“I sure get a bang out of Russ.“ Wednesday, December 30, 1944
30 Sat. We kids did all the cleaning — Mom the baking. Busy all day. Went to Garlands tonight & took wedding gifts. Had an enjoyable time. Talked, then the kids & men played games. Had a nice lunch. I sure get a bang out of Russ.
31 Sun. Didn’t accomplish much. Mom got stuff ready for tomorrow.
And that wraps up Lorraine Butters’ record of 1944. She finished high school, began business college, and turned 18. Lorraine has a clear interest in ice cream, boys, dancing, music, and ice cream. Weekly movies are a staple.
World War II constantly, and quietly, looms in the background. Word arrives that a friend has been killed in Europe. The D-Day landings are cheered. The return of a wounded friend is celebrated. “Mr Churchill” is the title of a song.
1945 is a new year! Stay tuned!!
Click Here to view a scan of the handwritten original
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.”