“BONNETS AND BAYONETS” Written by Emma Stack

There is never a doubt that a soldier marching obediently into a volley of musket fire is a hero. An army surgeon, his white apron stained with blood, working countless hours in the heat to save whomever he can, is also a hero. What of Generals, Lieutenants, and Captains who give orders, strategize, and feel the weight of entire armies on their shoulders as they command men to give everything to a cause? Surely, they are heroes as well. Historically, it seems easy to list the heroes of war, but it is rare that ordinary women and children are included on these lists. Today, I invite you to consider those left behind. They are not left behind by choice or lack of courage. Not because they didn’t feel the pull of the cause as deeply and passionately as their male counterparts. They were left behind, in the shadows, to do what women have always done: endure the hardships and try and prosper, all while maintaining their family’s wellbeing.

“Soldiers on a March.” The Army Children Archive (TACA), 14 Jan. 1884, www.archhistory.co.uk/taca/move.html. Accessed 14 Aug. 2025.

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.

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