“Keith arrived after on horseback shortly after seven.“ Saturday, March 15, 1947
9 Sun. Splendid Congregation & Choir this morn. Mr. Steward was able to be there, though rather wobbly. Keith phoned me this afternoon. I couldn’t hear him very well. Sat down and wrote him a letter after. The Choir practiced until 9 after Church tonight. Visiting Minister preached.
10 Mon. Doris, Arline, Isabelle & I all went to Mrs. Brimacombes for supper at 6.30. We sure had to hurry. Had a wonderful meal. 17 Church Girls were there. Had contests & games until 10.45. I couldn’t sleep tonight.
11 Tues. Auditor came today. Finished a lot of unpleasant work today. Have a cold. It developed today, so I didn’t get to C.C.Y.M. Took a bath, set my hair, read & went to bed, but couldn’t sleep. Still awake when the girls got home.
12 Wed. My cold is terrible today, & my head is heavy. Grace was at work this morn. Brad took his Birthday angel food to the Coffee Bar. It was wonderful. I couldn’t take my lesson, so read, then lay down, but couldn’t sleep. Bowled tonight, late Just got 2 points, was sick before I got home. Isabelle gave me ginger tea.
13 Thurs. Felt a little better this morn. Couldn’t sing a note, so didn’t go to Choir Practice tonight. I wrote a fairly long letter to Keith. Went to bed in good time, but couldn’t get to sleep again. I think of Keith so much.
14 Fri. Found out today at the snow plough is working on the South road, & is a good way out, so Is. & I think we might go home, as I haven’t been there since Christmas. Bathed, set my hair, & Isabelle did the same tonight.

15 Sat. Dad came to town, but we had dinner at the house. Wilf asked us if we would like to leave early so rode right to Dries Conner with Kyles (at 5) where Wilma met us with the horse & cutter. Had a swell ride. I drove. Home at 6. I could hardly believe it was true. Keith arrived after on horseback shortly after seven. It was grand to see him. We played cards tonight. We kids didn’t go to bed until after 4. Talked about a lot of things.
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.