“Pert danced with me.” Wednesday, August 15, 1945
12 Sun. Kept busy all morning. At noon we three girls walked to Killians and paid them for their loans, also saw Barbara’s wedding pictures. Had lunch at home, then went to Church. Joyce and Eric took the service. Sermon was very good. Doris & Willard took we three kids to the C.C.Y.M. picnic at the dam. Sure had fun. Played ball, then roasted wieners for supper. I never fanned out once, believe it or not. Home about 11. Roy & Robert came tonight. I had to sleep on the chesterfield.
13 Mon. Feel absolutely rotten. Had a terrific night. Didn’t get to sleep until 12, then the dogs were up early this morn, and I couldn’t get back. Mom brought Doris, Willard & I to town. Robert sure is cute. We are batching again this week. Doris mended my stocking, & I let down her dress. Were in bed by ten o’clock. Thank goodness.
14 Tues. War Over In Japan!!! Tried awfully hard to work but couldn’t get settled. Had to get Mr Powers to sign a letter, waited a long while, was interrupted several times. News came this afternoon that the Jap War is over. Sirens blew at intervals from 5 o’clock until 10. I was going to work, but didn’t. Eriel came over, & we walked downtown. Nothing much doing. Doris kept us up until 11.30.
15 Wed. Up at 8.20! Public Holiday, for V-J Day. We had breakfast and went for Church at the United, where Mr. Wilson preached. Very nice Service. Went home & had dinner. Wilma, Violet and Edna arrived on bikes just before one. We all watched the parade, went to the Court House Service, home at 3, and worked all afternoon. Just finished in time to make pancakes for supper. I bathed, then slept from 9 til 10.15, while Wilma & Doris were at the show. Got supper then went to the dance. Just had a fair time. Pert danced with me.
16 Thurs. Heat was terrific. We had chicken, carrots, & stuff for supper, which really was wonderful. I ate til I was nearly dead. Real late (7.45) getting the dishes done. I went down and worked for an hour, while Doris washed her hair. Came home at 11.30, sat around awhile, then went to bed. Got there at about 10.30.
17 Friday. I was alone at work in the office, as Ivy was sick, at home. The heat was still bad. Got home at 6.40, was due at Sorrells at 7.30 for practice with Connie & Alf for Sunday, but didn’t get there til 7.45. Practiced til nine, then Alf & I went down & worked. I got home before ten!
18 Sat. This afternoon, I really worked on dividends, but got stuck so many times, & couldn’t get help from Mr. Powers, as he was so busy. One of the biggest days they have had. Mr. Powers wasn’t in the office from 2 until 5.30. I lost a lot of time, though. Came out home with Mr. & Mrs. Stutt. Slept with Isabelle in their room. The cows were bawling at Midnight.
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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.