“We three girls sang ♫Marching Through Berlin♫ & ♫This Time♫ then ♫Mr. Churchill♫ for an encore.” Wednesday, October 18, 1944
14 Sat. Usual work. Gave Shirley a lesson. The girls went to town with Bowditches after dinner. I had a snooze, then Edna came in to have me play some pieces over for her. Girls stayed in town till Harry’s went back tonight. Mom, Dad, Shirley & I went to town with Stutts. Saw the show “Shine on Harvest Moon.” It was grand. Last part in technicolor. Bed at 12.
15 Sun. Did my homework. Dad went fishing with Mr. Stutt. We girls practiced our songs for Maple Supper Wed. nite. No church today. Edna played for S.S. as I stayed home. I went to F. Lawrences for supper with Doris as her folks went to Albert’s. Had a rather boring time. Freemans were at our place for supper. Had some good music when I got home.
16 Mon. Mom brought us to town. Had a fairly good day at school. Doris & I went over to Mr. Bell’s and got part of the money from our books. Had supper then Lousie & I went to Mission Circle at Willis’. I had to read part of the story. We had a Devotional, then a business meeting, then had Bismarcks for lunch. They were swell. Home at 10.15. Doris & I had apples then went to bed.
17 Tues. Feel sleepy today. Didn’t sleep so well last night. Studied shorthand after school. Bookkeeping is terrible. I can’t get it through my bean. Did homework, then Doris & I walked down town. Met Mable, went in & had pigs in a blanket. Came home & I took a bath. The C.G.I.T. kids were downstairs. We were in bed before ten.
18 Wed. Changed my clothes at noon. Doris & I left school at 4 O’clock. Mr. Stutt was waiting to take us out home. We went to Maple Fowl supper at six. Real good meal. The placed was packed to the doors & so hot for the program. I played for community singing. We three girls sang “Marching Through Berlin” & “This Time” then “Mr. Churchill” for an encore. Program was just fair. Doris & I came back town with Colemans at midnight.
19 Thurs. I’m sure sleepy today. Didn’t have too bad a morn. Lay down after school until supper time. Mrs. Morriss was here for supper, We had more fun than enough. It was was funny. Eriel came over after supper. We had a lot of fun with her toys. She & Doris went down town while I did homework. Brought back a brick of pink ice-cream. Divided it in five. It was was good. Bed at eleven.
20 Fri. Had a good morning for the first time this week. Made a hurried trip to Woolworths’ at recess. Packed at noon. Mom & Mrs. Stutt were in for us. We went home almost immediately. Didn’t do much this evening. Went to bed in fair time.
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These are the diaries of a seventeen-year-old teenager from a farm near Weyburn, Saskatchewan. Her name is Lorraine. She eventually was a church organist in Colgate. In 1944 she was the piano player for a dance band in Weyburn. In these days before school busses she, and her sisters, each had to move from the farm into town to attend school for Grades 11 & 12. This is the darkest time in World War II. Weyburn hosted an airbase for BCATP (British Commonwealth Air Training Plan). In other words, the town is filled with eligible young airmen from all over the world …
For more information on BCATP see a blog site dedicated to “Paying homage to those who stayed behind to train those who fought overseas.”