“Mr Woodwork was filing the horses teeth.” Saturday, November 11, 1944
11 Sat. Washed underwear, gave the girls lessons, fixed clothes etc. Woodworks came this afternoon. Mr Woodwork was filing the horses teeth. They stayed to supper. The girls went to town to the show with Stutts. Had a nice visit. I showed them my Redwood outfit. Told fortunes etc. They left at 10.30. Nice couple.
12 Sun. Slept in awhile. Did homework this morn. Tried to sleep after lunch but was unsuccessful. Myrna & Elton came for supper. Myrna helped me do my Book K. Got it to balance. They left about 8.30.
13 Mon. Mr Stutt brought us to town. Dad came with us. Didn’t have any Bookkeeping tonight. Mission Circle met here tonight for Thank offering. It was a nice meeting. Mrs Stapleford gave an address. Constable Jack Cook sang a solo. We kids sang after all the ladies left. Lunch was grand. Bed After 11.
14 Tues. Mrs. Stuart was sick in bed all day. Mr. McNaught (a minister) was here to dinner. We had a lot of fun. Doris & I did the dishes after school. She & Vicky got supper. Oh I made a mistake, this all happened on Wed. Louise’s man was here tonight. We played the piano.
15 Wed. After doing the dishes & having supper, Doris & I went to the first show. It was “White Cliffs of Dover,” starring “Irene Dunne.” Very good, though sad. I did work, mended stockings when we got home. Went to bed late.
16 Thurs. Went back to school early at noon. I went up to see Sadie, Karen & Freddie after school. Came home & washed my hair. Did a little work this evening. Doris & I were in bed at a quarter to ten.
17 Fri. Beautiful hoar frost. I had a good sleep but not enough of it. Dad came in with Stutts this afternoon. We did some shopping after school. Doris & I planned to go to Russ’s shower at Beach’s, but Charlie called in and wanted me to play at Prospect. Mom, Dad & Isabelle went to the Ladies Aid Whist Drive at the school. I had a hard night. Terrific crowd & heat. Charlie & I had a little car trouble. Home at 4.
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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.”