Velma’s Diaries - 1943
1943
DAY
Friday

MONTH
January 1

Saturday

January 2

Sunday

January 3

Monday

January 4

Tuesday

January 5

Wednesday

January 6

Thursday

January 7

Friday
Saturday

January 8
January 9

Sunday

January 10

Monday

January 11

Tuesday

January 12

Wednesday

January 13

Thursday

January 14

Friday

January 15

Saturday

January 16

Sunday

January 17

Velma (Blythe) Grant’s Diary - 1943

COMMENT
Slept in until noon. Lovely day. I went down home at 1 with
Anna, Barb & Uncle Will. Had New Year’s dinner & then
played cards. Played badminton at night.
Wrote Laddie. I got 6 bowls from him to-day. I went to show
with Barb & Anna. Saw Jeanette MacDonald in “Cairo”.
Read. Went to church at night & visited at Grant’s
afterwards.
Busy. Settling down to work again after holiday season.
Had my hair waved.
Cold. Busy. Wrote Laddie. Played badminton at night. I
am reading a good book, “Seventh Cross” by Anna Seghers.
Cold. Busy. Stayed in at night. Am knitting a pair of brown
gloves for myself & also finishing a sweater for Marion Petty.
Frosty – below zero. Half holiday. Had letter from Elgin.
Mrs. Whitmore & Berniece came over at night for a game of
bridge.
Very frosty. Busy. Finished reports. Read & knit at night.
Wrote Laddie an airletter. Got Letter No.134 from Laddie.
Closed Waterworks books. Very frosty.
Read. Went to church at night. A minister speaking for a
call. Good.
Milder. Wrote Elgin. Had a grand letter from Laddie,
No.135. Went to Red Cross at Norma Gagnon’s – she
served us coffee & some of her wedding cake.
Wrote Laddie. Last night Oliver Hunter persuaded Council
to pass motion that Hydro office be moved to Clerk’s office,
saying that Hydro Com. were in favour. We had our meeting
to-night & Oliver asked us to leave. Herb Cross & Art
McGowan wouldn’t consent & Oliver was furious. He says
Mr. Willis needs a Sec’y (it is really he who wants one). Ab
to stay up hill & keep office open & stock room.
Plenty of talk re: moving the office down town. I was talking
to Art McGowan & Mr. Cross. I got No.139, airletter, from
Laddie. We started our Bridge Club – met at Berniece’s.
Busy. Half holiday. Stormy. Hanover Young People’s,
directed by Mrs. Levine, put on a splendid play in Hall, “Look
Who’s Here”, splendidly acted.
A beautiful day. Busy. Went to a bridge at Irla’s – 2 tables.
Mrs. Rumble & friend, Mrs. Armstrong, Norma & Myrtle,
Ruth & Clara. I stayed to help with dishes.
Cleaned out safe. Went home after work. I worked at a
bath mat set. The coat that Mrs. Hope sent Mother looks
real nice.
Read. Went to church at night.

1

Monday

January 18

Tuesday

January 19

Wednesday

January 20

Thursday

January 21

Friday

January 22

Saturday

January 23

Sunday

January 24

Monday

January 25

Tuesday

January 26

Wednesday

January 27

Thursday

January 28

Friday

January 29

Saturday

January 30

Velma (Blythe) Grant’s Diary - 1943

Busy. Elgin only gets 1 week furlough so won’t be able to
come home. I got a parcel of books from Laddie for our
library. Went to Tennis Club meeting after work. We
decided to put on a play. Bridge Club at Ethel’s.
A terrible stormy day. All roads blocked. Wrote Laddie.
Nearly frozen when I got home from work. Auxiliary
cancelled. Glad I didn’t have to go out.
Still storming & very cold. No train to-day & highway still
blocked. Stayed in at night. Finished gloves & started to
embroider towels. (Dorothy Taylor had a baby without a
doctor, only a nurse.)
Not quite as stormy but very cold – below zero. Half holiday.
Stayed in, read & did fancy work. Still no train or bus.
Calmer to-day but still no train or bus. Seems funny without
a paper. We are really isolated!
Milder. Thank goodness! Almost raining to-day. Wrote
Laddie. A train came in late this aft. I got 2 letters from
Laddie, Nos.137 & 138. Went home. Finished a bath mat.
Worked till nearly one.
I came up about 2 in aft. Went to church at night & then
visited at McKechnie’s. Worked jigsaw puzzles. Bob
Christie was there. Had lunch.
Mild. We got a surprise when Ruby & Jackie arrived on
train. Are going to stay 2 weeks as Cy is in hospital, having
his face treated for acne. Jackie is only 7 months old, long
trip for her. The club bag with her food in it didn’t arrive.
Some time! Went to Red Cross at Mrs. Art McClement’s.
Colder again. Wrote Laddie. Busy. Br. Have captured
Tripoli & Russians are making great headway in their
offensive. News came to-night that a conference of all Allied
leaders (Churchill, Roosevelt, etc.) has just been completed
at Casablanca, Fr. Morocco – 12 days – planned 1943
offensive.
Lovely frosty day. Unemp. Ins. auditor here. We are going
to get rebate for what we have already paid. Got Letters
Nos. 144 & 145 from Laddie. Went to Auxiliary at
Brocklebanks. Aunt Eva entertained ladies. I had lunch with
them.
Last Thursday half holiday – to be changed to Wed. next
week. Got some books from Laddie & got a letter from Elg.
Washed my hair. Ruby, Aunt Eva & I went to Oddfellow’s
Euchre. Ruby got prize.
Lovely sun-shiny day. Busy. Visit from Mayor Hunter.
Typewriter repair man here. Knit & played with Jackie at
night. She is a great source of amusement – real cute, dark
eyes & little fat cheeks. I got my pictures back – like them
very much now – I had them finished again.
Wrote Laddie & Elg. Made handkerchief apron at night.

2

Sunday

January 31

Monday

February 1

Tuesday

February 2

Wednesday

February 3

Thursday

February 4

Friday

February 5

Saturday

February 6

Sunday

February 7

Monday

February 8

Tuesday

February 9

Wednesday

February 10

Thursday

February 11

Friday

February 12

Saturday

February 13

Sunday

February 14

Monday

February 15

Tuesday

February 16

Wednesday

February 17

Thursday

February 18

Velma (Blythe) Grant’s Diary - 1943

Lorne went up to Owen Sound on bus, going to take 3
month course in machine shop work. Rev. Smith’s were at
Aunt Eva’s Sunday night with car. Harry Kress broke his
leg. Jack Shutz’s new wife with him.
Very stormy again. No trains to-day. Jackie has a cold.
Aunt Eva & I went over to Haug’s at night. Mrs. Haug is
dead.
Nice to-day again. Got ready for meeting. Frank Irwin came
to meeting. Argument over shovelling hydrants. Oliver
certainly has some fantastic, stupid ideas.
Half holiday – changed to Wednesday. Wrote Laddie in aft.
Took some crocheting down to Alice Picken. Went to Bridge
Club at Hilda’s – got prize – 3 cakes Yardley’s soap.
Very busy. Berniece & Mrs. Whitmore came over at night for
a game of bridge.
Nice day. Busy. Went to High School Commencement –
play was grand. Mary Seymour splendid actress.
Raining. Wrote Laddie an airletter. Ruby & Jackie came
home with me for week-end. Lorne was home from Owen
Sound too – likes the course (machine shop).
Very stormy. I went down to Grant’s Sunday night. Gave
them my photo.
No train to-day & highway still blocked. Ab went to Hydro
Convention. Went to Red Cross skating party. Good crowd.
Made $25.
Nice day. Ruby & Jackie went out to Winnie’s on sleigh. I
got 3 letters from Laddie, Nos. 141,142 & 143. Wrote him at
night.
Very windy. Raining. Half holiday. No train to-day. Went to
Bridge Club at Mary Firth’s.
Mail came in on C.P.R. to-day – still no C.N.R. train. Busy.
Played badminton at night. Had letter from Elgin.
A nice day. Ab came home from convention last night. I got
a parcel of books from Laddie. Read & did fancy work at
night.
Nice day. Went home after work. Did fancy work. Lorne
was home for week-end.
Very, very frosty – below zero with a high wind. Packed
Laddie’s birthday box. Stayed in at night. Ruby still here.
Below zero. Thirty below last night. Elg was supposed to
arrive to-day for his furlough but didn’t come. Went to Red
Cross at Ruth Myle’s.
Ruby & Jackie went back to Peterborough to-day. Went to
Auxiliary at Storrey’s.
Went to Tennis Club meeting at Shirley’s in aft. Picked out
characters for a play. Elg’s leave was cancelled due to
overcrowded trains. Went to Bridge Club at Barbara’s –
below zero.
Milder. Had letter from Elgin. Stayed in at night. Vera has
moved into an apartment.

3

Friday

February 19

Saturday

February 20

Sunday

February 21

Monday

February 22

Tuesday
Wednesday

February 23
February 24

Thursday

February 25

Friday

February 26

Saturday

February 27

Sunday

February 28

Monday

March 1

Tuesday

March 2

Wednesday

March 3

Thursday

March 4

Velma (Blythe) Grant’s Diary - 1943

Real mild. Shopped after work. Berniece & I planned Red
Cross box. Elg sent Mother a necklace cut out of a broken
windshield of a plane.
I have a bad head cold. Very busy. Oliver came in to get
me to do some letters but I was too busy (fortunately). I had
airletter from Laddie, No.148.
A grand day. My cold is better. Aunt Eva & I went to
church. I wrote Laddie a long letter after I went to bed.
A beautiful day. Nadine’s birthday – 9. Very busy. I got 3
letters from Laddie. I went to Tennis Club play practice &
then to Red Cross at Norma’s.
Mild. I went to play practice at night & then visited at Grant’s.
I washed my hair. Got lovely pink carnations from Laddie for
an anniversary present. Mrs. Chas. Moore broke her wrist.
Went to show with Moodie’s. Saw Fibber McGee & Molly in,
“Here We Go Again”.
Laddie & I have been going together 8 years. I got lovely
flowers from him yesterday. Wrote him. Went to Bridge
Club at Rita’s. I saw Bill Welsh’s engage. in paper to-day.
Nice day. Nothing unusual happened. Wrote to Vera.
Stayed in at night for a change.
I had a letter from Elgin saying he was going overseas right
away – coming home next week for embarkation leave. We
weren’t expecting him to have to go so soon. Cut a pr. of
pants at night.
Stormy. Knit & started an afghan block. Aunt Eva & I went
to church at night.
Stormy. March came in like a lion. Wrote Laddie. Went to
play practice.
Frosty. Herb Miller (Navy) & Gladys Young were married today. Went to play practice, ate in Chinamen’s afterwards.
Frosty. I entertained the Bridge Club, made sandwiches in
aft. (egg, ham & tomato). Letter postage is to be revised to
4¢ Apr.1st – except on overseas letters.
Frosty. Busy. I went to play practice at night. Elgin came
home to-night on embarkation leave – has a week.

4

Elgin on embarkation leave, March, 1943

Norma and Elgin

Wilbert, Sarah , Elgin, Norma, Winnie

Velma, Winnie, Sarah, Elgin

Velma (Blythe) Grant’s Diary - 1943

5

Friday

March 5

Saturday

March 6

Sunday

March 7

Monday

March 8

Tuesday

March 9

Wednesday

March 10

Thursday

March 11

Friday

March 12

Saturday

March 13

Sunday

March 14

Monday

March 15

Tuesday

March 16

Wednesday

March 17

Thursday

March 18

Friday

March 19

Saturday

March 20

Sunday

March 21

Velma (Blythe) Grant’s Diary - 1943

Mr. Conn came to audit books. I wasn’t expecting him.
Wrote Laddie after he left. I stayed in at night as I was tired
& had a lot of odd jobs to do.
Very, very stormy. I went home after work. Norma & Elgin
at home. We played Rummy for coppers – a lot of fun. Elg
brought me a comb(?) & a spoon from Winnipeg.
Terribly stormy & cold. Lorne has mumps (not very sick). I
stayed home at night as roads were blocked. Elgin kept us
all amused.
I came up to work in morning (about 10). Received letter
No.150 from Laddie, also $5 to buy Spode & a book. Went
to Red Cross at Allen’s.
Very cold. Wrote Laddie an airletter. Bought 3 Spode
plates. Stayed in at night. Lorne has a job with Russell G.
in Owen Sound when he finishes his course.
Typed out some tickets for Auxiliary concert. Went home in
aft. Mother & Dad’s wedding anniversary. Elg still home.
We had lovely chicken dinner at night. Played cards. I
stayed down home at night & came up in morning.
Received a nice cable from Laddie, “Every day, in every
way, I miss you more & more”. Got letter No. 152 also.
Played badminton at night & went to Bridge Club at
Ritchie’s.
Mild. Peter Ramage here auditing books. Elg & Norma
came up to Aunt Eva’s at night. We played bridge & had a
real nice time. Elg beat me so that tickled him.
Mild. Vera came home for week-end. I went home after
work. We played cards at night. Elg & Norma at our place.
Winnie & Jack were down. Elgin’s last day at home. I didn’t
come up to town at night. We listened to radio.
Raining. Elgin went away to-day. Lorne took him to Toronto
to catch train to Montreal & then to Halifax. I went to show
at night with Barb, Jas. Cagney in “Yankee Doodle Dandy”.
Anna came home with us.
Raining. Wrote Laddie. Moore’s got word that Delbert has
been burnt, but not seriously. Went to Com. meeting at
night. Oliver has tamed down somewhat.
A got a long letter from Laddie, No.151. Went to play
practice (Tennis Club) in Hall at night.
Busy. Hardly get a minute these days, as so much going on
at nights. A got a black evening purse from Lad, bought in
Edinburgh. Went to Auxiliary Variety Concert – splendid.
Cold. I got a cable from Laddie. Went down to Grant’s at
night.
Cold & stormy. Wrote Laddie a long letter. Went home at
night. Ironed for Mother & finished yellow sweater.
A nice day. Busy. Going to Toronto to-morrow so planned
clothes to buy etc.

6

Monday

March 22

Tuesday

March 23

Wednesday

March 24

Thursday

March 25

Friday

March 26

Saturday

March 27

Sunday

March 28

Monday

March 29

Tuesday

March 30

Wednesday

March 31

Thursday
Friday

April 1
April 2

Saturday
Sunday

April 3
April 4

Monday

April 5

Velma (Blythe) Grant’s Diary - 1943

We (Barb, Anna, Freda, Uncle Will & myself) left for Toronto
at 6 a.m. Shopped all day. I got a new spring, lama cloth,
$35, & also brown hat & brown alligator shoes. We had a
nice time & arrived home shortly after eleven.
A lovely spring day. I got 2 letters from Laddie, Nos. 154 &
155. He took part in a big attack exercise (Spartan) in
England. I went to Auxiliary at night.
Laddie’s 28th birthday. Wrote him in aft. Had my hair done.
Went to play practice in Hall – lasted until midnight.
Pete Ramage was here auditing books. Went to play
rehearsal at night. We had a letter from Elg, written in
Halifax.
Raining, but turned out nice. The night of the Tennis Club
play, “Bolts & Nuts”. I took tickets at door. Hall filled; play
was very good; lots of laughs. Cleared $75. We ate
afterwards in restaurant.
Colder but bright. Wrote Laddie. Went home after work.
Knit, etc.
Bright but cool. Starting to clean my room drawers. Marg
Leeson here in aft. Aunt Eva & I went to church at night.
Bright but cool. We had letter from Elg, written in Moncton,
N.B. He has L.A.C. now. Had cable from Laddie. We put
on Tennis Club play for 2nd time. Half full again. Had swell
lunch afterwards in Hall. Cleared $115 – 2 performances.
Raining. Busy. Stayed in at night for a change. Germans
are getting defeated in Tunisia.
A perfect Spring day. Wrote Laddie. Visited Eunice & baby
Leslie in aft. Went to Bridge Club at Ethel’s. Had card from
Elgin, written in Moncton, N.B.
Colder. Nothing worth mentioning happened.
Ground covered with snow again. McGowan’s mill was
completely destroyed by fire.
Wrote Laddie. Went home after work. Read, etc.
Looked over books in room, etc. Aunt Eva & I went to
church at night & then visited at Whitmore’s afterwards.
Snowing, stormy. Geraldine sent me a piece of her wedding
cake. Betty is going to be married on May 1 – only eighteen.
Went to Red Cross at Eunice McGirr’s.

7

Geraldine and Leo’s wedding, March, 1943

Tuesday

April 6

Wednesday

April 7

Thursday

April 8

Friday

April 9

Saturday

April 10

Sunday

April 11

Monday

April 12

Tuesday
Wednesday

April 13
April 14

Velma (Blythe) Grant’s Diary - 1943

Cold. We had Com. meeting at night. Mr. Robb at meeting.
I was amused at conversation between him & Oliver. Rotary
Club was trying to get a $200 donation from Oliver to help(?)
Rink.
Wrote Laddie. Went out to McGirr’s in aft. Uncle Tom is
very sick – has nurse. I didn’t get in to see him. Went to
Rebecca Euchre at night.
A little milder. Bill Welsh was killed in flying accident at
Camp Borden – only married 5 weeks. Berniece & I
entertained Bridge Club at her place. Served bacon &
cheese strips & cream puffs.
I got 4 letters Nos. 157 to 160 & a card from Laddie. Stayed
in at night, knit & wrote a letter to Laddie.
Busy. Wrote Elg. We think he’s overseas now but haven’t
received a cable yet. Read at night. I got a parcel of books
from Laddie.
Norma got a cable saying Elg had arrived overseas. Aunt
Eva & I went to church at night & then visited at McCaslin’s
afterwards.
Snowing. Cold. Jean & Nora came home from Toronto.
Both flat broke. Telling us all about holiday. Mother had
cable from Elg. Red Cross at Mrs. Wanamaker’s. Laddie
got box.
Cold & snowing. Wrote Laddie. Stayed in at night.
Snowing. Terrible weather. Went to Bridge Club at
Ritchie’s.

8

Thursday

April 15

Friday

April 16

Saturday

April 17

Sunday

April 18

Monday

April 19

Tuesday

April 20

Wednesday

April 21

Thursday

April 22

Friday

April 23

Saturday

April 24

Sunday

April 25

Monday

April 26

Tuesday
Wednesday

April 27
April 28

Thursday

April 29

Friday

April 30

Saturday

May 1

Velma (Blythe) Grant’s Diary - 1943

Snowing. I got an airletter from Laddie – came in 1 ½
weeks. Went to Auxiliary Thank-offering meeting. Mrs.
(Rev.) Cox from Priceville – great speaker. Went to
Twamley’s afterwards.
Cold. Had letter from Laddie. Mrs. Harris is papering Aunt
Eva’s bedrooms. Shirley & I went to dance at Armourmies.
Swell time.
A little more like Spring. Wrote Laddie. I got a book from
him, “The Defiant City”. Went home after work. Busy.
Nice day. Read, cleaned drawers, etc. Aunt Eva & I went to
church at night.
Cool wind. Busy. Stayed in at night. Knit, read & listened to
Lux.
Ground covered with snow again. Busy. Went to Auxiliary
at night.
Cool. Stayed open on half holiday. Wrote Laddie. Had my
hair done at night.
A beautiful spring day. Busy. Went to Hanover at night with
Aunt Eva & Jean. Saw show, Rosalind Russell & Fred
MacMurray in “Flight for Freedom”. Met train. Vera &
Evelyn on it.
A wonderful spring day. Good Friday. Cleaned clothes
closets in morning. Norma & Barbara Cockburn were up in
aft. We came up town for awhile. They went home after
supper.
A beautiful day. Wrote Elgin. Went home after work.
Cleaned desk & drawers.
Easter Sunday. Nice day but rather cool. Inez & I went to
church at night & then went down to Ritchie’s afterwards.
Wore my new coat & hat.
Wrote to Laddie. Cool. Hunter’s house burnt. Emerson
Bennett died – only 35. Went to show in Mt. Forest with
Freda & Bill. Saw the grandest show – Ronald Colman &
Greer Garson in “Random Harvest”.
Cold & wet. Stayed in at night & went to bed early.
Trees still bare. Cool. Read & knit in aft. Played badminton
at night.
Nicer to-day. Wrote Laddie. Vic at Aunt Eva’s for dinner. I
had a letter from Laddie – posted in Brockville. Went to
Bridge Club at Rita Willis’, last one for this season.
Raining & Cold. Snowing some. Aunt Eva, Jean, Joan and I
went to show in Owen Sound. Noel Coward’s “In Which We
Serve”. Splendid. I came home with Inez.
Bright but cool. Mother & Dad went to Betty Fowler’s
wedding. I went down to Mt. Forrest to Norma’s in bus. We
shopped at night & then had lunch. Merv & Ken home, also
Jean Ward from Harriston there.

9

Sunday

May 2

Monday

May 3

Tuesday

May 4

Wednesday

May 5

Thursday

May 6

Friday

May 7

Saturday

May 8

Sunday

May 9

Monday

May 10

Tuesday

May 11

Wednesday

May 12

Thursday

May 13

Friday

May 14

Saturday

May 15

Sunday

May 16

Monday

May 17

Tuesday

May 18

Velma (Blythe) Grant’s Diary - 1943

Dull & cool. We all slept until noon, then had breakfast.
Harold Jewitt & his wife called in aft. Norma & I called on
Doris Wilkinson, Norma’s cousin Mary & baby Jackie &
Cockburn’s. We went to church at night. Lorne came down
for me.
Raining. Wrote to Laddie & Elgin. Went to Red Cross at
Mrs. Clarence Ritchie’s. Mother & Dad came home from
Brantford. Had nice time. Visited Mrs. Reynor & Aunt
Jennie there.
Cool. Mother was up & showed me wedding snaps. Com.
meeting at night.
Cool & wet. Read & knit. Started pink sweater for Jackie’s
birthday present. I am reading a good book that Laddie
sent, “The Last Enemy”.
Nice day. Wrote Laddie. Mother had 1st overseas letter
from Elgin. Visited at Grant’s at night. Jessie & Bonnie
home. Jessie teaching at Varney this week.
Nice day. Busy. Our Red Cross Euchre & Dance – made
$50 at euchre & $30 on quilt. Dance afterwards.
Raining. Tunis & Bizirte have fallen to Allies. I got my first
overseas letter from Elgin – greatly taken up with Eng. &
Scotland, especially the latter. I got No.166 from Laddie.
Mother’s Day. A beautiful day. I gave Mother handkerchief
& Apple Blossom perfume. We went for a walk in aft. down
to other place. Aunt Eva & I went to church at night.
Allies have won a complete victory in North Africa. Germans
weren’t able to escape. Thousands were taken prisoner.
Went to Red Cross at Mrs. Frank Lake’s. Marg Hunter
spoke.
Raining. Wrote Laddie & Elgin (both airletters). Stayed in at
night.
Half holiday. Went down home in aft., brought car up & took
a load to Williamsford – Tennis Club put on play. Swell time.
Dance afterwards.
Cold. Jack Schutz’s have a son. I stayed in at night. Went
to bed early.
Cool. Very backward weather. I had a letter from Laddie.
Wrote him. Knit & read at night & went over to Miss
Gerrie’s.
4th Victory Loan went over top. I had 4 letters from Laddie.
Went home at night.
Very windy. Aunt Eva & I went to church at night. Girl
Guide & Boy Scout Service. I went into Berniece’s
afterwards.
I had a letter, No.174, from Laddie & also one from Elgin.
Norma was up town. I saw her after work. Our Bridge Club
went to Hanover – Had dinner at Sunnybrook Farm. Gave
Mary Firth cream & sugar. Went to show, “Star Spangled
Rhythm”.
Raining. Wrote Laddie & Elgin airletters. Went to Auxiliary
in church.

10

Wednesday

May 19

Thursday

May 20

Friday

May 21

Saturday

May 22

Sunday

May 23

Monday

May 24

Nice day. I got a permanent at Ethel’s in aft. Allies ruined
two big dams in Germany by bombs – great floods.
Churchill spoke to-day from U.S.
I had letter & books from Laddie. Went up to Tennis Courts
at night & worked. Then went to see Mary Firth’s trousseau.
Raining, but cleared towards evening. Shirley & I worked up
at Tennis Courts until 9, taking out weeds & raking court.
We had Alley Harrowed. Inez was home so I went over
there afterwards.
Grand day. Wrote Laddie. Lorne 17 to-day. I went home
after work. Mother & I did a lot of odd jobs. Mother has all
house cleaning done but kitchen & cellar.
A beautiful day. Berniece came down in aft. & stayed all
night. We went for a walk.
A holiday. Nice in morning but it rained in aft. Bern. here.
Anna, Barb, Freda & Hilda came down in aft. We went
fishing but had to come home as it rained. I got 1 trout. We
cooked our supper in the house.

Velma on right
Tuesday

May 25

Wednesday

May 26

Velma (Blythe) Grant’s Diary - 1943

Nice day. Not very busy. Went to dentist. Don Knight
seriously injured overseas. Knox congregation voted to
have Mr. Smith stay, 39-25.
Allies making big air raids over Germany nearly every night.
Wrote Laddie & Elg. Read & Knit in aft. Played badminton

11

Thursday

May 27

Friday

May 28

Saturday

May 29

Sunday

May 30

Monday

May 31

Tuesday

June 1

Wednesday

June 2

Thursday

June 3

Friday

June 4

Saturday

June 5

Sunday

June 6

Monday

June 7

Tuesday

June 8

Wednesday

June 9

Thursday
Friday

June 10
June 11

Saturday

June 12

Sunday

June 13

Velma (Blythe) Grant’s Diary - 1943

at night. Last for season.
Cool. Went to dentist. Went to Auxiliary Executive meeting
at Miss Gerrie’s & then worked at Town Hall until 11pm
making out sugar ration coupon books for preserving – 10
lbs. each.
Cool. Aunt Eva & I went over to Whitmore’s at night for a
game of bridge. Geo. Constables have a son (Sandy).
Lovely day. Wrote Laddie. Went to Owen Sound on the bus
& came home with Lorne. Got goods for a seersucker dress
& rose printed material. Fowlers came up. Geraldine, Doris,
Helen(?), Reg & Mary went up town at night.
Lovely day. Real warm. We went fishing in morning. I
caught two. Fowlers went home after supper. I went to
church & then Berniece & I went for a walk.
Nice day. Aunt Eva, Jean and I went to show in Mt. Forest,
“Birth of a Baby” – good. Jeff Elvidge & Lena Bell married
to-day.
Warm. Com. meeting at night. I had my teeth cleaned.
Finished now. $4.50.
Wrote Laddie. Went home in aft. Helped with preserving
sugar rationing coupons at night.
Real hot. I got a birthday card and a leather initial pin from
Elgin & also a letter telling about leave in London. Went
over to Mrs. Wright’s at night. Geo. Glass being married
June 11th.
Warm. I had a letter from Laddie. Played tennis at night –
first this season.
Wrote Laddie. Shirley & I were around town together at
night. Aunt Jennie Ribey here for dinner. Went home with
Mother & Dad.
Jas. Leesons were here at our place. Cute little baby,
Diane. Raining so stayed at night & read.
27 to-day. Got Spode plate from Mother, chocolates from
Lorne, underwear from Aunt Eva & Jean & 2 War Savings
Stamps from Vera & nice cards. Wrote Elgin. Geo. Glass
came home & I went down to see him. Great talk, swell to
see him again. Gave him painted wooden bowl for present,
$5.
Nice day but cool. I wrote Vera. $26.33 came to Bank of
Commerce for me from Eng. Knit & read at night.
Wrote Laddie. Lay out in sun in aft. We went to show at
night. Saw Spencer Tracy & Katharine Hepburn in “Keeper
of the Flame”, good.
Nice day. Busy. Played tennis at night.
Wrote to Ruby & sent Jackie a knitted outfit for her birthday.
Laddie sent me £6 ($26.33) for my birthday. I had letter
from him. Great time deciding what to buy – bought platter,
vegetable dish, sugar bowl, stockings & sheets. Geo. Glass
married to-day. Swell day.
Wrote Laddie. Lovely June day. Our Auxiliary served a
cafeteria lunch. Rained at night.
Read. Lay out in sun in aft. Aunt Eva & I went to church at

12

Monday

June 14

Tuesday

June 15

Wednesday

June 16

night & for walk afterwards.
Nice day. Aunt Eva, Jean & I went to show in Hanover.
Saw Brian Aherne & Loretta Young in, “A Night to
Remember”.
Lovely day. Went to Auxiliary at Mrs. Geo. Wilson’s. Bonnie
& Jessie went with me. Mrs. Smith treated us to ice cream
on our way home to celebrate birth of her grandson, John
David.
I had 5 letters from Laddie & books – one written on leave
spent in Torquay. Went down to Grant’s at night.

May 24, 1943
Dear Velma,, Mother & Dad:
… another of my nine day leaves
8 page letter about trip with Gordon Cunningham to London & Torguay
(seaside town in Devon on English Channel) – visited book stores, went to
movies, strolled in Devon (beaches isolated by barbed wire), played tennis,
tried slot machines, went to play and an orchestra recital; then returned to
camp and attended the Division Medical Society dance; completed leave in
London with a play, movies and more book shopping.
This morning I started work afresh…
Love from
Laddie
Thursday

June 17

Friday

June 18

Saturday

June 19

Sunday

June 20

Monday

June 21

Tuesday
Wednesday

June 22
June 23

Thursday

June 24

Friday

June 25

Velma (Blythe) Grant’s Diary - 1943

I got No.181 from Laddie – airletter, written June 4. Washed
my hair & had it waved.
Grand day. Real warm. Aunt Eva went to Toronto for weekend. Had letter from Ruby. Uncle Will ran into ditch &
smashed car. Played tennis. Shirley, Ruby V.(?) & I went
out to Chas. Lawrence’s farm to see their horses.
Lovely day – warm. Busy. Wrote Elgin an airletter. Hilda,
Eliz. Seymour & I talked at night.
Grand day. I went out to Florence Patterson’s in aft. We
went to lake. Went to Knox church at night – anniversary.
Went down to Ritchie’s afterwards.
Grand day. Mrs. McIntyre was operated on for appendicitis,
quite seriously ill. I had amusing letter from Elg. Played
tennis at night.
Grand day. Real busy. Read at night.
Lovely day. Had airletter from Laddie – 8 days. Went to
Rebecca picnic at park. Ber. & I visited Shipley’s. Wrote
Laddie afterwards.
Mr. MacKay (auditor) here. Very nice. In Air Force in last
war. Overseas 2 years. Went to a ball game (Reserve
Army vs. Factory) at night.
Real hot. Wrote Elgin & sent birthday card. Went down to
Glass’ at night & saw George’s wedding snaps. Bern. & I
went for a walk.

13

Saturday

June 26

Sunday

June 27

Monday

June 28

Tuesday

June 29

Wednesday

June 30

Thursday

July 1

Friday

July 2

Saturday

July 3

Sunday

July 4

Monday

July 5

Tuesday

July 6

Wednesday

July 7

Thursday

July 8

Friday

July 9

Saturday
Sunday

July 10
July 11

Velma (Blythe) Grant’s Diary - 1943

Very hot. Wrote Laddie. Hahn’s sold furniture on street.
Dad bought dresser & leather chair. Florence & I went to
dance in Hall for a little while. I came home with Patterson’s.
Grand day – very warm. I lay out in sun in afternoon. Lorne
was home for week-end.
Raining. Had airletter from Elgin. Read & listened to Lux.
Started pink short sleeved sweater. Grey & Simcoe
Foresters landed overseas.
Had Com. meeting. Art McGowan told Ab what he thought
of him – his carelessness, etc. Angry because he did not
consult Com. before ordering material.
Busy. Inez & I played tennis at night. I went home
afterwards. Bonnie brought a bouquet of peonies up to the
office to-day.
Lovely day. Holiday. Busy. Vic, Sally & Nadine landed
along in aft. Stayed for supper. Vic & Sally on way to
Haliburton for 2 weeks. Nadine going to stay with us. Wrote
Laddie at night.
Very busy. Ab says he is going to look for another job. Inez
& I played tennis at night & then went up to Berniece’s
afterwards. Had letter from Laddie – going to have date with
Anna Butler(?).
Last day of work before holidays. Very busy. Never felt the
need of a holiday so much as this yr. Ab away all day. Got
2 letters from Laddie & 1 from Elg. Went home at night.
Swell day but rained at night. Read. Mother & I visited at
McGirr’s at night. Jack Robinsons were here for supper.
Nice day. Washed & ironed clothes. Mother started to
make me a red & white seersucker dress. Wrote Laddie –
Nadine wrote him too. Fowlers called on way home from
boat trip.
Lovely day. Wrote Elgin. Mother, Nadine & I went to Mt.
Forest in aft, visited Mrs. McIntyre in hospital. Supper at
Norma’s. All went to show at night, Judy Garland in “My Gal
Sal”.
Nice day. Varnished floors, etc. Went to Ladies Aid at
Mountain’s. Got 2 letters from Laddie, Nos. 184 &185, 1
from Elg.
Grand day. Busy. Cut lawn, painted window sashes, waxed
dining room rug, etc. Went to Institute meeting at Wolfe’s.
Read & knit at night.
Lovely day. Warm. Mother finished my dress, started slack
top. I darned, etc. Went up town in aft. & shopped. Wrote
Laddie at night. Read.
Nice day. Busy. Packed. Lorne came home in aft.
Canadians, Americans & English landed in Sicily. Real
warm. Mother, Dad, Lorne & Nadine, Barb and I came to
Wasaga. Barb & I are going to stay at Inglewood Lodge this
week – Mr. Sabiston, Manager. We went for walk at night.
Party in room next to ours so we listened to talk of the 3΄
woman.

14

Monday

July 12

Tuesday

July 13

Wednesday

July 14

Thursday

July 15

Friday

July 16

Nice in morning but it rained in aft. so we lounged around.
Good bunch staying at Inglewood. Meals appetizing.
Grand day. We went hiking, swimming and lay out in the
sun. Went to dance at night.
Real warm in morning. Rained in aft. Wrote Laddie. We
had our cups read – to be married in Sept. or Oct. – much
sooner than I expect. Got parcel, cable, heard of promotion,
move, relative hurt hand or arm. Went bowling with
Barfoot’s, played bridge.
Nice day. We heard last night that Sonny Jamieson is
reported missing. Went to dance.
Nice in morning. Took pictures over at island. Went to show
in park. Saw “Eagle Squadron” – real good. Delbert Moore
was awarded George Medal.

Nancy Island on Notawasaga River, July, 1943

Velma

Barbara

Velma (Blythe) Grant’s Diary - 1943

15

Saturday

July 17

Sunday

July 18

Monday

July 19

Tuesday

July 20

Wednesday

July 21

Thursday

July 22

Friday

July 23

Saturday

July 24

Sunday

July 25

Monday

July 26

Tuesday

July 27

Wednesday

July 28

Thursday

July 29

Friday

July 30

Saturday

July 31

Sunday

August 1

Velma (Blythe) Grant’s Diary - 1943

Cloudy & rainy all day but cleared up at night. We shopped.
Had a lot of fun with girls staying here. At night we moved to
another place & slept over a store facing the water (Antonia
Cabins).
Lovely day. Anna, Norm, Freda, Bill & uncle Will came up in
aft. Went down town & then had nice lunch in cabin. Anna
brought me 3 letters, Nos. 188 & 189 from Laddie & one
from Elg. We arrived home about 10.
Nice day. Started back to work again. I have a good tan,
especially on my face. Sent Elg birthday cable. Got thankyou note from Betty Glass. Had my hair done at night &
tidied up room. Vera home on holidays.
Nice day. Aunt Eva went to Hamilton. Finished 14 page
letter to Laddie. Went to Auxiliary supper meeting at Myrtle
McKechnie’s.
Wrote Elgin. Raining. Vera, Jean, Aunt Eva, Jeanie
McLean, Sheila & I went down to farm. Stayed for supper.
Cool. Hilda and I went to ball game - Hutton Hills
Merchants. Had sundae afterwards.
Real cool. Vera, Jean, Inez & I played tennis. I went in to
Twamley’s afterwards.
Elg 26 to-day. Wrote Laddie. Grand day. Went home at
night.
Raining in morning, then cleared. Mussolini fired – his
cabinet jailed. End of Fascism. Hap, Eunice & baby Leslie
were down. Went to church & then Bern. & I went for a
walk. Ruby & Jackie took me to Winnie’s to-day.
Lovely day. Got letters from Elg & Laddie written a week
ago to-day – came by the new trans-Canada Atlantic airmail.
Laddie has been moved to north of Eng. Elg to be moved
soon. Visited at Grant’s at night.
Cool. Got 2 more letters from Laddie. Stayed in at night.
Read, “A Leaf in the Storm” – swell. I am knitting socks for
Laddie.
Most of Sicily is in hands of Can. & Br. Now. Wrote Laddie.
Got books & letter from Laddie & 1 from Elgin. Went to
Knox Church picnic in park. Spent evening at Twamley’s.
Nice day but cool. Busy. Knit & read at night. Ruby &
Jackie were in for supper. Jackie can walk now.
Lovely day. Knit & read at night. Aunt Eva was picking
berries. They are very expensive to buy this year.
Nice day. Wrote Laddie. Inez & her mother left for West today – Victoria, Vancouver Island. Had 2 letters from Laddie.
Went home about midnight.
Grand day. Warm. Mother & Dad & I went out to Winnie’s
in aft. Had supper outside. Aunt Eva & girls there, Ruby &
Jackie & Nadine.

16

August, 1943

Eva, Winnie, Sarah in front, Jack and Wilbert behind

Vera and Jackie in front, Nadine and Velma behind

Jackie and Nadine

Velma (Blythe) Grant’s Diary - 1943

17

Monday

August 2

Tuesday

August 3

Wednesday

August 4

Thursday

August 5

Friday
Saturday

August 6
August 7

Sunday

August 8

Monday

August 9

Tuesday

August 10

Wednesday

August 11

Thursday

August 12

Friday

August 13

Saturday

August 14

Sunday

August 15

Monday

August 16

Tuesday

August 17

Wednesday

August 18

Thursday

August 19

Velma (Blythe) Grant’s Diary - 1943

Civic holiday. Nice day. Mother & I did some odd jobs. We
had letter from Elg. Went to show in Mt. Forest at night with
Aunt Eva’s. Saw Bette Davis in “Now Voyager”. Grand.
Busy. Had letter from Laddie. Commission meeting – lasted
until nearly eleven.
Wrote Laddie. Election Day (Provincial) – 3 candidates.
Oliver (Liberal), Colgan (Conservative) and Helen Carfont
(C.C.F.). Went to shower for Lorraine Campbell at Eunice’s.
Went in with Irla afterwards.
Liberal Gov’t was defeated. Conservatives, under Col. Drew
have majority. C.C.F. got 34 seats. Visited Clara Schutz &
then went to ball game.
Cool. Busy. Read and knit at night.
Busy. Wrote Laddie. Went to Lorraine Campbell’s
trousseau tea. Florence & I went to dance in Hall. Lorne
home for week-end.
Nice day but cool. Florence here. Ruby & Jackie came in
aft. for a week. We took Florence home. I visited at Clara
Schutz`s at night.
Cool. Laddie’s Aunt Grace called in to see me. We went to
show at night. Saw Ingrid Bergman, Paul Hewird(?) &
Humphrey Bogart in “Casablanca”. Good.
Raining. Read & knit at night. “A Leaf in the Storm” – swell
book.
Lovely day. Wrote Laddie & Elg. Lay out in sun. Churchill
arrived at Quebec city. He & Roosevelt & other notables
having conference with them. His wife & daughter are with
him. Rotary Carnival. Rained part time.
Cool & cloudy. Clara Schutz came over for awhile. I then
went down to Ritchie’s to plan a shower for Wilma.
Raining. Had card from Inez. Read & knit at night. Jean
went to Toronto for week-end.
Cool. Had letter from Elg. Bought Wilma a mirror for a
wedding present. Bill Davey missing overseas. Went over
town at night.
Nice day but cool. Cy came up for his holidays. We went
out to Winnie’s in aft. & had picnic lunch.
Raining & cold. Bowman Jamieson & Jack Cain are in
Sicily. Ruby & Cy’s 2nd wedding anniversary.
Sicily campaign over. Cold & wet. August has been terribly
cool & wet. Wrote Laddie. Had cable from him. Winnie &
Jack were in at night. We played 6-handed euchre & then
had lunch brought over from Chinamen’s.
Not quite so cool. Anna & I had miscellaneous shower for
Wilma. About sixteen. Served sandwiches, cake & tarts.
Presents tied to ball of card(?). 2 contests.
Nicer to-day. Busy. Norma was up to Durham. Came over
at night. Dorothy (MacDonald) Cliffe is home so I went over
there for evening.

18

Friday

August 20

Saturday

August 21

Sunday

August 22

Monday

August 23

Tuesday

August 24

Wednesday

August 25

Thursday

August 26

Friday

August 27

Saturday

August 28

Sunday

August 29

Monday

August 30

Tuesday

August 31

Wednesday

September 1

Thursday

September 2

Friday

September 3

Saturday

September 4

Sunday

September 5

Velma (Blythe) Grant’s Diary - 1943

Nice day. Ruby & Cy went up to Wasaga for a few days.
Mother & Winnie keeping Jackie. Went to a bridge & a
personal shower for Wilma at Mrs. (Dr.) Campbell’s.
Lovely day. Wrote Laddie. Busy. Ab away on holidays.
Went over town at night. Norman Steeds was killed
overseas.
Lovely day. Read. Aunt Eva & I went to church – 17 there.
Clara Schutz came over afterwards.
Nice Day. Busy. Jam, honey & jelly to be rationed. Elgin on
radio at night. Sent greetings re: broadcast from St.
Catharine`s. I didn’t hear him as radio was noisy but Mother
& Dad did. Went to show in Hanover. Allan Ladd & Loretta
Young in “China”.
Wrote Elgin. Ruby & Cy came back from beach to-day.
Went to ball game.
Wrote Laddie. Half holiday. Read & knit. Played bridge at
night with Ruby & Cy.
Cool. Ruby, Cy, Jackie & Nadine went home to-day. I went
over to Schutz’s at night. Clara, Irla, Mary & I played bridge.
Real cool. Aunt Eva & I visited at MacDonald’s. Dorothy
home.
I had two long letters from Laddie – so happy to get them as
hadn’t had one for 3 ½ weeks. Etta Twamley over for
supper. Reg & Mary came up for week’s holidays. Went
home with them.
Lorne home. Fowlers here. Had corn on cob. Read at
night.
Wrote Laddie. Uprising against Nazism in Denmark. Danes
scuttle fleet. We went to show in Hanover. Saw Cary Grant
& Lorraine Day in “Mr. Lucky”.
Real warm. Busy. Went down to Dorothy MacDonald’s at
night.
Nice day but quite warm. Had airletter from Laddie. Visited
at Twamley’s in aft. Inez telling me about trip to Victoria.
Clara & I went to ball game & then she came in with me
afterwards.
Grand day. Busy. Wrote Laddie. Had letter from Laddie &
Elgin. Went over to Clara’s at night & spent evening there.
Travis Cluchey attacked & gaged(?) on way home.
Lawrence Shippam(?) and Leonard Dinger taken to Owen
Sound.
Grand day. Br. & Canadian troops landed in Southern Italy.
Went to ball game with Clara & Myrtle – Factory won
championship; called at Irla’s afterwards. I then went down
to Grant’s.
Real busy. Vera came home on bus. Her boyfriend left for
overseas yesterday – gave her sterling silver compact.
Went home with Mother & Dad & Mary & Reg.
Barb, Anna, Freda, Bernice, Marg Leith & I went to Owen
Sound. Had 1 single & 1 double cabin. Real warm. Saw
Lorne in aft. Took Norman to bus. Band concert at night.

19

Monday

September 6

Tuesday

September 7

Wednesday

September 8

Thursday

September 9

Friday

September 10

Saturday

September 11

Sunday

September 12

Monday

September 13

Tuesday
Wednesday

September 14
September 15

Thursday

September 16

Friday

September 17

Saturday

September 18

Sunday

September 19

Monday

September 20

Tuesday

September 21

Wednesday

September 22

Thursday

September 23

Velma (Blythe) Grant’s Diary - 1943

Labour Day. Rained in morning but cleared in aft. Picnic &
baby show in park. We went down town at night, bowled
and saw a grand show, “Stage Door Canteen” – 48 stars.
After one when we got home.
Tired. Got ready for meeting & wrote Laddie. Had 2 letters
from him. Took a pair of white angora mitts over to Schutz’s
for Paul. Went to Com. meeting but didn’t stay long.
Nice day but cool. Wrote Elgin. Good news of
Unconditional Surrender announced to-day. Great rejoicing.
Norma was up – she & Dorothy & Mrs. MacDonald were
over at night.
Real cold. Busy. Pump not working so Oliver was in to get
me to write some letters. Went to Wilma’s at night – had tea
& saw gifts.
Cold. Durham Fall Fair. Rained late in afternoon. Got letter
from Laddie in a little over a week – 11 pages. Washed my
hair at night. Freda engaged.
Cold. Wrote Laddie. Norma came up on bus for week-end.
We went to a dance in Hall at night.
Nice day but cool. Norma & I slept in until noon. Memorial
service in Knox church this morning for Sonny Jamieson.
We took Norma home at night.
Had parcel of books & letter from Laddie, written on
September 3rd. Went over to Clara’s at night.
Nice to-day. Wrote Laddie. Stayed in at night.
Very cold. Rained in aft. Read. Visited at Hilda’s at night.
Bill Davey reported “presumed dead”.
Big battle going on in Italy. Allies seem to have upper hand
now. Allies & Italy against Germans. Mrs. MacDonald was
over at night. Mother had letter from Don Blythe wanting to
know if he & his wife could come for holidays.
Cold. Had letter from Elgin – “Personal” one. Read at night.
This week has been very quiet.
A little warmer. Wrote Laddie & Elgin. Went over town at
night & then home.
Nice day. Read. Aunt Eva & I went to Presbyterian Church
at night. I visited at Grant’s afterwards.
Cool. Aunt Eva, Jean, Nora & I went to show in Mt. Forest.
Saw Errol Flynn, Ronald Reagan in, “Desperate Journey”.
Cool. 2 letters & parcel of books from Laddie. Went to
Auxiliary meeting in church.
Nice day. Wrote Laddie. Visited Eunice & Leslie in aft., had
cup of tea & sandwiches. Played badminton at night & then
went to dance at Ayton (open air pavilion) with Bob Christie,
Jack, Hilda & Bernice.
Cool. I went over to Twamley’s at night as Mrs. Twamley
wanted to tell me about her trip to Victoria. Jeff Elvidge has
son – married in June.

20

Friday

September 24

Saturday

September 25

Sunday

September 26

Monday

September 27

Tuesday

September 28

Wednesday

September 29

Thursday

September 30

Friday

October 1

Saturday

October 2

Sunday

October 3

Monday

October 4

Tuesday

October 5

Wednesday

October 6

Thursday

October 7

Friday

October 8

Saturday

October 9

Sunday

October 10

Velma (Blythe) Grant’s Diary - 1943

Raining. Cleared up in aft. Went over to Berniece’s at night.
We ate at Chinamen’s. I typed out Rotary list for cigarettes
to-day. Finished reading “Framley Parsonage”.
Nice to-day but cool. Wrote Laddie. Lorne brought a boy
home with him for week-end – Clarence Angel. Went to
I.O.D.E. Sat. night dance in Hall.
Nice day. Varney Anniversary. Went in aft. Rev. Pickering
from Hanover special speaker. Went to Durham church at
night (Wiarton minister good) & to Whitmore’s afterwards.
Received parcel from Elg, something in it for all family & also
Norma & Lorne Smith. Compact for me – resembles turtle’s
shell. Went to show in Hanover & saw “Mission to Moscow”.
Grand day. Had 2 letters from Laddie & five parcels of
books – ha! Only could carry one home. Read at night.
Lovely day. Wrote Laddie. Mother’s birthday – gave her
nightgown. Went to Owen Sound with Mr. McQuarrie, Eliz,
Hilda & Bern. Went to Red Cross at Norma’s – first meeting.
Played badminton afterwards.
Grand day. Busy. Clara Schutz invited me over at night.
Irla was there. Had lunch.
Grand day, busy. 3 letters from Laddie & one from Elg.
Went to dance in Armouries with Lucille. Came home with
Balls.
Wrote Laddie. Busy. 5 letters from Laddie (11 this week).
Went to Owen Sound with Aunt Eva’s. Got a hat. Saw a
good show, Bing Crosby & Dorothy Lamour in “Dixie”.
Aunt Eva & I went to church in morning. Communion. Geo.
Constable’s were at our place so Aunt Eva’s & I went down
in aft. Hap McGirr’s there too. 13 for supper. Wrote Laddie.
Going to Toronto in morning.
Nice fall day. Left for Toronto at 6:15. Barb, Uncle Will, Mr.
& Mrs. Whitmore & Frankie Ritchie. Barb & I shopped. I got
hat, green dress goods, pyjamas, overseas Xmas presents.
We went to Imperial & saw “Thank Your Lucky Stars”.
Arrived home at eleven.
Cold. Busy. Com. meeting at night. Wrote Laddie
afterwards.
Grand day. Mother has flu. Cleaned dresser drawers. I had
my hair done in aft. Got airletter from Laddie. Went to Red
Cross at Irla’s. Stayed after. Irla did too. Clara made us all
cup of tea & ham sandwiches.
Lovely day. Busy. Wrote Laddie & read at night. Finished
“The Black Tulip” by Alexander Dumas.
Beautiful day. Five letters from Laddie. Clara Schutz invited
me over for a game of bridge. Myrtle, Irla there.
Swell day. Word came that Fanny Bolger was killed in Italy.
Busy. Went home at five. Baked 2 pies & a cake.
Thanksgiving Sunday. Grand day. Wrote Laddie. Don &
Charlotte Blythe came about six. Looked at snaps, etc. at
night.

21

Monday

October 11

Tuesday

October 12

Wednesday

October 13

Thursday

October 14

Friday

October 15

Saturday

October 16

Sunday

October 17

Monday

October 18

Tuesday

October 19

Wednesday

October 20

Thursday
Friday
Saturday

October 21
October 22
October 23

Sunday

October 24

Monday

October 25

Tuesday

October 26

Wednesday

October 27

Thursday

October 28

Friday

October 29

Velma (Blythe) Grant’s Diary - 1943

Thanksgiving Day. Beautiful day. Don, Charlotte, Mother,
Lorne & I went to Mt. Forest in aft. I went to show with Aunt
Eva’s at night. Saw Paulette Goddard, Claudette Colbert &
Veronica Lake in “So Proudly We Hail”.
Another beautiful fall day. Busy. Wrote Laddie & Elgin at
night.
Nice day. Read in aft. Clara & I went to Red Cross at night
(helped Senior Ladies pack Christmas boxes) then we went
to Irla’s afterwards.
A little cooler. Aunt Eva had Don & Charlotte, Mother &
Dad, Winnie & Jack for dinner. They stayed until midnight.
Much colder. Busy. Wrote Laddie. Went over to Berniece’s
for game of bridge. Anna & Barbara there.
Cold & wet. Barb & I went to tea at Mrs. Roy Lawrence’s.
Admission fee was some article to put in boxes to boys
overseas. Afterwards we went to I.O.D.E. dance in Hall.
She drove me home. Snowed.
Snowing & very bleak & cold. Read & listened to radio.
Lorne home. I brought car up to Durham.
5th Victory Loan Campaign began. Snowing (wet snow). I
took car down to garage. I took car to show in Hanover.
Took Irla, Clara, Jean & Aunt Eva. We saw Charles Boyer &
Joan Fontaine in “The Constant Nymph”.
Busy. I went to Auxiliary at Mrs. Padfield’s. I went in with
Irla afterwards & stayed until midnight.
Nice day. Wrote Laddie. Took car home in aft. Ironed.
Went to Red Cross at Mary Webb’s. Tired so went to bed
afterwards.
Grand day. Busy. Stayed in at night. Read.
Real busy. Wrote to Laddie at night.
Six letters from Laddie – he writes nearly every day now.
Mother & I packed Laddie’s & Elgin’s Christmas boxes at
night.
Mrs. Dargavel died last night. Wrote Laddie. Went to
church & down to Grant’s afterwards.
Cold. Had letter from Laddie. I am going to take a Red
Cross nursing course. It began to-night in Furn. Factory
showrooms. Wrote Laddie afterwards.
Busy. Went up to Mrs. Dargavel’s afterwards. Went to
executive meeting at Miss Gerrie’s. Had lunch.
Busy. Went down to Ritchie’s in aft. & stayed for supper.
Planned lunch for Thank-offering supper. Went to Red
Cross at Berniece’s – had cake afterwards with girls.
Nice day. Had 3 letters from Laddie. Went over to Clara’s at
night for visit. We had letters from Elg this week – was in
Bristol taking course.
Busy. Mr. Conn & Mr. McKie were there. Wrote Laddie.
Tired at night so had bath & went to bed early. Aunt Eva &
Jean went to Walkerton to meet Vera.

22

Saturday

October 30

Sunday

October 31

Monday

November 1

Tuesday

November 2

Wednesday

November 3

Thursday

November 4

Friday

November 5

Saturday

November 6

Velma (Blythe) Grant’s Diary - 1943

Very busy. Vera is home for week-end. I went home right
after supper. Halloween night – no damage done.
Nice day. Cleaned dresser drawers, etc. Lorne came home
for hockey outfit & skates. We went out to Freda’s for
supper.
Nice day – mild. Very busy – a hectic one for me. Didn’t
seem to accomplish anything. Sales Tax auditor here in
afternoon. Uncle Douglas Cameron came to-day for a visit
(88). Had letters from Elg & Laddie. Went to Nursing Class
– bed-making. Wrote Laddie.
Busy all day. Aunt Eva & I went over to Whitmore’s at night
for game of bridge.
A busy day for me. Wrote Laddie in aft., then went to
Auxiliary Thank-offering supper, Com. meeting & Red Cross
at Irla’s.
Very busy. Had my hair done at night & went to bed early.
Aunt Eva has Women’s Association meeting.
Raining. Very busy. Norma came up on bus & we went to
Fireman’s Ball at night. Wore my new green flannel dress.
Cool but dry. Norma still up. We fooled around at night, ate
in restaurant etc. Went home about midnight.

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20 Years Ago – Rescue On The High Seas: The Story of Number 8 Dental Company
by M.J.T. Dohan, DDS
For the officers and men of Number 8 Dental Company, November 6 1943, is remembered
as a day of cold, fear and salvation.
The Santa Elena was off the coast of Tunisia. She had crossed through the
Straights of Gibraltar the day before having sailed from England October 27 as part of a 37ship convoy, and was steaming toward the Italian theatre. She carried 333 officers and
1,496 men and women of other ranks, including he No.8 Dental Company, its advance
dental stores unit and a record company, as well as the 14th (Montreal) General Hospital and
100 nursing sisters.
Many of the men had just sat down to a troopship dinner… Just after 6 p.m., the
public address system announced the approach of enemy aircraft, and all officers and men
were ordered below deck.
Down below, the men and officers of No.8 Dental Company could only listen to the
battle that was raging all around hem. They heard the loud retorts of the aircraft guns,
machine gun fire, and the whine of planes. Then there was the sound and force of a huge
explosion, as the Santa Elena’s engine room was struck by a torpedo on the port side. That
blast was quickly followed by another explosion, when a small bomb hit the ship’s after deck.
Then the lights went out. The officers and men waited in fear as the Santa Elena
listed to one side and finally righted herself. Shortly afterwards, the order to abandon ship
came over he public address system.
There was no panic in the hold. The men and women streamed up the stairs to the
deck in an orderly fashion and made their way to the lifeboats. In fact, the Santa Elena
carried just nine lifeboats. These were soon filled with the 100 nursing sisters and launched.
The men were left with large rubber life rafts, which were thrown over the side quickly as the
ship’s stern settled into the sea and became awash.
The men in my raft were in the water for well over two hours before they were able to
reach the rescue ship, the Monterey...there were jacob ladders hanging down 50-60 feet
from the deck to the water…It looked like the Eiffel Tower to us…
Once they were on board the Monterey, the members of No.8 Dental Company were
given food and hot drinks… a large spout of air and water erupted from the Santa Elena as
though a bulkhead had given away. That was the end.
When the company’s 24 officers and 80 men…arrived in Naples, Italy they had
nothing except what was on their backs. Among its officers were…C.G.B.Grant…
En route to Naples, when most of the company were out on deck, the Monterey
suddenly executed a sharp turn and began firing her guns. The ship had come perilously
close to contacting a mine. Fortunately, the crew was able to avoid the danger, and the rest
of our passage to Naples was uneventful.

Friday

December 10

Velma (Blythe) Grant’s Diary - 1943

Cold. I had letters from Laddie & Elg. Laddie was on boat
which was torpedoed & sunk in Mediterranean. All were
rescued including 99 nursing sisters. He lost - clothes, pen,
etc.

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Sunday

November 7

Monday
Tuesday

November 8
November 9

Wednesday

November 10

Thursday

November 11

Friday

November 12

Saturday

November 13

Sunday

November 14

Monday

November 15

Tuesday
Wednesday

November 16
November 17

Thursday

November 18

Friday

November 19

Saturday

November 20

Sunday

November 21

Monday

November 22

Tuesday

November 23

Wednesday

November 24

Thursday

November 25

Friday

November 26

Velma (Blythe) Grant’s Diary - 1943

Norma & I slept in until noon. We took her home after
supper. I went to church at night, then wrote Laddie.
Busy. Went to Nursing Class. 2h.
Busy. Wrote Elgin. Stayed in at night. Had letter from
Elgin.
Snowing. The day of our Red Cross tea at Norma’s. I
helped serve. We made about $30.
Busy. Wrote Laddie. Had letter from him. Stayed in at
night. I am knitting a green sweater.
Aunt Eva & Jean went to Toronto this aft. – also a lot of
other Durham people. I had Irla & Jean Steeds over at
night. We played 3 handed bridge.
Great excitement. Aunt Eva’s furnace pipes took fire at
noon – I was alone. Had to put in alarm. Had to get some
new lengths of pipes. Donnelly & Mr. Haug cleaned them. I
went to Irla’s for dinner & stayed there all night. I was
exhausted.
Irla & I slept in until noon. I then went to Whitmore’ for a
chicken dinner. I put fire on in aft. Irla & I went to church &
then went over to Clara’s after – heard all about wedding
ann. celb. in Toronto.
Still plenty of snow. Wrote Elg & Laddie. Ed Patterson is
home from Eng. Read & knit at night.
Went to Auxiliary at Etta’s. Had letter from Elgin.
I got a permanent in aft. At night Ethel had a bridge for
Clara McArthur. We gave her an ovenware double broiler.
Nice day. Stayed in at night. I am knitting a green sweater
& reading Lloyd Douglas’, “The Robe”.
Mild. Berniece & Mrs. Whitmore came over for a game of
bridge at night.
Mild – most of snow gone. Wrote Laddie. Went home after
work. Lorne came home after supper & wanted me to go up
town with him. Irla called on phone.
Read. Lorne wants to bring his girl down next Sunday. Had
chicken dinner. Went to church sing song before service.
Went to Irla’s afterwards & stayed until midnight.
Snow is nearly all gone again. Cold wind. Went to Nursing
Class. Jean Steeds spoke on “Diabetics”.
Clear but cool. Wrote Laddie. Went to library at night with
Irla & then went in with her afterwards. Took over some
books & peanuts in the shell.
Allan Bell is dead so Aunt Eva & I went up there in aft. I had
letters from Ruby & Elg. Went to bridge at Clara McArthur’s
- got writing paper for prize.
Lovely day. Wrote Laddie. Went over to Schutz’s at night.
Irla was there. Clara, Jack, Irla & I played bridge – lots of
fun.
Nice day. Bright – plenty of sunshine. Haven’t heard form
Laddie for over 2 weeks – am wondering if he is still in Eng.
Aunt Eva & I went to a play put on by Hanover, “The Wacky
Widow”.

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Saturday

November 27

Sunday

November 28

Monday

November 29

Tuesday

November 30

Wednesday

December 1

Thursday
Friday

December 2
December 3

Saturday

December 4

Sunday

December 5

Monday

December 6

Tuesday

December 7

Wednesday

December 8

Thursday

December 9

Friday

December 10

Saturday

December 11

Sunday
Monday

December 12
December 13

Tuesday

December 14

Velma (Blythe) Grant’s Diary - 1943

Snowing a little. Berlin has been bombed every night his
week – 1000 bomber raids. Had Christmas card from Elgin.
Barb came down with me for week-end.
Slept in. Anna & Uncle Will came down for supper – had
chicken. Read at night.
Roosevelt, Churchill & Stalin are holding a conference in
Persia. Nice day but cold. Went to Nursing Class at night.
Bed bath.
Wrote Laddie – haven’t heard from him for nearly 3 weeks –
think he might have left Eng. Fred Haug & his sister came
over. We played euchre.
Red Cross at Mrs. Morton’s. We ate in Chinamen’s
afterwards.
Did some shopping after work. Visited at Grant’s at night.
Busy. Still no letters. Wrote Laddie. Berniece & I went
down to Ritchie’s at night & played bridge.
Still no snow. Auxiliary bazaar & bake sale. I got 2 letters
from Laddie, Nos. 242 & 243. He is in Italy now. So happy
to get them! I went to Mt. Forest on bus & spent week-end
with Norma.
A lovely day. Slept in until noon. Florence & Ken were
home. We went to church at night. Mother, Dad & Lorne
came down for me.
Com. fired Ab this morning because of truck accident &
neglect of his duties. I went to Nursing Class.
Received another letter form Laddie written in Itlay.
Churchill, Roosevelt & Pres. Inonu of Turkey are holding a
conference in Cairo. Went to Com. meeting & Auxiliary at
Bern’s afterwards.
Still having very mild weather & no snow. Very busy. Wrote
Laddie. Anna had a daughter to-day (5 to 6 lbs.). Went to
Red Cross at Norma Allen’s & into Clara’s for awhile
afterwards.
Still mild. Very busy. Norman was I to see me on his way
down from hospital – he got 4 days leave. I went over to
Irla’s at night. Stayed until 12:30. Reay’s came to get nurse
for their little girl – phoned & got one in Hanover.
Cold. I had letters from Laddie & Elg. Laddie was on boat
which was torpedoed & sunk in Mediterranean. All were
rescued including 99 nursing sisters. He lost - clothes, pen,
etc
Terribly frosty to-day. Wrote Laddie – real busy. Lorne & I
did some Xmas shopping after work. Wrapped up some
parcels at night & did odd jobs.
Cold. Went to church at night & in with Irla afterwards.
Very frosty. Had 2 letters from Laddie. He wants a
dictionary. Went to Nursing Class – had to bathe Jessie’s
doll “Archie”.
Still very frosty. Had Christmas card & letter from Laddie.
Wrote him. Washed hair & had it waved.

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Wednesday

December 15

Thursday
Friday

December 16
December 17

Saturday
Sunday

December 18
December 19

Monday

December 20

Tuesday

December 21

Wednesday

December 22

Thursday

December 23

Friday

December 24

Saturday

December 25

Sunday

December 26

Monday

December 27

Tuesday

December 28

Wednesday

December 29

Thursday

December 30

Friday

December 31

Velma (Blythe) Grant’s Diary - 1943

Cold. Had another letter from Laddie. Did some shopping,
took Red Cross parcel to Grant’s, sent box to Anna,
addressed Xmas cards & went to Red Cross at Eunice’s.
Oliver invited me to his dinner for Council at Hillcrest.
Milder. Wrote Laddie. Very busy. Stayed in at night.
I was invited to Irla’s for a game of bridge. Ruth & Clara
were there.
Busy. Wrapped up Xmas presents at night until one.
Busy – read & did odd jobs. Wrote Laddie at night.
Beginning to get a little excited about Christmas.
Frosty. A lot of snow fell – back roads blocked. Aunt Eva &
I went to Public School concert.
Very cold & stormy. Had 2 letters from Laddie. Stayed in
and knit. Wrote Nadine & Ruby.
Very Frosty. Quite busy. Got some nice cards. Went over
to Clara’s at night – Irla was there too.
Still Frosty. Busy. Wrote Elg. Finished Paul’s suit at night &
wrapped it up. Radio programmes have been good this
week.
Busy. Got $3 from office & $2 from Peck. Wrote Laddie.
Went home at five. A busy evening getting everything
ready. Made doughnuts.
Christmas Day. Grand day – sun shining. Irla called me in
morning – thanked me for cup & saucer. I got a cedar chest
from Laddie, $10 in money, 3 boxes writing paper, apron,
nightgown, stockings from Mrs. Grant, picture, plate, pants,
bath salts, woollen gloves. First Xmas ever alone. Roads
were blocked to Winnie’s. We had dinner at 3. Marj
MacDonald here for dinner. Went up town at six & got mail
– letter from Laddie – saw Aunt Eva & girl’s gifts. Wrote Elg
& Laddie at night. Day went quickly.
Nice day. Slept until noon. Came up town in aft. & visited at
Grant’s & Ritchie’s. Knit at night – sweater for Anna’s baby.
Mild. Busy. Put things in my new chest. Knit. Lorne, Marj
MacD., Irla, Jean Steeds & I went to show in Hanover, “This
Is the Army”. Stood in line up. Went to Chinamen’s
afterwards. Some men there after nomination meeting.
Oliver feeling good – they gave him 2 drinks of gin. Lots of
fun. I went in with Irla on way home – had Xmas cake & port
wine.
Real frosty. Back to work again. Had Com. meeting in
office in aft. Same Com. Got in by acclamation. I went over
to Inez’s at night.
Frosty. Wrote Laddie. Busy. Knit at night & went to bed
early.
Have a bad head cold. Had letter from Laddie. Irla invited
me over at night. We talked until one.
My cold is better. Mild. Mother & Dad & Lorne went to
Toronto to-day for week-end. Inez, Bern., Barb & I took our
car & went to show in Owen Sound. Saw Lassie Come
Home.

27

For more information on Velma Irene Blythe, check out the “Meet the Diarists” section
under “Discover” on our website: ruraldiaries.uoguelph.ca.

Velma (Blythe) Grant’s Diary - 1943

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