to serve 60 days in the county jail.

Constable Legate of the Provincial Police laid the charge. James was defended by C. A. Mulvihill, K.C. of Arnprior. While there , was no evidence that money had changed hands the officer was able to prove that there was a great volume of traffic passing in to James’ home and that drinking was going on there.

The Magistrate decided that the rush of business was too great to be on a friendship basis and registered a conviction accordingly, A charge of supplying liquor to minors against a man who resided in Appleton was dismissed. This chap was accused of keeping the house where the long week-end party was held at which two Almonte girls and two Arnprior men working here temporarily, were “belles and beaux” of the ball.

The accused was able to show to the satisfaction of the court that he was not in charge of the house at the time of the lengthy festivities. C. J. Newton, Almonte lawyer, appeared for the accused. This was another provincial case.

M. A. McNairn, Almonte chief of police, had a couple of youths in court for traffic offences. One 16-year-old lad was fined $2 and $3 costs for hanging onto the back of the fire truck while it was returning from a fire. Another paid a like amount for riding two on a bicycle through heavy traffic returning from the fire. Another traffic case was adjourned.

Name:	Lloyd James
Residence Date:	1957
Residence Place:	Lanark, Ontario, Canada
Street Address:	R. R. 1, Flower Station
Electoral District:	Lanark
Occupation:	Farmer

Rick Roberts12 minutes

Lloyd James was my grandmother’s cousin who owned the farm next door to hers on highway 511 in Darling Township. Though there was never a firm rule, I wasn’t encouraged to spend time at Lloyd’s place but did anyway. Until reading this excerpt I didn’t know about Lloyd’s ‘sideline’ nor his time as a guest in the county jail. This was never discusssed in front of me though I’m sure my grandmother must have known about it.. she was a tea-totaller and had very strong negative opinions about alcohol.

As a kid, hanging out at Lloyd’s was a lot of fun. A brook ran through his yard where we fished for speckled trout. He tried to teach me to play the fiddle, but my aptitude for that instrument was wanting as was my enthusiasm. One summer he needed to remove some huge rocks that were exposed up into his lane. We had great fun digging down and planting dynamite then seeking cover during the explosions. My parents would have grounded me for life if they had known.

That said, reading Lloyd James name, regardless of context, makes me smile

Run Pig Run–Shake it Off! Convictions of 1870

Throwing a Snowball is Going to Cost you $1- Your Convictions of 1898

To Steal a Barge on Ebb’s Bay— Your Convictions of 1897

Step Right Up- Here are Your Family Convictions-September, 1894

Breach of the Town Bylaws and Other Convictions.. Sept. 11 1888

Justice of the Peace Convictions for the County of Lanark–July 17, 1885

Assault Abusive Language and Bridget McNee

The Notorious Bridget McGee of Perth

Down at the Old Perth Gaol

Justice of the Peace Convictions for the County of Lanark–Dec. 13, 1898-Who Do You Know?

Auctionering Without a License and Pigs on the Loose

Going to the Chapel –Drummond Whalen and Johnson of Carleton Place

“One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer” in Lanark County

Jailhouse Rock in Lanark County Part 2

The Drunken Desperados of Carleton Place

The Young Offenders of Lanark County

Merril Munro Lost in Ramsay Swamp 1944

Merril Munro, 9 year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. John Munro, Jr., 11th line of Ramsay Township, was the object of an intensive search from Monday evening until he was found on Tuesday. Mr. Munro purchased Mrs. W. H. Robertson’s farm on the 11th line at the first of this year. At the back of the farm is a large swamp which runs down to the Mississippi river. The boy had gone to bring the cows home and thought he heard a cowbell in the swamp.

It is thought that he merely heard an echo as the cows had come home themselves. He became completely lost and when he came to the river bank he made a comfortable bed of leaves (so he said) and slept until morning. In the meantime a search party had been organized and shots were fired to try to attract his attention.

The searchers gave up at midnight but continued their search at daylight. Mr. Thos. Command who was patrolling the river in a boat about 10 a.m. Tuesday discovered the lad and rowed across to Percy Drynan’s on Highway 29. From there he was brought to his home. It is noteworthy that the boy was not afraid nor did he complain of being cold. It is understood some of the searchers kept on looking for the lad for some time after he had been found until word reached them to that effect.

1944

LOST in Cedar Hill

So Which Island did the River Drivers of Clayton get Marooned On?

The Babes Lost in the Woods

The Story of Caroline La Rose– Charleston Lake

The Case of the Missing Toe

Francis Shaw Pakenham Postmaster Gone Missing —Elizabeth Shaw — Residential School Teacher

Effie McCallum —– Missing Milliner

The Case of the Missing $900

Explosives Go Missing! Stories From Old Photos

The Missing Heir

This is the old Hugh Munro log house, located on lot 1, concession 11 of Darling Township, which was apparently built in the early 1840’s or early 1850’s.

This property is presently owned by Wilbert Munro.

Almonte Hunting Parties — November 1941– Names Names and more Names

Greville Toshack poses with his hunting dog and rifle.
1900
Almonte Mill of Kintail Conservation Area Lanark, Ontario Photo

November 1941- Almonte Gazette

The old saying about distant fields looking green certainly applies to deer hunting this year. While more hunters than usual are roaming the wild country around the Black Donald and Matawatchan, and the northern parts of Lanark and Frontenac Counties deer have walked right into town as if they knew all the crack shots were far away.

The other day a deer swam across the river landing just above the fairgrounds. This may have been the same buck that appeared on Tuesday in the Spring Bush, now a part of Gemmill Park. The animal was spied on by the Separate School pupils and as it was nearly time for the junior room to be let out the class was dismissed. Another deer swam the river and landed at John Grace’s farm on highway 29.

Other similar instances are being reported from many points and it is hard to keep track of them all or to verify the stories. W. A, Jamieson, E. C. Gourlay, Jas. McDonald and Louis Peterson are hunting up at White Lake. Reports have reached civilization that Mr. Gourlay got a deer. Another buck or has it that the party bagged a large bear. Whether it is a polar bear, a grizzly bear or a common brown bear has not been learned nor is it clear which one of the Nimrods shot it although some give credit to Mr. Jamieson.

read-WHO’S AFRAID OF BIG BAD BEARS? Louis Peterson and Harvey Scott

On the other hand Mr. Peterson has long been considered an authority on bears since one night, long ago, when he and a friend hid all night in his car at the Black Donald while a bear sniffed around near them. Robt. Cochran shot a deer right near his home in the woods on R. A. Stewart’s farm. In this party were Wilbert McKay, Jim McKay, Harvey Boal, Russell Cochran and Archie Lockhart. This was on Monday.

Mayor Scott has been hunting in the Burnt Lands with the Meehan boys, Jack Command and Jack Kennedy. The first day Messrs. Command and Kennedy each got a deer. Hunting at White Lake also included Bob Leishman, Andrew and Robt. McPhail, Mel Royce, Oral Arthur and Mike Walsh. This party got two deer—one on Tuesday and another on Wednesday.

Among those from this district who are deer hunting are the following: Wm. and Mac Davis, Eddie Moone, Bob Cochran, E. C. Gourlay, Walter Moore, Carmen Munroe, Ronald Gunn, W. J. Drynan, Harry McGee, Clayton, W illard Smithson, Charles McKay, Clayton, Cyril Pierce, Herb and Elmer Rath, Clayton, James M. Brown, Gervaiss Finner, Eddie Manary, A. J. McGregor, W. A. Jamieson and Bill, Felix Finner, Michael Walsh, Jerry Price, John Gourlay, John H. Munroe, Russell Cochran, W. G. Yuill, Gordon Hanna, Andy McPhail, Wilfred Meehan, Corkery, Harvey Boal, John Command, Allan Carswell, Wilbert McEwen, Desmond Vaughan.Among those from this district who are deer hunting are the following: Wm. and Mac Davis, Eddie Moone, Bob Cochran, E. C. Gourlay, Walter Moore, Carmen Munroe, Ronald Gunn, W. J. Drynan, Harry McGee, Clayton, W illard Smithson, Charles McKay, Clayton, Cyril Pierce, Herb and Elmer Rath, Clayton, James M. Brown, Gervaiss Finner, Eddie Manary, A. J. McGregor, W. A. Jamieson and Bill, Felix Finner, Michael Walsh, Jerry Price, John Gourlay, John H. Munroe, Russell Cochran, W. G. Yuill, Gordon Hanna, Andy McPhail, Wilfred Meehan, Corkery, Harvey Boal, John Command, Allan Carswell, Wilbert McEwen, Desmond Vaughan.

In 1871 in Dalhousie Township the deer disappeared and Archibald Browning decided to put an end to it by going on a hunting spree in 1873. One of the wolves he caught was over 3 feet high, 6 feet long and weighed over 80 pounds. It was purchased by the Museum of Natural History in Montreal. Browning ended up killing 72 wolves 70 bears to save the deer population in Dalhousie Township.

Kevin Bingley–Archibald Browning recorded in the 1851 Agricultural Census living at Lavant. Item/listing # 6 Browning: Con, 7 West part lot 6 – 100 acres. Photo courtesy of Michael J. Umpherson.
When Archibald Browning was born on February 19, 1819, in Neilston, Renfrewshire, Scotland, his father, Archibald, was 39 and his mother, Janet, was 26. He married Janet “Jessie” Robertson in 1838. They had two children during their marriage. He died on February 16, 1900, in Lavant, Ontario, having lived a long life of 80 years.
Paul Rumleskie Further up the valley around Wilno the settlers hated the wolves also and I even remember my father speaking of this…
Claudia Tait You can’t judge what these people had to do to survive unless you had to feed a family without the privileges of a supermarket, a vehicle, warm winter clothes, electricity, air conditioning, central heating and medical assistance.
Elaine DeLisle Very interesting read. Back then venison was what got most families through the winter. Bear meat too. Skins were tanned and used for mitts and clothing. It was a way of life. No big supermarkets people.

Where Did the Wild Geese Go?

The Tale of a Teacher, a Duck, and the Mississippi River

Stories of the Mississippi River — Elk, Rice Beds, and Corduroy Roads

WHO’S AFRAID OF BIG BAD BEARS? Louis Peterson and Harvey Scott

Sometimes You Just Need to Remember– Reggie Bowden

CLIPPED FROM
The Lanark Era
Lanark, Ontario, Canada01 May 1907, Wed  •  Page 1

War Time Homes Carleton Place 1946

Homes built by Wartime Housing Limited in Peterborough, 1943,” Photographer J.B. Scott, Library and Archives Canada,

Ottawa and. the larger municipalities were “no more congested than the average”, and perhaps even less crowded than some of the smaller centres such as Smiths Falls where 2.700 families were jammed into 1.946 housing units, and Carleton Place where 900 units were occupied by 1,100 families. 1947

Soldiers marched from across Ontario and Canada into military training centres and then sailed to the war theatres of WW2. Women and men at home also marched, right into new sprawling factories to produce war supplies, munitions, aircraft, and ships. Even before the war, the country faced a severe housing shortage and as workers rushed into cities to fill jobs, especially in eastern Ontario, there was nowhere to call home

Architects drew up plans for small houses, some with four rooms, others with six. Ranging from 600 to 1,200 sq. ft., the single-level and one-and-a half-storey homes were quick to build and cost-efficient. Named Victory Houses, they were also dubbed Strawberry Box homes due to the boxy, fruit container shape.

In 1946 the Town of Carleton Place required at least 25 homes. Wartime Housing was going to be asked to be built on town lots located on vacant propertyies: on Boyd Street, about or opposite from the High School or Lake Avenue.

The Ottawa Journal
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
24 Aug 1946, Sat  •  Page 7

The Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
28 Sep 1946, Sat  •  Page 22– Various Carleton Place Homes no street mentioned ( not war time homes)

The Ottawa Journal
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
31 Aug 1946, Sat  •  Page 25

Herriott Street History — Rachel McRae Joann Voyce

The Renting Racket of 1942

Larry Clark
A small correction-it is Beth Slade being chased by Eliza Brazier, Beth’s grandmother.

Kathy DevlinI grew up on this block. Where the barn was there were 3 wartime houses built in the late 40 ‘ s and my family bought one of those houses on Herriott St

Marilyn WhiteLinda Seccaspina there are photos and written work by Dave Findlay that he did a few years ago. I sent some pictures for him. They should be at the museum. I grew up in a wartime house on Lake Ave. E.

Wartime Homes in Carleton Place on Herriott Street

A Very Short Story about Miss Mary Frances Agnes O’Neill

Years ago a drive was made by the pupils of St. Mary’s School to send food to the needy people in Europe during World War II. The plan was that each boy and girl would bring as many canned goods as the family household could spare. It all was sent over in a general hamper.

One of the students, Miss Mary France Agnes O’Neill wondered where her donation might end up— so she put her name and address on one of the cans. Months later she received a reply from one of the families in France.

Dear Mademoiselle O’Neill,

We have received a box of ‘conserves’ from your town and thank you very much. I have three children, Pierre, Colette and Joel. It is very hard in France to get food. I would be happy to get a letter from you.

Madame DeBitault

When Mary Frances Agnes O’Neill was born on July 13, 1931, in Almonte, Ontario, her father, Daniel, was 29, and her mother, Mary, was 28. She had two brothers and one sister. She died on December 2, 2018, in Carleton Place, Ontario, at the age of 87, and was buried in her hometown.

Did you know?

More than a year after World War II concluded in Europe, the residents of Le Havre, France, continued to struggle for survival. Their homes remained leveled, their stomachs chronically empty.

On May 11, 1946, relief arrived from across the ocean as the cargo ship American Traveler steamed into the war-torn city’s harbor with a shipment of food—and hope. Aboard were 15,000 brown cardboard boxes paid for by the Cooperative for American Remittances to Europe (CARE), which had been founded the previous year to bring humanitarian aid to millions starving in post-war Europe. These first “CARE Packages” contained everything from whole-milk powder and liver loaf to margarine and coffee. The contents of CARE Packages soon expanded to include soap, diapers, school supplies and medicine as well as fabric, thread and needles to allow recipients to make and mend clothes.

Nun on the Run

“Dominique, nique, nique s’en allait tout simplement”–The Pembroke Grey Nuns

The Old Woman Who Walked From Perth?

Making the Fudge for that Special School Affair 1940s Noreen Tyers

Canadian ration Books

When you were raised in the 1940’s and it war wartime, there were things you learned that you could not change as it was the just the way it was

I lived on a street in Eastview Ontario (now part of Ottawa) on a quiet little street. Across the street was a field and the railway tracks were on the other side of that. There were eight families on this street. As kids we all played together and you soon learned who was in charge and sort of in charge of street games like Red Rover and Hide and Seek. We also played baseball in the Summer and Hockey in the winter on the street. You would see little traffic on the street as some of the men were away fighting in the war or you just did not have a car.

For your baseball game you picked out various articles as your bases, for example the old fire hydrant was third base, a stone on the street was 2nd base, a tree on the side of the road was first. This worked well as there was little to worry about, for they were just there. Grandpa did offer to make us bases but no one wanted the responsibility of picking up the bases when the game was over. For Hockey in Winter time your puck was mostly the droppings from the bread man or the milk man’s horse. One soon learned you wanted colder weather as the pucks stayed frozen in the cold, and that was important, after all no one wanted to be sprayed with horse droppings.

Out of eight families, three Dad’s were in the Army and away at war in Europe, my Dad was not accepted to the armed forces and my Grandpa was to old to join the army, although some of his sons, my Uncles, did go to war. Thank Goodness for Grandpas as he repaired all broken things and did give advice or correct if needed. He was kind of the one you went to if you needed some advice.

On our street money was not always to plentiful and we soon learned that our families did rely on each other for items and Mom might just run out when making a meal. You were never embarrassed to go to your friend’s mother for an item your Mom might need for a recipe. In fact there were times when my Mom would make a desert for all, and the next door neighbour would have the makings of a lunch, so the name of the game was sharing your goods. By the end of the war they were expert at pooling their resources, and no one ever went hungry and there were leftovers that could be the starter for the next meal.

During the war time there were Ration Books which dictated what was available to you and your allotment. Now living on a street where one family kind of overlooked looking after one another, and sharing was most prevalent. We had no car so the gasoline coupons were up grab, and trading was the name of the game, part of the bartering system.

It seems to me the war effort was in force and knitting needles were always handy to make something to send to a loved one overseas. I was taught knitting at a young age and soon was making scarves to send to the Red Cross., to go overseas.

School time was a good time and one did not think of things like war, or whose Dad was away. We participated in school activities and our learning. I cannot say that I ever hesitated going to school as I did enjoy the teachers the social time with friends. We lived close enough that we walked to school with our friends who lived on the same street and it was always enjoyable to be able to wave to our neighbours who lived on adjoining streets on the way to school. In so many ways I do think the older folk did enjoy the children and their laughter, not really a care in the world. The funniest thing was you might be eating an apple on you way back to school from lunch and it was nothing for one of your neighbours to say, now don’t throw that core on the street, make sure you put it in the garbage. As children we did not take exception to this friendly reminder.

Things seemed to be more friendly and people did help and look after each other. It was close to Halloween and there was going to be a get together and a party. As a child I was used to my Mom making fudge for special occasions at school. Well when we all arrived home from school, the Mothers were talking at the front door. I have to admit adults were so smart and in tune to the season and what was happening. Well noisy children coming home announcing was not new to these Moms, Mom we need some fudge for the party. With the ration books and the allotment of sugar, this I can remember being told “I don’t know if we have enough coupons for sugar”, we had the attention of all three Mom’s and there was Grandma and my Mom’s Aunt, and friend Joan, had a grandmother who lived on the street as well. In order for the kids to get their treat for the party, they had to round up coupons from who we could. We pooled our resources and we were just a tad bit short to make enough for three families. My older friend and neighbour up the street, Mrs. Pauquette, I could ask her. I sometimes dusted for her if I was saving for something I wanted. Up the street I went and sure enough she had some extra coupons as they were older and had no children and did not use the same amount as a family with children.

I have to say the next day when we came home for lunch, the fudge had been made, cut into squares and divided into three boxes. We all had our contribution to the party, thanks to the co-operation of family, friends and neighbours. We were all set until Christmas now, that is when the next school celebration would take place.

For some this was not good memories, but the comradeship with your neighbours and family certainly did help. As we take time out to remember on November the 11th, just remember those who did not return.

From the ✒

of Noreen

November 8,2020

Amy’s WWII Never Fail Fudge

This recipe makes about 5 pounds of decadent  fudge.

• 1 tall can (11 oz) Carnation Evaporated Milk
• 4 1/2 cup white sugar
• 18 oz Nestles or Ghiradelli semisweet chocolate chips (three small bags)
• 1/2 pound butter
• 3 tablespoons vanilla
• Nuts, if desired (we’ve added crushed up candy canes on top of the fudge, stuff like that is tasty too!).

Put chocolate chips, butter and vanilla in large mixing bowl, set aside.

Bring milk and sugar to a rolling boil on medium heat in a large pan, stirring occasionally. When it reaches a rolling boil, time it for 6 1/2 minutes, stirring constantly.

Note: Amy suggested a temperature of 248F/120C on a candy thermometer but I needed to cook the fudge for double the time to get it there. Instead, I stopped cooking when flecks of caramelization started showing in the milk–about ten minutes, 225F. I wonder if the difference in altitude between her place and mine is a factor?

Pour the milk and sugar syrup mixture over the contents of the mixing bowl. Stir constantly until butter is completely melted, and the fudge is smooth and isn’t shiny. Add nuts if desired.

A 9×12 baking dish will hold the whole batch (either butter the dish or line with parchment paper first).  Or, pour into smaller containers to share.

read the rest here and amy’s story

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