“Weyburn went C.C.F. in election.” Monday, June 11, 1945
10 Sun. Up before eleven. We all attended church. Mr Buyas from Vancouver preached the sermon, & was very good. He mentioned that his home was “stuck” in Van. Took some fish to Mr. McGugan. We kids stayed in the car & had a real interesting discussion with Pert. Hated to leave. I did some C.C.Y.M. work. Washed hair tonight. Miss Farrell set it.
11 Mon. Dominion Election! Mom brought us to town. We were in by eight, as Doris had to be at the office. We saw Aunt Mena off on the bus to Regina where she is going to work. Had a busy day at work. I was just about crazy til Ivy helped me balance. We finished here, she left for Saskatoon at noon. Mom & Isabelle brought us each a chocolate soda this morn. Swell. Weyburn went C.C.F. in election. Dom. went liberal. We went to the dance in the Legion.
12 Tues. Lonesome at the office without Ivy. Although Mr. Powers was upstairs most of the day. Just got caught up in my work before 5.45. Tonight we walked over to Eriel’s before eight. Talked and sang until about nine. Then we walked her home, & she walked us half way back. Had wiener and bun at C.G.I.T. girls. Bed at 10.30.
13 Wed. I worked on the envelopes & statements for two hours this morning. Mr. P. & I were there this afternoon. I worked from 2.15 until five. Came home & Doris & I went to the Hostess Club where we helped the Red Cross serve the Anglican Ladies. Had our supper there, which was very nice. Did the dishes & came home. Practiced a Hymn for Sunday. Had Ross Jitterbugging.
14 Thurs. Had a good day at work. Doris & I went to the first show “Alan Ladd” in “And now Tomorrow.” It was really good. Came home and pumped or rather tried to pump water from the cystern (sic), then did all the supper dishes. Besides this afternoon’s lunch ones. Telephone rang, and I couldn’t get any answer. Finally got to bed about 11.30.
15 Fri. Beautiful day, for a change. I was out back this afternoon. I worked on Dividends a while. They are sure slow things to do. Gordon Ledingham came over & spoke to me for a few minutes. Mr. S. gave us a ride home as usual. We talked at the supper table a long time. Doris is out home. I stayed in this evening. Wrote a letter, etc. and was in bed at 9.40. went right to sleep.
16 Sat. I didn’t waken up until 8.20, when Mr. Stewart called me. Boy, what a sleep. Had a pretty good day at work. Mom & the girls came up this afternoon for a few minutes. Didn’t get off tonight until 10. Came home & cleaned up, then went down to the Legion Dance and met the girls (Doris, Alice, Doris G. etc.) I got there at 10.30 & left at 11.30. Had a dance with Grant Mitchell. Came home with Stutts.
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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.