Yoshio Shimizu, a prisoner in Glencoe during WWII
ww II
June 21 Victory Garden Launched in Appin
Wonderful event held at the Appin Park. Forty people enjoyed the new community garden, congratulating the local team who have built the raised beds, set up a watering system, and nurtured the plants. Many thanks to our elected municipal leaders for taking the time to attend.
The highlight of the evening was listening to the stories regaled by Bonnie Sitter and Shirleyan English about the farmerettes, the teenagers that harvested Ontario crops from about 1942 – 1952.
Thank you Bonnie and Shirleyann. You have documented a wonderful part of agricultural history that otherwise would have been lost.
Learn more about the Farmerettes in Ontario:
Bonnie Sitter, “Farmerettes in Ontario” in Harrowsmith. February 2021.
- Harrowsmith Radio, “Lest We Forget the Farmerettes and Early Planting.” (Interview with Bonnie Sitter), March 10, 2021.
- CBC Radio, ‘The best summer of our lives.’ new book captures stories of Ontario Farmerettes. (featuring Shirleyan English and Bonnie Sitter), September 9, 2019.
- CTV News London, ‘Second World War Farmerettes focus of new book‘ (with Scott Miller, featuring Shirleyan English and Bonnie Sitter), September 10, 2019.
- Max Martin, “Teen girls’ war efforts recalled in book about Ontario Farmerettes” in The London Free Press. September 29, 2019.
- Lisa B. Pot,” Farmerettes relive their youth in new book” in The Rural Voice. October, 2019.
- Adam Gault, “Story of Ontario’s Farmerettes shared in Essex” in Essex Free Press. October 2, 2019.
- Dan Rolph, “New book tells tales of Ontario Farmerettes” in Exeter Lakeshore Times-Advance. October 2, 2019.
- Max Martin, “Teen girls’ war efforts recalled in book about Ontario Farmerettes” in Londoner. October 3, 2019.
- Colleen Romaniuk, “North Bay author recounts war efforts in new book about Ontario Farmerettes” in Northern Ontario Business. October 9, 2019.
- Doug Furtney, “Onion Skins and Peach Fuzz: Memories of Ontario Farmerettes” in Lambton Middlesex Standard, November 7, 2019.
- Joe Belanger, “Wartime Farmerettes book inspires theatre to bring story to stage” in The London Free Press, January 13, 2020.
- Gord Howard, “Teenage Farmerettes planted seeds of victory during wartime” in St. Catharines Standard, February 13, 2020.
- Melody Falconer-Pounder, “Farmerettes Fed the War Effort” Photo Story in Bayfield Breeze, May 13, 2020.
And here’s some links to the buzz created by the release of Onion Skins and Peach Fuzz: Memories of Ontario Farmerettes. (2019). by Shirleyan English and Bonnie Sitter
Bonnie Sitter, “Farmerettes: Get Out on the Farm” in The Rural Voice. June, 2018.
Bonnie Sitter, “Farmerettes in Ontario” in Harrowsmith. 2020.
Bonnie Sitter, “Farmerettes in Ontario” in Harrowsmith. February 2021.
McGill Farm History & the Gunnery School
My name is Andrew McGill, I’m a young farmer and a photographer. I grew up on a farm 6 kilometres north of Glencoe, Ontario. In mid 1940 my great grandfather Fred McGill purchased a farm building which was to be moved from the site of the No. 4 Bombing and Gunnery School at Fingal Ontario. The building was dismantled and moved 45 kilometres north of Fingal to its final resting place on the McGill farm at Taits rd. Glencoe where it has sat to this day. My father and I think the building was then reassembled with a new roof sometime in 1941. The site of No. 4 B&G school sat on a swath of 724 acres of land that was returned to the crown for the purpose of building the training facility. One can imagine the numerous agricultural buildings on the land that would have had to be dismantled and moved in short order to make way for the multiple airplane hangers and triangle runway of the Fingal school.
Aerial photo of the McGill farm circa 1977. The building in question can be seen directly to the left of the barn. (Photo care of McGill family Archive, 1977.)
The #4 Bombing and Gunnery School
Three perspectives on the local #4 Bombing and Gunnery School during WWII were presented at the Archives, 178 McKellar St, Glencoe October 12, 2022 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Blair Ferguson, local author of Southwold Remembers: The #4 Bombing and Gunnery School brought some great artifacts. Blair is an authority on the local training facility which is located at the Fingal Wildlife Management Area. His book is filled with stories about the people who worked there.
Andrew McGill is a local photographer and farmer. Andrew presented his family’s personal connection to the Gunnery School.
Paul Anderson, author of Eric Stirling – The Missing Son – A Recollection of His Life, (published privately) joined us from his home in New Zealand via Zoom. Young Eric Stirling joined the airforce and like so many young guys from the Commonwealth, he was trained in Canada at the #4 B&G School. He never made it home.
The young men were SO young. The movies cast actors in their 30s so we forget that WWII was the first adventure off the farm for many young soldiers. Eric was 24. Many were not even 18.
Operation Jericho: incredible WWII story of resistance
On-line and at the Archives.
Redvers Albert Noble III will tell the story of Operation Jericho which took place on 18 February 1944 during WWII Allied aircraft bombed Amiens Prison in German-occupied France at very low altitude to blow holes in the prison walls, kill German guards, and use shock waves to spring open cell doors. The French Resistance was waiting on the outside to rescue prisoners.
Local guests: Arrive at the Archives at 6:45 p.m. so we can join our on-line guests at 7:00 p.m. Speaker Red Noble from Melbourne joins us at the Archives located at 178 McKellar St, Glencoe, ON N0L 1M0.
On-line guests: Join Zoom Meeting before 7:00 p.m. https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87337405310?pwd=cFdVOW1kSnc1d2tIeE9LSGVTMTduZz09
Of the 832 prisoners, 102 were killed by the bombing, 74 were wounded and 258 escaped, including 79 Resistance members and political prisoners; two-thirds of the escapees were recaptured.
The raid is notable for the precision and daring of the attack, which was filmed by a camera on one of the Mosquitos.
Redvers Albert Noble III born December 11, 1950. “My early passion was playing toy soldiers at the age of 7 but this grew to a life long study of history. I drove transport trucks for 38 years throughout North America and served in management positions too. When not working , I enjoyed traveling globally.”
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No Guns, Just God’s Glory: Tom Wilson. Nov 8
Local guests: Arrive at the Archives at 1:45 p.m. so we can join our on-line guests at 2:00 p.m. Author Tom Wilson joins us from the French Riviera. The Archives is located at 178 McKellar St, Glencoe, ON N0L 1M0.
No Guns, Just God’s Glory is a book about the Chaplains who fought the good fight during WWII. Details about the role of Allied military chaplains and stories of those who died in the Battle of Normandy from June 6, 1944 to August 25, 1944.
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Rev. Tom Wilson is a local son, who for 12 years owned and managed the Why Not Shop in Glencoe and lived on a farm near Melbourne. He is a Canadian Anglican Priest who has served in Southern Ontario, Scotland and now the French Riviera. Tom holds 3 degrees, a BA and Mdiv from Western and a doctorate from Drew University in New Jersey. He and his wife have 3 small dogs, a Bichon and 2 chihuahuas. Welcome home Tom. Looking forward to your presentation direct from the French Riviera.
Order his book, No Guns, Just God’s Glory at: 
https://www.orepeditions.com/fr/histoire/566-no-guns-just-god-s-glory-9782815104166.html
Tom: “I look back with fondness on my time in Glencoe and SW Ontario. I confess though, I do like the winter here on the French Riviera, as it is normally sunny and warm during the days, but the nights are cool.”
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Remembering the Gunnery School: romance, adventure and tragedy in Fingal
Presenters: Blair Ferguson, Andrew McGill, and Paul Anderson
October 12 at The Archives, 178 McKellar St, Glencoe from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. https://glencoehistoricalsociety.ca/events/
This is a hybrid event: Zoom AND in person! Arrive at the Archives at 6:45 p.m. so we can visit and welcome our online guests. Start at 7:00 p.m. sharp.
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Blair Ferguson, local author of Southwold Remembers: The #4 Bombing and Gunnery School. Blair Ferguson is an authority on this training facility which was located at the Fingal Wildlife Management Area during WWII. His book is filled with stories about the people who worked there. Special price $20.
Andrew McGill – local photographer and farmer. Andrew will present his family’s personal connection to the Gunnery School. We’ll pay tribute to his grandfather, Blake, who was a hardworking member of the Glencoe & District Historical Society in its early years (Est. 1978). Blair and Andrew are presenting in person.
Paul Anderson, author of Eric Stirling – The Missing Son – A Recollection of His Life, published privately , New Zealand. Paul is joining us from his home in New Zealand via Zoom.
Paul Anderson has published the wonderful letters his uncle wrote to family back in New Zealand. Young Eric Stirling joined the airforce and like so many young guys from the Commonwealth, he was trained in Canada at the #4 B&G School. He never made it home.
The young men were SO young. The movies cast actors in their 30s so we forget that WWII was the first adventure off the farm for many young soldiers. Eric was 24. Many were not even 18.
Please join us to learn about what went on over in Fingal during WWII. It was a very exciting time!
October 12, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.
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The Battle of Ortona
Red Noble outlined Canada’s participation in the European Offensive, and in particular the advance up the “Italian Boot”. He handed out copies of detailed maps which attendees referred to. The Battle of Ortona took place during the heart of the Italian Offensive by the Allied forces in December of 1943. Ortona is a coastal town located on the Southeast coast of Italy. December 20, 1943 was the official first day of the assault.
The Canadian Regiments advance 3000 yards into Ortona. Buildings on outskirts of town are taken and held from the veteran German defenders. Engineers move into town under artillery support. All first day objectives are achieved. The next day the 21st, bitter street fighting develops.
Ortona is an old traditional coastal town with a strategic deep water port, designed for coastal defence. It consists of compact tall multi-storied houses. Most buildings are at least four stories high with narrow streets between, which made manoeuvring for tanks extremely difficult. Armour could only advance down main roads, leaving little support for the infantry in most cases.
The German defenders prepare the way with strategic barriers and booby-traps. Fierce street-fighting during the battle would give it the nickname “Little Stalingrad”. Canadians quickly learn and adapt to the enemy’s techniques. Several adaptations involve leapfrogging and mouse-holing, that is blowing holes in walls in order to advance instead of going outside.
And so it continued for 8 long hard days and nights. The Germans finally withdrew, but at a heavy cost to Canadian Forces.
After the battle, all allied forces studied successful Canadian street fighting tactics, many of which are still used today in areas of conflict.
President Lorne Munro and Ken Beecroft thanked Red for his presentation and display of photos and newspaper articles. Marilyn McCallum presented Red with an honourarium, which he graciously donated back to G&DHS.
Members’ Meeting – Wednesday January 16, 2019 – 2:00 p.m. held at the Glencoe Historic Train Station, Glencoe, Ontario