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Letters to Mother
When Grandma Engelson passed away she left one box of photographs and letters. Mom, Dad, Brian and I looked at the photos first, put some in albums, and sent some pictures away to others in the family. The letters in the box were those that she had received over the years and must have meant something to her. These letters were not read by us until much later. Here are a few of them placed in order by date. I will put explanations of some of them in italics for those of you that don’t remember much of the 30’s and 40’s
My dad, Harold, had joined the British Columbia Provincial Police a few years before. He was posted to Alert Bay on the British Columbia Coast. In 1934, he married mom, who was Aunty Anna to most of you. These letters begin shortly afterwards. 2 Aug 30th 1935, Alert Bay, BC
Dearest Mother:
Received your dear letter about two weeks ago on or when we got back from our Holidays. I guess you will think us pigs for not coming to see you. I must explain and tell you all we did do. First we did not go home to Fraser Lake as we planned as it would cost us too much to rent a car. So we stayed in Vancouver and rented an apartment for ten days and just went and saw a lot of shows. I bought Harold some new clothes which he sure needed. A new top coat and some shoes, slacks, shirts and a tie and socks and he also got some new Radio stuff and then he bought me a new stove with an oil burner in it. I got a new hat and blouse. By that time we were ready to go home to Alert Bay. I am sure happy with my new stove as its so clean. It’s all enamel, cream and black. I hope you won’t be mad at us for not coming over seeing we were so close but the time went so fast and we slept every day until twelve. Harold had a real good rest and he looks great. When we got back they all said he looked like a Million. I sure wish you could come and see us sometime soon. Bobby promised me that as soon as he worked for awhile he would give you the fare up here. I hope he hasn’t forgot that. Gee, I’d love to have you, no-fooling.
How is every one and everything. Please write soon. 3
I am knitting Harold a white sweater with long sleeves for his Birthday. I tried to keep it a secret from him but it did not work. He was sleeping late one day after a late night and I was sneaking in the bedroom for some more wool and he sat up in bed and said, You are knitting a white sweater, Eh?. I hope it has long sleeves in it. Can you feature that!
Well I must say good-night now and go to bed. I don’t know if I will sleep as the fog horns and boats are making an awful racked outside. It’s just thick. I hope Harold is safely tied up someplace.
Lots of Love and Kisses, Anna and Harold
At this time there were no cars in Alert Bay. Almost everyone there was an Indian. Travel was done by foot or boat. Pic above is of Dad’s Police boat. Pic below is Alert Bay’s cemetery 4 June 21st 1936, Aboard the Princess Louise en route to Skagway from Alert Bay
Dear Mom,
Anna and I have been transferred to Atlin and are now on the way. We were told about it last Wednesday and had to leave this morning. I will be in charge of the District which is a promotion. We are both very pleased about going up into that country as everyone seems to think it is a swell place except those that have never been there. One thing about it is that you will be getting a lot more letters from as as I do not expect to be so busy. I will be sending you some pictures of the place and our dog team etc. I bet Pop would like to be up there and maybe he will be one of these days. The picture is of Anna on the “Louise” on the trip to Skagway.
They gave us a big party last night and everyone was down to see us away at 10 AM this morning. They sure were nice to us. We are on the tourist boat and there are 306 passengers. 9PM the orchestra is going to start up. Uncle Bert said he could have had the job on here if he had wanted to. It sure would have been swell if he had... (pretty music now) Anna has not been at all well until the last week and then all this excitement about moving came along. I think the change will do her good. We will be having a nice rest on the boat anyhow. We arrive in Skagway next Wednesday PM and Atlin on Saturday. We bought enough groceries to last us till the end of September. Then we will have to get our Winter Supplies in. Eggs are 85 cents per doz up there and I suppose everything else is in comparison but we expect to make more money. 5 They are expecting us all to sing now so I suppose I will have to quit writing. Anna says she is going to put a page or two in here too so I will say goodbye for now Mom and be looking forward to seeing you when I get down on escort which will be by plane I believe.
Your loving son Harold.
Uncle Bert is Bert Cartwright who has a regular job playing piano with the house orchestra in the Empress Hotel in Victoria.
Dearest Mom:
I am trying to write and sing Happy Days Are Here Again at the same time so I don’t know how it’s going to turn out. It’s such a long time since I wrote too that I am almost ashamed to write now. I hope you will forgive us. Its not that we don’t think about you every day as we do. I haven’t been feeling very well for a long time. But hope the change of climate will fix me up again. I am so proud of Harold I could just about eat him up as so many Constables have tried to get up there and we didn’t even try and we got it. Harold has told you all about it in his letter so I wont repeat it. We will sure love to write often now. We have our cats and dog Sarge with us too and all our furniture of course. This is the first time Harold has sat down with me to write letters for ever so long, about two years. Can you beat that.
The picture above is of Skagway about the time mom and dad moved to Atlin. 6
Vancouver to Atlin 1934- Take the White Pass Railway from Skaqway to Carcross - Paddlewheeler south on Tagish Lake to Taku Landing - Taku Railway (all of 2 miles to Scotia Bay on Atlin Lake - MV Tarahne 4 miles across the lake to Atlin.
July 18th 1936, Atlin BC
Dearest Mom:
Received your dear letter yesterday and thanks alot We are settled as far as it goes now tho we have a lot of painting to do. Gee, the man that was here before, he sure didn’t know a thing about keeping a house clean.
Harold and Sergeant Clinton were disgusted when they saw it. I didn’t say a lot but I thought plenty. I’ve scrubbed continually for three weeks now and I have the first layer off but that’s all. I’ve never seen dirt that was so rubbed in. But Atlin itself makes up for all that as it’s just beautiful up here and the people are grand. Harold likes his work here. He sure has plenty of it too as there is a strike at one of the mines and he is out there in the daytime and does his office work at night. We have a nice motor boat and a Tennis Court right across the street and wooden side walks and a picture show (Globe) The only thing is the groceries are so high. 22 cents for a tin of milk and everything accordingly. 10 small old potatoes 50 cents, not bad Eh. Of course our house, fuel and gasoline is gratis. We buy our water at 6 cents a bucket from a man that comes around 3 times a week. Next year we are sure going to have a large garden. Eggs are 85 cents a dozen. We brought with us $75.00 worth of groceries. I wish we had got a 7 lot more. We could have paid for it later on and the freight would have paid for itself. I mean the Gov would have paid for it with our furniture. Harold is going to get a Motor Bike. I don’t want him to, but he has to pay $5 a trip if he goes out to the mines and he figures if he gets a bike it will pay for itself in no time. But still it’s quite a lot of bother to have a bike as in the winter time he won’t be able to use it as it will be too cold. However if he wants to get it I guess he can. I’ll tag along too. That is if there is anything left of me after the first ride. My cats and Sarge the dog are fine after the trip up here. Sure glad I brought the cat as there are so many mice.
See there is going to be a son in Hilda’s family. How nice. Give them our love. Won’t you. Tell them to send the recipe along! No! you better not say exactly that, just skip it... Ha. The weather up here is better than Alert Bay, no fooling. Well lots of love to all and do write soon, The picture is of our home and our water delivery man.
As Ever Anna and Harold 8
December 24th 1936, Atlin BC
Western Union telegraph sent via Ashcroft
Mrs. H Engelson 613 East Lake Seattle Wash
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL WISH WE COULD BE THERE STOP HERE IS ONE RESOLUTION OF OURS TO WRITE HOME OFTEN STOP WE RE BOTH FEELING FINE AND ENJOYING OURSELVES BEST WE CAN STOP RECEIVED YOUR LETTER AND GLAD TO HEAR THELMA AND VIV WILL BE THERE AND THAT EVERYTHING IS OK LOVE HAROLD AND ANNA 9
January 12, 1937, Atlin BC
Dearest Mom and All
Thanks a million for all the lovely things you sent us for Xmas. That Card was just beautiful, I don’t think I have ever seen one just like it before. You’d almost think you had it made for us. Cheques did not get here until Xmas. Even so we did not send you anything for Xmas as we had decided that we would not send presents but would send a little money instead as things are so high up here and then they aren’t as nice as you can get in Seattle and with duty and the Mail it hardly pays to send Gifts so I hope you don’t think that we didn’t think of you at this time. I was pretty near sick over it. Hope you got our wire OK. Santa was better to us then ever. We got any amount of presents and things and bottles of champagne and stuff, ha. Harold gave me a picture of a real Huskie and a stuffed donkey. I said before Xmas that we never had any toys around here at Xmas to play with. Therefore the Donkey is a kick.
We got a letter from Aunt Queenie about Bobby’s marriage. We managed to send them a Present. I sent him a card and I said I hope you and Marguerite have a Happy Xmas. That was before I knew that they were going to get married. Had a parcel from Thelma and Viv. They sent a lovely tray and pillow. It sure was nice of them. I am longing to see you all again. I’ve sort of promised to go home to Fraser Lake this year if we get any holidays but I think I want to go to Seattle too and we haven’t enough time to do anything very much as it takes four or five days to get out of here and the same to come back. 10
Jan 30 1937, Atlin
Here we are and it sure is about time. We have been away for ten days. We made a long trip by dog team to Teslin, Yukon Territory.. Just Harold and I and our own dog team. What a thrill. Sargeant, our german shepherd dog, is our leader. Harold makes a dandy dog musher. It’s really more to it than a person thinks. We wore Parkas and lots of clothes and moccasins and stockings a foot thick. We had lovely weather tho, it was quite cold coming home and we froze my toes and Harold’s ears and his nose a bit, though not serious. No one would know the fun we had unless they were up here and had a ride by dog team. We worked hard too. Running and breaking trail and what have you. The picture was taken on the trip. A passing trapper took it. Had a letter from dad Engelson and he was wondering why we never wrote. He said he couldn’t understand us being so isolated that we didn’t have time to write. I bet we are more busy up here than a person could ever be in a large city. There is something to do all the time. Skiing and skating and parties and bridge and last night we had a Penny Anti Poker Party and then there is nearly always someone for dinner or lunch or breakfast. Up here every one’s so friendly. I’d like to settle down up here if I had my choice. Harold just loves it as much as I do too. The people up here are all good and 11 white and that makes his work a lot better too.
Had a letter from the newly weds and they sure sound happy and Bobby sounds like a new man. They told us all about their wedding gifts and they all sounded very useful.
We have four stoves on the go all the time and is that a job and does it make a mess too. We are sure nice and warm though and our house is real comfy by this time. It should be, the way Harold has worked on it. The office still has to be stripped and painted. Our garden is all dug for next summer. We have no more prisoners thank goodness for that. They got leave day before Xmas Eve. They were broke so sent them home a with a big box of Groceries and a Xmas Cake and Harold took cookies over there for them on Xmas Eve. Gee, it was sad. On our New Years Day one of them brought us a large bag of potatoes that he had raised himself. He is also going to plant our garden next spring. He is quite a good gardener.
Atlin Lake is frozen now and the planes land on it right in front of our house. Well, Harold says to hurry so I better do so and get this away for the plane today as there won’t be one for a while until the next boat comes from Vancouver.
Lots of Love to you all, Harold and Anna.
PS Our dogs names are Sarge, Skokie, Tip, and Gandi. I will send snaps of them and something else next time we write.
After this letter they received a transfer and a promotion to Fort Nelson. On this move Mom was interviewed as well as Dad as Fort Nelson was very isolated. Planes came in and out weather permitting. Travel was by dog team in winter and by river boat in summer. There was no town, just a small Indian village composed of a few log cabins and tents. Of course there was a Police Post and a Hudsons Bay Company Trading Post. 12
This next piece is not a letter but if fits in here quite nicely. There has to be a letter about this event but it has gone missing. In 1962 I read the journal of Great Grandpa and Great Grandma Cartwright from their farm at Sooke, British Columbia. GGrandpa wrote about the weather, and every day happenings. GGrandma wrote from the heart. From GGrandma Cartwright one could understand what life was like.
This little story from my mom gives us a much better understanding of life in this desolate place, This copy was written in 1961. She had been a newspaper reporter before this time and did have a knack for telling a story.
The Day I Delivered My First Papoose by Anna M Engelson
Little did I know that my fortune would come true as I sat with my mother-in-law in a little Seattle Fortune Teller’s house having our future revealed by cards and crystal ball. We had visited there for a lark before our departure for Fort Nelson, BC. My tall handsome husband, Harold, of five years had been transferred with a promotion to Corporal with the BC Police and Game Department.
The fortune teller looked long into the crystal ball, then at me and said, “You are going far away to the North. You are traveling right now. I see an Indian woman sitting and waiting for you. She has been waiting for you for some time now with longing and she wants you to hurry, hurry. By this time I looked at mom with tongue in cheek, wondering how she knew what and where we were going. I would be the only white woman amongst some 300 Slavie Indians and trappers. 13
Yes, we had signed up for five years, to live and work in Fort Nelson, one of the last places on earth where anyone would want to live. But we were young and in love and any place where we had been before always seemed exciting and full of adventure so this was just going to be another challenge.
My husband, could handle a dog team, which he learned from our previous posting to Atlin. We would have an Indian interpreter as well who would feed the dogs and get our wood and water.
A rosy picture was painted for us by our Inspector at Prince George.
Soon we were flying north in an old float plane. My heart sank as we circled a spot far below us. All I could see was a winding muddy river and a few small log shacks with sod roofs.
“This can’t be it.” I said to myself. “Surely there is some mistake.” I yelled above the noise of the plane to my husband and the pilot. But before they could answer we were coming down on the river. We taxied to a river bank and were met by an old river boat which was manned by a young handsome Indian wearing a cowboy hat. He took us aboard his boat and soon we were ashore. The young Indian was Baptiste Villeneuve and was to be our “jack of all trades”. He proudly helped us up a steep mud bank to the Police Barracks as it was called.
I must say, inside everything was as clean as a new pin, tho’ only a few bare necessities were there, such as a grey enamel wood stove in the kitchen, a huge oil barrel made into a heater in the living room and one more barrel stove of the same size in an office area. In the kitchen there was another barrel for water and a filter for our 14 drinking water. We would be using the muddy river I gathered. Our bedroom was a loft with a ladder up to it and so cramped Harold could only straighten up right in the centre of this room. He was just about ready to hold the Wacko float plane so we could go back to civilization and leave this godforsaken place to the natives but I laughed at him and said that it won’t be so bad when we get our furniture and all our belongings and books and your ham radio set up. Our furniture would arrive on a river barge that came up there once a year with all the supplies for the Hudson Bay Trading Post. Baptiste told us that the boat should be here any day or any week now.
While we were waiting for this boat to arrive we had lots of time to take stock of the office supplies. We learned we also handled the mail and all the Indian’s emergency supplies and medicine. This was mostly Castor oil, Cough syrup and Aspirins. Finally after two weeks the boat arrived and it didn’t take us long to make everything as cozy and comfortable as we could.
We had met Pauline, Baptiste’s young wife who was very much pregnant and very shy. She would take a look at me and hide her face in her scarf. All the Slavie Indians wore these silk handkerchiefs over their hair. The older men had long hair as well as the women. I wonder what I must have looked like to them in my very stylish clothes that I had just bought at Frederick and Nelson’s in Seattle. I was even wearing spike heels. They wore nothing but moccasins on their feet summer and winter.
One morning after we were fairly settled and we were dawdling over our breakfast Baptiste rushed in without knocking looking like death warmed over, “Please, I am afraid, Pauline, she is going to die. The women have left her now. She has worked so hard all night to have 15 the baby. Please help her! Hurry before she dies!”
What else could I do, I had no experience at anything like this. The only thing I had helped with was on my dad’s farm when I had assisted delivering a stubborn calf using a block and tackle. Horrors! I just couldn’t sit there and let her die so I ran as fast as I could not knowing what I would find when I got there.
It was a real hot bright day in August. On entering their one room log shack I couldn’t see a thing, only two small windows. I expected to find kettles boiling on the stove . I had read somewhere that there would be lots of hot water at a time like this. Everything smelled of tanned moose hide and death.
Then little Pauline let out a terrible cry of pain and despair and there I found her in the dark on the dirt floor in what looked like a nest of old clothes and rags. Oh my poor Pauline. Her lips were drawn back in pain and oh, her eyes, pleading for me to help her. By this time my eyes were accustomed to the light and I found as well huddled on the floor an old Indian rocking back and forth, moaning softly, probably making medicine. I guessed she was too old to go when the other women deserted Pauline.
Well, I couldn’t just stand there so I just flew back to our house and grabbed our Doctor Book. One that my husband had bought for me when we were first married. I took this back along with our family Bible. As I was rushing back out the door, Harold handed me a very strong sedative saying “Give her this. It will ease the pain.” When I got back I found a cup and filled it half with water. I had to get on my knees to put my arm under her head to partly lift her up. “Here, Pauline, try to take this pill and it will make you feel better”. And she did manage to swallow it with a bit of the water. 16
Then she grabbed me with both arms and pulled me down on top of her. I couldn’t move as I was in such an awkward position. By this time I was praying aloud a little Swedish prayer I had learned as a small child in Sweden.
“Gud, som haver barnen kar, se till mig som liten ar”.
I don’t know how long we struggled. Pauline’s grip on me was almost more then I could bare. Suddenly she went limp and a realized that she had either fainted or passed away. Everything was still except the Indian lady rocking on the floor who I now recognized as “Old Lisa”. I was able to get back on my knees and I saw that the baby had arrived with that last effort. Oh God what do I do? Help me now to do the right thing. The Doctor Book. Yes, I remember a picture of a birth and I grabbed it with shaking hands and found what I was looking for. Severing the cord, that was it. But with what? when? A pair of scissors, oh for a pair of scissors, and there they were in old Liza’s dirty brown and hand. She was there for a purpose after all. Thank God. Then I fumbled around until I located the umbilical cord which it read in the book to tie in two places and divide with a sterilized instrument between the two sutures. More groans and rocking came from old Liza and she pointed to a sewing basked hanging on the wall, thread, that is what I needed next. White linen thread was there along with some babiche. I cut off two pieces as directed and lo and behold. Liza said, “Nazoo, nazoo,” and handed me the scissors. I gritted my teeth and very gingerly placed the scissors just right, closed my eyes, praying all the while. 17
“Meanwhile the nurse has made sure that the child’s mouth and nose are clear of mucous” it read in the book “oh what the heck.” I picked up the baby by the feet and patted it on the bum. A loud cry came forth that just about made me drop him. Yes, it was a little buck all right and old Liza again droned, “Nazoo, Nazoo”
I carried the baby over to the table and there were a few yards of brand new striped flannelette. I ripped a piece off and wiped him clean, another piece I used to wrap him up. And there it was hanging on the wall, a real “Moss Bag”. Black velvet it was, beautifully embroidered all around and lined with more of the same striped blanket. It was complete with white deer hide babiche lacing. I just had to place the little papoose in the bag and lace it up. Then I fled home, crashed into the lean to kitchen and yelled, “It’s a boy! Congratulations, Baptiste! go home and get the women to come and help. All is well now. As for me, you guessed it, I fell sobbing into my husbands waiting arms. 18
I looked up on the internet and found the entire swedish poem and a translation
Gud, som haver barnen kar, se till mig som liten ar. Vart jag mig i varl den rander star min lycka i Gud's hander. Lyckan kommer lyckan gar, den Gud alskar lyckan far,
God who holds the children dear Look to me, little as I am Wherever the world will take me My luck is in God's hands. Luck comes and luck goes The one who loves God receives luck.
Babiche was string and thread made from animal sinews
More about the little baby. The little guy was born premature. Mom says she remembers Pauline keeping him warm wrapped up and placed in a shoebox which was placed on an open oven door. Later, after my mom and dad retired they went back to Ft. Nelson on a Camper trip and met the little baby all grown up.
The Picture below is of an Indian Chief and the father, Baptiste. 19
September 29, 1938, Fort Nelson BC
Dearest Mom,
Long time no see. Mail comes in tomorrow and I do hope there is one from you. We have been ever so busy taking in our spuds and vegetables. I’ve made a whole bunch of pickled beets, chutney and canned peas. Winter is drawing near and we are preparing for it. Harold has been away for two weeks. He was away on his birthday but we had a little party for him when he got home with his favorite birthday cake.
Say, isn’t the war news just awful? I pray it wont be war as Harold will be going if it is. Another 24 hours and I guess we will know. We are real comfy now and we still like it. Mind you it isn’t that the place is so wonderful or the few people but we really are looking ahead. We have to make our own fun. I go hunting grouse every chance I have now and I have a trap line for this winter that will keep me from getting lonely. Harold is on the radio every chance he gets.
We have 15 dogs now. We just got 3 more pups from Teslin Yukon. They came by plane. My, they are cute. An Indian, Baptiste, is the help around here. We have a net out for fish for the dogs and every morning Baptiste and 20 I go out in a little canoe and take the fish out if any. Some time we get some that we keep for ourselves. They are called Dorys and are good to eat. They are like a cod. We are going on Patrol down the river about the 2nd of October by our boat and I guess will be away for 2 weeks. Mom, I wish you would get me that recipe for Otto’s doughnuts for me. I might be able to make them. Also, how to glaze them. I hope the Newly Weds are fine and that goes for all of you. If I find time before the mail goes out I’ll write more.
For now, Love Anna re War News. Dad was an Amateur Radio Operator and had instant news from all over the world. On this date September 29, Britain could have declared war on Germany when they invaded Czechoslovakia. On September 28, 1938 Prime Minister Chamberlain appealed to Hitler for a conference. Hitler met the next day, at Munich, with the chiefs of government of France, Italy, and Britain. The Czechoslovak government was neither invited nor consulted. On September 29, the Munich Agreement was signed by Germany, Italy, France, and Britain. The Czechoslovak government capitulated September 30 and agreed to abide by the agreement. The Munich Agreement stipulated that Czechoslovakia must cede Sudeten territory to Germany. German occupation of the Sudetenland would be completed by October 10. An international commission (representing Germany, Britain, France, Italy, and Czechoslovakia) would supervise a plebiscite to determine the final frontier. Britain and France promised to join in an international guarantee of the new frontiers against unprovoked aggression. Germany and Italy, however, would not join in the guarantee until the Polish and Hungarian minority problems were settled.
The gentleman standing next to Dad is the Premier of BC, Patullo 21 Oct 6th 1938 Fort Nelson
Hello Everyone:
Well I got your letter and Thelma’s and was very pleased. I was thinking of you too as you’ll notice by my first letter. We also had a letter from Aunty Queenie and she doesn’t sound so happy about losing her house. I think that house was too big for her to keep. I hope she is OK now.
I had two letters from my sister Brita (Bert) and she is fine and happy and once again home with Dad. Her wedding didn’t work out. She has been busy having all kinds of company and friends visiting her and she has also done lots of canning and every time she writes she sends me a bunch of recipes.
I am glad the war is put off for awhile. I wonder for how long?
I made three batches of cookies today. Short Bread, Coconut Kisses and Macaroons made with pecan nuts. Gee, they are good. I always have to have stuff on hand when the planes come in to feed the pilots. Harold will write some so I’ll say G’nite for now. Snow is here to stay, ice on the river...
With Love, Anna 22 Dec 11th 1938 Fort Nelson BC
Dear Mom,
Here is my yearly letter and we expect you will get it before Xmas as a plane will be going through tomorrow. It may not stop though. I guess Hilda told you that we talked to a fellow in Seattle, W7EBH. He was very obliging and it was nice to hear everyone was okay and that by now another niece or nephew should be there. Our last mail came in October 7th and the next will be here December 22. We also talked to a fellow at Lyman, Washington and sent word to Thelma. Wish you would let us know your phone number and Otto’s. I will be away from here for most of the winter and spring until at least May 1st on patrols but will be on 20 meters and 75 meters. These “meters” are amateur radio frequencies and can be listened to on short wave radios. Phone and you can send a message through any amateur to my call, VE7QJ. We could do the same but phone numbers made it difficult.
We still like it here. So far we have had a swell Winter. We haven’t taken any pictures as we did not have any film. I am sending a cheque for $50.00 and not sending anything to anyone else so you do what you want with it.
We haven’t had much meat to eat since we came. It is scarce. Moose have been hard to hunt. The Indians have not had any success so we haven’t much chance. Anna has gone to bed so she can get up early and get some cards out. I am going to get a few made out too. We didn’t expect to be able to get any but a plane came in with our order from Eatons. I think Anna has told you about this place in other letters and she will most likely tell you how it is here in the winter.
There are plenty of dog teams around and she gets a kick out of them. We have two teams. They are not in very good shape yet for travel but they are going to take me out in two days anyway. Just ask us questions next time and we will answer. We haven’t had any news from Bob in Victoria. Guess we will hear next mail but in case they don’t write - you let us know how they are. Hope everyone is okay in Seattle and that Otto is settled and doing well.
Goodnight Mom, All my love, Harold 23 February 8th 1939, Fort Nelson BC
Dearest Mom,
We received your Xmas parcel a few days ago and I sure loved my parcel. When I opened that parcel and saw that Swedish Xmas card I started to cry and I couldn’t say anything to Harold and he looked and saw it and he started to cry too and then I started to laugh and we both went into hysterics. It was the best Xmas I’ve had and that’s the kind of things I like. I needed some new clothes and also a new apron.
I’ve been ever so sick since Xmas so I made the soup. I have not been able to eat a thing and have got very thin. That soup sort of fixed things as I am now able to keep a few things on my tummy. We both want to thank you ever so much and Harold got his book for Xmas and is very proud of it.
Now for the big news! Harold is going to be a daddy at last and is he proud of himself. I hope all goes well with me. I keep on being so doggone sick I am just helpless and no doctor here. So now I have to go out in April or May and I plan to go home to my sister and Dad and stay there until the big event in August.
I will go to the Hospital at Prince George. I hate to leave poor Harold alone for so long but I guess it can’t be helped. I sure wouldn’t go until the end if there was a Doctor here. But as I’ve had so much trouble before, I don’t dare stay up here too long. This is sure going to be a very expensive baby as I have such a lot of fare to pay out and back here but it will be worth it believe me after all these years.
Harold is going to write a letter too so I’ll close with lots of love to you all.
Anna 24 Dear Mom,
Anna says she is going to read this so I can’t write what I want. But you ask Otto what he meant by passing all those remarks? It is 50 below zero and was -65 this AM and -60 yesterday and -60 the day before and -50 the day before and -42 the day before and -35 the day before. That’s news but aren't I glad about the news Anna told you. I’m mad cause Anna told you first. I will be out most the time for the next few months.
Anna is beginning to find it lonely sometimes up here. No person to talk to or be friends with. As yet I haven’t got the urge to want to move on. Maybe you read in the papers or heard it on the air about me getting lessons by radio on how to fix a broken leg?
In Ft Nelson Dad was the police, the game warden, the magistrate and the coroner. He was also the Indian Agent’s representative. In the desk in his office he found some first aid equipment a large pair of pliers and a medical text. “Do they expect me to be a doctor as well?” During the first winter an Indian with a bad toothache came to see him and asked him to pull a tooth. Dad gave him some pain killer, a large cup of Hudson’s Bay overproof rum. After the Indian started singing to himself the tooth was pulled. Two weeks later the same Indian came back to see if he could have a second tooth pulled. He just wanted another drink of that rum.
Anna has about 400 letters to write after Xmas. Most of our mail arrived here Jan 30th including your letters and parcels Thanks for the book Mom, I bet Mr. Hood helped to pick it out. I will certainly get way behind in Masonry up here. Glad I had a chance to hold a chair before I came to the Fort. If you had a short wave radio with the 20 meter phone band on it you would hear us. We are expecting some pictures next mail and will forward them on to you. All the time I have been writing Anna has been talking and I am all bawled up!. I have to lock myself in the office if I want to do any work. Anna has not been able to take any trips with me and it looks like she won’t be able to any more. It is not so interesting as in Atlin. There are so few people. Anna bothered me again and it is hopeless to write anymore. Hello to everyone there.
All our love Harold and Anna
PS. I don’t think he wrote much, Anna 25
April 2, 1939, Fort Nelson BC
My dearest Mom and family,
I am sitting here with my coat and hat on waiting for the plane to get here to take me out. So this will be the last letter written in Fort Nelson for five or six months. I have just felt awful for the last three days about leaving poor Harold behind here for so long. But I simply have to get out now and see a Doctor and have things organised so there wont be anything to worry about. Harold will be away most of the time from now on so I might just as well be home with my people. I wish it wasn’t so far to Seattle and I’d surely come down there for awhile. We got all the letters last mail on the 31st of March. My fare from Fort Nelson to Fraser Lake is $75.00 one way and of course we have to pay for that in a case like this. I have felt a lot better lately, not so much morning sick. Harold has been home for a nice long while and I have been so happy about that. The snow is gradually going away. The last month we had 40 below and blizzards all the time.
Sorry to hear of Hilda’s illness. My, she sure has had more than her share. So glad that the operation is over with as it is quite a serious one. I've heard. poor Thelma too has been sick. Well what next? I’d like to know. Tell her and Hilda I’ll write when I get home to Fraser Lake.
Say Mom, have you any suggestions for girl names and boy names? We can’t find one good enough in this case. Gee we sure have had some fun thinking up some. But so far no go. I sent to Sears for a pair of oxfords and a maternity dress and they sent me a refund cheque as I sent too much money and I want Lillian to have it as a little graduation gift from Harold and I. Its not much, Just a little remembrance. Write to Harold here and write to me at Fraser Lake, BC.
With loads of love to all Anna 26 June 10th, 1939, Fort Nelson BC
Dear Mom
Sure was glad to receive your last letter yesterday. We had a special mail in and wasn’t expecting mail until June 22. The last was May 1st. You all seem to be feeling well down there and that is the main thing. Sorry I could not be down to see Lillian graduate. I haven’t seen any of them graduate yet. I am feeling okay and seem to be doing not too badly on my own cooking. Have been pretty busy lately as the trappers are all in now. I was down the river 250 miles by boat for 2 1/2 weeks. (that is 250 miles north of us) the river flows North from here. All the rivers here flow North. The snapshot is of Baptiste and I leaving.
I wish we could talk to you some time on the radio. I can get Seattle easily when I have the rig going. I had a fellow phone Otto and found out that you were ok and he said he had been doing very well. The next day I talked to Bobby and it was a real thrill. He sounds much more grown up now. His voice is husky but he will get over that this summer.
It seems funny you have not got all the kids at home now. Maybe Lillian won’t be long. I wish I could be around but seeing as you live in the States we never will be close together anymore. I sure hope that Lillian gets in with a decent crowd or gang that is if she has to. Seems funny the names you picked were all boy’s names. Hope you are right but it won’t make too much difference. I will be proud anyway. Its first name will be Harold and I like Anna too but then Anna will have something to say and she will most likely let me know. 27
It is now 11:45 PM and a plane just came in so I am going to put this on it. The planes fly all night here because it never gets dark. Please write soon. Next mail here is June 22 and the next Aug. 30th.
Your Loving Son Harold
August 8th, 1939, Fort Nelson BC
Dear Mom
Received your swell letter and hope to get another soon. It seems to take a long time for your letters to get here as you send a letter just a couple of days before our mail days and it has to wait outside for over a month before we see it here. I have been hearing from Anna regularly and she is still fine and in good spirits. I sure wish I could go out too and this last while is about getting me down. But it will be all over within a month now.
What happened that Hilda is staying with you and Bob is at his home? I bet it was a swell graduation for Lillian - seems like a large graduating class, must be a lot of smart people there. Things are pretty dead around here although there are more Indians here than there have been for many years. They have been keeping me awake with their drums going day and night. We are building a chicken house, ice house, engine house and cell room for prisoners so have been kept fairly busy. They are almost finished now. Next year we will have ice and eggs. The eggs in town now are pretty high, both in price and taste. It sure will be nice to live where we can get good fresh food again. I suppose we will be “bushed” soon. We didn’t put aside much last year but we are going to stick some in the bank next year and three years after that so will have some money to use to make money with and if everything goes all right will have $10,000.00 before we leave here. The only way to get ahead it looks like is to have a stake like that. Then we can do whatever we please.
The last fellow here went out with $12,000.00. Besides this I am putting aside into a pension fund $20.00 a month above the ordinary pension. I have 28 no insurance except that and it is pretty good. It would be okay to live outside and make as much. We sure could help everybody then.
Anna sent me a letter written to her by Pop, who is in Concrete with Thelma. He seems much happier in his letter than he has been for a long time. It sure is the bunks to be separated like he is. Talked to Bob in Victoria two months ago and he seems okay too. We will be taking holidays in a couple of years and will be able to make the rounds then unless I am lucky and get on a court case to take me out. Well I am going to write a few more letters now and hope to hear from you soon and that you are feeling fine.
Your loving Son Harold.
August 18, 1939, Fraser Lake BC
Dearest Mom and all
I received your sweet letter a few days ago and see you have been ever so busy trying to get me a kimono. I shouldn’t have got you to go to so much trouble as in all the rush here and excitement Bert gave me the grandest Chinese silk one with pyjamas and slippers to match. Its a beauty and I didn’t hardly want to take it from her as she has had it in her trunk for years. It was a present from an old boy friend and she said she’s never had any use for it. The kimono is wrap around, just what I need now, so I’ll make up to her for it in some way and it will save you all the trouble of sending it from there. I had two letters from Harold today and is he ever getting impatient waiting and I think he may shuck everything and come out to see me. I really do think so by the sound of his letters. I hope he does... We can save money some other time. As there is no time like the present to have a bit of pleasure. I know how he will feel with me in the hospital and him way up there in case anything should go wrong. Not that it will. As I feel so good and I'm so happy I could go around and yell. Bert is so busy canning and picking berries etc. She has a letter to write to you. It’s regarding Sam Cocker. He was here and is he ever interested in you. He is going to look you up this summer and he is real nice. His wife died years ago in childbirth so he is a 29 widower and very respectable and he even ran for Parliament here and was an alderman too. He was along with four policemen and game wardens that came and spent the night here after a dance. They had some fun. Cleaned up on all Bert’s eggs and bread and even slept in her bed so she had to go up in the hayloft to make room for them all. Dad was out walking around at five in the morning with Sam Cocker showing him his prize wheat. I was at my sister-in-laws looking after her new baby, Lars Jr., while the bunch stepped out so I wasn’t there at the time. But he sure thinks you are a fine woman and I sure don’t blame him one bit. Well mom, my time is so near now that I guess you won’t hear from me until after the big event. So say a little prayer for me and keep on being happy and contented though I know you haven’t things so easy at times. I sure wish I could help you. We will go to the hospital in Burns Lake, not Prince George.
Lots of Love Anna
On the night of August 31, 1939, Nazis took an unknown prisoner from one of their concentration camps, dressed him in a Polish uniform, took him to the town of Gleiwitz (on the border of Poland and Germany), and then shot him. The staged scene with the dead prisoner dressed in a Polish uniform was supposed to appear as a Polish attack against a German radio station.
Hitler used the staged attack as the excuse to invade Poland. On September 1, 1939 Great Britain declared war on Germany.
September 2 1939 Fraser Lake BC
Dear Mom, You have a very lovely little grandson. He has black curly hair but looks like Harold. Anna is feeling not too bad now but had a bad time, 36 hours.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold and Anna Engelson announce the arrival of Harold Junior on August 31, 1939 at 11 AM weight 6 pounds 13 ounces. Will write more soon, Bert (Anna’s sister) 30 December 18th 1939 Ft Nelson BC
Dear Mom
This is going to be short and sweet. A plane is expected in here going south in a few minutes. They will have lunch here. I am sending a $10.00 cheque so would you please buy a few odds and ends as presents for the kids. Eh! What’s the matter! We never received one letter from anybody last mail which was Oct. 12th so we can’t answer anyone now. I was kind of mad cause I told you. The next mail gets here Dec 22nd, we hope... The young fellow is doing swell. Wish you could see him. We will be taking a few pictures of him on the first day it gets warm which won’t be for a few months yet. It is 25 below now and by Xmas will be 65 below and that is day and night. It is 11:15 AM and no sun up yet. Ain’t that heck...
Hope you are all feeling fine - as we are.
Your loving son, daughter, grandson, Harold, Anna and (Harold, Monty) 31 Fort Nelson Sept. 1st, 1940
Dearest Mom,
I received your dear letter a few days ago and see that you are fine, but I bet you are still pretty weak after your illness. So very glad to hear that Otto is getting better and I can’t say how too bad it was that Harold was unable to go over to see you all as that was the main reason for going out I figured.
Harold could not get a pass to enter the United States because of War
More than anything he wanted to see Otto. He was only sposed to be out for a week but it turned out to be three so I may as well have gone too and had a bit of change while he was at it. I feel mad at myself for not going. However, I’ll make up for it some other time. Its no use feeling bad over spilt milk. Poor Harold is now out on this search for Ole Holmberg and he’s been away for 2 weeks. he will be gone for 2 more weeks. I don’t spose they will find him. Never alive at any rate as he had no provisions and could not have lived off the fat of the land for three months. Harold has a pack dog and an Indian Guide with him. So guess you can imagine the pack they have on their backs all day with enough supplies for a month. 32 Well your grandson Harold Montgomery is now one year old. Celebrated his 1st birthday in style and glory yesterday from six AM until six PM. He had a large cake with one candle. He received 2 pairs blue woolen hose from Mrs. Garbutt and a package of Baby’s Own soap from Mr. Garbutt, a blue car from the interpreter, Baptiste, also one set of small garden tools, one full carton of Cadbury milk chocolate bars from Mr. Tommy Clark, the other Fur Trader and one pair of blue pyjamas from mom, that’s me, that she made. Say there is one more pair to come, also a blue knit sweater and long grey pants. He had his picture taken with cake and kiddie car that daddy brought from Vancouver. Also I took a half reel of movie film and will send you some snaps. I sent them out on today's plane to be developed. Monte can walk now and is trying to talk and he can eat all by himself and drink from his own mug. Gosh he is more company to me than I can say. Harold took some movies of Bobby and Marguerite and baby and they turned out good.
This is a nice time of year. No mosquitoes to worry over and lots of garden and lots of eggs. I wish we lived close so I could share it all with you. as there is enough garden this year for ten kids and 6 grown ups. Hi... I have all my sealers full except a dozen and I’m going to fill them tomorrow with cauliflower. I have some beauties. Do you like cabbage? as I have at least 150 heads of them and 3 bushels of tomatoes. Ft Nelson is so far north that it is light all day long in the summer so gardens do very well
Its a crime really. I’m glad we are not in Germany. Then I guess they would take it all away this food away from us. What do you think of this dreadful War? I wonder where it will all end?
Did you get a pass to go over to Victoria? Too bad Harold couldn’t wrangle one. He went down to Vancouver with a prisoner They pulled all kinds of ropes but he couldn’t make it. So glad to hear Thelma and Viv got a boy. I bet they are as proud as two peacocks. I’ll like to send a parcel to them. The only way we could send money now would be a cheque and the Canadian money is not worth as much now. 33 I may be able to send her a parcel from here and she would have to pay the duty. I could make up the difference some time when we see each other again. Gee, I think this duty and passes and stuff is “the nuts”.
Well I must close for now and feed dumpling. Gee, he is sweet and oh so good to me all ready. He just smiles and shows his teeth. All fourteen of them at once. He misses daddy and calls him all the time.
Lots of love as ever Anna and Monte
We’ll write more before I am able to send this.
There is not much more news so I’ll get this letter ready. I will see if I can get it out next week if the plane stops. I’m enclosing a little snap of Monte taken about 2 months ago. There will be more to follow this one if they turn out. So glad to hear Lillian and Ruth Otto’s first wife are both working. Give them both a pat on the back from me. Ask Lillian how’s about a snort of Loganberry cordial. Hi. Gee, that was funny. Harold says I should have had more sense then to give some to Lillian. What do you think, Lillian? Personally I think it was rather nice.
Cheerio folks and don't forget to write, AME
Harold does not like me to send any snaps out until I have one in the album for ourselves as we have taken so many pictures and still have more left that we really want. 34
October 19th 1940 Ft Nelson BC
Dear Mom
It is winter here now. Been snowing the last three days and this snow never leaves the ground. We have all our work done now so we can start thinking about Winter Patrols. I have been trying to talk Anna into going down to see you but she won’t go. I thought as we would be away so much this Winter she should go out and come back in March or April.. If our dogs can stand it we will be away practically all the time. We were glad to receive the pictures you sent and to see you are better now. The kids Carl and Vernon sure have grown. I don’t suppose I would have known them on the street in a crowd. You also sent good news about Otto being in better spirits and health. He owes me a letter, the bum. 35
Anna and I have both caught a cold-flu and have been unable to do much work for a couple of days. These darned planes that come here bring it with them. Our next mail is due here December 22nd and there are no Christmas cards in the Fort so people won’t receive any from us this year again.
I am sure proud of Bobby and glad that one of us is able to join up. They won’t let me go yet but they may change their mind.
You were asking about my last patrol. There is not much to say about it except we did not find the body but found a can of honey in the river which he bought here so he must have upset. The honey came in handy to eat too. We both had heavy packs and had to travel through miles of deep windfalls. The downed trees were only about four inches thick so we could hardly walk on them. We had trouble on the river too. Altogether we walked 730 miles and travelled 375 miles by plane. Went places where few Indians had been and no white man. Ended up by washing our clothes and having a swim in a Hot spring. We saw a great many moose, Shot two and called one right into our camp fire at night. Our bacon that we took with us in cans was bad so we had no meat for awhile and we killed a moose in a lake which went to the middle before it died so had to swim in after it and towed it ashore. This was above timber line so could not make a raft. The water had ice on it at night too. We dried some meat and had a good feed for a few days. Grizzly bears were very plentiful around there as well. We wore all our clothes out and used big patches of canvas to cover them. Also wore out our shoes and 2 pair of moccasins. 36
One time we waded a fast river and had to swim the last half. I went over in my shorts and when I got across the flies nearly ate me up. That fly business was the worst part of the trip. The little black flies are real bad and they were with us all the way there and back. Frost doesn’t kill them like mosquitoes. I have had to quit writing. It’s got too cold here in the office so better put this in an envelope for the next plane. I guess Anna will be writing the same mail and will probably tell you all about Monty.
Your loving son Harold.
Dec 3rd 1940, Ft Nelson BC
Dear Mom
Here is another short letter which I hope will go out an a plane tomorrow. We are all feeling fine. Monte is growing up pretty fast, is trying to talk, says several words clearly. It is hard to take him out now as it is too cold and the sun comes up at 11 AM and goes down 2:30 PM. We haven’t heard from you for some time now so hope everybody is feeling well. You might send me a list of the names of everyone as I’ll be darned if I can keep up anymore. We won’t be going out next year as I will be building and Anna wants to stay and help. Anna is making a parka for me now which I hope will keep me warmer. My skin gets frozen easily - at least when it gets below 40 below zero. I tried to get permission again to enlist but the Govt. won’t let me so I will have to wait until they do. I sure hope Bob gets on well in his work. He 37 will get a good training no matter what he takes up. I would like to hear from Otto, the big lug. The next mail is supposed to come in Dec 22nd. Hope it arrives before Xmas. We generally get our Xmas cards Jan 26th in the following plane.
Is anything getting more expensive in Seattle yet? and how do you all get along.
I am sending a cheque. I hope you can cash it and have some left by the time the exchange is taken off. I don’t even know if I am allowed to do it but think so cause it isn’t money. What had better do instead is to sent it to Pop and he will know what to do and the best way. It looks like the States will be in the War soon now. hope so as the war will be over sooner.
You sure looked proud of Bob in those pictures you sent and you had a right to be. I will wish you all a very merry Xmas and a Happy New Year
Your loving son, Harold. 38 The following letter is 24 pages. I think they were both getting a bit “bushed”
April 7th, 1941, Fort Nelson BC
Dearest Mom,
We received your dear and most welcome letter on the last of March. So good you are all keeping well. It seems I have not written any letters since I answered the Xmas mail. We have had a a bit of trouble, but it is all past now. Monte ran a wire into his first finger on his right hand and it was just a little cut. About three days later when I was bathing him he held his finger up to me and said, “Ow!” I looked and his whole finger was swollen and festered so we immediately got in touch with a Doctor over the radio and he told me to poultice it and bathe it so we did and kept it up for about a week and it kept on getting worse. It just looked rotten, so Harold said I had to take him out next plane. I was so upset by this time and worried. I told Harold he would have to come too so he did and we flew to Dawson Creek for the nearest Doctor. Doctor said it was a low infection travelling under his skin only. In the mean time his face broke out first with a cold sore and then it spread under his chin. The Doctor said that it was impetigo and it was also what got under his finger to begin with. A bunch of the Indian kids are just full of it here and I guess some one carried a germ into the office and he picked it up soon enough. Poor Monte, he lost weight, but he is sure full of pep now and has gained his weight back and then some. We were out for only a week. I think it did as all good just to see some other people for a change. I had a permanent wave. Everyone that saw Monte thought he was the cutest and smartest kid they had ever seen so I guess we were proud. In the dining room at the hotel where we stayed Monte had a big audience all the time as he used to sit there unconcerned and whistle to beat the band. Then he would say, “Oh boy!” when the waitress would come. When she left and she appeared in the doorway again, he would say, “I see you” She would laugh so hard she could hardly work. Then someone would say look at the boy whistle. He can almost carry a tune now. He imitates all things just like Harold. The first thing he imitated was a car starting up and going away. Then one day Harold was packing him for a bit of air and he saw the hotel manager fall down on some ice and he laughed his head off and said “Bang!”
39 The girls at the hotel looked after him so we were able to see two shows and go to 2 dandy parties, also a dance. I also saw a play, so it was okay once we knew Monte was all right. There are a lot of things going on up here now. There are about 50 men here working on the new air field that's being built here. There will be 50 more once things get going so we have lots of visitors and so on. I am busy cooking and cleaning all the time.
At this time the Alaska Hiway was being surveyed. Two Caterpillar Tractors came through over the last snow from Ft St John. Most of the extra men that worked on the airport were flown in to land on the Ft. Nelson river. Ski Planes were used in the winter and float planes in the summer. Fort Nelson was to become a busy place.
Today it’s Monday and I did a huge washing and canned 12 quarts of low bush cranberries that I have had frozen all winter. They were thawing out so I had to get busy on them.
Us Southerners must remember that at this time there was no electricity and no freezers. What was left outside remained frozen from October to March 40 Then I scrubbed and fixed up the back porch so Monte can be out there to play. Its so much mud and slush outside that if he ever gets out there I have to bring him in and change him all over again. He sure is a handful now and climbs everywhere even on the roof. Harold says that Monte is just like he used to be. He even hits his finger on his tray when he wants to eat. This morning at 7:30 he climbed over his crib, went down stairs opened the back door and Baptiste found him out there in the mud in his sleepers, mud up to his knees laughing as hard as he could. We were just asleep when I woke and told Harold that Monte was outside in the mud and he couldn’t believe it as he was sure he had locked the door. We can’t figure out how he opened it yet, Nuff about Monte.
Mom and a local lady waiting for the “Alaska Hiway”
Last year, the 20th of April, the ice broke up so it will soon be open again. The mail will be coming in more often after that, every week we hope. Soon we will start to garden again, also build our new house. There will be help to do it so I’ll have to cook I guess. I wish I could cook a meal and have you, Mom, sit down for it for a change. It would be a change for both of us. Never mind, one of these days, you will! if I have anything to say about it. I’m feeling ever so good and have gained all kinds of weight. I weigh 123 pounds now. That’s too much for me. I feel “dumpy”. 41
Waiting for the “Cats” to cross the river. A bet was on that they would be too heavy for the ice. The ice won. One Cat went through.
Are you feeling better and have you gained back your weight? I do hope so. I had two goldfish given to me at Dawson Creek. I had some fun bringing them back in the plane. Monte on Harold’s lap and the gold fish on mine. When the plane first took off it was quite rough and a lot of water spilt in my lap. The Indians threw up their hands and said what next when they saw them. Harold has been home all winter but is going on a patrol in two days for a whole month. I’ll be glad to get some sewing and mending caught up. I am making a rug and lately I have not been able to touch it. Tomorrow I will plant some tomatoes in the house.
By the way, my beautiful house plants froze while we were out at Dawson Creek. I had some dandy big ones that both Harold and I had been watching for two long weeks so they wouldn’t freeze. Oh well, I’ll have to try and get some more slips in by plane.
I must close now with all kinds of love to you all and Happy Easter.
Please write soon. As ever, tired and sleepy Anna and Family. 42
Dear Mom,
I don’t know what Anna has been scraping about. I have been busy all day long in the office. Can’t count all the letters offhand. Anna won’t let me write in peace so I am quitting. Started one letter to Jim Burridege about two weeks ago and finally got it finished. Should write at nights I guess, but I’ll be darned if there is anything to write about.
Could say Archie Gardner is hauling wood. John Collison went back to his trapline today, taking in a partner with him. Maloney left in this morning with E Gardner down the river and E Gardner borrowed three dogs from his brother to take down a bigger load. Our little bitch is going to have pups bred from Walter Taylor’s dogs at Franeways. Archie Natsula, an Indian, came in today and said he was leaving in the morning with his wife and would not be back until June. Netseneah’s boy is sick again and he was in for medicine. Jim Woods was operated on at Dawson Creek last month and has about 6 months to live and doesn’t know it. Tommie Clarke went out on the plane yesterday to see about getting his freight in by dog teams. He’s about 300 miles from here now and he is out of luck. I forgot Fred Winiendy and Bert Festewitch left for their trapline too. McGavery split up with Charlie Brandt. Billy Artemenka came in yesterday by plane and I think he is going 43 prospecting with Bert Sheffield. Erickson and Lingren came in with a fine catch of fur last week, $4,000.00 worth and returned to the bush. Naricisse Capotblan is leaving with his brother Napolean tomorrow for his trap line. I took a shot at a dog a few nights ago. The darned thing came and howled right under our window about 3 AM and howled for 3 hours. I hit the dog. Two days ago I shot 200 rounds in revolver target shooting. My dogs are doing fine now and all are in good shape for travelling. We will be leaving within 4 days. A fellow told me yesterday he was crazy and had spent most of his life in an insane asylum. Mary Anne is getting sore at her common law husband and is complaining to me. The chief Baby Burke was here for one week and left yesterday. He is worried about one of his ones who is sick. Albert MacBeller is now partners with old Mary Anne and also left yesterday. He says his dogs are the best in town and had quite a load on his sleigh. He is looking for a wife but so are his three brothers. The Chief bought a 4 point blanket and so did Archie Matsula yesterday - the last they will be able to get for awhile. They tried to have a dance last night but it fizzled.
A 4 point blanket is a very good Hudson’s Bay Blanket. 4 points means that it is double bed size. There is a story out that the points were a measure of the blanket’s worth. A 2 point blanket same as 2 beaver skins.
There are now 70 men working on the new airport and will soon be 100. The Indians still do not know what to make of the big Caterpillar tractors. Georges haven’t any one staying with them now. W. Cameron brought his brother in. He came in yesterday and says he can play the Spanish guitar. J. Woods is getting married by me on May 13th to an Edmonton girl. He is the HBC post manager at Nelson Forks, about 13 miles down the river near the NWT. He never saw a white man from Sept till Xmas and only 6 Indians - nice life for his bride. Our plane freight rate has been dropped from 20 cents to 12 cents per pound so now there will be more liquor brought in and more people as well. 44 A new hotel is being built here. The HBC is also putting up a new building W.Clarke and A.E.Towers returned from a visit by plane to the Hay Lakes a couple of days ago. Their plane had three forced landings enroute. L. Haralson visited Ft Liard by plane on the 2nd of April. Vic Hostad lost three of his dogs last winter and had an infected face. He was lucky to get over it. He has not been out from his line since July. He will probably be half nuts when he returns. He threatened to shoot me and another fellow but got over it. He is most likely back to where he started from. Cal Sheffield killed seven wolves last February and Chilouie Foutorielle killed forteen and 11 young pups. Altogether 200 have been killed. Adolphus Caliou’s wife is going to stay here this Beaver hunt as she is going to have a baby. Mrs. Winiendy and Mrs Villeneuve are also expecting shortly.
Trappers having fun on hard river snow.
Archie Gairdner has been hauling wood by horses the last week. He bought a team when the 29 teams came in around Xmas and a couple of weeks ago he hired eleven dog teams to go up the river 30 miles to bring back some feed for them so they can stay here and work. We still hve a lot of snow in the bush and his horses would not live as they are not used to this type of feed yet. Mrs. Villeneuve is going to make two pair of Mukluks (high Indian mocassins) for OJ harvey. Baptiste has just finished making 3 dog packs for our dogs for our next trip. One and a half months ago Archie Matsula went out to stop a dog fight and saw there was a strange dog fighting so he threw 45 his axe at it twice. It turned out to be a big wolf killing one of his dogs and along with the wolf was another dog of his helping the wolf. The wolf got away but was killed two weeks later by Narcisse. The wolf was coming right into our settlement. Charlie Jensen and Earl Davis were here from the Kahntah a week ago. One of his dogs was killed by Doris’ dogs. He was lucky and managed to get a replacement. They reported that Etsulsas’ boy died and another of his girls is dying. They brought in 30 beaver. Woods reported that Shortail and Alphonse Franceways and the Big Swede had died at the Franceways settlement last month, One tuberculosis and two heart cases. Charlie Macdonalds and Art Macdonald are expected to arrive here April 10th with their Yukon sleighs. Charlie hasn’t been here for four years. Wonder what shape he will be in. This time of year is great of making time on the rivers.
Mrs Rose Chancellay who is trapping with Pete Peterson is at last getting a divorce. They left here last August and will be back in June. Jack Austin was here for three weeks visiting and has just left for his line. He went down with C. Carlson. Jack killed only one moose this year and shot this one which was lying down about 50 feet from his back door in his front yard. This has been verified. George Rusk took out a partner again, a fellow named E. O. Collison. Rusk and Erickson traded guns. Rusk should bring in 100 beaver again this year. Norberre, Charlie Modeste and Lame Alex were here for three days taking back a bunch of medicine to Fish Lake. Chief Bellyful and Bigfood and Lousy Kate will be here soon from Fish Lake. Charlie Modeste came here to look at Tobacocook for a wife but he didn’t like her. He travelled by dog team 700 miles to see her. She is going to have a baby he said so did not like the idea. Old Messon was off his head here for three days, Mike Winiendy and Nitseneah were looking after him He is the most lousy fellow in this settlement. I installed a radio at Archie Natsula’s and they were not turning the switch off. only the volume so the batteries went and they wondered what happened to it.
We have reason to believe that Garbutt’s (the HBC factor) cat will have kittens soon as it was heard out late at night. Their pup is growing into a nice dog but will be a little cranky. 46 Suppose Anna told you about us going out to Dawson Creek. As far as town goes we might as well have stayed here. Bunch of Politicians there and all trying to get something for nothing or for a vote. We landed there in time for a funeral of the town’s butcher who had been in the habit of celebrating and taking dares. One fellow bet him he wouldn’t eat a roll of fly paper. He did and he died... and most people wondered why as they didn’t know about it and that there is plenty or arsenic in that stuff.
I was just outside and the Northern Lights are all coloured again tonight and flashing around overhead.
The dogs are going at it too. Temperature is -5. We had about 600 dogs here at one time two weeks ago and how they would strike up a beautiful chorus, baritones, altos and all. Every night some dog got chewed up. Jack Austin was cussing the dogs one night because of all the racket and he couldn’t sleep. He finally went out and found his dogs in a bad bloody mess with one dead. They were tied too close together and then one got loose. They were tied near about 150 other dogs.
It is about time for the 11:30 PM news so am going to quit. I have been writing most this from my police journal so you see that I have been quite busy. News is Over. Nobody has sent any word about what Bobby is doing. Presume everyone else is doing what they have been doing. As long as we are here we won’t be doing anything different and when anything else comes around of interest will write. Anna has been given the job of giving you the gaff on Harold Jr. By the time you see him he won’t be a little fellow. You might tell Aunt Emily that she now owes me a letter. 47 Strange to say Pop is about 3 months overdue. Otto could let us know what he is working at. Thelma is busy as well as Hilda raising a family which is a 24 hr a day job. Aunt Queenie hasn’t changed but last time I saw her she seemed sorry things turned out the way they did. D---B.W.
Glad to hear that Uncle Bert (Cartwright, grandma’s young brother) finally made that grade and what is Uncle Tom doing? Has he joined up again? Pop will still be at the same hotel and looking for the odd job. Aunt Rosie won’t have as good a time as she had before but she is also a grandma.
Just what sort of a job has Lillian and how often is she home? How are Carl and Vernon doing in school? How much does it cost you to run your home? I will be at Dawson Creek or Pouce Coupe May 22nd on a court case but won’t get any further south, unless a transfer comes up and we still have years to go. I am going to sleep Now so goodnight
Your loving son, Harold
This is now the ninth. Hello,
Don’t think we have gone nuts when you get this letter, mom. I went to bed and let Harold finish this letter. He didn’t get to bed until one a.m. so I know that he really worked on it. This will be the last letter until after the river breakup as the last ski plane will leave here at 5:30 in the morning while the river is still frozen hard. The last two days have been ever so warm. And the snow is leaving my flower beds. And I can see a few green pansy leaves so things look promising. The pussy willows are out too.
Bye Bye for now With love to you all, Anna
PS - Send Thelma and Viv our love too and tell Thelma I will write as soon as I have some spare time. Harold will soon be gone to Dawson Creek and then I’ll catch up on all my mail. I hope I hope... 48
Soon after this Dad was given permission to volunteer with the Royal Canadian Air Force. To do so he had to pay $100.00 to the Provincial Police. Soon the family had moved to Vancouver.
Below is a letter from brother Bob.
June 23, 1941, CPR Boat Prince Rupert to Vancouver
Dear Mother
I am on my way home now, having a swell holiday. We will be in Vancouver in half an hour and in Victoria this afternoon. I expect to be in Victoria quite awhile after my “raise” The raise will please Marguerite. My title will be “Skipper” in the Navy from now on. More News Later
Your son Bob XXX 49
October 19th, 1941 Vancouver BC 3538 Dunbar
Dear Mom
You probably know by this time that I have joined the RCAF and am leaving tomorrow for Edmonton to start training for a pilot’s job. I quit the Police and am quite happy about it. We bought a nice home here and had one heck of a time picking one out to suit us. Anna can run or walk just across the street to a Safeway store and all other brands of stores. The street car goes on this street, a No.14 Car. Don’t think I will ever rejoin the Police because it is nice to know we have a home we can call our own.
Monty is enjoying himself here as he has a lot of room to play in. This is a big house, a little bigger than I had figured on as it will cost more for fuel. You should come up with Otto some time and see the joint. Guess Otto won’t be able to get off so much now. I do not know what plans can be made for Christmas now but hope to be able to get leave. One thing is certain, we won’t have any money to share at all as my pay to start with is pretty small and Anna is going to have to scratch for awhile. If things get tough Anna can rent the house for fifty dollars a month but hope it doesn’t come to that. I went over to Victoria a little over a week ago to get some money and thought we would go over again and did not see Pop. I may finish training here on the Coast but can’t tell where I will go now. Anna has known for a long time I intended to quit to join up so she wasn’t much surprised. I was lucky to be able to get in as a pilot though because my age is high now. When I get to Edmonton I will let you know what my address is so you can write to me there. I won’t write now to anyone else except Pop and you can tell them of our new address and what has happened I suppose Anna will be writing you soon and tell you about her new home. We are going out now for a drive as this is the first good day we have had for months it seems.
So long for now.
Your loving son, Harold 50 November 24th 1941 Edmonton, Alberta
Dear Mom: I have been a long time answering your letter but here goes. Have been in the Hospital for little over a week and will be out tomorrow. I just missed a draft out of here but will be on the next, I hope. There is no telling just where it will be to as Canada is a big place and it could be the other side on the East Coast someplace. Will be getting five days leave at Xmas and from here could be home for two days but the sticker is this that I may not get off Xmas and will get New Years instead. Two days home is not much, no where near enough. Still in about six months or a little more, will be able to get around two weeks leave then will be able to go to see you all in Seattle. I am trying out one of the new typewriters and it doesn’t feel right.
I have had dinner with Rex Austine and his wife here in Edmonton only once but they asked me to go there anytime I could get out. Rex was grandpa Engelson’s partner in the Klondike. It seems hard to get out from this place and I don’t care if I get out as Edmonton is a haywire spot, no fooling.. Sure would be better if this was Vancouver or someplace I could get to on weekends.
Anna is beginning to feel the pinch on trying to get by on the money we receive here and I hope she can make out for a few months cause by then we should get a bit more. There are quite a few fellows from the states who came to get away from the draft there - Some are sincere and want to get into the fight though. They are having quite a time getting used to the cold weather and getting a kick out of it. You had the correct address and even if I get drafted from here they would forward it on to me. My arm is sore as heck again as I got it innoculated again- today- every time the arm feels good another shot comes along. I guess we never are finished with them either. I am going to quit this typewriter and go back to the bed and will write more tonight.
Your Loving Son Harold 51
3538 Dunbar Vancouver November 28th 1941
Dearest Mom,
I received your dear letter this morning and am so sorry you have been sick. I have had a pain in my side too but feel fine now. Poor darling Harold has been in the Hospital for over a week now and he couldn’t even sit up so I’ve been so worried. Every letter I’ve had from him he would say he hadn’t received any letters from me and I’ve written every day. Gosh I would have phoned or wired but I’m so short of money its awful. You see, before Harold left here I was sposed to get $175.00 from the Game Dept. and so far I’ve had not a cent so I’ve just lived on what I had and that’s about gone now. Lord it worries me to tears. But surely next week will bring some. I wrote to them 21 weeks after Harold left and I got a letter back saying they would send it as soon as possible. Everything will be fine as soon as we get all the money that’s coming to us and than I should get a cheque from the RCAF around the first. So here’s hoping. You pray for me, will you all.... Government checks are so slow in appearing, especially when you really want them. And now for Xmas...
Picture is of Harold on leave in front of our house on Dunbar.
Gee, I’ll throw a fit if you all can’t make it now as we are bound to have the grandest time and please don’t go and get a lot of presents and stuff when it is such hard times. Monte has a tricycle and rocking Horse and a car and a wagon and they are in the basement. but I asked him what he wants and he wants a big 52 Teddy Bear. He likes Dolls. I guess he is a Sissy. But Lord he’s getting cuter every day and he talks a streak now. He named all his aunties to day and then he said out of a blue sky “and Aunty Granma”. I sure laughed. Cut his hair today and he looks well., a bit fatter. He knows that Daddy and Santa Claus are both coming here for Xmas. Darling mom I’d like it a lot if you made the pudding as Harold always has told me how good it is and if I plan to make a real good one it will most likely turn out like the first one I made. I guess I told you it went sailing into the Salt Chuck at Alert Bay.
Bye the way, I have a toaster and an iron and listen to this. Bobby was here to see us on his way home on leave for seven days. He won’t get off for Xmas so don’t know if Marguerite will come over. Well anyhow, Bobby, got us a swell electric kitchen clock as an early Xmas present. Gee, we had fun. We went down town and had dinner and then we made a record and sent it to Harold. We sang “You Are My Sunshine” and boy was it fun. He left on the midnight boat for Victoria. He looked swell. I was so proud to be out with him as all the sailors kept on saluting him. I just kept on clearing my throat everytime they did. It was the first fun I’ve had since Harold left.
Well I’ll get this mailed before 8:30 and then you will have it tomorrow or Monday. Have my fortune told and write and tell me will you, I’m most curious to know how things are going to pan out here.
Well bye bye and love to you all. Tell Otto to bring an extra bottle for me as I’ll need it when I start slinging the turkey around. Hi... Gee I’m getting all excited all ready. I’m writing Thelma and Viv in the morning.
Cheerio .
Love from Monte and Anna 53
Otto took the picture so he couldn’t be in it. Taken at the Christmas Party 1941
Mom and Dad, Uncle Carl and Grandma in back, Aunt Ruth, Grandpa, Aunt Thelma, Aunt Lillian, Uncle Viv, Cousin Ron, Uncle Vernon, in front, cousin Marjean and me, Monte (behind Vernon is Dorothy our boarder)
I sent Harold your letters and the last letter I had said he was up walking around the bed. So by now he should be fairly well. Lord I sure hope so. I wish he would quit and come home to me. Lord I’m lonesome...Worse than Fort Nelson. 54 Another letter from Uncle Bob
Prince Rupert December 19th 1941
Dear Mother: I received your welcome letter before I went to Victoria on leave. Hence I have been putting off writing.
Anna told me you folks were all going to Vancouver on Xmas. She sure is looking forward to it. Of course you know that I can’t go as I had my leave already. but I well be thinking of you and hoping Harold’s leave wasn’t stopped due to the Japanese situation. I guess Anna told you I stopped off at their house on my way down and up. They have a swell place and a nice location. Little Monty sure is a nice little boy.
My leave was sure short and sweet. No sooner was I home it seemed and I was on my way back. Little Carol is sure getting interesting. She is learning to talk at last. She has a great time saying “Hello” and her doll, she calls it “baw-baw”. We had a lot of fun too playing hide and seek.
It still rains as much as ever in Rupert. We had a couple of days of snow too. My favorite recreation is basketball and badminton, may be a little beer drinking on the side. We keep in fairly good condition now. Most of the young fellows on board play basketball or something. We challenged one of the ships here and beat them. 55
I guess things were pretty exciting in Seattle when the Japs entered the War. We are sort of looking for them any minute. They sure surprised Pearl harbor didn’t they.
Aunt Rosie has moved out of East Sooke already, so Marg says. She gets jittery easily. I wonder how she’d like to live in London?
We caught some crabs here last night but they were pretty small. They haven’t nibbled on the bait today, curses on them. They are a lot like the Sooke crabs though very tasty. A seaman just came and said we caught a fish and a crab in our net.
We will be in Rupert for four days for Xmas but will be out for New Years for 4 days. I expect to be at Bill Murray’s for Xmas. His mother has asked me up. I will be thinking of you all together in Vancouver and wishing we were there too. Marguerite might be in Vancouver for Xmas if her aunt has her way. I’ll get her to ring up Anna to say hello to you’se
Well, so long for now, Mother dear. I will write again soon
From your loving son Bob
A Merry Xmas and Happy New Year to You All.
Picture is of me on my boat, ship. 56 3538 Dunbar Vancouver Jan 10th 1942
Dearest Mom and All
I received yours a few days ago and thanks a lot. I see you’ve had a cold. You must have enclosed a germ in the letter as I’m now in bed but don’t feel too bad now. In fact I could be up but its so dawgone cold, and if I work too much I cough my head off. I’ve had it for a week now. Pop left last Monday and the morning he left I couldn’t talk.
When Harold left we had two units of sawdust and would you know I’ve only got enough left to use for the kitchen. I had to let the furnace go out. I ordered some more and it was sposed to be here Wednesday for sure and it isn’t here yet and they have all taken their phones out too so I don’t know what to do. Of course I can manage by shutting the living room and dining room off and the kitchen doesn’t take much. It will do me this month at this rate. About three hundred families near by are right out as well. Oh it’s wicked. Monte and Dot (Dorothy was a border) are keeping house now. They have the fireplace going full blast. They baked beans and I’ve just had some too.
Oh dear, it was too sad to have Harold go and leave me again. I don’t think it’s fair. I went with him down to the station at first and I felt I couldn’t go as I knew I’d cry my head off but I finally went and lord it was three extra trains just for the airmen for Calgary...so...
I wasn’t the only one in tears there. Heck they were all crying. Gee it was sad, so packed... we just moved along with the crowd. I’ve had lots of letters and he says he feels better now that he has seen us all.
Pop seemed to get better every day and when he left he said he’d really enjoyed himself and had a good rest. 57 The paper just came and I spied some sawdust and I got up and phoned and sure enough I’ll get some next week. They said a unit if not able to give me two. So thank God for that but I have to pay a dollar more. Worse luck. Vell Mom, I’ll finish this and Dot will mail it for me when she goes down and gets groceries, so lots of love to you all,
Monte and Anna.
Dot sends love too. Monte has a time with all the toys.
Edmonton Alberta. Spring 1942
Dear Mom
I have started at last to find what makes the airforce tick and it sure takes a lot of men. This is one of many schools and there are about three thousand men here and this is not the only school in Edmonton. There is not much I can tell you about the place but one good surprise I got was - the food can’t be beat anywhere.
Remember when we did not want to be vaccinated etc.. well I have had five inoculations and a vaccination already and 7 or 9 more to come - my arm was plenty sore and some fellows were sick but no one has died here yet.
All my civilian clothes were sent home so now have to wear the blues. They are strict about what we wear and where we go. Mostly the fellows have to stick around. Quite a few here from the states and these fellows are getting into trouble all the time. They say they can’t do that but they do and they find out before long what discipline is and that they aren't any better than Canadians after all.
I am quite sure will be home for Xmas or New Years but only for the day. I wish it was that time now. 58 If I am real lucky could be stationed in Vancouver soon but out of so many places it is not so likely.
I am going to close now. Hello to everyone there. Would like a little news. Your Loving Son Harold
Prince Albert Saskatchewan May 8th 1942
Dearest Mom
Mom and I went to Visit Aunty Bert who had remarried and moved to Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. While there Aunty Bert had a baby girl, JoAnne. After this we went to be with Dad in Edmonton and then Regina where he was finishing his flight training.
Did you hear what is going on now? Harold has sixteen more days to finish in isolation hospital and he is planning on having his tonsils out then and have a week sick leave too. so I guess I’ll be here for awhile. He plans to come here for his sick leave. Say are we having a time. He gets one of the night superintendents to write to me and I get the letters every other day now. He says he is just fine now. I guess he had most of his sickness before he went to the hospital. Poor Harold. It’s not like him to be sick and cooped up. I made cookies for him today. And I guess I’m a bit useful here as we’ve done just oodles of sewing, also put in a garden and painted everything we could lay our hands on. I’ve also started on Thelma’s wool. You tell her for me. We had a tea today. I made a chocolate cake, cookies and cheese things. Brita did the cleaning. Are we having a time with our brats. They fight all the time and yet they can’t stay apart. So what? Gee I’d like to step out with you tonight. Didn’t we enjoy that show we went to. I haven’t been to a show since I came here. We can’t both get away together so we just stay home and go to tea in the afternoon and take our tribe with us. Monte is so sun tanned you wouldn’t know him and is he ever tough and quick as a whip. Harold will notice the change in him. He talks so good now and has started to ask questions. 59 How is every little thing with you all? I had a look at you last Sunday on the screen. We went out to a farm for the day and they had a projector. They want me to come and spend a week. Monte cried when we left them. Mrs. Goplin looks like you and is she ever swell too. She has nine children. The last two are twins and she is just grand, does all the sewing for her girls. There are only two boys. She has an adopted boy besides. What a woman, and she is still nice looking and full of fun.
I hear you are having your teeth yanked out.. I hope it doesn’t hurt too much. Well Mom, Its Mother”s Day Sunday and I sure hope you have a nice day.
Goodnight Mom, Love from Monte and Anna
Edmonton Alberta May 24th 1942
Dear Mom
Received a nice long letter from you in the hospital. I suppose the next time I see you I’ll hardly know you with your nice new snappers.
I was lucky and got 6 days sick leave and will be back at work in the morning. Anna and Monte are coming along tonight too so we will be together until September anyway. Mom, Anna, and I, Monte came to Edmonton from Prince Albert
Haven’t had any pictures taken yet but will soon now and you will have one. Bye for now.
“Hello Grandma I will come to see you as soon as I can”
Monte wrote that and said he wanted to tell you I bought him some firecrackers and they went bang and scared the people. I got some bombs that exploded when you threw them and he got a big kick out of doing it on the crowded street last night. 60
After the course I get two weeks leave so we are planning on going to Seattle then but that won’t be before the end of October now and I’ll be wearing wings to show off. I will be leaving for Regina next week with Anna and Monte to finish my training. They are looking well but we are a little worried as to whether we can get a decent place to stay in Regina. It sure was the bunk not being able to write or see anyone in the Hospital I could have caught up on my writing too.. It is hard to write with Monte here. He wants me to draw pictures of a man fixing a car and so on. It sounded like Otto may even be called up. I don’t see why they would want old men like him anyway. Two of your sons in the service should be enough out of one family.
After Dad went over, Otto was called up, drafted, and became a cook on a Liberty Ship and was sent to Okinawa. The ship was hit enumerable times, one by a suicide bomber. These were called kamikazees.
You had better send your replies to me till we let you know our new address and send address it like this: LAC Engelson H.J. R133314 #3APS RCAF Regina Sask cause I am thru I.T.S. I have to go down soon to get Anna’s tickets and berth on the train. Wish we were closer to you Tickets were from Regina to Vancouver
Love Anna, Harold and Monte
Dad told mom to sell the house in Vancouver and to move back to Fraser Lake, away from the Coast as the War in the Pacific was not going well at all and Vancouver would be a logical target. On the trip up we went with Billy Strom on a brand new lumber truck, just the cab, frame and wheels. Our one suitcase was strapped to the spare tire on the empty frame. We got lost and ran out of gas. But that is another story. (I am now three years old) 61 Regina Saskatchewan Oct. 20th 1942
Dear Mom
I got another letter from you and you still seem to expect me there for my leave. I sent you a letter and told you I wouldn’t be able to make it as we have such a short leave. We only get 14 days to report too and that will only give me about 6 days with Anna. I was expecting 14 days clear leave but they don’t include travelling now as they used to do. Am all finished the course and will get wings in a few days, also sergeant’s stripes and a little more pay for Anna. The picture is of a snow fall in October. This is where we live.
It seemed strange to hear you are going to school again. This war has changed a lot of things and by now more people know there is a war on and the unemployed aren’t unemployed any longer but badly needed. I am glad Viv quit the logging camps. Yet I’ll bet it won’t be long before he’ll be there again. The old saying once a logger always a logger seems to hold true in most cases. 62
I’d sure like to be able to get to Seattle. - it would take a miracle to get there before I go overseas now and that visit may have to wait till the war is over. We flew all night last night and are flying all night again tonight between 7 and 8 hours in the air so am pretty sleepy. The air work seems to make a person tired as it is a continuous concentration of fast work all the time in the air. After, I wished the aircraft was a boat. You have lots of time on a boat to figure things out. This will be the last letter I’ll write from here as I’ll be leaving for Fraser Lake as soon as I can and from there nobody knows where I’ll be. I have to get prepared for tonight’s trip so I’ll say so long,
Your Loving Son Harold
Picture of Harold and Otto on farm at Fraser Lake. 63
Dad went on leave to Fraser Lake. Bob, Otto and Ruth came up as well and the final goodbyes were said at the small railroad station. Otto took the picture this time 64
The letters returning from overseas were all censored, the military was not allowed to put anything interesting into the letters, so one has to read between the lines to find out exactly what was happening. Dad’s squadron was RCAF 404 Buffaloe. Through the internet it was possible to find out where the squadron was and what it was doing everyday during the war. 65
Sgt. Engelson, H.J. RRC Bournemouth
Nov 16th 1942
Dear Mom,
This will be a short letter. There doesn’t seem to be much I can say except I am feeling fine, getting fed well and am enjoying good weather. Have got used to the English money but not their blackouts. Seattle seems a long way off now and the mail service is none too fast. AirMail would be quicker. I think it is about 11 days and ordinary mail about one month. We don’t get much chance to meet the people here. Not like in Canada. All the men are in uniform and a lot of the women as well. Those who are not working do their share of fire watching and fire fighting. I have seen when some bombing was done and it is terrific. When an air raid signal is given, nothing seems to happen - the only people who look up and around for a place to hide are ourselves.
I guess you are still working in the Boeings and also Ruth. Tell Otto I still think that the British have the best aircraft.
We had a real good crossing. The sea was like it is between Seattle and Victoria as far as the ship is concerned. I guess I’ll have to let you know after the war and I hope that won’t be long. I have been told I may go on a Mosquito Bomber and I’d like that very much. Wireless knowledge has helped me there. Maybe I shouldn’t tell you that but I think that should be safe enough.
He went over on the Queen Elizabeth, the largest English passenger liner that had been converted to a troop carier for the War. He was placed in Buffalo Squadron #404 which was assigned to British Coastal Command. The planes were “Beaufighter Dive Bombers” 66
Money goes fast over here- faster than I was led to believe so my $39.00 per month won’t go any too far. The Yanks get paid disgustingly high and spend it the same way, disgustingly, (that is too me). Maybe I am jealous. I finally found a place where I can get some real coffee. Other places you ask for coffee and it is an extract of something or other. Anyway it isn’t coffee.
When you send a letter put this on the address: Canadian R133314 Sgt. Engelson H.J. Oveseas, RCAF. Don’t put any other address. I am going to eat now and will write more soon.
Your loving son Harold.
Fraser Lake, Dec 8th 1942
Dearest Mom
I just got your letter today and I’ve been waiting for it for a long time. I know you’ve been very busy with your work and trying to keep the house together too. It must get very tiring. I only wish at times I could be down to help you out some time. I finally got my first letter from Harold. It was postmarked the 17th of November so it got here in two weeks . Not bad. But I didn’t hear for a month before that and it nearly worried me frantic. He said he was fine but had “sprained” his ankle “playing basketball” so he couldn't “play rugby”. Seems like they are having lots of “PT”. He was also going to “play golf”... He appears to be in the South of England. I’ve just finished making up a parcel for him. A cake, cookies, chocolate bars, gum, razor blades and flints. I also filled up all the spare space with dried fruit and nuts. We all sent separate to him thru a company in Victoria for $6.00 worth of cigarettes and tobacco. I intend to send him a dress shirt and soap later on. I want to see if he gets this first of all. I very carefully sewed the parcel in with cotton so it shouldn’t break. If you send anything, do the same. Its better to send small parcels then to send a large one and lose it. If the cigarettes are lost they will be replaced over there. 67 Monte and I are fine and hope you are all the same. Its just getting awful. Pretty soon the whole family will be right in the battle. Well, I guess we all are, as far as that goes. Some days I just feel hopeless and then again I just make the best of it like everyone else. Its awful now with Xmas coming. It will be our first without Harold. He was always so good to me around Xmas. I don't know if I can stand to be away from him. We are having Xmas at our Dads and New Years here at Caroline and Louie’s. Louie is mom’s brother. Louie may not be home either. I spose Ruth has told you of our farm and all we do here. I help to look after things with Caroline. She does the outside work and I care for the children and the house and it works ok. Monte is very happy here. But night he wakes up and whispers to me about daddy and our house in Vancouver. He never forgets a thing. Everyone loves him. He is a queer cuss. Like Harold I guess. I have sent for a sleigh and dump truck for him, also a wooden train. If you do send him anything I would rather it be something for him to wear. He needs a pair of slippers. I loved those Squeekum Squakum slippers you sent him 2 years ago at Fort Nelson. He has one set here and one in Vancouver. He takes size 9 or 10 and he wears six year size clothes otherwise. I’ve made him 3 pair of pants out of Harold’s old Police slacks and he has worn one out all ready. and I patched them for the first time on the knees and he’s quite proud of the patches and shows them off to people. I sure am proud of Monte. He seems to act different then other kids or perhaps I just think so. Listen to me rave! I don’t know what I’d do if I couldn't sleep with him beside me these cold nights. He is beginning to look after me all ready. Wondering if I’m cold and what he is going to get me for Xmas. He nearly wears the Eaton Catalogue out these days finding things for Xmas. Nuff said. Once I start I just go on and on. I hope next Xmas we will all be together again. Oh god I pray and hope so
Bert and family are home with Dad and Grandma and her hubby is in partnership with my brother. She has the cutest kids you every saw. both girls, Jo-ann and Lynn. She is very happy and they may build a house here as well in the Spring. They have a nice home in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. I haven’t got my cheque yet for November so I hope it isn’t lost. I’m supposed to have a raise (Harold that is). I’m glad I’m here and don’t have to worry over fuel and stuff. It may be tougher yet too in Vancouver. 68 I hope you are managing to keep working. Tell me what the boys are doing and how they mange with you working etc... I must close with love you you all. You can send some love to Hilda, Thelma, Lillian, Ruth and families. I don’t seem to be able to keep up writing to them all. But I think just as much of them even if I don’t write. Well bye bye now and write real soon. Monte and Anna
PS Have you heard from Aunty Emily? Yes, Harold has a bible in his Duffel Bag. The RCAF gives them one each My letters from you are all censored now. Are mine to you?
The following is a portion of a letter from Dad’s Mom sent overseas.
“did I tell you we are building the B29’s now. It’s a little different, the way the wires are assembled. Have been working on Radio a lot. fine soldering which makes me sick in my stomach. Had to take two days off, yesterday and today, on account of it. I like the work though.”
Canadian R133314 Sgt. H.J. Engelson R.C.A.F. Overseas
December 26th 1942
Dear Mom,
Wish I could have heard from you for Xmas, but hope to soon now. Am quite well but can’t say I enjoyed Xmas and I think very few from America could honestly say they did. The weather is very mild and no rain and to a lot of Canadians it would be strange as roses are still in bloom. We get the odd alert and have heard bombs but the Jerries don’t dare show their planes very much anymore. You hear more news than we if we had a radio we could get more news. It has all been good news lately except a couple of my friends have “gone for a Burton as they say here”.
All the bad stuff Dad would never talk about even when he came back unless it was when he had lots of scotch so I never heard any of the “war stories” until I could drink scotch too. 69 We haven’t been given any leave yet so can’t tell you much about the country. If you remember where Grandpa came from let me know also Grannies as I may get a chance to go there or even be posted close. I wish someone would send some of those pictures taken on leave at Fraser Lake.
We find that money goes faster here than in Canada. A pound note doesn’t last long once it is broken and in the town there are a lot of tea shops and stores. We get well cooked meals, better than we expected but there is something missing. I always feel hungry, maybe miss the moosemeat... Chocolate bars are rationed. I never used to eat many but I could now, if you stand in line you can get 2 bars a week if you get there at the right time. We can get lots of biscuits. I guess tea and coffee are rationed there too by now. I brought a Xmas cake over with me. It is a good job I did as that was my parcel from home with lots of nuts and stuff in it. It is time to go eat now, so I’ll say hello everyone and a Happy New Years, your loving son Harold
Keep well Mom
Canadian R133314 Sgt. Engelson. H.J. R.C.A.F. Overseas
March 5th 1943
Dear Mom
Received a letter from you yesterday and you were wondering when you were going to hear from me. I have answered each of your letters and have written in between so some should reach you soon. I wrote and told you I had received the five dollars you sent. I have spent it. I went on a 48 last week and went to Liverpool. It took me most of my time travelling and changing trains. They don’t let you know when to get off a train. I’ll bet at times we could travel for days on a shilling ticket. The stations have no names on them either and the trains come and go without any fuss, just a “tweet” when it leaves. I had to stand most of the way. The cities in that part are very dirty, that is the buildings are black with soot. Every body is working, that goes without saying. Some work all day and night too. 70 I guess they all take turns at that. The English are lucky who are on duty here cause they can all go home on a 48 hr pass. I would have to have a month off and then go home by plane and that will take a while to get. Heard some good news today about the Jap attacking convoy getting wiped out, 22 ships were sunk. Hope they can wipe out the whole fleet this year. That would be something.
Glad to hear Otto got AI. Next thing will be he has to go, hope he gets into something he likes, be funny if they made him into a cook. Would like to know what outfit George Forrest is in. I probably wouldn't know him as I haven’t seen him since 1929. (Cousin George was in Army and an armoured vehicle driver on invasion landing, Canadian Forces)
I am still feeling fine and fit but it would be hard for me to put on weight unless I learn how to assimilate starch. There aren’t many colds going around now and the weather has been pretty good but not warm enough for sun baths. We arrived here just about 4 months ago and a lot of good news has come in during that time. The next four should bring a lot more. It takes more than a month to receive mail from you and Anna that is one thing. I wish mail from you could be speeded up It means a lot to receive letters as you know, yet we are lucky to get as many as we do. I’ll sure have to see all those nephews and nieces that I have in Seattle and Concrete when I get back. It is hard to think of them as being so grown up and playing war, I suppose the next thing they’ll start to write letters. Ann Marie at Fraser Lake has written me two letters so far and they were interesting. I’ll be able to write more interesting letters later. I hope and after the war will tell you all about it.
I have to scram now. Will finish this tonight. Thanks for sending the snap. It is the first I have seen of any of the pictures taken when I was on leave in Fraser Lake. I suppose the ones Anna sent will not reach me now. I haven’t a camera and it would not be in my care if I did have one. If we have some snaps taken will be sure to send you some. I heard a rumour we are having an egg for breakfast and that’s something. Goodnight Mom, Your loving son Harold 71
Picture is of Harold and Don Acker, his pilot. The squadron matches them up and they stay to- gether for the duration or until something happens.
404 Squadron RCAF Overseas (Banf Base Aberdeenshire)
April 4 1944
Dear Mom
Received another letter from you today and I’d better answer your questions first. Yes, I received the brown sugar and we used it on our porridge, a real treat. also got the pen light and batteries. They played a dirty trick when they sold you the batteries because they had all been used before and were no good. I managed to get some to fit over here so now use it when on trips. It is handy to pack. No, I haven’t been to any Masonic Meetings. It is difficult to get off the base. The Rosicrucians don’t interest me much any more. 72 Magazines and funnies are what we miss in the way of reading and one thing we wish we had is a camera with film. Am glad to hear Lillian is doing so well in sports. It must help her a lot. We play softball here about once a week at night. This is a Canadian base and we are known as the Buffalo Squadron and it is one of the best so we hear...Nice to hear Canadians talking around us once more.
It is the bunk not being able to tell you what we are doing.. I’d like to ’cause I know you are wondering and also it would be more to write about. By now you will have been to see Anna and Monte. It took a long time for your last letter to reach me. You wrote on March 5. This should get to you in at least 10 days . Ah, I almost forgot . I asked Anna if she could send some good hair oil. My scalp is dry as it can be and we wear flying helmets a lot so if you can still get some in Seattle please try. Whenever one of the fellows get some everyone helps themselves. I am a bit bashful about doing that. Am going to hit the hay now. It is 10 PM and we’re up at 3:30 AM and have to fly again tomorrow. Am looking forward to getting the parcel you sent . It should be here now. We are all like kids over a parcel and do the odd bragging about getting them.
Your Loving son Harold.
This is one of the rocket firing beaufighters from his squadron. They carried enough fire power to sink large ships 73
The following letter is one from Uncle Vernon who joined the navy and was sent to the Aleutian Islands, Alaska
U.S.N. N.B. Harborcraft, Kodiak Alaska May 2, 1944
Dear Mom,
I received your swell letter. I don’t have much to say myself. You sure are looking fine and the cat looks like he is going somewhere. I’ll bet it is pretty down there, cause its just beginning to get green up here. Have you got anymore pictures you can send me of that bunch. I am taking your advice mum, cause I know I’m not a man and when I am there is plenty of time to find the right girl when I’m older. . I went to Kodiak last Saturday and looked the town over. I got a few post cards to send out if I can send them and while I was there I went and saw a show. It was sure a funny little show. After that they had a fire up the street that burned down a building. I helped hold the hose on it.
I made a cake the other day and it turned out great. It was an egg yoke spunge cake with icing and decoration. Ask Lill if she will do me a favor and send me some recipe books and pamphlets. I haven’t got anything but a couple of pages of a cook book that was here.
Its late now so I will close with all my love
Vernon O Engelson 74
June 6, D Day
June 27 Cherbourg again in allied hands
Dad didn’t fly on D Day but he did fly over the channel soon after, navigating for the Squadron Commanding Officer, Gatley, and landed near Cherbourg . He had an order from the squadron to get some french wine and champagne. Most of his squadron had never had champagne. When he got back they all sampled it and were quite disappointed and would sooner have had a glass of anything else.
R133314 W/O Engelson, H.J. (Strubby Base Lincolnshire)
July 5th 1944
Dear Mom,
Have received the two parcels you sent in good shape. We have about finished the candies and nuts and the soap came in handy as I was just out. Don and I are using the hair oil. Have moved since I got the parcel. Well I can say I was in on the second front with a bang. Guess we are doing I don’t know what now. We were in the movies on one strike and you will probably have seen the pictures in the news reels by now. Trouble is I don’t know how much I can tell you.
Two tired air crew, Don and Dad 75 We were pretty beat anyhow cause even if we weren’t flying we had to stand by and had very little sleep and at times were briefed to go on a tough do and then had it called off which is tougher than doing it as we are all get keyed up. I have marvelled at going through the stuff and not being hit. One shell went right through Don’s wind screen. It looked as if it had just missed his right ear. But you should see what we did to them!
Anyway we have Cherbourg and if we have half clear weather it won’t be long now. The writing outfit you sent comes in handy. I can write on the bed without too much trouble. We have a table but no chairs in this billet. Don says he is glad we got together. He looks forward to your parcels as much as I do and enjoys them as much too.
I got a letter from Thelma a few days ago which she wrote right after the front started so I owe her a letter too. I had better get to bed soon because we are flying early AM. We have had a few days rest from flying but that is ended now and all we have to look forward to is a leave. So wish they would start giving them again. It is a few months since I have had a day off - really off - and away from aircraft.
It wouldn’t take long to fly back in our aeroplane and we could do it easily. Most of us hope to fly back but what a hope... Suppose you have seen some yanks who have been over here. They don’t have such a bad time as their clubs provide good food and beds and can buy different stuff. They have plenty of money and that is a big help. Wonder how they will like France? Seems as though money will help there too. I am getting enough now but soon will need all I have to buy new uniforms. They give us money for it but it won’t be enough but soon it will be made up and I’ll get paid a lot more. I can hear and see the “big boys” going over to visit the huns now. They make quite a roar and will keep up for a long time. We make quite a sight ourselves and one day hope to get a picture of us leaving in formation. Hope you are able to take a few days off. I know you must be tired working then coming home to work. Soon you will be able to stay home again. Haven’t heard any more from Carl or Vernon but guess that won’t be long. Good night Mom, Your loving son, Harold. 76
I found a complete record of sorties flown by 404, Dad’s squadron, while at Banf Base Sept 3 404 squadron arrives at Banf Sept 6th 26 Beaufighters off on a shipping strike but has to be abandoned, bad weather
Sept 9, 1944. Banf Base Aberdeenshire
Dear Mom
It has been some time since I last wrote to you and it may be as long again if everything is as topsy turvy as it hs been. Still I know I should write even just to say hello. We are still working and getting our wages and spending them. Don and I still get along swell and I should write to his folks to tell them how good he is. I don’t imagine he does that himself... It may not be so long now before he transfers to the American Air Forces and continues to fly with us until finished his tour. Am back again in North Scotland. Say where did all our relatives come from - Some must have come from around here. They really keep track of relatives in this Country. Have been flying close to where Pop comes from and have seen quite a lot of Norway. Would have liked to land there sometime when we take it back. Think I told you I was the first of our outfit to land in France. I wasn’t flying with Don but with our Wing Commander. 77 I have written Thelma. Wonder if this will get to you. Think you may be seeing me not long after Christmas. I am keeping my fingers crossed. If we keep flying as we are lately it will be a cinch. We can take the flak pretty good now. I’d like to take a few pictures of my own before I left here now. Haven’t got one tho’ We have official pictures and they are hard to get hold of. Am in Aberdeen right now on 3 days leave and will see all the shows I can to catch up on them.
Your Loving son Harold
Sept 12 - 24 Beaufighters and 13 Mosquitos. Bad weather. One Beaufighter had to ditch, crew picked up later by a fishing vessel Sept 14 - 29 Mosquitos and 19 Beaufighters strike, 4 freighters and two escorts, Sunk german flak ship and one of the merchant ships. Sept 17 - 31 Mosquitoes and 23 Beaufighters anti shipping patrol Sept 19 - 5 Mosquitoes attack submarine Sept 21 - 21 Beaufighters and 17 Mosquitos attack and sink two merchant vessels Oct 2 - 2 Beaufighters collide while forming for a strike. Both crash all crew killed Oct 9 - Eight Mosquitos and 14 Beaufighters attack at night. One Merchant ship sunk, one submarine hunter sunk Oct 21 - Mosquitos and Beaus attack shipping in Haugesend Harbour. 2 merchant ships sunk. One Mosquito and crew lost
Oct 24 - 404 leaves Banf 78
Picture above taken on one of the strikes in September
F/O H.J.Engelson 404 Squadron. RCAF Overseas (Dallachy Base Aberdeenshire)
Dec 18, 1944
Dear Mom
Am trying another of these blue forms - letters - You never let me know how fast the last one reached you. I got the Xmas parcel and also Thelma’s. Both were real swell. The pen light is being admired by a lot of people as it has such a good spot and is so bright. The cake has already been eaten and it was as good as the last . You will see I got another Xmas present too as I am now a Flying Officer or F/O. and have skipped being a Pilot Officer which is lower in rank. Will have a picture taken around New years and send to you. 79
Have been invited out for Xmas dinner at a real nice Motherly Scotswoman’s place. She wants to be my Mother for Xmas. Her husband is in the Navy as well as two sons and one is a prisoner of war. Another was killed.
Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year.
I’ll be seeing you in a few months so that isn’t so bad. My address is now J.92721 F/O H.J.Engelson 404 Squadron. R.C.A.F. Overseas. (11:30 P.M) have just got back from the mess.
Had to buy a few “rounds” as a wetting down for my promotion and found I have to get up at 4:30 A.M. so am just going to hit the hay. I got the films ok so am going to take a few snaps soon as I can. I have a couple now. I’ll send you in the regular mail.. Goodnight Mom, Your loving son Harold 80 Feb 9, 1945, Black Friday
The information below was taken from the internet from the squadron’s log
As can be gathered from the crew tables, the allied Strike Wings suffered heavily during this battle. 1 Mustang and 9 Beaufighters were shot down, no less than 6 of the Beaus from the hard-hit 404(RCAF) Squadron. This squadron lost 11 men killed on this day, with another one taken prisoner. Altogether 14 young lives were lost on the allied side, and at this stage of the war with the end clearly in sight, it must have seemed a heavy price to pay.
This above was one of his last trips. It was very difficult for him to put into words the terror he experienced when on a dive bomb mission. Every time air crew flew there was a good chance that they would not return. Of 110 air crew that served in his squadron 47 were killed in action. Dad survived 5 crash landings, two on practise flights and three the result of enemy fire. Later he wanted to have his stories of this time written down but he just could not remember.
He did tell me one story about Black Friday. Their Beaufighter had been damaged. One engine was out and the landing gear was inoperable. Dad gave the pilot, Don, directions to land on a small strip on the Shetland Islands. Coming in for a landing they found that another plane was attempting to put down at the same time. This was an american plane that was shot up pretty bad. Don aborted the attempt, came around again and managed to come down in the grass beside the runway without killing themselves.That night, the air crews that had survived went to the mess hall for a few drinks, actually for a lot of drinks. There they found one of their own flyers that had been shot down a couple of days before. Dad and Don had been the ones who reported him killed. After a couple of hours of celebrating the British airdrome CO came in and closed the bar because of the noise they were making. This started a fight between the British and the Canadians. After, the bar was in poor shape, the British CO was out cold and the Canadians had won. On returning to their base, Gatley, their CO put them on report for a week and wouldn’t let them fly. Dad told this story much better than me.
While I am in a story telling mood... 81 When the squadron was diving in a line on enemy shipping, they were scared passed the point of no return. Normal Cruising speed was about 200 miles per hour. In a dive the speed would go up to 450. The noise was unbelievable. Enemy shells would be exploding around them. Their engines would be screaming, Maybe some of you have been to a drag race where 500 HP engines are going full out. The engines on a beaufighter produced 3400 HP in total. All guns on the plane would be firing; cannons in the nose, machine-guns in the wings and a “Browning” for Dad to fire. Their rockets would let go. Immediately the pilot would pull back on the “stick” hoping that he wouldn’t hit the ship. The odds of coming out alive were not good. Dad told me of the times their plane dove and of coming out of a dive between the masts on the ship they were firing on.
The first time after all this happened, Don, the pilot, relaxed and basically let the plane fly itself which it didn’t do very well. Dad rushed forward, unlatched the armoured door between them, and shook Don’s shoulder to find out if he was okay. Don came to with a silly grin on his face and said, I’m all right.
During the next few months they learned to cope with this by wiring the door between them open. The door was to protect the pilot from fighter planes to the rear and to protect Dad from shells from the front. They reasoned that they were a team and what was good enough for one was good enough for the other. Don also would sing a song called, “Rubber Dolly” after a run to mean that he was all right.
After each strike a flight crew could not believe that they had survived. Death was thought of, was there all the time. They developed a different view of the world. We will keep on living until we are called. We have no control. Live life to the fullest. Those who thought about death did not last long.
When my baby brother came along, Dad showed up with a labrador puppy for me. Its name was Beau, after the beaufighter. Much later I was to find that Beau was the name of another dog, It was a small german shephard with a docked tail that had showed up on the base and would welcome the flyers back from their sorties. One day Don and Dad in the”beau” preparing to leave. The engines were started and the dog began frantically barking at one engine. He jumped up and was killed by the propellor. Don and Dad refused to fly in that plane on that day. Another crew climbed in and flew off and were never seen again.
The dog Beau was given a military funeral. 82
Dallachy Base Caithness February 22, 1945
Dear Mom,
Got your letter today and you seem to be feeling better again. I guess you know I am all finished flying and just waiting to go home. There is a small chance I may be kept here as an instructor, though for 9 months, and I hope that never happens. By now you probably have heard me broadcasting on the radio with Don. All the good stuff was censored out and I had to say what was written down but anyway it was supposed to be on BBC. They said they would let you know when it comes off so you could hear it too. Am feeling better and think I’ll soon start to put on weight again. I know I lost a lot towards the end of the tour of ops. If Don Acker, my pilot, gets a chance he will be looking you up. Hope Otto will be around It sounds as though he will be away for quite a spell this time. Anna and I are figuring on going to Seattle shortly after I get back so you can expect us. Have looked all over for a pewter tea and coffee set in England and Scotland without any luck and Anna said she would really beat me up if I didn’t get one but they have quit making all unnecessary things over here a long time ago. Scotch tweed fabric would be nice but they have even stopped that and they have a lot of good stuff here that should do as well yet I’ll bet it would pay to buy it in Canada same as the tea and coffee set.
Hope I’ll be lucky enough to see Bob and Otto soon as I get back. I feel lucky that they were able to come to Fraser Lake before I left. I am busy now believe it or not, just waiting for General Orders to come in so I can get the crews together for a trip. You see I am the Squadron Duty Officer at present. I started this at noon and it is now 7 PM. Here goes- See you soon Mom,
Your loving son Harold
With all the deaths, promotion was quick 83
February 17, 1945
Morning Special Contribution
ANNCR: This is Rooney Pelletier of the British Broadcasting Corporation, speaking, and introducing two airmen of the Royal Canadian Air Force - a pilot and a navigator- both whom fly rocket-firing Beaufighters of Coastal Command - and, not only that, they’ve each just finished their tour of duty. Here’s the Pilot.... Officer ....
ACKER: Don Acker.
ANNCR: And the Navigator....Flying Officer...
ENGELSON: Harry Engelson
ANNCR: Now Don - you’re American, aren’t you?
ACKER: Yes, I am - from Fargo, North Dakota. ANNCR: And Harry - you’re Canadian?
ENGELSON: That’s right - I was born in Victoria, B.C., so I'm a Canadian citizen - although both my parents are American - same as Don’s.
ACKER: My parents are of Norwegian decent, too and so is Harry’s father.
ENGELSON: And that’s not all - we both have five brothers and three sisters.
ANNCR: Well, before this gets more complicated let’s listen to each of you in turn?
ACKER: That’s okay with me - whose first?
ANNCR: How about you Don?
ACKER: Well, I have two brothers in the United States Army - one’s in Belgium, and the other’s in the States. Then I have a third brother working at the Douglas Aircraft factory in Los Angeles, California, and a fourth - my twin 84 brother, by the way - with the United States Navy in the South-West Pacific. ANNCR: And your sisters?
ACKER: They’re doing war jobs too - one’s in the U.S. Marine Corps, one’s in the U.S. Army, and third is up in Los Angeles with my brother working in the Douglas Aircraft factory.
ANNCR: Well, that’s a wonderful record, Don. Now, how about your five brothers and three sisters, Harry? ENGELSON: Three of my brothers are in the United States Navy, and the fourth is in the Canadian Navy. One of my sisters and my mother both work in the Boeing Aircraft factory in Seattle, Washington.
ANNCR: Well, if everyone’s family horns into war work like your two families, it’s not surprising that the Hitler gang is getting all it deserves. But let’s get back to you again, Don... when did you join the Royal Canadian Airforce?
ACKER: After I left High School - and I’ll always remember the day - January 6th 1942 - just over three years ago.
ANNCR: You volunteered, didn’t you?
ACKER: Yes, I did.
ANNCR: And so did Harry, I suppose?
ENGELSON: Yes, I did, But I’d forgotten High School - I was with the British Columbia Provincial Police.
ANNCR: The R.C.M.P. in other words?
ENGELSON: Yes, I was working in Northern B.C. along the Yukon and the North West Territories for five years, and during that time I used to travel by sleigh. It was an up-to-date sleigh too, because it carried a home-made radio transmitting and receiving set.
ANNCR: All your own make?
ENGELSON: All my own make, and it came in very useful too. I was able to locate the position of an aircraft which crashed in an isolated part of the territory. 85
ACKER: As a matter of fact, Harry made the headlines. Only he won’t tell you that.
ANNCR: Did he, Don? then it sounds to me as if you’ve a pretty good Wireless Operator and Navigator working alongside you...
ACKER: I certainly have - Harry’s worth it!
ENGELSON: Seeing everyone’s throwing bouquets, Don’s the best pilot I know...
ANNCR: With the two of you on one rocket-firing Beaufighter, I almost feel sorry for the enemy- you are together, aren’t you?
ACKER: Yes, we are. Harry came over to Britain before I did - When did you come over, Harry?
ENGELSON: October 1942. I had more training when I arrived and then I was on instruction duties - with the Advanced Flying Unit and the A.T.C., that is the English Air Training Corps.
ANNCR: Why - and the A.T.C.?
ENGELSON: Well, those youngsters are so keen - they ask every question under the sun, so you have to be right on the bit.
ANNCR: Oh, I see. Tell me, when did you two meet up then?
ACKER: Well, I came overseas nearly a year after Harry - in May 1943 and we started operational flying together the following October. That was when we met, and except for one week, we’ve always flown together.
ANNCR: What happened?
ENGELSON: I was flying with our fomer C.O. - he’s an Englishman in the R.A.F. and he’s done about three tours of duty.
ANNCR: He sounds like a pretty good Commanding Officer then? 86 ACKER: He’s one of the best - I think he knows everyone on that station too - I know he remembers all the ground crews by name. Anyway, I missed Harry that week, and I was glad when he came back.
ANNCR: Well, now that you two have finished your own tours of duty there must be some operational flights which you’ll remember above all the rest?
ENGELSON: Yes, there are a few good do’s. What do you say, Don?
ACKER: I remember specially, what we call a “Strike” - just a few weeks after D-Day. We attacked two Sperbrekers off the coast of France, very near Bordeaux.
ANNCR: What are Sperbrekers, Don?
ACKER: They’re German flak ships and very strong too - almost like floating gun positions, and they’re used to protect their shipping.
ANNCR: Did you sink them?:
ACKER: Yes, we did, but not until we’d flown through a thick wall of flak which was coming up at us from gun positions and destroyers. Everything let loose at us, including parachute flares - they have cables attached to them, and that is, of course, obviously extra danger to the aircraft. But we did sink those ships - we attacked at several thousand feet, went down to target level, and flew low all the way out.
The picture above is of the attack on one of the sperbrekers. Notice the rockets on the right
These and other similar attacks were not believed by the British Navy. How could 25 pound rockets sink a ship so big? 87 ANNCR: How many aircraft attacked?
ACKER: Two squadrons - Ours and an English squadron.
ANNCR: Is your station half R.A.F. and half R.C.A.F?
ACKER: No, it’s more mixed than that - there are English, Canadian, New Zealanders, and Australians stationed together, and sometimes we have Polish fighter escort.
ANNCR: Wow than you are truly allied then. What “strike” will you always remember, Harry?
ENGELSON: There are two - one strike was on D-Day, when our squadron and an English squadron were sent out to attack three German destroyers making their way round the coast of France up the Channel. The R.A.F. squadron flew in and shot up their guns, and we followed with the rockets. Then there was another “strike” off the coast of Holland. That was quite an event too. We attacked so many ships we couldn’t count them.
The white marks are exploding shells from the ships.This was called “Flak” 88
ACKER: I remember that, too, Harry - as we went in to attack at one end we couldn’t see the other. We sank some I know, because we saw them blowing up, but with a great number of ships like that, it’s hard to tell just exactly how many were destroyed.
ANNCR: How many squadrons attacked that day?
ACKER: There were four that day - English, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand.
ANNCR: And what territory have you two covered during your tour of duty?
ACKER: From Trondheim in Norway, along the whole coast down as far as Bordeaux in France.
ANNCR: Norway, too, eh?
ENGELSON: Yes, we went after shipping there as well. Don and I feel that we were defending our own coast when we attack in that part of the world.
ANNCR: Well I know that you two have completed your tour of duty and done an excellent job. But it must feel strange after being over here so long. You know that now you wish to go home.
ENGELSON: Yes it does. somehow the worst is you are not finished. and of course it isn’t finished. Even now when things are looking better it doesn’t seem any better when you go on a strike and come up against the enemy
ACKER: I agree with Harry. The enemy can still hit back attack and plenty hard too.
ANNCR: Well, You two should know. You are the ones right on the front line 89
ANNCR: Anyway Don, Canada is your next stop. What are you going to do?
ACKER: I am going to get a transfer to the American Army, the Air Corps and I hope to go to the South Pacific.
ANNCR: Well you certainly are asking for punishment. How about you Harry?
ACKER: Harry is our oldest navigator, he is 37 and a real old timer.
ENGELSON: Well, I am going home to see my wife and my little boy Monte and I guess I’ll join the Provincial Police again.
ANNCR: What ever either of you two fellows do, everyone here wishes you very good luck indeed and what you have done over here in the Royal Canadian Air Force will never be forgotten
ENGELSON: Thank you ACKER: So long everybody 90
Montreal . April 1st 1945
Dear Mom,
Am on my way home at last. Arrived back in Canada on the Queen Elizabeth. Leaving on tonight’s train. Had a good if rough trip over and have just now finished having 3 milkshakes, 2 banana splits and 1 steak in the last hour. Pretty good huh...
Will most likely be in Fraser Lake a couple weeks before we go south unless Anna wants to go right away. I have until the 16th of May on leave and am pretty sure I can get my discharge soon after.
Train is soon due to leave so hello to you all!
Love Harold
I remember Dad’s return to Fraser Lake, lots of hugs and kisses. I didn’t really get to sit on his knee for a couple of hours. He opened up his duffle bag (that was his suitcase/pack) and he gave me a leather flying helmet. This had been given to him by another pilot who was leaving on a mission. This pilot, Johnny, told dad that he wouldn’t be coming back and said that the helmet was to be given to me. Johnny didn’t come back...
I still have the helmet... 91
Later, Dad, Mom and I went down to Vancouver and Seattle. This was one big party. Dad bought a fancy car. It was a buick straight eight coup. On May 7th & 8th,1945, we were staying in the Devonshire Hotel in Vancouver. VE day, the official end of the Second World War, was May 8th. I found in the same box of letters a copy of the Vancouver Province from May 7th
Dad went out on the town in his uniform and left mom and I at the hotel. I can remember waking up to the sound of singing outside the window. It was light out. I got up and watched dad and another airforce buddy staggering down the middle of Georgia. I don’t think that either one of them could have walked by themselves. They were singing their airforce song,
“Gentlemen airmen out on a spree”
“Doomed from here to eternity,”
“Lord have mercy on such as we”
“Baa, Baa, Baa.”
We are little black sheep that have gone astray
“Baa, Baa, Baa” 92
Carl, Bob, Harold, Otto, Vernon Hilda, Grandma, Thelma, Lillian
Carol, Marjean, Pat, Chris, Paul Judy, Bob, Lawrence, Ron, Monte
The Pictures above were taken in the summer of 1945