War

Memories still linger of that sunny September day of 1939 when talk went around that Britain had declared war on Ger- many. They linger as well in recalling Canada’s declaration of war a few days later. At the time I was not at all sure of what exactly “declared” meant, but from the tone of voice of parents and neighbors it was obvious that the word had serious over- tones.

The reality of war set in slowly. Maybe it took the Battle of Britain in the summer of 1940 and the stirring voice of Winston Churchill to bring it into sharper focus. Around this time, too, after every Sunday Mass Father McCarthy added a special prayer, the first words of which were: “Dismayed by the horror of war that is bringing ruin to people: and nations”. Gradually a number of the Iona and parish boys “joined up”, looking so dapper in their variously colored uniforms as they came home on leave. Usually on their first furlough they were given a “time” in one of the houses. It was a dance of sorts with tasty lunch, but always including an address read and a purse of money presented to the uniformed lad. A response to this address and presentation was made, most often quite nervously, by the honored guest, after which he was rigorously and good- humoredly bounced to the ceiling a number of times. Those going overseas were given a special embarkation leave, a gener- ous three-week period at home before sailing the high seas for Europe. This brought the dread of war indeed close to home.

In 1939 and 1940 there was a flurry of activity with trucks