“I put in an “H” of a day.” Monday, June 25, 1945
24 Sun. Beautiful day! The men & all us kids went down to the dam about 9.30. We kids had a ride in Beryls Motor Boat. What a thrill & it was small. We were out for 40 min. went back & tried to fish, but no bites. They got 3 altogether. Fairly good attendance at church. Laura Barnes & Mr. Sorrell sang a duet. We came home. Wilma, Shirley & I lay in the trees awhile and talked, then came in & had supper. Worried about books & Insurance today.
25 Mon. Mom got up & did the washing before bringing us kids into town. Shirley came in for a little help with her lesson from Connie. I put in an “H” of a day. Ivy worked on my ledgers. Finally at 6 tonight we found the mistake. There is a bill missing. Gobbled supper then went back & straighten up the office for the “Directors Meeting.” Met Pert downtown, so offered to drive me up here. Talked awhile, then Doris went home with him.
26 Tues. It rained hard about five o’clock. We were to have an Executive Meeting, but Bob couldn’t get in, so I stayed here. C.G.I.T. met. I cut Chevrons, answered telephone & door, etc. Finally went upstairs & read, bed at 9.30. Ross called me at midnight. I had been sound asleep. Tried to bribe me into some lunch. No luck.
27 Wed. Real nice day. I worked from 2.30 until 5.45, alone. Came home & pressed (at noon). We got to Uncle Tom’s to practice with Len & Buckley shortly after seven. It rained at 8, so Bob called me to an Executive Meeting at the Rest Room as they couldn’t play ball any more. I watched them bowl after. Home at 10.
28 Thurs. Rained nearly all day. Mr Stewart drove me to work in the car this morn. Did check-up without Mr. Powers tonight. Were finished at 6.20. & walked home. Stewarts & I went to Connie’s Recital in the church. Shirley B. & Edna Bowditch both played. It was very good. Over at 9.20. We came home & had toast & tea.
29 Fri. Mrs. Stewart left to go to Arline’s as she got word that the latter is sick. Ross & I got supper ready in a short time after 6.20, as Mr. S. had to give the speech at Mentell (sic) Graduation. At 7.40 Ross asked me if I would like to go with him to the Graduation & at 8 the taxi was due. We got out there. Had a fairly good time. Terrible crowd, and lots of liquor. Had a lovely lunch, including ice-cream. Came home with Mr. S. & Joe Warren in the car at 12.30.
30 Sat. Couldn’t get a balance. Worked most of the day on it. Met Doris at the house after work, cleaned up, & went to the Legion Dance. Had a fairly good time. Had one dance with Pert. Home after the dance was over 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.