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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance Times, 1995-05-10, Page 10Editor's Note: The following ter appeared in the March 1945, issue of The Winghatn vance-Times. 11 is written by Ito Aitchison to his parents, Mr. Mrs. Horace Astcdtison of Wi ham and is the first letter, pu fished in the newspaper from a dier who had entered N Germany in the dying days World War 11: Dear Mom and Dad— Well, at last it gives the oppo nity to write. As you are probe reading these days we are gettt yards and yards and mile by m deeper into Germany. In places; going has been tough and afraid as times go by it will g even more so. Can't tell you much as yet, hu can tell you it's a different pictu over here than a few days ago. The roads and highways find for a change women and children, old men carrying what they can back to a small village. I should however say it was a small village for so far in our advance, our artillery and airforce is leaving a not a building withoug a scar of war on it. To sum it up better, all hell has broken loose. All the fields over here where we have advanced over (and this may sound amazing, but is true), there's a shell crater every yard. Another bad obstacle is mines and one of our guns got it the other day. Two of the boys were killed and others wounded. At present, we have our gun set right up in a farm yard. This country is different from France, Belgium and Holland, the civies are staying in their homes de- spite all hell, their homes are smashed, but they stick it out in the cellars. For instance, at this farm the people are out around, but in- stead of working like they used to do, they are burying their dead cat- let- tle, pigs, horses andchickens. They 22,, had six beautiful: horses and. now Ad- they have one and its job is drag - ug ging the dead ones froth the wreck - and age of the barns. Rditors. Note: The following story was submitted by Maria Von Wynsberghe-Ross about the- day her lilile town was liberated by Canadian soldiers. Mrs. Wynsber- ghe-Ross came to Wingham as a war bride from Antwerp, Belgium; wife' of the late Harold Ross. To- day she resides at Kitchener. A lot of people are remiscing this ear and will be celebrating 50 ears after World War II ended. I, for one, am doing the same. I remember it so well for it was arly in the morning on a very clear ay. My brother Louis, who was 23 t that time, .(I was only 21), woke e up for my father had gone to ork and my younger broter and ster were still asleep. My brother, eing in the Underground at that ane, knew what was going to hap - n so he had made preparations. fter wakening the rest of the fami- , he told us to go outside into the arden where we were to lay down ry quietly behind the evergreens. We did not have to wait long, for there they were: thousands of Ger- man infantry moving as a single unit through our town. They had marched from the neighboring town near the'Albert Canal and had then crossed` over the anti-tank ca- nal to our town. For awhile, every- thing was calm but then the shoot- ing started. We could hear the fighting from a distance away. After a few hours, my brother assured us it was safe to emerge from our hiding place. From our standing position, we could see more soldiers, but they were Canadian soliders, our Libra tors. My 'mother took me inside where we hung the Belgian flag. My little sister, and I stood on the street and watched as Louis joined the Canadian Army after changing into his uniform: He stayed with them and fought with them in the front line and then he returned. home to us. As my sister and I wel- comed our liberators, the soldiers asked us for souvenirs, so we raft. into the house and grabbed as man} little things as we could. Unfortu- , we ran out so I gave the arrettes I was wearing in m e of the solders -'whoTownttt, orcycle (he was a dispatcher d that I give him the bracelet was wearing. It was made out er coins, but I refused him; r the monetary value, but for that it was given to me as a e pleaded with me and final- th little sister's consent, I im my bracelet. hanked me warmly and with smile on his face, he wrote our house number and took e of our street and town. He ed me that he would return vening, but I never thought actually would. What a sur - received when he cathe g at our door. He visited for a while and then depart - saying "good night" to my and myself. He promised to the next evening. a couple of days, my moth - e very ill and was hospital - four weeks. I visited with often as I could, but the around the house prevented spending more time with my, the soldier to whom I n the bracelet, visited the very night and helped me household chores, me he sneaked a kiss on t cheek and I responded slap. After he apologized , I asked him never to do n. Despite this episode, ontinued to visit my home, I couldn't comprehend at that time in my life I interested in meeting a ng -So far I have counted the twelfth y b- dead cow (all nice milking cows) sol- being taken out to be buried. I can't aai help think and wonder what these e of people think now. d The farmer came up to me the a other day as the boys were out kill- m rtu- ing what remained of his chickens, �, w bly ducks and fine turkeys and said, si ng "Well, all is finished." I sure agreed b ile with him. For right under these ti the people's noses, we ard killing and pe I'm. eating the best that they have. We A et were not in his yard five minutes ly yesterday till we had his five tur- g t I keys, killed and plucked and we ve re placed them in a nice row right along the trails of the guns. There's nothing they can do except stand there and shake their heads. The most important and best thing however is how we are eating these days. For instance, today we had roast beef for breakfast, a goose for dinner and pork chops for supper. For the past couple of weeks it has been the same and we are truly living like kings. Yes, these Germans had everything. Yesterday I received a lovely box of cookies from Marg Aitchi- son and by the way she spoke of being at Peter Aitchison's and saw a picture of Dad taken there two years ago at a reunion. Mail is coming in very good late- ly and your ordinary letter I re- ceived today took only nine days to reach here. Hope I have given you a little picture of of this country and hope even though their food is good, to get out of it soon. All for now.' Love, Doug . nately the b hair. On a mot insiste that I of silv not fo the fac gift. H ly, wi gave h He t a big dowe the nam promis in the e that he prise 1 knockin with us ed after family return After er becarn ized for her as chores ester burned, including Hitler, Musso me from 31, (lini) etc. I didn't think Hitler had her. Jim ante- so many dummies. un -had It was a wonderful sight in the ouseaee in West End to see all the big build- with the Day ings and the Palace etc, floodlit, One ti and considering 'not a building had my righ been painted or washed for years, it with a 23 looked like "fairy land". I don't ,profusely did think I have ever seen bigger that agai had crowds at Trafalgar Sq., the traffic Jimmy c vi- was diverted and the people just although ed had the place to themselves and cel -g ebrated together, officers and other why, for en ranks alike. was not man. May 8, Editor's Note: This letter was written on V -E Day, May 8, 1945, by Norman Welwood to his par- ent� Mr. and Mrs. Ezra Welwood of Whitechurch. It was the first letter received from Mr. Welwoed, a prisoner of war, for six months. Dear Mother, Dad and all-- In one of the happiest moments in my life, I write to you again as a free man and the thing is all over. I do hope you are well. I pre- sume you worried over my silence, but it was impossible to write. Well, the whole story is rather long and I'll save it to relate verbally when I return.. Briefly, this is what happened: On Feb. 6, we were forced to evac- uate our camp east of Steffin and we then marched across Germany 194 until our own drive in the west caused us to retrace our steps. We were liberated on the 2nd of May (Happy Day) by the 6th Brit- ish Airborne Div. and four days lat- er I was flown back to dear old England.m I aspending a little time in the Can. Gen. Hospital here (perhaps a week or so), nothing serious at all, just a check over and a little rest af- ter which I will probably have short leave here just to see some old friends and then it will be home as soon as possible. Send the overseas addresses of any local fellows and friends or rel- atives. Now please do not worry, I will write every few days. My best love, Norm ay 31, 194 Editor's Note: The following l was published in the May 1945, edition of The Adv Times. It is to Mr. and Mrs. D can Kennedy from her sister London, telling of the V -E celebrations: • My Dear Sister and Brother-- 1 have your airmail of April which reached here May 10. I not answer right away, as I only written you a few days pre ously. My, what has happen since then! Peace in Europe. At first wh the news finally came through, ev ryone was so dazed they cou hardly believe it, but when the fu meaning of it dawned on the why, they just let their hair do and went crazy! All who could be spared had days holiday and did they relax Well! I'll say they did, after almo 6 years of war. What we apprecia the most, I think, is the fact the will be no more blackouts a bombing, that seems unbelievabl and to see the buildings flood-li The cars, buses etc. with full ligh on and people's windows with th lights streaming out instead o black. My, it is a wonderful sigh and feeling. There were bonfires and fire crackers, flags, streamers galore. don't know where they came from. People had their pianos, organs, ac- cordians, drums etc., in the streets and there was a huge bonfire burn- ing for 2 days and 2 nights. Every- thing that could be spared was e- Bert (Cullimore of Wingham) As Ji Id was able to come to London last ning at th 11 Saturday and we all went to a.Vic- concerned m• tory dance at Beales and had a one night wn gieat time. We left around 10:45 to get to the West End again for Bert mmy visited us every eve- ✓ same hour, we became when he did not arrive . I remember him telling me that he would always be there, unless he was killed in action. My father sympathized with my fears andQtold me that Jimmy was a very brave Canadian solider who was guided by' his desire to help others. I went to my room and broke into tears, tears that stemmed from my fondness of him and my regret for having slapped him when all that he had given me was an inno- cent kiss: I often have wondered what hap- pened to Jimmy. Was he killed in the war? Did he meet someone else? Was he sent back? I shall nev- er know what became of him for I never took down his family's name or his address in Canada He will always be remembered, not only as the solider who helped to liberate our town, but also as a friend. God Bless 2 to see all the illuminations. He said • it great to see London as he used st to be in spite of the large gaps there to are in places where the bombs got re it and to think of all the people who an have been spared from it all—it e doesn't seem possible. t. is Well, let us all hope and pray e that the end in the Far East is as f sudden and complete as it has been t in Europe and by the terrible bomb- ing Japan is getting, I do not think it will stand up to it as long as the I Germans did. Weil, Louie, I am to the end of my space again, so I will close with fondest love to you both from us all. Your affectionate sister, Bessie Heading for Holland...Eight members of Howick Legion Branch 307 left Aprll 27 for Holland where they will attend the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of Holland by Cana- dian tropps In World War 2. From left are John and Helen Clarke of Listowel, gill and Janet Hogg (holding sign} of Gorrle, Louise and Duncan Sangster of Fordwich, Bruce Williamson of Fordwlch, and Bob Campbell of Fordwlch. (Banner Photo) . _._-..... The Corporation of the Township oi� Public Notice Hereby - Take Notice that the Corporation of the Township of Morris Proposes to enact a By-law pursuant to Section 297 (1) (c) of the Municipal Act R.S.O. 1990, c. M.45, TO STOP UP, CLOSE AND TO SELL that part of the road allowance within the Township of Morris lying between Lots 10 and 71 in the North Half of Concession 1, of the Township of Morris, in the County of Huron, more particularly described in Schedule "A" hereto annexed. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that the Council shall hear any person who claims that his or her lands will be prejudicially affected by the by-law and who applies to be heard at a meeting of the council of the Corporation of the Township of Morris, which will be held for that purpose in the council chambers at the Municipal Office, located at R.R.#4, Brussels, Ontario, Lot 14:,Concession 5 of Morris Township, on the' 6th day of June, 1995, at the hour of 8:00 p.m. o'cloclthe evening. Dated this 3rd day of May , 1995. Nancy Michie, Clerk Corporation of the Township of Morris Schedule "A" All and singular that certain parcel or tract of land and premises situate, lying and being that part of the road allowance between lots 10&11, Concession 1, Township of Morris, County of Huron, more particularly described as follows: Firstly Commencing at a point which is the northeast angle of said Lot 10; Thence Southerly and along the easterly limit of the said lot 10, approximately 3300 feet, to a point which is the south east angle of the north 1/2 of Lot 10; Thence at right angles to the easterly limit of Lot 10, a distance of 66 feet to a point which is the southwest angle of the north 1/2 of Lot 11; Thence northerly and along the westerly limit of Lot 11, approximately 3300 feet, to a point which is the northwest angle of Lot 11; Thence at right angles to the westerly limit of Lot 11, a distance of 66 feet, to a point which is the northeast angle of Lot 10, which is the point of commencement. Townshipof MORRIS iiighway No. 06 1"..toppi riery- 1 ' 11 mom 11P401411' *11111 1111a eieett .eiwsu s►i ..eetverewNiiii:iiii .�t!�I�L�t�wwer•w� . �w�t Hitro, county new no.