Hide Article Text (OCR)
They stood right beside Canada's fighting menEDITOR'S NOTE: The following article appeared in (he Manitoba Society of Seniors Journal in November. 1991.Margaret MacDonald (nee Woollard) was born and raised in Lac du Bonnet. She lived three and a half miles west of town. She attended school here in Lac du Bonnet. When she finished school she went to work in Winnipeg but came home almost every month to visit her parents and friends here. Margaret always calls Lac du Bonnet home and visits her friends here at least once a year. She is the only one living of a large family of seven girls and four boys. Her parents were Mr. and Mrs. Robert Woollard who came from England before the first world war and they lived here until their death in about 1946. by Dorothy C. LynchRemembrance Day. Many senior citizens set aside worldly cares to venerate family and friends who valiantly served their country.Margaret MacDonald of Winnipeg, when asked during an interview how she would spend November 11 replied. Quietly, for it is a very serious day.”I'll go to the service, perhaps go to the legion, then the rest of it will be very quiet, she added. I lost my brother and a lot of friends. As a Canadian Women's Army Corps (CWAC) regular. 1 worked in casually in London and North West Europe I saw a lot of friends come through then —• SO n« SunrU* S.tflal Club — Meets Wednesdays ai Seven Sislcn Curling Rink from 1:(X) - 4:00 p.m., except on the third week of every month they meet on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pro (which is birthday week).• Agassi/. Toastmasters Club — Meets Tuesdays at the bdwnrd Schreycr School in Bcaosejour at 7:30 p.m. in the Home he. Room. Visitors always welcome.Knights of Columbus Bingo — Monday nights, 7:30 p.m.. Legion Hall. • Picionccr Club monthly meeting —Last Monday of each month. 2:00 p.m.. Pioneer Club.• Ijic du Bonnet Regional l ibrary hours—Tuesday 10.30 a.m. -4:30 p.m.,7.00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.. Wednesday 12:00 noon - 4:30 p.m.; Thursday 10:30 a m. -4:30 p.m.. 7.00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.; Friday12.00 dlt;xii 4:30 p.m.; Saturday 20:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Closed Sundays and Mondays.• “You Are Not Alone — Support group for families with a member who has Al/hcimers. *You Arc Not Alone' meets the second Monday of each month in the Lac du Bonnet Health Centre. 7.00 p.m For more information phone Grace 34S-8G75. Betty 345-8647, evenings 345-8668.• St. John's ACW — Meets first Monday of every month. 2:00 p.m. in Anglican Parish Hall, except for July and Au-gust• Ijic du Bonnet Wildlife Association — Meets first Wednesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. at the RM office, except for July and August.• Pioneer Club supper and dance —Last Sat. of every month, 6:30 p.m• Lac du Bonnet Heart Health Committee — Meets second Tuesday of each month. Lac du Bonnet Regional Library. 7:30 p.m.Margaret MacDonald, 1941people in every service.MacDonald remarked that she hoped a lot of Winr.ipeggers will go to Memorial Boulevard and stand quietly before the monument dedicated to three women’s services: CWAC, WRENS (Navy) and RCAF Women's Division (Air Force). She feels the figures are so life-like, they almost speak of the past -such as the 22,190 CWAC members who displayed their devotion to Canada during World War II.MacDonald, a vibrant 70-plus woman, actively involved in her community and church, recently spent hours and days in advance of CWAC Military District No. 10 celebration of their 50th anniversary in Winnipeg. At the same time, she marked the 50th year of the start of her service career — she joined up in 1941.MacDonald said she didn't think she'd be accepted into CEAC. at 5 ft. 2 3/4 in. and weighing in at 103 lbs. (5 ft. 3 in. and 112 lbs. being the minimum). She was told by the recruiting military doctor, You’re too short... you're underweight. Then, he laughed and said, Well... for a quarter of an inch... you're in, but get some beef on those bones!”Thus. MacDonald became Regimental No. 10,010 - the Manitoba numbers started at 10,000.A CWAC pay-packet was three-quarters of that of an active-duty soldier, 90 cents a day.Alter three months' service. MacDonald became eligible for a five cent raise. A recognized trade or a promotion increased the basic remuneration. For example, secretaries, light transport vehicle drives and telephone operators. but three of the 50 categories of service, warranted more.According to MacDonald, young Canadian women learned how to he independent and reliable, as they lived amidst excitement, drama and tragedy, especially up-front, where they stood right beside Canada's fighting men.MacDonald experiencedthe whole gamut of human emotions as she moved from basic training in Quebec. Alberta and Ontario to the first draft of CWAC to go overseas on November 7, 1942.She belonged to the first company formed in England, then served in Holland.Modestly, MacDonaldmentioned how she and her friends experienced a tremendous sense of self-pride among their fellow servicemen and women.Then, she spoke of four Manitobans who took their places in Canadian war history.The First and second were Corporal J.W. Mason, Winnipeg and CWAC Private Kathryn Gibbons ofTrchernc, Manitoba. Their* s was the first wedding celebration to be held in a Canadian encampment -at the Knights of Columbus hut. Camp Shilo, Manitoba. After the ceremony, mutual friends from both services surprised the bride and groom by transporting them around the base in an old wreck of a car. It was moved forward by manpower - a team of horses hauling it by means of a long rope - and this to the bang, bang, bang of firecrackers and much waving of Union Jack flags.Thirdly, MacDonald spoke of the late Gloria Queen-Hughcs.She was one of the women who originated the concept that women had a job to do in World War II - and could do it responsibly and effectively.The following is an excerpt from Captain Queen-Hughes’ recruitment article:... we worked, we thousands of Canadian women, all mixed up together; young and old, poor and rich, fat and thin, professional and servant, married and single.Lastly, MacDonald mentioned CWAC Captain Frances Riley, Winnipeg -- affectionately known as Dime. She headed the first detachment ofCWACs to arrive overseas. Major Alice Sorby, staff officer at Canadian Military Headquarters (MCHQ) - also of Winnipeg -- greeted them.Frank Simms, overseas from Winnipeg, according to MacDonald, was on the platform at Waterloo Station when the contingent arrived. Later, at London Bridge, he shouted, God, look at us! I never saw such smart-looking women in my life.The Canadian Press recorded the CWAC arrival as:Buoyant and cheerful young women -- they caused a sensation... as they landed from the troopship in their khaki uniforms... This disembarkation port had never seen anything like this.
Newspaper Details
Lac Du Bonnet Leader
Lac Du Bonnet, Manitoba, CA
Tue, Nov 03, 1992
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Winnipeg P.
CA 04 Dec 2017
Other Publications Near Lac Du Bonnet, Manitoba
Lac Du Bonnet Springfield Leader
Lac Du Bonnet Leader
