​Thank you, Keith, for tremendous tribute to Doug Fry!

To the Editor:
RE: “​Two pebble stones from Normandy Beach, in memory of a Kincardine veteran”

While I wasn’t a “rink rat,” I do remember the days when my Uncle Doug Fry worked at the old arena because Keith Davidson hired me as one of the town’s summer playground instructors in the mid-1960s. My salary … a whopping $60 for six weeks on the job.

I knew Uncle Doug to be the man Keith paid tribute to. As a matter of fact, all of George Fry’s five sons were quiet, hard-working men, four of whom served their country during the Second World War. My father, Ken Fry (A-47018), was one of them.

Dad, Doug and Lawrie went overseas. Ralph being the youngest, although enlisted, was never sent any further than Winnipeg in 1945. Grandma thought he was too young for war anyway, and since it was nearly over by then, why wouldn’t they just send him home?

Emma missed her boys terribly. She was known to be a sullen woman, given to periods of what we would call depression today and rightly so. I can’t begin to imagine how she felt knowing her boys, called to active service, were facing uncertain futures each day.

As Remembrance Day quickly approaches, it’s worth understanding the effects that war had on families left home to pray for their sons’ and daughters’ safe return.

May 14, 1945, Grandma wrote to Dad, saying:

“My Dear Son,

“Well, here I am sit down to write you a few more lines with a lighter heart and mind than I have had for some months and I thank my maker for bringing this awful war to an end after five years and son, whoever say that their prayers don’t get answered don’t know what they are saying because I know mine have been answered for sparing all of you three boys to come home to me with all of your limbs.

“I am now looking forward to a letter to say that you are coming home. We heard on the radio that you boys that have been over there the longest would be coming home in July.”

Dad left war behind, sailing into New York, aboard the “Queen Elizabeth,” Dec. 7, 1945. Doug followed Dec. 28.

By August, Emma’s mood was more joyful, while still anxious, as she anticipated seeing her sons soon, when she wrote that she had just received a letter from Douglas who said that he was well and had just come back from the Isle of Wight, where he had a good time visiting with Uncle Ern. Uncle Doug was hoping to see my dad before his return to Kincardine.

Grandma said, “Why don’t they send some of the Zombies over there and send you boys home that have been over there so long.” Later on, she added, “I am looking for the day when you all come home to me.” Finally, she ended the letter, the last one I have, with, “Well son, I don’t seem to have any more to say so with heaps of love, I remain your ever-loving Mother. God Bless you Son.”

I have no doubt that letters to my uncles, were similar and were meant to keep everyone in touch with what was going on at home. Grandma talked about the V.E. Day Street Dance being moved to the “skating rink” because of inclement weather. It didn’t seem to bother the revellers, including my grandfather, as many stayed out to the wee hours in the morning in celebration.

She mentioned an altercation between Bill Tout and Bob MacKenzie which ended in Bob needing new glasses. I’m sure the boys just needed to blow off some steam.

Grandma mentioned Jack Harrison (A-47009) who was seriously wounded at Melfa River in Italy, Frank Goodwin (A-47081) who was home and Russell Tout (A-47013) who soon would be. All three had enlisted with the 98th (Bruce) Anti-Tank Battery, alongside my dad.

Grandma said that Leonard Johnston, who had lost both of his legs in Italy, “has got both of his legs (prosthetics) and he can get around just fine. He is home for two months and then he has got to go back to the hospital.”

And good news, Charlie and “Miggy” Merritt had a new baby boy. Out of war came joy!

So, THANK YOU, Keith, for remembering my Uncle Doug and asking that he and others like him be honoured Nov. 11.

Glenys (Fry) Johnson
Chesley
Born, raised, educated and married in Kincardine

In memory of:
 

• George Henry Fry – Regimental Sergeant Major – Warrant Officer Class 1 – Service No. 42120 – 1st Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery – First World War. Attached to the 21st (Reserve) Field Reg’t. – Camp Petawawa as an Instructor – Second World War
• Kenneth Frank Fry – Sgt. – 98th (Bruce) Anti-Tank Battery – Service No. A-47018 – Enlisted in Port Elgin, Ontario
• Douglas Edmund Fry – Gunner – Service No. A-60135 – Enlisted No. 1 District Depot, London, Ontario
• Earl Lawrence “Lawrie” Stanley Fry – enlisted at the age of 17
• Ralph Eugene Fry – Lance Corporal – A-118980 – Enlisted No. 1 District Depot, London, Ontario