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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1944-02-17, Page 3THE T1MES-APVOCATE, EXETER ONTARIO, THURSDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 17, 1944 Movie Notices Friday, February 18th; “Hit The Ice,” starring Abbott and Costello, Ginny Sims, Patrie Knowles, Short; New Era ip India. Saturday, February 19th; “Henry Aldrich Swings It”. starring Jimmy Lydon, Charles Smith. Short; Letter from Ireland; Jolly Good Furlough (Popeye Cartoon). Monday, February 21st: “Salute For Three,” starring MacDonald Carey, Betty Rhodes, Dona Drake. Short: Beach Command; Speaking of Animals at the Cage Door Can­ teen. Wednesday, Feb. 23rd; Movie to be announced later. esting* Starting with main geo- graphic divisions, he showed the similiarity between Canada and Rus­ sia, and showed that the two coun­ tries had to face problems of the same kind. The main purpose of a Discussion Club is to give everyone a chance to voice his opinion; this meeting was up exception, Questions were thrown at Dr. Pleva for more than an hour address, voted it formativ< On Thursday, February tain Reoch will address group on the subject of The meeting will be held 2, of G.I.S. after he had finished his and the sixty who attended a most stimulating and in- i evening, 17, Cap- the same “Japan." in Room' Airnicn Assist in Zurich Fire to combat the by onlooking LAC. Smith C. In response to an urgent request for assistance. R.C.A.F. Firefighters from Grand Bend under the direc­ tion of LAC- Moore, assisted in bringing the $75,000 fire in the F. C. Kalbfleisch & Son planing mill, Zurich, Ont., under control. The fire, of undetermined origin, had gained such control it was nec­ essary to call upon Zurich, Hensail, Dashwood and the R.C.A.F. Grand Bend Fire Brigades blaze. Unstinted praise citizens was paid^to A., whose liome is Simcoe, Ontario, who voluntarily* accompanied the Grand Bend brigade and who, at the risk of personal danger to himself, was instrumental in directing the brigades in saving the flax mill, cider mill, as well as the storage which was near the buildings. LAC. Smith, though not her of any fire brigade, has had considerable experience in fighting fires, for his work of this kind has been the recipient om many medals ' for lifesaving while fighting fires. • Other members of the R.C.A.F. who accompanied the Grand Bend brigade together with LAC. Moore and LAC. Smith, were LAC. McIn­ tyre A. W., LAC. Beattie W., LAC. Dye J., and Corporal Dentrey. Ev. Inch. gasoline burning a mem- Eminent Geographer Visits Station On Tuesday, February 8, the tion' Discussion Group played to Professor Pleva, head of Geography Department of the versity of Western Ontario. Dr. Pleva’s development of his subject, “Russia,” was most inter- Sta­ ll ost the Uni- Sgt. Sports J. Potter Last week Port Albert brought down their Basketball and Badmin­ ton Teams and the Drill Hall was a mighty busy place. The Basketball Game was a very good one and the players had to keep going all the time to keep their opponents from making tod many baskets. The final score ralia, not a men, was 29-19 in favor of Cent- and although basketball is game played by most English- tlie Port Albert boys have certainly picked it up in a hurry since they came to Canada. However, badminton is one' of their favorite ■ sports and they really won in that field. There were some fast games, and the singles final which was won by Sgt. Gordon from our Link section, might have been an exhibi­ tion game it was so good. After­ wards the teams were all invited to the Airmen’s Mess Dance and they enjoyed the fine party that the Mess staff put on. Centralia’s Hockey team is still on top of the Northern league but some of the opposing teams are put­ ting up much more opposition than at the beginning of the season. Last week there were two games away from home; the- first at Clinton, and the second at Seaforth when we won 7-5. The Centralia Flyers have been doing a good job and have practiced a lot, but they are going to miss the help and experience of Sgt. W. Wright who has been post­ ed to Trenton on a course. Cpl. Dixon. Station Activities As ming The Skating Party turned out to be (~ a big success, and the crowd was! 19 42. I usual the station was hum- with doin’s this past ween. twice as large ns that anticipated- Pop’s buses took us into Exeter and the Directors of the Rink were kind enough to open the Rink to all Air’ force personnel free of charge fo* that night. The ice was fine, and it was exactly the sort of cold moon­ light night for a Skating Party. Afterwards the skaters returned to the Hostess House for coffee and sandwiches, and the evening ended in a good rousing sing-song with everyone around the piano. On Thursday Captain Frank Guy Armitage put on a one man show in the Rec Hall, and there is no doubt about it, this man is a gifted artist. He uses no make-up, merely wigs and a small measure of costuming, but he achieves his remarkable re­ sults through, the use of facial ex­ pression, flexibility of voice and cleverly designed lighting effects. He calls his show “Dickens and His Queer Folk,” but the entertainment consists of far more than character portrayals. Captain Armitage is a ventriloquist, anti he ; has a Me partner called “Johnny” who spent most of the show making eyes at one of the “Hostess House Ladies,- Mrs. Thompson. That is until he was shut up in his box by the Captain. Another side line of the Captain's is performing magician’s tricks and one of the Airmen from the MT sec­ tion was amazed to see the Captain pull a white candle out of his tunic. .Two boys who volunteered as stage hands sat on the stairs backstage but were unable to see how any of the tricks were done. Captain Armitage has put on shows for the forces all -across Canada and even in such distant points as Whitehorse in the Yukon Territory and Goose Bay in Labrador, and we think we were very fortunate in having him at Centralia for everyone who saw him was amazed at the versatility of this man. Saturday night we had a movie in the Drill Hall followed by a Station Dance for all ranks, the combination of which was a bit of -an innovation and was a fine treat for those who were on the Station. At the opening of the program two farmers from McGillivray Town­ ship, Mr. M. E. Dixon and Mr. J. L. Hotson, were called to the stage and were presented with British Empire Medals, the presentation be­ ing made by Group Captain E. G. Fullerton. The British Empire med­ als were awards of the Canadian government for the heroic action of the two men in rescuing a student­ pilot from a burning plane south of Centralia on a night in September, F. O» Jack Anderson Describes the Invasion of Sicily 1943 other took Sicily, Aug. 28, To the Editor Exeter Times-Advocate Sir: I am not sure if any of the men from Exeter or District part in the invasion of Sicily or not —but thought you might be inter’, ested ip. my experiences—not that they were very exciting but I will try and give you a first hand ac­ count on the various aspects of the operation. As you may recall I received a parcel from the Exeter War Time Board while in Algiers. Shortly after this, July 1st to be exact, our unit packed up and took the road to Tunis, Fortunately F/Lt. Goodwin, who is CO. of the unit, and I share a Ford V8 Staff car and all our trips have been quite enjoyable. Soon after entering Tunisia we started to see all the signs of con­ flict—wrecked lorries, tanks, jeeps and planes—and the rows of little wooden crosses. We passed through Souk-el-Arba, Beja Medjez-el-bab and then through Tunis into Cape Bon. All of these towns showed signs fighting. Cape Bon more than a dump for 'German and Italian equipment. By this time the CO. and I knew we were scheduled for the invasion. It was quite a thrill at that time. We had to waterproof all our trucks, clean our guns and make all the preparations for the landing, As a sued “K” in a of was nothing previous area. The invasion had not yet but we were ready ana Then the news came . The initial landings were and we then moved down to 20 ckntralta airmen ESCAPE WIDEN LONDON BUS TAKES EIRE Exeter Sailor, now on Leave, Washed Overhoard with t back Again on Another N. Hig- Canadian half ago O/D. Seaman Raymond •gins, who enlisted in the Navy about a year and a and who for the past fifteen months lias been on strenuous convoy duty on the North Atlantic convoy routes, is now spending a 2S-day leave with his parents, MT. and -Mrs. Robert Higgins. Ray is recuperating from an ex­ citing and almost tragic experience. On his recent return from England when the convoy was several days out they ran into one of the wildest storms of the winter on the North Atlantic. The ship was running and a strict watch was being kept to avoid collisions. Ray was station­ ed on the bow of the ship when one of the big waves swept over it. He grabbed an upright ladder but the terrific force of the water broke his hold on the ladder and he was swept overboard. He was wearing his life-belt. Before the boat had gone the length of itself, over 400 feet, another big wave caught him. and swept him back, over the Stern of the Ship. While going back over the second time he managed to grab a deck rail and hung on. The stic­ tion of the water was ®o strung that it almost tore his arms out. Ab soon as possible he was rescued by other members of the watch and taken to much the perieiice heck, Durin. v his ship Was almost On continuous convoy duty* They helped to guard 15 convoys to England and 15 back And also made two trips to Iceland the ship’s hospital not worse for his thrilling ex­ except a badly sprained his ftftoeh months at Sea and one trip to Algiers. During the trip to Africa their ship was bomb­ ed by a German airplane but no particular damage was done and no one was hurt. In all the convoy trips he made he never saw a German submarine although they were known to be in the vicinity. They never lost a freighter, every ship in their charge arriving safely at its destination. English and Canadian planes accom­ panying the convoys, were never out of sight. With a number of Canadian destroyers and other small ships the convoys always got through. The latest convoy left England after New Years and brought a large convoy of freighters across the Atlantic to an eastern Canadian port. For several weeks during the summer their ship was tide up at ail English port for repairs. During that ship help were wages of about $6,000, which was placed in the ship’s can teen fund and tile balance, which was the greatest part, was given to a British Red Cross fund* This was a Splendid action for this crew of Canadian sailors. Besides this the crew went almost 100 per cent in subscribing to the last Canadian Victory loan, Ray will rejoin his ship at ah eastern, pert March* lie has qualified as Seaman, Mr. and Mrs. t-tfgglns time some 68 sailors of this went out to English farms to with the harvest. When they finished they pooled their a part of early in an A/D. landing craft* “Okay,” said the Colonel. I man­ aged to get out to an airport that had just been taken and, waited there thr.ee hours for a transport plane to take me back. Those three hours were about the most unnerv- of the whole invasion as Jerry dropped thermostatic mines over the drome that morning the heat of the sun was making to shrapnel buzz around*, the transport did arrive he take long In getting off for both the pilot and 1 were ing had aji and them go off* For three hours I lis­ tened When didn’t which thankful. We arrived in Tunis by a round­ about route going down to a drome somewhere in the southern section of Tunisia at which point the tem­ perature stood at 135 degrees in the sun, just a little too warm for comfort, The Americans drome treated me to a and some delicious ice late milk, since drome Oui- aerial been shipped. I spent four days in Tunis trying to get the 'necessary arrangements made for the shipment or the aerial. The matter was finally taken to Admiral Cunningham, C. in C. Mediterranean, and it sailed. At this moment dysentry caught up with me and put me in the hospital then by plane at the grand meal cold choco- had tasted From the first I leaving Canada, we flew to Tunis. suspicions regarding proved correct. It had this the not balance of our to our location About 20 airmen from Centralia who were In London Friday eve­ ning, narrowly escaped suffocation shortly after midnight when they escaped through smashed windows of a smoke filled Western Ontario Motorways London-to-Exeter bus after a blazing engine caused a momentary panic among the pass­ engers. Only one man 0. V. Teetzel, of Centralia, was injured. The bus had pulled out of Greyhound bus depot and reached the corner of Dundas Richmond when heavy smoke gan pouring into the coach from the engine. With flames blocking an through the front door of coach, airmen broke windows and jumped to safety. Firemen report ed that there was a temporary panic among the men after had’ shouted that the door wouldn’t open, occurred at 1.30 a.m. Teetzel, who suffered a cut his leg which required Westminister Hospital, return to his station. Firemen quickly one emergency The incident on treatment at was able to at our disem- found that the pontoon dock second son William K., who ds now serving in Italy as a signal squad­ ron leader and electrician. He wrote on the Sth of January and up to that date had received no Christmas parcels or mail although the par­ cels, were mailed from here the last week of October. The parcel sent by the Exeter Wartime Committee had not ari'ived at that time. He receiv­ ed a parcel sent by the ladies of the Main St. United church and ack­ nowledged receipt of same in a let­ ter to Rev. M. Woods, pastor of the church, thanking the ladies for their treasured gift. To show the delay and difficulty the boys have in getting their par­ cels especially the sailors, Raymond Higgins received a parcel of cigar­ ettes at a Newfoundland seaport shortly before returning home that had been sent to him by his sister, Mrs. Bert North, of Woodstock, through a Montreal tobacco about six months previously. EXECUTIVE MEETING firm The Executive of Huron Presby- terial of the United Church met at the home of Mrs. Frank Fingland in Clinton on February 8 with Mrs. R. G. Nay, the president in charge. Very encouraging reports were given by the secretaries-‘showing a year of advance. An increase of five hun­ dred and eighty five dollars was font to the Conference Branch Treasurer. Arrangements were made for the annual meeting of the Pros- byterial which will be held in On­ tario St. Church, Clinton on April 25th. Mrs. C. W. Christie, and Mrs, F. Penwnrden, of tralia, attended this meeting, ceived a letter last week from their I Ing,” of Exeter, Cen- Yoitilg Wife; “Leonard is so slov* only. Half the buttons are general­ ly missing from his clothes,” Severe Aunt; “H’m* Perhaps they are not sewn on property.” “That’s just it. t-Trt’6' aWfuilv I'arclcts — matter of interest we were is- with three days rations called rations. Each meal is packed small cardboard container. From Cape Bon we moved back into the vicinity of Tjinis in an as­ sembly started waiting, 'through made, the docks for loading. The crew was split up as were our vehicles, this being done to prevent high losses if they were all on one boat. One corporal and myself were fortunate, enough to be placed on a large Tank Landing ship. Mr, Goodwin and the majority of the crew sailed on a small assault craft. As our ships pulled out of harbor, news came over the radio that the port at which we were to land was just barely in our hands. The Ital­ ians had counter-attacked with tanks—we found out afterwards that this was about the only counter­ attack along that stretch of coast. The trip across was quite peace­ ful and when Sicily came into sight it gave one the satisfaction of know­ ing that we were finally doing our bit. We approached the coast at roughly eleven o’clock and then sailed down, to the port at which we were to disembark. Our own kites kept a constant watch over us, flying up and down the coast in regular runs. When we arrived barkation point we hastily constructed was not capable of handling all of the shipping at once—and the harbour was packed full—so we had to wait off shore until the next morning. However they did unload quite a bit of our cargo which con­ sisted of frag, bombs, mines, gren­ ades and gasoline. I think the Cap­ tain was a bit worried in case Jerry . dropped a bomb on us. Of course, we weren’t worried, “not much”— anyhow we all slept better that , night knowing that the H.E.’s had been removed. In the meantime Mr. Goodwill and various other portions of the i crew had gone ashore, in fact they ’ had to walk waist deep through the water. The next morning we were up early and finally our turn came to be unloaded. The Corporal and I rode ashore in a truck, five days after the original landing. The rest of the crew had landed on the fourth. As we came ashore we could hear the heavy blasting away, thunder storm. Naturally we in the natives- their reaction would be. Amazingly enough they were quite friendly. In fact We were treated as libera­ tors. Our truck drove through down to a de-Waterproofmg area where we unloaded and started looking for the rest of our crew. Fortunate­ ly the American .battalion to which we ar© attached were located near­ by and we walked over. (There was much shaking of hands and “Glad to see you”. Wo couldn’t get over the fact that wo hadn’t seen an enemy kite, because everyone fully expected that we would have rather a sticky time during the landing. After counting noses we found one of our Sergeants missing. Ho drove the Aerial Truck, a very valu­ able piece of gear. This created a panic. The CO. and I sped down to U.Q. and told our tale of woo to the Colonel in charge-—and suggested that I fly back to Tunis Io see if I I shipped aS for two days, and back to Sicily. By this time the unit had moved out —and when the Aerial and I ar­ rived, my work commenced. Due to the secrecy surrounding our equip­ ment we had to be very careful against sabotage. We spent about four weeks at that site during which We managed to get in for a swim each day and generally enjoy ourselves. All the men on the crew equipped them­ selves with Italian rifles and we all managed to get folding beds, also managed to collect a flock of fleas. _We all suffered with them for about three days but after a terrific bat­ tle We managed to eradicate them. About a week ago we moved to a new site from which we think we can see Italy on a clear day. The Germans had been in occupation here just a couple of days before we pulled in and they had left their gear all over the place. .Sicily is a beautirui country. The mountains are tremendous. Some of the views we had while driving to this camp site were awe-inspir­ ing—crags reached up several thou­ sand feet and perched on the very top a town. To reach it we had to wind up and up. The people are a sorry lot—half fed, poor living conditions, utterly filthy in places. If this is what a dictatorship produces, pray to God we always remain a Democracy. There is no doubt that we are fight­ ing against all that is evil wrong. Sibily has proven it to The fact that we have been corned by the people proves they have no loyalty to a ment that has treated them a raw manner. Yesterday we had white the first bread of any kind for six weeks. All the chaps are happy now. Bully beef and biscuits were our main stand-by for some time until more food was Africa. We have diet with eggs, figs and hope to bananas soon. They grow in abun­ dance around here, as do olives. At the moment I am in an Italian W/T Station building about 500 feet up from the sea. It is slightly knocked about, half of one wall blown out and bullet hales in the remaining walls. However it does make a fairly good office and is a bit of a change from a tent. Hope that this epistle has been a bit interesting. Afraid I’ve missed lots of points, so many things that we get used to would be unusual to you people at home. We are hoping to take part in any future moves from this area and if you would care I could drop a line about it. Trusting that this finds everyone at the "Times" ill the best of health. Yours sincerely, Jack F. Anderson. 011923 F/O J. F. Anderson, R.C.A.F., A.M.E.S.* S032 R.A.F., Attached Provisional Signal A.W. Battalion, 64th Fighter Wing, U.S. Army A.P.O. 525 % Postmaster, New York City. extinguished the blaze which G. W* Henderson, manager of the Western Ontario Motorways, said was caused by a defective carburteor. Total damage, including the broken windows, amounts to between $20 0 and $300, he estimated. Mr. Henderson said he thought the airmen had "lost their heads” because the emergency door was in “working order.” The bus had just returned to service after overhaul­ ing, he said, and declared he found the door in perfect working order this morning. Driver of the bus Napoleon Geromette, of Exeter. James Street W.A. guns in the interior like a perpetual took great interest —wondering what hydro STAFFA CHURCH MEETING HELD 'e lamps The annual congregational meet­ ing of the Staffa United church was held in Staffa Community Hall. A pot-luck supper was served by the was was The James Street W. A. was held in the church parlors on February 3rd with the president, Mrs. Stein­ er, in the chair. The devotional period was taken by Mrs. Armstrong Business was discussed and several letters of thanks were read by the committee from vice who had the association, in the program Henry a reading, and Mrs. Lindenfield 'favored with a duet, Miss Lorraine Zurbrigg gave an instrumental which was enjoyed by all. The meeting closed by the singing of a hymn. Lunch was then served and social half hour spent. and me. wel­ that govern- in such bread- brought in from supplemented our lemons, almonds, have oranges and •could locate it—-We had«..., i ....it * f/u ^1.” . - it was too big for the | or relative of the The Minister of Labour is issuing an order which will put the onus ou employers to chbek male employees of military call-up age to see if they have complied with mobilization regulations. An employer will in­ clude Dominion, provincial and mu nicipal governments aS well as pri­ vate business or farmers, even ’ A’ ... . .1 farmers, Is u juU or oti farmer* Women’s Association which much enjoyed- The business meeting of the gregation was convened with minister in the chair and Mrs, Butson acting as secretary, ports of the various departments were given as follows: board of stewards, Cameron Vivian; W. A., Mrs, Cecil Bowman; Sunday School, Miss Vera Hambley; parsonage board, Mrs. Russell Worden; W.M. S., Mrs* W. B. O’Brien; Sunshine Mission Band, Miss Margaret Nor­ ris; Y.P.U., Rev. F. G. Risdon. All departments reported a satisfactory year. The following officers were elec­ ted: elders, Joseph Worden, Bert’ Buttler and W. B. O’Brien for a period of three years; stewards, Bert Buttler, W. C. Worden, W. J. Fell, Arthur Kemp, J. Speare, A. Smale, A. Jeffery, O. W. Reed, C. Vivian, L. Butson; ushers, Alvin Worden, Gerald Agar, O. W. Reed, W. B. O’Brien; parsonage board, Joseph Worden, D. Bruce, B. Butt­ ler, president tion, and A vote tended to Risdon and his family by S. I Norris and Lyle Worden. The regular meetings of the M.S. and W.A. were held* Wednes­ day afternoon at the home of Mrs. Jerry Agar with a good attendance. Mrs. Russell Worden conducted the- . devotional period, the theme being the Bible. The study hook was taken by Mrs, G. Butson. A report of the W.M.S, presbyterial was giv­ en by Mrs. Cecil Bowman and Mrs- George Butson. The business of the W.M.S. was conducted by the presi­ dent, Mrs. Arthur Kemp, and the W.A. business by Mrs. W. J* Fell. The meeting closed with prayer. con- the L. Re- I the boys in the ser- received gifts from Those taking part were Miss Margaret Mrs. Robertson J. Speare, R. >A. Sadler, the of the Woman’s Associa- Mrs. W. B. O’Brien. of appreciation was the minister, Rev. IF. ex- G. H, w. of Thamesford, were Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. A. Robin- Mary Galopp is holidaying the at KIRKTON (Intended for last week) Mrs. W. Switzer has returned home after visiting with her daugh­ ter in Thamesford and also with friends in London. Mr. Wes Doupe was taken to .Vic­ toria Hospital for a blood trans­ ion this past Friday. The doners were Jack Switzer, Ronald Denham and Stuart Shier. Mrs. Wes Batten had file misfor­ tune to fall Sunday morning while going to church breaking a small bone in her wrist. Mr. and Mrs. Lome Marshall and Billie, guests son. Mrs. with friends in Toronto. Mrs. Tlios. Washburn returned to her home from Victoria Hospital much improved. Mr. and Mrs. Thurto Williams, of London, Mr. and Mrs. Wilbert Wil­ liams and son Norman, of Wood- stock, were week-end guests with Mr. and Mrs. John Williams. (Hass Meets The February meeting of ‘Class That Counts" was held the home of Mrs. Fred Rogers. In the absence of the president Mrs. Emerson Paton conducted the wor­ ship period. Hymn 496 was sung, followed by the Lord’s prayer in unison. The scripture was read by Mrs. Jim Willys. Roll call was an­ swered by a Valentine verse those not answering a verse paying a forfeit of 2cts. The making of more quilts was discussed but owing to absence of president it was dicided to leave this matter for a latter date, Hymn 330 was sung and Mrs. Laverne Stone favoured with an in­ strumental. The paper for the eve­ ning was given in a most efficient manner by Mrs. Earl Watson, her topic being the theme of the eve­ ning “Live thou tliy life beneath the making sun till beauty, truth and love ‘in thee are one”. The closing hymn 311 was sung, Mrs. Bob Ross acted as auctioneer for the, varied articles brought for auction. When the sale finished the clerk, Mrs. Goodger informed the class $7.89 had beeh realized from/the auction. A humorous contest was conducted by Mrs, Kerman Paynter. Lunch wag served. Ottr neighbor’s rooster came over into our garden this morning for a lettuce breakfast, and we are hav­ ing him may for a chiekon dinner ! this evening. Saehote-Wiieys ©ry for Help Most people fail to reeognizo the seriousness of a bad back. The stitches, twitches, and twinges are bad enough and cause great Suf­ fering, but back of the backache and the cause of it all is the dis­ ordered kidneys crying out a warn­ ing through the back. A pain in the back is the kidneys, cry for help. Go to their assistance. Get a box of Doan’s Kidney Pills* A remedy for backache and sick kidneys* i{Doan’s” are put .up in an oblong grey box with our trade mark a “Maple Leaf” on the wrapper. Refuse substitutes. Get “Doan’s.’* Thu T. Milburn Co., Ltd., Toronto, Ont.