HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1979-05-09, Page 7The patriotism of Angus acCrirrtmon knew no
bounds, and he clung dogg dly to his nationalistic
views, even though it cause, him deep personal
suffering. At the beginning o the second World
War, he had branded his young friend Doc. Peters a
conscientious objector,.and even worse -- a coward!
The young doctor Angus loved as if he were his son,
left the Hungry Hundred in a fit of temper. Angus
feared he would never see him again..
In the Spring of 1940, the allies in Europe were
reeling back against the German onslaught. Angus
was an avid reader, and he absorbed all the accounts
of the war which appeared in the newspapers.
One day, as he read the front page reports, he
begain thinking of Doc Peters. There was another
person too who occupied his thoughts -- someone he
had loved dearly and had lost forever because he
chose to fight for Canada in the first World War.
Suddenly the newspaper became limp in his hands
and the print was just a blur before his clouding
eyes. To his mind came the image of a girl walking,
towards him across a carpet of red maple leaves. It"'
was the Fall of 19.14, and a much younger Angus
wearing the brave uniform of the 'Caledonian
Scottish has come to say goodbye. °
Even though he cherished the memory of• Mary.
MacLeod, he cursed the day a day which, because
of his own selfishness, was, the last time he would
see the only woman he was destined to love. At that
last fateful meeting,: _he left the seed . of the
MacCrimmons with Mary .MacLeod. There is no
need to detail the circumstances. Perhapshe could
have made excuses for himself, but Angus never
fully recovered from the events of that day.
Mary MacLeod waited anxiously for the' return of
Angus. Hopefully believing that the war would end
soon and she would be reunited with her lover. Time
was precious. How long could she remain in
Redtrees before she must endure, the lash of vicious.
tongues and the knowing glances of the pious
worsen of the community.
When it became apparent that the tight corset
could no longerconceal the one and only sin of her
life, she slipped quietly away from `Redtrees, never
to be seen again.
In February -1915, Angus received Mary's last
communication. It was cold in France and .the
Canadians not Only had to endure the horrors.of wari
but theexposure, to trench warfare and all the
attendant miseries.
After receiving .Mary's letter, Angus fought as if
he cared little for his life; he expected and gave no
,mercy. It was a wound in the abdomen which finally
" 'took him.from the battlefield and perhaps gave him
time to counteract the madness which had possessed
him. •
This brief accountis hardly a. story but I was only
able to obtain a few facts -Angus told me little about
Disturbing leiter..
• from, page 6 .
thein the acclaim in
England now obvious to
the people of
Kingsbridge.
Member's ; of the
audience who came from
the United States to hear
this concert commented
on the quality of the
band's music and the
versatility of certain star
members. While the
attendance was not good;
those . who missed the
concert were the losers.
The children of St.
Joseph's School filled the
interrrlission - with
selections they presented
at the Kiwanis usic
Festival in Stratford
during Education Week.
Led by Mrs. Nancy Park,
they also put on a fine
performance.
'Proceeds from this
concert were given to the
Community School
playground equipment
fund and the "'Knights of
Jazz" touring fund.
1 -laving .to finance
themselves completely
for the overseas tour, the
e
band continues to ' givep
performances. This is one
performance noone
should miss.
Thank you very much,
Denise Dalton
Co-ordinator,
St. Joseph's
Community School,
Kingsbridge
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BY D . CAMPBELL
his. wartime experiences. He was a lonely man but
proud and sensitive. Perhaps he punished himself
for the one action which, today, is considered by
many to be of little consequence.
In May of 1940, the Allied evacuation. from
Dunkirk was a courageous but dark event. Indeed
there were many who doubted if the Commo.riwealth
had the strength to survive. Angus, at the age of 56,
was wishing he were young enough to fight again.
"If they'd take me, I'd go, so I would. Perhaps
they could use an old soldier like me", he told
himself . time and time again. He was not to see
action, of course, but had to be satisfied with service
in the Veteran's Guard'. •
As the war dragged on, Angus wondered if Doc
Peters had taken that post in the hospital in Toronto,
or if he had settled down to a practice in Sault Ste.
Marie. Deep inside, he was anxious. to learn what
had become of the -you'n'g" doctor and longed to have
news of him: Not that he had chanoed his opinion,
"If a'couri.tr.y's worth livtn' in -- it's worth fightin'
fer", he toldeverysuspected conch'ie he came in.
contact with.
Keeping; up with the war news became. an
obsession with Angus. In the Redtrees. Hotel they
consulted him on the latest developments and he
was always pleased to oblige. By the time June 1944
arrived a complete reversal had occurred in the trend
of events. The Allies were once again back on the
continent of Europe. Angus readthe accounts of the
Canadian forces with pride. The once green troops
had been blooded in earlier encounters and now
were a force second to none. '
One day, shortly after , the beach head . in
Normandy had been established, he came acrossan
item in the newspaper which caused his heart to kip
a beat. He could hardly believe what he read. !
cannot relate the item verbatim but it was something
like this.
"For gallant and distinguished .service; Major
John Peters, M:C.M.,D: of the Medical Corps has
been awarded .the 'Distinguished Service Order....
Major Peters, previously: received the Military Cross,,.
for his service at Dieppe".
Angus laid down the paper for:a moment.
Can't be • Doc -Peters'", Angus said to himself.
"There's' got ter, be other Peters in the Canadian
Army. I •
He snatched up the paper againand continued
reading.
"Major Peters graduated' from Western Univer-
sity, and after finishing his Internship, enlisted
directly in the Armed Forces". .
Angus half laughed and half cried.
`Sonnavawitch he said. ``The bum was worth e
bunch o' bananas, 'after all!
r
NOTICE OF MEETING
Lickiio w
Business
Association
Wednesday, May 9th
at 7:30 Anti
AUDITORIUM - TOWN HALL
Re: Business hours for summer and any other
ideas or suggestions re business in and
around this area
ALL LUCKNOW AND SURROUNDING
AREA BUSINESS PEOPLE
ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND
LOREE GAMMIE - Secretary Treasurer
RON MACHAN - President
4
Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, May 9, 1979Tp+se 7
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