WARTIME LIFE OF BLYTH - 1942

SOME EFFECTS OF WORLD WAR TWO ON BLYTH

Looking through the 1942 issues of the Blyth Standard is always an intriguing experience for me. I celebrated my 7th birthday a few days before the dawn of 1942. Consequently, I have some personal memories of that year, but the papers reveal many other facts to me - things that I never knew or have forgotten.

For those too young to know about that era or remember it, I think you will find some surprises. Even though the conflict was far removed from us in this small Ontario village, we were affected in many ways, and some of those effects were tragic, and many were inconvenient, but necessary.

Wally Bowen joined the Canadian army and was sent overseas in 1942. The Blyth Standard reported every letter that we received from family and friends who served anywhere in the world.

Wally never returned to Canada. He was seriously wounded, spent a long painful period in hospital, but succumbed to his wounds.

We were reminded regularly of the duties of citizens to do all we could to support the war effort even though we were not close to the fighting. We were asked to help out financially whether by purchasing  Victory Bonds of fifty dollars or hundreds of dollars, or just by purchasing War Savings Stamps. When paying for some items you had just purchased you might accept part of your change in the form of these stamps which aggregated into certificates which could be redeemed later with an interest gain of abut 3%.

In the above advertisement, issued by the National War Finance Committee, we were reminded of this duty.

This little ad appeared in the Blyth Standard for July 1, 1942 announcing a Bingo game to raise money for cigarettes to be sent to the soldiers. Note that few details were considered necessary like the time of the event or the prizes that would be given.

The Canadian Red Cross was very active throughout most communities in Ontario (as well as other provinces) throughout the entire war. They had several rooms in the front of the second floor of Industry Hall . This is the building at the south west corner of Queen and Dinsley Streets. Here is a list of items from the Blyth Standard of June 3, 1942 which the local Red Cross group had made or purchased and sent to their National Headquarters where they would be bundled up a shipped to action areas of the war as well as to prisoners of war and hospitals where wounded service men and women were being treated and also to displaced families in Europe or Asia.

3 layettes, 3 Seamen caps, 1 scarf, 2 pairs seaboots, 16 pairs grey socks, 5 pr. navy socks, 10 pajamas, 3 pairs pajamas pants, 2 small quilts, 3 pairs children's PJs, 1 child dress, 2 knitted suits, 1 child's skirt, 8 womens' work dresses, 5 crepe dresses, 1 knitted skirt, 3 suites of boy's underwear, 2 boys' coats.

In the same issue we were told about almost 2 1/2  tons of scrap paper which had been gathered and packed up ready for shipment by Mr. James Sims and his employees, Stuart Robinson and a Mr. Creighton. This will be accompanying paper that had been collected by the Blyth Fire Brigade. Incidentally, Jim Sims was in the process of retiring from his grocery business at this time.

ERNIE ROBINSON BAILS OUT

In the April 15 Blyth Standard we learned about Ernie Robinson having problems with the bomber he was flying over England. He decided they were going to crash so ordered his crew to leave the plane. When they were all out, he also parachuted from the plane. He landed in a plowed field on a large estate of a wealthy English family. In his letter to Ken Whitmore, the editor of the paper, he told that he was treated very kindly by the host. He was anxious to learn of how his crew fared in the landing. All had landed safely, This gave Ernie the distinct  honour of receiving the Caterpillar Badge which is given only to those pilots who, with their crews, have bailed out and landed safely.

Ernie was a good friend of my family. He worked for my parents in their Blyth bakery before signing up for the RCAF. We always enjoyed his witty letters that he sent from across the pond. In one he declared that he thought they should be dropping loaves of Vodden's bread instead of bombs. The would do far more damage.

HELP FOR FARMERS TO BRING IN THE CROPS

A representative from the Department of Agriculture came to request the village clerk, JHR Elliott, to set up an arrangement whereby farmers needing help with the harvest could put in their request, and people willing to help could so indicate. So many of the young men were in military service that many farmers were having difficulty harvesting their crops. At first there were no farmers asking for help and no volunteers were coming forward. Ken Whitmore, editor of the Standard, put out a special appeal and twisted a few arms.

Gradually the requests for help came in as did the willing volunteers. Ten people went to George Sloan's farm and stooked 20 acres in two hours. the group consisted mainly of Blyth business people: Del Philp, Wilf St. Pierre, Sam Creighton, Ken Whitmore, Bert Tasker, Harold Vodden, Herb McElroy  Norm Floody, Jack Cowan, Milne Cole, and Jack Watson Jr.

Later as many as 50 people were showing up. By August 19, the Standard was reporting that the stooking was pretty much completed for that season.

LIMITATIONS PLACED ON GOODS AND SERVICES

• Gas stations were not allowed to be open any evenings to conserve gasoline. Later each station was allowed to be open one night per week.
• Businesses that delivered products to other communities were restricted to a 35 mile radius for deliveries.
• All fabric bags such as those for flour, potatoes, grain, animal feed, etc. were to be returned to their source undamaged for re-use. The cotton bags which were used for 100 lbs of  flour could be adapted for other uses, but you had to contact government officials in either Toronto or Ottawa for permission to do this.
• To save material, it was decided to discontinue placing cuffs on the trousers of all military uniforms.
• Trucks were to be used for only serious purposes of moving products. They were not to be used for travelling to picnics, to visit fairs or community concerts. This would help to extend the lives of these vehicles, since there were no new vehicles being manufactured for civilian use during the war.
• Shades of lipstick, face powder, nail polish, and the number of perfume scents, were limited to 3 or 4 options. This was to limit the inventories required by retailers, as well as reducing the amount of metal required for containers and the number of fancy glass bottles to be manufactured.
• A large chain which served as a guard on Saltford Hill at Goderich was removed to be melted down and used for essential manufacturing and replaced with a much lighter chain. The original chain weighed 14 tons and the replacement was just one ton.
• Men's clothing stores were required to report by name any customers who purchased two or more suits since "last February", since they might be hoarding suits against potential future shortages.

ICE CREAM

Luxuries, such as ice cream, were not always available in stores and restaurants. Ice cream took on a very special ranking as a treat.

Miss Margaret Grieve and a Home and School representative took Miss Grieve's Junior class up town to Frank Gong's Huron Grill for a treat of dishes of ice cream. There were 37 children in that class (Grades One to Four). When they went to pay for the 39 dishes, Frank said the ice cream was free.

LONDESBOROUGH CHILDREN'S SALVAGE DRIVE

The children were going door to door collecting "junk", items that were made of material which might be of use in the war effort. They stopped in at a farm and happened to mention that items made of rubber would be  appreciated. With that, the farmer took off his rubber boots and handed them to the children. then he proceeded to the barn to work in his stocking feet.

COMPULSORY SERVICE AGE RAISED

In July of 1942, an announcement was made in the House of Commons that the compulsory service age was being raised to 40 years. War Services Minister Thompson's announcement meant that  single men and childless widowers 20 to 40 years old inclusive were subject to compulsory military service in all Canadian provinces and territories.

FARMERS ASKED TO LEND THE WAR DEPARTMENT 10% OF THEIR CHEQUES

Farmers were asked to receive War Saving Stamps in lieu of 10% of the cheques they receive for their milk, cream, and eggs

"Payment is made by giving the producers War Saving stamps instead of cash for the 10 %

The stamps are placed in folders until $4.00 worth is collected when they can be exchanged for certificates. Every $4 certificate will be redeemed by the government in 7½ years by the payment of $5.00 which means a 3% investment."  Blyth Standard August 19, 1942

URGENT NEED FOR WOMEN WORKERS IN FRUIT DISTRICTS

Needed to help with the harvesting this year.

Peach crop is good and it cannot be harvested without the assistance of volunteers in the Farm Service Force who did splendid service last year.

Volunteers must be over 16 and not over 45 and must be in possession of a National Registration card.

They will work 9 to 10 hours per day with overtime emergencies

There may be some Sunday work

Wages up to 24 cents/hr.  Camp board is $4.50/week.

Transportation is paid one way for volunteers who remain at least 3 weeks.

It is hope that as many as possible will volunteer from this community.