You will recall that Dick Nevard joined the Canadian Army in Regina, Sask. in January of 1943. He kept a constant flow of letters coming and going between his brother and parents. This is one written on his arrival at Camp Shilo , Manitoba
April 3, 1943.
Dear Bill', I guess you are wondering where I am now. We arrived at Camp Shilo last Thursday. I knew we were going when I last wrote but thought I shouldn't say anything. Most of the fellows went down to the station and rode on the train but I and six or eight other fellows were paraded over to the sergeant's quarters and we had to swab and scrub the floors. Then we rode in an open truck to Shilo and it was a cold journey. A jeep with an officer in it drove in front all the way. One place the jeep looked as though it would be submerged in water. You ought to see it skim through water.
As we drove to Shilo I could see planes taking off and landing at a nearby airdrome.
We reached Shilo in due course and immediately went into the kitchen for supper. After that to our huts. There is quite a change as we have to go to another building about a hundred yards away where we wash and shave. These are summer huts but according to some of the dates I have seen written by former residents they were occupied in December. The huts have three stoves, one coal and two wood burning.
If I remember correctly I only introduced Dad to one fellow at the train station, George Macknack from Cupar. The other one's name I could not remember.
The fellows in camp speak about the labour situation. One said that half the crop was not threshed in his district as they could not get teams. They will be threshing and seeding at the same time this spring. They said farmers had been protesting about the labour shortage and there would likely be quite a few released for spring work.
So Bartons and Wheales want me to visit them on my next leave. It looks as if my next 96 will be taken up by visiting as Mr. Binnington said they wanted to see me too next time I am home.
Hoping you are all in good health
Your loving brother
R.A. Nevard
Dick Nevard at right in photo.
Corder Road
Ipswich
29 Sept. 1940
My Dear Horace
You are naturally wondering how we are getting along during these terrible times. Well, thank God, up to the present, fit and well. We of course get Nazi bombers over most nights and as an air raid warden I have to report at the post and then wait for the bombs to drop. Fortunately none have fallen in my sector. For although I have passed a course in first aid, well I should be rather sorry for my patients. We have had a number of bombs dropped around the district and some in the town. One broke most of the stained glass windows on the South side of our Church but no structural damage.
Four people only have been killed altogether. 3 on one occasion and then one. One chiefly from shock.
England has not yet been invaded and no attempt made. Believe me if Hitler and his crowd attempt it he will have a warm reception for the vast majority of people will fight to a man. We haven't got the wind up, neither have the people of London. I speak from my personal experience for Ethel, Daphne and I spent a week with Ethel's father in London. The barrage is terrible and not pleasant but you can live through it.
Leslie came home this weekend. He is quite fit and still working at the same place.
Louie and all her family are still the same. Poor old Louie misses her treatment and her poor legs are as bad as ever. Muriel has been moved to Nayland and she cycles over to see us occasionally when she has a day off. Its 13 miles from here so quite a good ride.
I have not yet heard from you since I wrote about Emily. Its hard to part with your mother and sister but considering all things one cannot but feel that they are better off. For when the air raid alarm goes it is advisable to get downstairs and when you are aged or unwell that is far from pleasant and as likely as not get a chill.
As to food, there is plenty in the shops. I can see no difference from pre-war times and prices have gone up but very little. The only thing I personally miss is sugar. I wish we could have more than half a pound pe person per week. This is for cooking and everything. Butter goes down next week from 6 ounces to 2 ounces per person per week, but there is plenty of margarine to make up for it.
I went to Lexden yesterday afternoon to see Horace. He is now a full time special constable doing clerical work in the Chief Constable's office. He misses Mother and Emily very much but is still carrying on the house at Lexden. He will not have to go into the army and Ethel (Hall's) husband is exempt for some time..
Can now hear a German bomber going over but its very dark and cloudy. He is up so (3 miles I expect) so he doesn't know where he is fortunately.
Well, have no more news so must conclude with fond love from all the family to all the clan of Nevards.
Your affectionate brother Cecil.
P.S.
So you listen to Lord Haw Haw on the German radio? I would'nt advise you to for he is a deliberate liar and makes me feel I'd love to sock him on the jaw.
Cecil and Ethel Nevard
80 years ago this month was not a happy time for the family. The extreme cold weather only added to the suffering. As seen in Bill Nevard's journal.
February 4 :Dad and Bud went to Goff's to bring the bull home. Young Tommy Goff had just died of pneumonia that morning.
February 6, 1933: It was 46 below zero this morning and I skied over to Goff's to see if they would be holding the funeral on such a cold day and heard that they were. Dad , Uncle Arthur and Bud went.
Aunt Daisy hurt her leg this afternoon by falling over a stoneboat in the stable.
February 7: A whist drive at Winstanley Grove. It was 56 below zero when Dick and I came home at 4 a:m.
February 10: Another rotten day. I went up to Winstanley Grove at night. Aunt Daisy in bed and Bud gone to Barton's to phone up North's.
February 11: Weather better. Martha North came to nurse Aunt Daisy.
February 12: Sunday. Bud went to phone for the doctor.
February 13: Doctor Stewart came to see Aunt Daisy and stopped in here to see mother on the way back. Martha came with him.
February 15: Milder. Mr. and Mrs. North came to see Aunt Daisy. Moved her into the other room.
February 17: Nancy down in the stable unable to get up. I cut some green wood.
February 20: Uncle Horrie went to Lipton. Dad had to shoot Nancy today. Uncle Arthur's big bay, Paddy, was likewise gathered to his ancestors. I went to see Aunt Daisy in the evening.
February 22: Aunt Daisy died of a heart attack this afternoon.
February 23: Dad and Uncle Arthur went to Fisher's to arrange the funeral. Nonsuch Woodland Seeker of Rockhaven calved today.
February 24: John Senft and Uncle Arthur went to Lipton to fetch Uncle Eddie and the coffin.
February 25
The funeral was held in Lipton town hall. It was a beautiful bright day.
