RONALD MIZON IN NOVA SCOTIA 1940-1944 Part 51
Written by Ronald MizonPublished on January 2018
At my employment at the Eastern Woodworkers I became acquainted with one Carpenter who went by the name of Bill Epps. He was an Englishman who had moved to Canada some years previous. He was most helpful to me and gave me a tour around the factory during his lunch break. He pointed out the different kinds of machines which were in use and introduced me to many of his buddies.
Bill also explained to me just what we were making. It turned out to be wooden ammunition barges for the planned invasion of the English channel at a much later date. All the barges were just wood (see picture at end of story), no metal whatsoever, in case of any sparks which would cause an explosion.
After my tour with Bill around the various machines and having a nod from most of the men, we retired to his work bench where he indicated to me just what kind of work he actually did. After seeing quite a lot of the men I figured there must have been about 150 working in various ways making the barges.
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Bill issued to me an invitation to visit him and meet his spouse at their home in nearby Stellarton for tea the next Sunday afternoon.
So the next Sunday I took a walk over to find Bill’s home and on doing so, enjoyed a couple of hours with him and his wife.
Afterwards, I wended my way home to Robertson Street but, on my way, following a different route, I came upon New Glasgow Railway Station and noticed that one could catch a train calling at Milford Station. On impulse, I purchased a return ticket to Milford. My idea was to visit my old school friends in the village (I was still a Canadian Boy Scout attached to the Milford troop). I was due for a disappointment but did not know it then. I first went to visit the Wallaces but they had moved. Then I went to call on the elderly lady for whom I would run errands for and keep her wood box topped up - she had died. Then I went to see my buddy Bert Marr and was shocked to learn that he had drowned whilst swimming in the Shubenacadie River close by. Sunny Barter was at a scout camp and his sister was most grown up. Oh well! I thought I would call in at the Milk Bar and see the owner who said, “come back any time and anything you want is on the house.” -----He had forgotten me!!
I visited the Kerrs - Marianne and Bud - but they were out and Everal Gough was at college. I left the township very glum. My ego took a dive as I took the next train back to New Glasgow. On the train and thinking back, I realized that it was at least two years since I lived there. No wonder I was far from their memories!
When I moved to New Glasgow I had paid a sad farewell to Alan and his wife and felt I would not see much of Donald again, but his Mum extended to me an invitation any week end to stay and Donald was over the Moon. His Grandma too was most pleased to see me. Before I left she gave me a $10 bill and when I returned to New Glasgow I visited a jewellery store and purchased a 9 carat gold ring and had the initials R from G engraved on the inside. When I next visited and showed it to her, she was most pleased. So much that tears ran down her cheeks. She was delighted at my choice. Sadly, she passed away not long after this but I still have my ring but have since given it to my son to keep as I was getting older.