Chapleau recruits for 'Men O' the North' the 227th Overseas Battalion in World War I a significant achievement for small isolated community

As we prepare to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I on November 11, Michael McMullen, my co-author of 'The Chapleau Boys Go To War' shares his research into the battalion commonly referred to as 'Men of the North' which had a significant Chapleau connection. It was officially the 227th Oveseas Battalion (Sudbury-Manitoulin-Algoma. Recruiting was underway in Chapleau by April 1916 after the commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel LeP. Jones had visited the community. The  story continues next week. Thanks for sharing it Michael. MJM. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

By Michael McMullen

The 227th Overseas Battalion (Sudbury-Manitoulin-Algoma) with the nickname “Men of the North” or “Men O’ the North” was one of many new battalions formed in 1915-1916 by the Canadian Army for the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) in World War 1. It was organized in March 1916 and based in Sault Ste. Marie. Its commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Hugh Lepailleur (LeP.) Jones, came from the Sault Ste. Marie-based 51st (Soo Rifles) Regiment. Many from Chapleau enlisted in the 227th Battalion.

With the formation of battalions across the country, an active program of recruitment began including recruitment posters and battalion officers visiting towns and villages. Politicians, community officials, newspapers, church leaders and others pressured men to enlist, promoting patriotism and the need to help the allied cause. In some instances, it could be argued that men were almost being shamed into enlisting.

The first recruit in the 227th was Robert Walker of Sault Ste. Marie, who enlisted on March 14, 1916. He was 34 years of age and worked as a bookkeeper. Over the next 13 months approximately 1150 volunteered and completed the recruitment application to join the 227th. The standard recruitment form, titled Attestation Paper - Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force, was a two page document, which required the recruit to provide personal and background information and to submit to a physical examination. There were five sections requiring signatures.

Declaration to be made by man on attestation

The recruit declares that he has answered all questions truthfully and agrees to serve in the CEF. The signature of the recruit and the signature of a witness are then required.

Oath to be taken by man on attestation

The recruit pledges to be faithful and bear allegiance to King George the Fifth and successors. His signature and the signature of a witness are required.

Certificate of Magistrate

A magistrate or Justice of the Peace reviews the questions and answers with the recruit for complete understanding and confirms that the recruit has signed the Declaration and the Oath. The recruit and the magistrate sign this certificate.

Certificate of medical examination

A medical doctor determines if the recruit is “fit” or “unfit” to serve in the CEF and signs off on his evaluation. The recruit must be found to be “fit” to be accepted into the CEF.

Certificate of officer commanding unit

The correctness of the recruit’s attestation is confirmed by the signature of the commanding officer.

The majority of enlistments took place in Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury. Active recruitment took place at many other northern locations in the 227th regional area, including 

Webbwood, Blind River, Thessalon, Little Current, Massey, Gore Bay and Chapleau. However, in 1917, most enlistments were being carried out at a barracks in Hamilton where the 227th relocated activities for the winter of 1916-1917, and Parry Sound. The last enlistment for the 227th was Victor William Dunn, aged 18, a customs clerk from Parry Sound, who ironically enlisted in Hamilton on April 3, 1917.

Recruiting was underway in Chapleau in April 1916 after 227th commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel LeP. Jones had paid a visit to the community. Immediately after the visit, the Chapleau Citizens Recruiting Committee was formed. Members included: Rev. Father Romeo Gascon, Rev. P.R. Soanes, Rev. G.W. Lynd, T.J. Godfrey, V.T. Chapple, Dr. J.J. Sheahan, J.B. Dexter, P. Downey, A.R. Lauder, W. McLeod, R. Levie, J.H. Bickett, William McMullen, (Michael's grandfather), D.O. Payette, Ed Pearson, L. Barker of Biscotasing, Adelard Lafrance of Missanabie and Chapleau, Joe Depew of White River and Frank Pitts as secretary. Lieutenant William Lyness, former chief of police in Chapleau, who was living in North Bay, was transferred to the 227th in order that he could return to Chapleau to assist in the formation of a platoon.

William Lyness

The first recruit to sign up in Chapleau was James Harold Morris (grandfather of Michael Morris and great uncle of Michael McMullen), who completed his attestation form on April 19, 1916. He was 26 and a railroad conductor. By the end of July, 56 enlistments had been processed in Chapleau with another six to come later for a grand total of 62. It was quite an achievement for a small, isolated community of about 2,000 people, although some of the volunteers came from nearby communities such as Missanabie, Brunswick Post, Biscotasing and White River. The Chapleau platoon at this time included: Lieutenant W.A. Lyness, Sergeant Lorne Nicholson, Corporal Harry Morris, Acting Corporal Joe Fortier, Lance Corporal M.L. Hunt, Corporal W. Davis, and over 50 privates. The last recruit of the 227th to be processed in Chapleau was Charles Meroult, an 18-year old labourer, who enlisted on January 9, 1917.

For the completion of attestation forms in Chapleau, the witness for the Declaration and Oath was frequently Lieutenant William Lyness, for the Certificate of Magistrate, Thomas J. Godfrey, and for the Certificate of medical examination, Dr. J.J. Sheahan. Lieutenant-Colonel LeP. Jones as commander of the 227th signed the Certificate of the officer commanding unit.

After limited training and conditioning activities at Chapleau, members of the Chapleau platoon departed for Camp Borden in mid-August 1916 where the 227th was mobilizing for its war effort. The troops prepared, trained and drilled there and in Hamilton until early April 1917. In Snapshots Of Chapleau's Past, George Evans noted that on Saturday, August 12, 1916, the First Chapleau Platoon of the 227th Sudbury, Manitoulin, and Algoma Overseas Battalion, commonly called ”Men O’ The North,” paraded from the YMCA building on Lorne Street, down Birch Street, over the tracks, to the railway station. Vincent Crichton in Pioneering in Northern Ontario described the event as “a red letter day.” He added: “The Town Band led the way and the whole town turned out to support the ‘Men O’ The North’as they set out to do battle with ‘the Hun’ in fields of northeastern France. Six officers, fifty-three enlisted men, a bandsman and two buglers marched in full gear to the cheers of the patriotic people of Chapleau …”

Of the total number of 227th enlistments who made it to Camp Borden, some were subsequently deemed unfit for duty, which covered a variety of medically–related criteria and performance issues, some were severely injured or possibly killed during accidents, some died of illness/disease and some deserted. A Guide to Sources Relating to Units of the Canadian Expeditionary Force prepared by Library and Archives Canada indicates that the 227th had 28 officers and 783 other ranks when the battalion prepared to go overseas. They embarked from Halifax on April 10, 1917 on the HMT Carpathia and disembarked at Liverpool, England on April 22, 1917. The next day, April 23, 1917, the 227th was transferred to the 8th Reserve Battalion at Shorncliffe, England. The war had begun for the 'Men O' the North'.

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Marking the end of World War I in 1918 with thoughts on war and peace over 100 years

Me with my Dad 1942

As Remembrance Day approaches, and this year we mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I on November 11, 1918,  my thoughts as they often do at this time of year return to a service in St. John's Anglican Church in 1948, three years after the end of World War II.

In 1948, Rev. Canon H.A, Sims, the Rector, and veteran of World War I was conducting a service to dedicate a prayer desk given to the church by the family in memory of my father, Flying Officer James E. Morris. He was killed on active service in the RCAF in 1943 during World War II.

I was seven years old in 1948, at an age where I was starting to come to terms with the fact that he was not coming home. 

Yes, I had my mother, Muriel E. (Hunt) Morris, my grandparents Edythe and George Hunt and  Lil and Harry Morris, as well as my aunt and uncle Elsie and B.W. 'Bubs' Zufelt and my Zufelt cousins, my aunt Marion Morris --- and my friends in Chapleau. All played a most important role in my life.

In his incredible book, 'The Ordeal of Total War', Gordon Wright tells us that Sir Winston Churchill once commented that the effects of World War II, will be felt by those affected by it for at least 100 years. Trust me, Churchill was right. I am just shy of 77 now, and have lived with that war every day of my life.

During World War II. and in the years since, there have been countless families and children. who like me and my family, were affected by war, and acts of terror, and each time, which is almost daily, I shake my head a bit, and wonder why. But, I know, I care and I understand the lasting effect of these events on our lives.

After World War I, my family and so many others lived forever after with the aftermath of that war. My grandfather's brother was killed in action, while Grandpa (Harry Morris) served in the famous 227th Regiment. Two of my grandmother's brothers Griffin and Charles Mulligan also served.

Let me share some thoughts expressed by Canon H.A. Sims, at the prayer desk dedication service. They seem as appropriate today in our troubled world as they were three years after the end of World War II.

Canon Sims

In part, here is what Canon Sims a World War I veteran,  said:

"There is not the slightest necessity for civilized men to destroy their civilization in warfare. Nothing is settled by warfare which could not be better settled in some more reasonable, humane and decent way.

"Warfare is caused by men  who have allowed the spirit of the devil rather than the spirit of God to determine their thinking.

"Peace comes only from those who make it; who work harder at making peace than men working at making war.

"We must make peace by working hard at overcoming ugliness with beauty; overcoming meanness with generosity; overcoming lies with truth and by overcoming evil with good."

I have shared the thoughts of Canon Sims in other columns, but feel they are worth repeating. They are a message of hope in a world that often seems hopeless but to me at least the light still shines in the darkness.

Jim Roberts Vietnam veteran

My good friend Jim Roberts, an American who served in the United States Marine Corps in Vietnam, and moved to Canada after returning home wrote a wonderful letter a few years ago. Here is part of it:

"I just want people to be happy. Friends are the fruit cake of life, some smelly. some cooked in alcohol, some sweet, but mix them together and they are all my friends... This is what I want: I want people who are sick with no cure to be able to be cured. I want children with no families to be adopted. I want people to never have to worry about food, shelter and heat. I want peace and love for everyone."

To mark the end of World War I 100 years ago, in the next two columns my cousin Michael McMullen, who co-authored 'The Chapleau Boys Go To War' with me will share his research into the 227th Regiment. Lest we forget!!!!

My email is mj.morris@live.ca

'Chapleau Boys Go To War' presented to Cranbrook Public Library

Terry Burgess, Ron McFarland, MJM, Ursula Brigl, Bill Nightingale (Joel Vinge photo)

The Chapleau Boys Go To War now has a place in the Cranbrook Public Library following  presentation of a copy to chief librarian Ursula Brigl.

Accompanied by  Ron McFarland a World War II veteran who served in the Royal Canadian Navy,  and Bill Nightingale who served 33 years in the Royal Canadian Air Force,


I presented a copy to Ursula,on behalf of my co-author Michael K McMullen and myself,

To have Ron and Bill take time to attend the presentation, made it especially meaningful, even though they are not "Chapleau Boys", officially, they represented all of them, and all who have served Canada in our nation's armed forces. Thank you so much!

Terry Burgess, treasurer of the Friends of the Cranbrook Public Library, made the arrangements for the presentation, and Ursula Boy, president of friends of the library also attended. Thanks Terry and Ursula.

Bill, Ursula Boy, MJM, Ron, Terrry (Joel Vinge photo)

Thanks to Joel Vinge for being the official photographer.

On a personal note, I have lived in Cranbrook just on 26 years now, and am so delighted that the library agreed to add The Chapleau Boys Go To War to its collection. I often visit Rotary Park here and spend time looking at the names on the Wall of Honour and the Cenotaph from Cranbrook and area who served in the armed forces. Every time is a visit home to Chapleau too.

I am reminded that it is so important to focus on those things bringing us together in this nation, rather than those dividing us. Thanks Ron and Bill.

My email is mj.morris@live.ca

'Chapleau Boys Go To War' story of significant contributions at home and abroad in World War 1 and World War 2

The Chapleau Boys Go To War is  the story of the contributions and sacrifices made during World War 1 and World War 2, at home and abroad by the people of Chapleau.

My cousin, Michael McMullen and I have been working on this project for several years, and the book has just been published. 

In the introduction we note that 2014 marked the 100th anniversary of the start of WW 1 and the 75th anniversary of the start of WW 2.

" Canadians volunteered to serve from all across their country for both conflicts, and small towns and villages, like Chapleau, made significant contributions to both war efforts. They went to war because they believed it was the right thing to do. They were representing their families, friends, neighbours, colleagues and all of Canada, and were willing to pay the Supreme Sacrifice."

Our research revealed that there were 283 enlistments in World War 1 with a Chapleau connection, and 416 in World War 2 -- an incredible number given the population of the community during both wars.

Some returned home but others did not not. There were 32 "Chapleau boys" who died while on active service in the first world war and 29 in the second. We pay special tribute to the fallen with a biographical sketch and photos of them where available.

We have included a list of the names of all those with a Chapleau connection who served in both wars.

We also provide a look into the founding of Chapleau in 1885 with the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway, as well as life on the home front In both wars with a fascinating look at the work of the Chapleau branch of the Canadian Red Cross Society and other projects.

We were able to obtain some letters  from Chapleau boys in both wars who were overseas providing a glimpse into their lives on the front lines, a number of them written home near Christmas.

After World War I, Chapleau's first reeve G.B. Nicholson and his wife, Charlotte, had St. John's Parish House built in memory of their son Lorne who was killed on active service, and his friends. It became the Legion Hall. The book also notes the contribution of Branch No. 5 (Ontario) of the Royal Canadian Legion, from its founding in 1926 on.

Michael K (left) and I have serious chat about Chapleau Boys Go To War

On June 25, 1978, the cenotaph was moved from its original location beside St. John's Anglican Church to the Legion property. In 2000, the Chapleau Cree First Nation established the Fox Lake War Veterans Memorial. In 2014, Donald White, Chapleau's oldest living World War II veteran attended the Remembrance Day service at the cenotaph.

Henry (Harry) Byce and his son, Charles Byce, were Chapleau boys. They enlisted and fought in WW 1 and WW 2, respectively. Both received exceptionally high honours for valour and bravery for their individual war exploits. They were among the highest decorated Aboriginal veterans. We tell their stories.

Four Chapleau boys, Willard Bolduc, Baisel Collings, Donald Freeborn and Lloyd McDonald were among the recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross. We share their stories of bravery.

With thanks, particularly to former cadets, we were able to share highlights of 1181 Chapleau High School Cadet Corps.

Both Michael and I share some personal thoughts, and in my case, for the first time in my life, I share an anecdote involving Dr. Karl Hackstetter, John McClellan and me when I was in Grade 9 at Chapleau High School.

There is a chapter on cemeteries and monuments globally, compiled by Michael, some of which he has visited.It is a most valuable resource and also shows the high esteem in which our "Chapleau Boys" are held.

Michael McMullen explained that "fallen 'Chapleau Boys' are commemorated by name on the Chapleau cenotaph, and for WW I on a plaque at St. John’s Anglican Church. "

Michael added:

"We wanted to know more about them and for most of them, have been able to put together short resumes with pictures that include family information, occupation at enlistment, place of enlistment, some of their armed forces experience, date of death and cemetery or memorial information. This is our way of preserving their memories.

"We hope the information we have provided for foreign cemeteries and memorials will help to provide a context to where the Chapleau Boys were when they were killed or died due to war inflicted causes.

"We also hope our work will be used as a reference for family descendants to do research on their relatives that served in wars. It is important that photos of those who served and letters that they sent home are preserved with details of their service. If not, this material will be lost, if not already lost, with the passage of time.

"Ideally, our book will serve as a catalyst for families to search old shoeboxes for pictures and letters from those who served. Also, medals and awards should be documented for future family generations. It is important that this information not be lost. We owe this to all Chapleau Boys who have served in wars and conflicts."

I extend my most sincere personal thanks to Mario Lafreniere, publisher of the Chapleau Express, for inviting me to write Chapleau Moments almost six years ago. Had he not done so, I likely would not have begun my research into "Chapleau Boys Go to War". Our book is available now or please email me at mj.morris@live.ca for other purchasing options. 

Nicholson generosity left Chapleau with 'most elegant and distinctive of all Royal Canadian Legion properties in Canada'

Royal Canadian Legion hall Chapleau

Lt. Lorne Weller Nicholson was killed in action just one week before the armistice that ended World War I on November 11, 1918.

The Toronto Star of November 26, 1918, in his obituary said, "Lieut. Nicholson went overseas with the 227th Battalion, 'Men-of-The- North. He was transferred to the 4th C.M.Rs and went to France in 1917. 

The Star story continued: He was wounded with shrapnel in January of this year (1918), but recovered quickly, not leaving his battalion. He was wounded again in April, and was in a Canadian hospital in France when it was bombed and more than 300 lives lost.

"He was transferred to the Prince of Wales Hospital in London, where after three and a half months, he fully recovered, returning to his battalion on September 29. He was in the lines continually from that time until just one week before the armistice was signed when he made the supreme sacrifice".

Lorne Weller Nicholson was the only child of George Brecken and Charlotte (Weller) Nicholson On April 19, 1920, the St. John's Memorial Hall, first called Parish House, which his parents had built, was officially opened.

As George Evans once wrote "It is significant that the donors of the building did not put their names on the monumental inscription: they were content that the world remember them simply as the father and mother of Lt. Lorne W. Nicholson."  

It reads: "St. John's Parish House. In memory of Lt. Lorne W. Nicholson and all those who with him voluntarily gave their lives in the Great War. Erected by his father and mother A.D. 1919", and at the bottom of it, the words from the Gospel According to John, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends". (John 15:13)

Mr. Nicholson was the first reeve of Chapleau serving from 1901 to 1913, and at the time the hall was opened was the Member of Parliament for East Algoma , and Mrs. Nicholson had been one of the first school teachers in Chapleau.

Some of those participating in the memorial service at St. John's Anglican Church and official opening at the hall included  Rev. John Nelson Blodgett, Rector of St. John's Anglican Church; Rev. Dr. Robert John Renison, later Bishop of the Anglican Church diocese of Moosonee; Rt. Rev. John George Anderson, Bishop of Moosonee; Reeve Max Brunette, Township of Chapleau; Rev. George Prewer and Rev. White.

Lt. -Col. C. H. LeP. Jones , the commanding officer of 227th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force and Major D.M. Brodie also participated.

Ian Macdonald, retired head of the department of architecture and professor emeritus at the University of Manitoba, who has researched and written extensively on Chapleau buildings kindly agreed to let me share some of his thoughts about the building, now commonly referred to simply as "The Legion".

"A building as distinctive and prominent as the Nicholson Hall accurately reflected the public honour for war sacrifice, military service, veterans and the Union Jack that the World War I vets fought under. The Victorian gothic revival style of the building, which is closely associated with monarchism, reminds us of the significant cultural role of architecture and the British Dominion that we were at the time," Ian wrote.

"The Canadian Parliement buildings were also built in the same style to echo the architecture of Westminster and provide a permanent reminder of our British heritage."

"The Legion Hall is formally organized around a central axis, and the gothic revival windows, doors and details are what most individuals would associate with a religious building," Ian noted.

In fact, when I googled Chapleau Legion Hall recently, a photo popped up on a web site and whoever posted it, thought it was a church. A Chapleau person had posted a correction in the comments section.

Ian also speculated on what the Legion in Chapleau might have built, had it not been for the philanthropic act of Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson, albeit that it was first given to St. John's Anglican Church as a parish house.

"There are plenty of examples of other Legion facilities in small Canadian communities to provide an idea of what might have been", Ian wrote, adding that the Nicholson generosity "has left Chapleau with what is probably the most elegant and distinctive of all Royal Canadian Legion properties in Canada. It is clearly the most sophisticated building of its time in Chapleau."

By the 1930s and the onset of the Great Depression, St. John's was no longer able to maintain the hall, and it was subsequently closed and turned over to the municipality. Branch Number 5 of the Royal Canadian Legion rented it for some years until 1955 when B.W. "Bubs" Zufelt was reeve, the Legion took ownership of the building. Mr. Zufelt was made a life member of the branch for his efforts.

On November 11, Remembrance Day, Chapleau will once again "remember them" including Lt. Lorne Weller Nicholson and all those who gave their lives in World War I, World War II, Korea and NATO service.

My thanks to Ian Macdonald and Doug Greig for their assistance. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Following the American Dream from Chapleau and reuniting with my 'seven sisters' in a lasting bond of over 70 years

After my father, Flying Officer James E. Morris was killed while on active service in the Royal Canadian Air Force on July 16, 1943 during World War II, my mother  Muriel (Hunt) Morris decided we would remain in Chapleau, but stay in  touch with some of my parents' close friends made when he was a Flying Instructor with the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.

Iven and Arlene Nichol came to Canada from the United States after the war started in 1939,  and Iven joined the RCAF, then became, like my father, a flying instructor at Mount Hope near Hamilton.  Iven was one of hundreds of Americans who came to Canada to join our nation's armed forces before their country entered the war in 1941.

Jim and Muriel Morris

J.L. Granatstein, the former CEO of the Canadian War Museum and historian described the BCATP as "the major Canadian military contribution to the Allied (Second World) War effort." It was a program to train air crew members from the Royal Air Force, the Royal Australian Air Force and Royal New Zealand Air Force and RCAF in Canada. By the end of the war more than 130,000 air crew members had been trained and more than 100 aerodromes and landing fields built across Canada.

My parents met Iven and Arlene in Hamilton, and more than 70 years later, I am in contact with their children. In a real way, I have been able to follow the American Dream through their family, beginning shortly after the end of the war when Mom and I travelled by train from Chapleau to Illinois to pay our first visit.

In Illinois circa 1947 names below

It was on that trip that I visited Tom Sawyer's caves in Hannibal, Missouri in Mark Twain country and fell in love with marching bands when they took us to the Illinois State Fair.

As Iven moved up the corporate ladder, the ever growing family moved to Pittsburgh where we  visited often and I saw my first Major League baseball game.

But most importantly, I still recall Iven telling my mother that the next day he was going to take me and their oldest daughter Sandy for an airplane ride over Pittsburgh. My mother was not in favour, but Iven insisted that given how my father died, it was something that had to be done. Iven won and to this day I am grateful to him.

But, he wasn't done. We had arrived in Pittsburgh by train, but Iven arranged for us to fly back to Toronto on a commercial flight which was the first time my mother had flown.

We visited them In Stamford, Connecticut too and my mother made regular visits for many years. I had my first slice of pizza in Stamford.

In 1955, Iven, his father-in-law and a friend came to Chapleau on a fishing trip. I was in Grade Eight at Chapleau Public School and J.M. Shoup, the principal who had served in World War I and  World War II let me skip classes to go fishing with them one afternoon at Poulin Creek. To his great credit, Mr. Shoup understood how important it was for me to go fishing with one of my father's very best friends from World War II

In Chapleau 1955.. names below

After my mother died in 1989, I was going through her address book and found a number for them in Florida where they had moved to retire. I called and had one long last chat with Arlene. Iven had died a few years earlier.

But, how did I get back in touch with the Nichol children?  Actually they found me. In 2009, I wrote a story about watching the Stanley Cup finals between Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Redwings, mentioning that I was cheering for Pittsburgh because as a kid I visited Iven  and Arlene Nichol who had lived there. It appeared on the Internet.

Some time later there was a comment posted on it from Susan: "I am one of Iven and Arlene's daughters. They loved to entertain so I am not surprised that they showed you some American life." Needless to say, I was amazed.

Then I received an email from Janet, another daughter. There were eight daughters, seven of whom are still alive.

Janet explained: "My nephew was asking my sister Susan if his grandfather was on the internet.  She did a search and your blog came up from your report on the 2009 Stanley Cup where you reminisced about Pittsburgh and your visits with my family Iven and Arlene Nichol.  You can imagine my sister’s shock and my nephew’s joy to find that small paragraph so kindly penned about our parents/grandparents."

Laurie, in her first email wrote about my mother. "I too am a product of that American Dream! I am #7 of the 8 girls in the family and I fondly remember my Auntie MOO!  She was always my favorite visitor and covered me with love like I was the most special child. I know she had much love to give and she shared that love with so many! I miss her so much and I am blessed to have known her love!"

Just recently Laurie sent me a message that sums up so incredibly well the bond that was created during the war and continued to this day even when we have not seen in each other in years, and our parents are now gone. "I know that you and your mom were very important to my dad. He and your dad were like brothers and when he spoke of him, you and Auntie Moo, his heart would swell and his eyes would be moist with tears, he loved you all that much!"

The Nichol children called my mother Auntie Moo, my father's nickname for her, and Laurie also commented that she lived in a "a fairy tale land called Chapleau, Ontario."

Sandy, the eldest of the family shared that her father came to Canada as he was upset that the US was doing nothing to stop Hitler and he felt so stongly about it that he enlisted in the RCAF.

"Since you know him I'm sure that this makes perfect sense to you.  He held such strong convictions and felt that Hitler needed to be stopped.  He went to Canada and enlisted and I suppose it was pure happenstance that he was sent to Hamilton.  The real irony is that after all of that, he was never sent to Germany to bomb the Nazis, but was left behind to train others to do what he wanted to do himself."

He did tell of several scary experiences where he was nearly killed by his students. "I remember one story he told that when he gave final instructions to a student about to take his first solo flight  and as he climbed down from the cockpit his wedding ring got caught on a rivit on the wing and he was dragged down the runway as the student  was about to take off. Dad managed to free himself just in time, but from then on he never wore his wedding ring.  Mom didn't have a problem with that and was grateful that Dad was OK."

Me and Sandy, Illinois, circa 1947

"Another time he said he had his student 'buzz' the house just before the lesson was over so Mom would know to come and pick him up.  As she waited at the chain link fence for him to land the student crashed the plane and Dad was tossed free of the wreckage on the other side so Mom could not see him.  She was sure he was hurt or dead when he walked around from behind the wreckage and she could see he was fine.  He always told these stories with that rather 'dirty laugh'  that he had and usually went to get another scotch.'

Sandy concluded that it was nice to have a "brother" and that I had "seven sisters" in the United States.

As we mark Remembrance Day, I decided to share this very personal story about the lasting bond of over 70 years, begun at the beginning of World War II when a young Canadian couple, Jim and Muriel Morris met Iven and Arlene Nichol from the United States, became friends and the relationship continues to this day.

They shall grow not old!  My sincere thanks to Sandy, Pam, Jeanne and Janet, Lynne, Laurie, and Susan. Beth  passed away at a young age. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Top photo: Iven, Arlene, children, my Mom at Greater Pittsburgh Airport circa 1952

Mom, Iven, Arlene, in front are me and Sandy in Illinois circa 1947

Party photo in Chapleau: from left Harold Kennedy, Jiggs Goldstein, Bubs Zufelt, Beth Goldstein, my Mom,  Paul Behrens, Marion Morris,  Iven Nichol, Elsie Zufelt, Harry Morris (my grandfather)

John Gillespie Magee was an American who joined the RCAF and was killed on active service in 1941.

High Flight

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air. . . .

Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or ever eagle flew —
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

— John Gillespie Magee, Jr