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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Clinton News Record, 1943-05-06, Page 6PAGE 6 the coast, leading toward Germany, The Bomber Press along which. the fields were ploughed up by bombs which had been dropped, • by ,raiders who, unable to penetrate In Great Britain the London defences, had turned back and dumped theirbombs at random. In April 1942, Hitler 'carried out what is known as the "Baedecker" raids, (so called because they were aimed solely at destroying famous places,) on Ebceter, Bath, Norwich, York and Canterbury. Civilian casu- alties at Bath, Exeter, Norwich and BOMB DAMAGE. AND CIVDLIAN MORALE All Canadians are intensely inter- ested in the bomb damage in Britain. We found on our return to Canada, that everywhere we went we were cer- tain to be, asked about it. It has been said that there is not a village in England that has not had a bomb dropped on sit, but I know of several places that up to the time that we were there had not seen a 'bomb. After landing and boarding the train for London, we were surprised to see no sign of bomb damage until after we -had been travelling for several I hours. There are few signs of bomb I damage to be seen in any of the smal- ler places, except near the east and south coast. Even in London there are large areas that appear to have been untouched. We began to realize how small a start the Germans had made toward the . destruction of Bri- tain.. (Where a building has been totally destroyed, it is difficult for anyone • who ha -s not seeiythat building to vis- ualize the amount of the destruction.I For instance, when we were being shown around Bristol, one day, our! guide halted in the centre of a large area that had been demolished. Point- i ing to a part of it, he said "That is where one of our largest department -1 al stores used to stand." We could see a heap of rubble, but never having seen the store it was impossible really i to appreciate the extent of the destru- ction. In other places where the walls are still standing, it is much easier to un- derstand the damage. We drove through parts of London, and later 1 walked through parts of Bristol, on brilliant moonlight night, and the moonlight shinging . through roofless and windowless buildings made a ter- rible picture never to be forgotten. We visited blitzed areas in Lon- don, Bristol, Bath and Portsmouth, but there are many other places that have badly battered areas. Hu11, Dover, Coventry, Plymouth, etc. In, some cases areas of several blocks have been absolutely flattened, while inothers, one house in the middle of a block may have been demolished as if cut out by a huge knife. We were told that there is a well defined pathway between London and York were 998 persons killed and 998 injured. Many of the ldlled were never, identified. The pathetic, description of one at Bath read, '`Age, about two years; hair, fair; eyes, blue gray; div- ision between top row of teeth no oth- er distinguishing features. The most deplored architectural loss in Bath was the Assembly Rooms The rooms said to have been the most beautiful in Britain,were first 'Open- ed 1771 ,and had been refinished in 1988 at a cost of fifty thousand pounds sterling, These rooms delighted Char les Dickens, who made them famous as' the scene of Mr. Pickwick's genie of whist with the "three thorough- paced female card -players." Bristol, we found, had been rather badly battered principally in the win- ter of 1940-41 during which :.2,259 houses were destroyed ,and about 46,- 000 received varying degrees of dam- age. Many other buildings were des- troyed-ineluding 22 elementary schools and 20 churches. Our home in Bristol was the Roy- al Hotel, which was carrying on, al- though the back part, including the dining room and many of the rooms, had been bombed off. The rooms oc- cupied by some of our party did not have any glass in the windows. In four of the larger cities which we visited, we saw areas many blocks in extent that have been completely flattened. Since returning home,. I have heard that up until December 31, 1942, the number of Britons killed in air raids was 47,860 and the num- ber injured was 56,410. We heard, many expressions of ap- ,preciation.for the assistance sent to the sticken people by various funds in Canada. One of the aims of the enemy was to destroy the morale of the people. It was interesting to study the actual effect. We found that the stories we had heard of the way in which the people had taken the punishment dish- ed out to them were absolutely true. Their spirit is simply wonderful.. One of our guides in Bristol, who had been a prosperous merchant show ed us a mass of rubble in the midst of the bombed area and quietly remark- ed. "That is all that is left of life's 0 THE C1.1[NTON NEWS -RECORD THIS MODEST CORNER IS DEDICATED TO THE POETS Here They Will `Sing You Their Songs—Sometimes Gay, Sometimes Sad—But Always Helpful and Inspiring • MY MOTHERS HANDS Such beautiful, beautiful hands!. They're neither white nor small; And you, I know, would scarcely think That they were fair at all. I've looked on hands whose form and hue: A sculptor's dream might be; Yet are those wrinkled, aged heeds Most beautiful to me. Such beautiful, beautiful hands! Though heart were weary andsad, These patient hands kept toiling on That the children, might be glad. I always weep, as looking back' To childhood's distant day, I think how those hands rested not, When mine were at their play. Such beautiful, beautiful hands! . They're growing feeble now, For time and pain have left their mark, On hands and heart, and brow. Alas, alas, the nearing time. And the sad, sad day to me, When, 'neath the daisies, out of sight These handwill folded- be. • savings." No complaints. Just a grin determination to carry on. An official of an establishment where one of my relatives was em- ployed, was bombed out of their plac- es the .same night, but he was on time at the office in the morning. There have been cases of employ- ees corning to work in the morning be- fore some of their relatives had been rescued from ruined buildings. Eng- land is a tight little isle packed with heros and heroines, even if they do not all wear uniforms. Their morale is proof against any terror that can be launched' against them. Here's to heroes and heroines, valiant and strong. Who carry on bravely, no matter how long . Through darkness and peril, they're • steadfast and true, The people of Britain—Here's to your '11�ti1w%lIicg1\\\,4 if III -- l ss„ .immmth# Ak tR The fate of fighting men depends on the production and delivery of planes, tanks, guns, ships and shells ... depends on passing the ammunition. It takes money to do 1*1 That's why we at home are asked to buy Victory Bonds. Why we too must make sacrifices. And it's worth every sacrifice we can make to provide more fighting dollars. to "back the attack". It will bring Victory sooner. more, it will. save precious lives. Buy another Victory Bond today! And remember thisl When we at home buy Victory Bonds, we are not only doing our patriotic duty we are investing in the future . . our future . saving money with which to buy the things we'll want when the war is over. Save For peace days nowt Be prepared td obtain when available new, up-to-the-minute equipment for the home that will provide an easier and bettor life. It may be a new electric stove, a new refrigerator yes, even a complete electric kitchen. if may be any one or a number of new electrical appliances. It may bo a new home. What- ever it is, it will be'easior to buy if money is invested in Victory Bonds now. Buy. Victory Bonds today! The power fear is now helping to produce Vast quantities of weapons for our fighting men will be ready, when Victory is won, to contribute to the great peace -time future of Ontario. But oh, beyond this shadow land; Where all is bright and fain I know full well these dear old hands will palms of victory bear, Where crystal streams through end- less years Flow over golden sands, And where the old grow young again I'll clasp my mother's hands. Ellen M .H. Gates: V NOBODY KNOWS BUT MOTHER How many buttons are missing today? How many playthings are strewed in her way? Nobody knows but mother How many thimbles and spools has she missed? How many burns on each little fist? How many bumps to be cuddled and kissed? Noobdy knows but mother"- How other`How many stockings to darn, do you know? How many muddy shoes all in a row? Nobody knows but mother How many little torn aprons to mend? How many hours of toil must she spend? What is the time when her day's work shall end? Nobody knows but mother. How many cares does a mother's heart know? How many joys from her other love flow? How many prayers by each little white bed? How many tears for babe has she shed? How many kisses for eachcurly head? Nobody knows but mother. V THINKING OF MOTHER Will you think of that dear little moth- er, lad. When she goes' to that far, far be- yond? Will you think of the smiles and the tears she has had— And affection so tender and strong? Will you sometimes review many things you have said? Have they always been thoughtful and kind? Or is it a fact that some quick words if unsaid, Would leave happier memories be- hind? Will you ponder, sometimes, over days that she spent. In the deepest of anxiety, And recall where you could have more happiness lent To that mother whose joy you could be? Do you treasure the precious com- panionship Of that best friend who cherishes. you— So much that no other pal could well equal it, Regardless of some things you may do? But the time's speeding on and. she soon will be gone; It is now that your love must be shown. It will be much too late when she's passed through the gate To her Home in the far, fax be- yond. Albert E. Elliott V A MOTHER'S PRAYER They are such little women, My tails girls , How fleet the years have been Since golden curls Were, part of heaven on My shoulder pressed, And rose -leaf hands were wings Against my breast! And now they hurry so Away from me, Who must prepare them, Father, Help me see Where babies end and women Really are, That I may guide, but never, Dim their star. ' c Give to me strength and courage— Humor, too- For this momentous thing I have to do. And that no lasting sorrow Blur their eyes, 0 God of all the mothers, Make me wise! —Dorothy Callaway. V iv1OTKER I knew her when her eyes, with glory filled, First came to rest Upon that one whose earliest cry was stilled Upon her breast THURS., MAY, 6, 1643' "By Jove, 1 am not covetous for gold nor care X who doth feed upon my cost; it yearns me not\if men my garments wear; such outward things dwell not in myde sires; but if it be a sin to covet honour 1 am the most offending soul alive.” King Henry V; Part 1, Act 4, Scene 3. ,e yE Y-4 said King Henry V of England on the eve of an n � invasion of the continent of Europe five centuries . ago. At Agincourt the arms of England won a victory that lives inscribed for evermore on the national scroll of honour. Today Shakespeare's words re-echo in our ears as we Canadians prepare to offer our wealth, our goods, our blood, in a cause more honour- able than Henry's; more honourable than any that history has yet record- ed. Do we, too, covet honour more than cost, more than gold, and out- ward things? Let it not be said that even the least one among ushas failed to back the attack. President and General Manager MASSEY-HARRIS COMPANY, LIMITED Froin that first hour, her life—her hopes her dreams Were his alone .... From that same hour, her grateful heart, meseems, Became his throne .. . I knew her when the glory from her eyes Forever fled— To her heart, as to his, in far-off skies A bullet sped . , . "The raid has been successful, it was learned—" (So ran the line) "And of our aircraft, all but one re- turned • .." Her son—and mine! V MOTHER 0, There are those who say "Why she is dead! For other worlds she left you long ago." While dust to dust she has returned, I know That still I'm led by her, though life has fled. Thesimple truths she taught are still my guide, Remembered also are my evening prayers, 'Twas she who said, "C'ast on Him all your cares; Where'er you go, my son, he's at your side." I feel her loving 'arms in close em- brace As when a child I sobbed to her my. grief, And comfort there is mine; from pain relief, Although her smile I see nor, nor her face. I do not doubt that she is with the blest, But refuge, still I find upon her 'breast Howard Sheldon Ernst, MOTHER'S (AVERAGE) DAY The sun came up front -nowhere, and The baby greets the dawn, And Mother answers duty's' call And put the kettle on. and. then She washes up the dishes and She dusts and sweeps and mops:. She liquidates the milk bill and She telephones for chops. and then She talks before the Women's Club Hears politics at noon, And entertains her country kin, Throughout the afternoon. and then She arbitrates the children's feuds, Gives ear to Fathers' woes, Reflects on Junior's college plans Consider daughter's clothes. and then As all the world subsides to rest, There's yet a chore or two; A coat, a sock, and—no, that's all That Mother has to do. A.W. and L.D. v What Would We Pay? If today Hitler and his system rul- ed over us Canadians, what would we be willing to pay to get rid of thein and to recover our right to govern ourselves? Surely we would be willing to pay all that each of us possess, because nothing we possess is of any value to us without our freedom. Lacking freedom no man can call anything his own. All is at the com- plete disposal of the state and the state is controlled by a dictator. No citizen has any voice in the choice of the dictator. It is therefore well said that a people who value anything higher than their freedom, will lose both that which they value and also their free- dom. What would we pay to be free if we lacked freedom? The question is absurd, because lacking freedom we would have nothing material to pay with. We could only offer our blood and our lives. Hundreds of thousands of our Canadian youth and manhood are now offering their lives that we may remain free. Those of . us who are not in the fighting forces' must be prepared in provide all the mate'^a] things neces- sary.' to meet force with force—yes. even to the point .of hardship if neces- sary—knowing that no such hardship can equal the hardships which our. enemies would impose, or which our fighting men must endure. .Freedom never has been a gift. It must be fought for and paid for and must be guarded ever. It is for us , to pay for freedom now, in heavy taxes and 'in ' -mans— Loans which are guaranteed by the very freedom. which they help to se- cure. This Victory Loan is vital to our Freedom. Only by means of its com- plete success can we lend our support adequately to those who are offering their lives. THE RED CROSS (In Honor of the Present Red Creast. Drive.) A little .scarlet emblem— On a field:,pf snowy white— But who will judge the measure of. Its valor and its might? It braves the fiercest battleground It sails the seven'seas, And floats wherever people live In every summer breeze. The wounded call it blessed, And the sick and maimed and o14 Bend trembling lipsin agony To kiss each shining fold. The homeless lift their weary eyea Above a bombed -out street, And see in it a blessed home Their dire need to meet. A little homemade scarlet cross, to often frayed and torn. Circling the world on ships and wings, And ever proudly borne, The symbol of our Christian faith,. In love and mercy blows— God keep it flying, brave and white, Wherever suffering goes .' Edna Jacque, V To conserve gloves, don't wash them if they havebeendry cleaned. They' will stiffen up. It is all right, bow- ever to dry clean gloves which have been washed. As a household tip, the Wartime Price and Trade Board points out that linen tablecloths do not need start!,. Linen fibres tend to crack when they are starched too stiffly. YOUR Estate is Different from every other. ' Many prob. lams are Involved — family and financial conditions, requirements and objectivesare different. No one person could be expected to effectively deal with the many.. duties required of an executor.. The Sterling Trusts Corporation k brings to these.. problems the combined experience of -.a staff -. fully qualified to administer your estate promptly and efficiently. Name as your Executor $TERLD:C ThV� a2 ., cORPORATIDN f 372 BAY ST., TORONTO ESTALSLISHEp 1911 (,