Marcus Mooney far right of Souris in France, on November 11, 1918 War Days Julia O'Hanley War Days People praise That they are Not gone far If you are a lady You're man's Good friend For looking For searching For praying So they must Earn the trust In you And your crew Like the children And the women At home Alone - Julia O'Hanley is a native of Prince Edward Island and a granddaughter of a veteran who saw action. She is a student attending school in Souris. Julia has the distinction of being born on Remembrance Day - November 11.

11:11 Walter MacDonald My father was a soldier once, like so many gone before us, those who planted flowers in our very special garden. And when I see those numbers set atop the Peaceful Tower, I know my father's watching even though he's gone so long, his spirit carries on. Between the Fence Post and the Poppy lay the great and youthful heros. He would sit and think about them, with his whisky in his hand and my mother's feet pumping on the pedals of the organ singing songs about "the Raging Fields of Battle, ... about... dugouts dark and deep." His heart I think would feel about the great and youthful heros with their photographs from way back home of their wives and little children who yet didn't know till the man with the saddest telegram came knocking at the door. Between the Fence Post and the Poppy lay the great and youthful heros. Those who planted flowers in our special garden, reminding me of Freedom that means so much to me. - Walter J. MacDonald was raised in Bothwell and is a graduate of Souris Regional High School. He is a son of Pauline and the late Hon. Daniel J. MacDonald. He currently is employed and resides in Ottawa, Ontario.

On the third day of September In the year of '39 When war clouds hovered o'er us Brave Canadians fell in line. Now the boys of our fair Island Many answered to the call Not one soul did ever falter Though they knew that they may fall. Many hearts were filled with sadness Many homes were filled with woe When at last it was discovered Over seas that they must go.

Solemn prayers sincerely offered Mingled with the tears and pain As they bid farewell to loved ones They may never see again. They are Army, Navy, Airforce With brave smiles their service chose Then they crossed the briney ocean; For to fight King George's foes. Now my story's nearly ended May my song be one of joy When our flag shall fly victorious God protect our Island boys.

- Mary J. (Banks) MacDonald was a native of Big Run. She was a homemaker and with her husband, raised seven children. Today she resides in Vernon River.

The Institute Convention John A. MacDonald Well friends I'm glad to see you here For it is my intention To try and tell you all about The Institute Convention. Twas in July on Friday night In the village of Annandale Where peace and order is the style And quietness prevails. The programme it got started At nine o'clock, no more With music, recitations And dialogues galore. There was singing by Professor Earl A speech by Mr. Cox And our George E. Saville He gave a splendid talk. The program, it was suitable To young and old alike The dialgue from St. Georges It really was a sight. A famous music teacher From the city of Charlottetown. Professor Earl's good singing Was worthy of renown. They sold two hundred bags of candy During the intermission A collection then was taken up To help complete the mission. The street was lined with people They were a jolly throng. From Cumberland Hill, St. Georges, Howe Bay and Little Pond. The hall inside, will it was packed Righ back to the door. They say there was never such a crowd In Annandale before. We will have to thank the women When it come to real old trying They sure are helping out their share To keep the old flag flying. That's about all that happened So I will have to end my talke Till the Institute Convention Comes back to Annandale. But let us praise the women May nothing turn them back In the part that they are playing To uphold the Union Jack. - John A. MacDonald (1923-1944) was raised in Little Pond. He wrote this poem in 1941, regarding a fundraising effort for the war effort. Sadly he was killed in action on the Normandy Beaches and was interred in the Beny-sur-Mer Cemetery.

Memories of an ex C.W.A.C. Jessie (Rose) Dixon On September 7th in the year '43 I joined the Army, the world for to see I saw some of Canada and the U.S.A. The memories of it all are with me to stay. We landed in Kitchener, very late in the fall. The majority were lonesome and started to bawl. But our training soon started, no time for tears. It was march and parade and "take up the rears". Our hair was cut short, not allowed on our collar. And the pay for a day was merely a dollar. As time went by, it increased a few cents, When pay day rolled around, we had no laments We went on long marches in the rain and the snow. No one cared less if it was 40 below. One thing in our favor when it started to freeze. Our great-coats were so long, they covered our knees. It wasn't the style that year for long clothes. When they issued us ours, they figured us foes. "It's only until we get some to fit you" they said. When we went up the street we wished we were dead. When our basic was over we had the same old thing. But couldn't care less and started to sing. Then most of us landed in Toronto for weeks. Until they got a place for us or found a few leaks. At last in December, they picked only four. And sent us to Ottawa, we wished there were more. Our destination was Glebe barracks, again is a big cry. But we soon got adjusted at last we could sigh. I went to work in the Q.M.'s stores Got to know a few people, also a few bores. For nearly three years I stayed at my post. The war was then over and we started to boast. The civies always addressed us "Quacks". But only when we turned our backs. And if anyone said it right to our face. Some of them did and it made a big case. It has been fifty years, since I wore khaki clothes. But I can still look back to when I was called "Rose". I like to reminisce about the good old days. And think of my friends as they all went their ways. We are all getting old, some are over the hill. When it came to the army, we all got our fill. If I had my life to live over I would do the same thing. We were proud to serve both our Country and King. - Jessie (Rose) Dixon was raised in East Baltic. She wrote this poem in 1973, regarding her military service. Jessie returned to East Baltic at war's end, married and raised two children. Today she resides in Souris.

Armistice Day 1948

Remembrance Day 2004

Armistice Day Dorothy Bailey As they lie in the trenches so clammy and wet The sounds of the dying they'll never forget The skies were darkened by gunfire and smoke Is peace in the offing? It seemed very remote. They thought of their loved ones For over the sea and that is they place, They all wanted to be. But their thoughts were soon shattered By the rumble of tanks as snipers surrounded Their trenches so damp. They crawled on their stomachs To safety once more They could hear their hearts beating Over the noise and the roar.

Then all of a sudden, Like a touch of God's hand Peace was declared All over the land. The soldiers kept marching Their heads proud and high They threw up their helmets And whispered a sigh. So remember our soldiers On Armistice Day Say a kind word Lay a wreath, if you may. - Dorothy Bailey was born in Rollo Bay She is a homemaker, mother and grandmother and lives in Souris.

Copyright
Waldron H. Leard