“Today I am eighteen. “ Friday, December 1, 1944
25 Sat. Didn’t accomplish much of anything this morn. The rest all went to town this afternoon, so I wrapped 16 Christmas gifts. Did Bookk. tonight & still didn’t have a balance at 10.30. Snowed this afternoon.
26 Sun. Rather a dry day. I lay down twice to try & sleep, but had no luck either time. Did homework. Elton came over for early supper. Messrs. Cleland & Bell called in for a few minutes. We played anagram for awhile after supper. Finally went up to bed after ten and Elton left. I couldn’t get to sleep until nearly 11.30
27 Mon. Mom was up at 5.30, & left for Regina at 6.10 with Killians. I never got to sleep after she got up. Dad & I came to town with Stutts. Had so much work to do that I couldn’t go to Mission Circle, so Doris didn’t either. The men came up & called for Mr. Stuart on the way to Rotary. I didn’t finish working, but played piano anyway.
28 Tues. Doris went to Regina with Jean & Harry, her mother & Dad. I went back to school right after dinner. Went up to Aunt Mena’s after school & checked her crossword puzzle with her. Mrs. S. was sick at suppertime. Louise & Vicky gave me a pain after supper. Doris got home at 8. We worked for awhile, & were in bed before eleven.
29 Wed. Cold!!! About 15 below. Didn’t have too horrid a day. Sat at the supper table telling fortunes. Doris & I did our work then we went to the second show “Oklahoma Kid,” with James Cagney. Called in at the I.O.O.F. on way home & liked the dance. So came home, cleaned up & hauled Ross down there until 1 o’clock.
30 Thurs. Kind of sleepy today. Charlie phoned up & wanted me to play with them at the I.O.O.F. tonight for the St. Andrews Dance. It was good. But we played through from 9.30 til 1.00 without stop for lunch. My arms were so tired.
Dec 1 Fri. My Birthday. Today I am eighteen. Mrs. Stewart invited Mom & Dad in for supper & Doris stayed. It was real nice. Folks gave me two sheets of music & a broach. Ross gave me box with three bottles of perfume & Mrs & Mrs S. gave me lovely stockings. We got home around 7. Played etc. til eleven.
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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.”