“She just wept with happiness.” Saturday, September 1, 1945
26 Sun. Roy, Isabelle, Dad & Mr. Stutt went fishing. Wilma went and cleaned the church. Robert & I walked over to Killians, gave Barbara a wedding gift, saw her Brides Book, & pictures. Had lunch, then went to Church. No man there again, except Mr. Jefferey. Eriel & Eric took the Service. Came home, Dad, Roy & I cleaned fish, had that and ice-cream for supper. Fooled around tonight.
27 Mon. Mom brought Shirley, Isabelle, Doris and I to town. I just had shorthand thrown at me this afternoon. Did about six long letters. Went back to work tonight from eight until 9.30. Came home and got to bed at 11 o’clock.
28 Tues. Rather a cool day. Sure had to rush with the mail this afternoon, finally got Rae to take it to the station. Home at 6.30 tonight. Had supper then went to the show. “Molly & Me”, with Monty Woolly and Grace Fields. Good teen age picture before the general. Came home & fooled around until 10.30.
29 Wed. Ivy told me this morn, that there is some extra typing to do so I sure had some time at noon. Made salad dressing, pulled the potatoes, at lunch, & washed the dishes, set my hair, & was back to work at 3 o’clock. Powers & Ross were there awhile. I left at five & came home to put supper on. I did a washing tonight & cleaned the hall & two bedrooms upstairs, as Alice & Isabelle are coming tomorrow. Doris & I walked to Warrens. Bed fairly late.
30 Thurs. Mom brought Isabelle & Roy in. I walked down to see Roy off on the bus, then Mom gave me a ride up here, Isabelle left her things, & set out for Collegiate. Alice May came, & did the same thing. Isabelle come down to the store this aft. As school was out, & I showed her how to do coupons, as she will be in charge of them from now on. I was very busy, typing more letters. Kids helped with the dishes at noon, & did them tonight. We had a lot of fun. Didn’t get to sleep til 10.
31 Friday. Stewarts got home. Didn’t quite get caught up with my work before supper. Swept the floor. Had a terrible time in check-up. Kay left before 6, so I tried to learn her work. Grace was out 10.00 so I had to check the cheques, then Ray came up in the middle of it & wanted the C.O.D’s added, & I didn’t get much help. Besides that, deposit was out. So I was just about nuts. Got out at 10 o’clock. Willard was here for supper. I went back to work, entered the charges & took off a balance.
Sept 1 Sat. My balance is out, so I worked all morn at it. Ross and some other people were home for dinner. I really didn’t have very many interruptions, but couldn’t get the balance, so really am sick, as I wanted to stay in Regina over Monday. Kay got word that Archie lands tonight. She just wept with happiness. I’m glad someone is happy. Got off work at 10 o’clock. Came back to Stewarts, checked in and went to bed shortly after 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.