My Darling O.,
Yesterday was a day we must have shared in spirit if not in fact. But after it
was all over, and as I walked home in the rain well after midnight, I thought,
"oh, if only this day could end with finding my O. upstairs waiting to take me
in his arms." However to start at the beginning — last week was one of waiting
and nervous tension. You could just feel it in the air. It was plenty obvious
that the German military machine was Kaput and that the end was only a matter
of time — a few hours, days or maybe a couple of weeks. There was general
restlessness ever since the premature announcement last Saturday night.
Everyone was waiting, waiting and listening constantly to their radio. Saturday
passed — and then Sunday — nerves were at the breaking point. Then Monday
morning it came — like a bolt — "The German Army has signed an unconditional
surrender to all the Allied Nations."
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Dorothy & Oscar
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First Spain and then the ever spreading net to capture rape and plunder the
best of Europe — the mighty Nazi beast swaggered and grew fat — then Stalingrad
— majestic and invincible — a turning point in history. Six years of blood,
suffering and terror — and now the beast lies prostrate and whimpering. While
we can never forget the sacrifice and sorrow, truly yesterday was a day to
rejoice for all the liberated little people — for all who can walk the streets
again without fear, for all the boys who shall return to their families, for
the prospect of a better future. True, a future that must be worked for
vigilantly
-- but still there is hope.
Life had to go on at 141, world shaking events or no — and I had a mighty
hamper of washing on hand. Tuned in on the 8:00 AM news and heard that an
important announcement was soon to be heard. With "womanly in-too-ishun" I
sensed what was coming — and I just felt I must do something concrete about it.
So I got the hammer and nails all ready. What for? So I could put up the flags
of course! Then I forced myself into the lower depths of the house and eyed
the washing machine — but before I departed I left strict instructions that I
was "on call" and was to be notified immediately of any developments.
About 9:35 the summons came — up I rushed — all soapsuds — to listen to the big
news. After the announcement and before all the national anthems had been
played - I was up a ladder and had the last flag in place. Meanwhile I had sent
Gus [Dorothy's mother] to the corner with our son to fetchum groceries (smart gal too
— for the
stores shut down right after after the big news — as did the restaurants — and
many a belly went taut with that gnawing hunger). She was doing her duty at the
Dominion store when the news came through — and the place went wild. Just as I
completed the verandal decorations along comes Gus wheeling our son who had
acquired a large Canadian flag and was waving it happily. You could feel the
electric shock hitting the houses on Walmer — heads came out windows, folks
came out on the sidewalk and greeted each other — all wanted to express
themselves and just didn't know how or where to begin.
Still, the housewives were practical as always , very, very soon you could see
them making for Dupont on the double — shopping bags over their arms. The baker
rushed to our phone "# 27 reporting, what shall I do, I'm almost sold out, do I
quit work — or what?" Think he was told to reserve his remaining stock for his
customers but Morsie strutted out doing a real march militaire and wheedled a
loaf out of him anyway. Then, duty done, out came Morsie's flags, rows of union
jacks — large, small and medium. Out came the dame from across the street --
tremendous old flag in hand — with two assistants to tack up same — there
ensued quite a struggle until Mrs. Bick took over and got Glory properly
hoisted.
Then the planes started to buzz overhead (not too far overhead either) and
leaflets (one enclosed) started to softly descend. Then the school kids came
running home amid much cheering and excitement. I saw a father go to meet his
young son and daughter — he kissed them and my eyes got moist. Gussie was so
excited (and as an excuse to keep on the outside of the house) she started to
polish the brass door-bell and door knob. Reluctantly I retreated to the
vicinity of the clothes line and started to hang out my wash. May T. was with
the same pastime and told me (over the fence) that victory was not announced in
the U.S. and that it was not official. That was almost too much — actually the
announcement was premature but nothing could stop the growing momentum
sweeping over the city of Toronto.
Ronnie Lyons phoned mother to tell her that Yonge St. was going quite wild. So
I hung up the last few diapers and straddled my bike. When I got to Bloor and
peddled towards Yonge I could see that the city and its people had let their
pent up emotions really take off. The more eastward I peddled, the denser and
merrier the crowd. At University Ave. automobiles full of people — inside, on
top and on the running boards were tooting by. Flags were everywhere, on
people's hats, on their jackets, on bikes, on cars. Kids (big ones as well as
little ones) were draping themselves in streamers (real and toilet paper) --
confetti was on the grounds. Went into Rokers and they were selling flags by
the bushels. Noticed that the store fronts had in many cases already installed
their V.E. Day decorations. At Yonge and Bloor huge crowds waited in vain to
get into the streetcars. Practically all factory and store workers had left
work to celebrate.
Somehow or other we at 141 had a scrambled lunch — the radio on full blast and
the phone ringing every few minutes. In the afternoon Donna, Dorothy and myself
walked along Bloor St. Here again was the same spectacle of excitement and joy.
By night I was tired but damned if I (like Syl) would go to bed. It was an
historic day and I was not going to miss it. Cass and I went first to
Willowdale Park. Here a huge crowd was assembled for the "Big Do". It, the
B.D., was poorly planned and a small stage — not high enough over the crowd --
and the hackneyed forms of entertainment, tap dancers, acrobatic dancers, solo
singers, a group of kids working away at the Sailors Hornpipe. But groups of
people made their own entertainment. It looked like every kid in town was out.
Here it was 9:45 and the kids were rolling down the incline — and as I walked I
felt quite guilty. We had a deprived child — I was unfair to him. Believe it or
not there were dozens of baby carriages (and contents) to be seen. There was to
be fireworks and street dancing but the two sports left and headed down town --
in search of the news (and a bit of Chinese grub).
We proceeded down Yonge St. — and at College the car was rerouted to Church. We
glimpsed at Eaton's College store — all illuminated and with beautiful United
Nations' flags fluttering row on row. We walked to Queen and Yonge and it was
quite a sight. Crowds of people at each corner — no planned celebration but
impromptu letting off of steam. A spontaneous parade of C.W.A.C.S. and with
their group marched veterans of the last war, kids and civilians. Bonfires were
lighted at intervals along the curb. A group of happy adolescents formed a
snake dance line — and people kept falling in line — hooting and swirling
around a merry policeman and a morose Mountie. Most of the big store windows
were protected and boarded up — but Simpsons already had a corner window
especially decorated for the occasion.
Celebrations at City Hall
(City of Toronto Archives)
We watched the fun for a while and then headed over towards the City Hall. Here
too crowds had assembled, young and old, fat and thin. The plane
"F for Freddie"
was there with air force men on guard. A big bonfire was shooting out
sparks — and people were gathered around it, singing spontaneously "Roll out
the Barrel", "Hot Time in the Town of Berlin" and "Tipperary". The crowd was
gay — but not wild. We saw only two men in a state of extreme alcoholism. It
was more like a big super picnic. Mothers and fathers were out with their
families, high school kids were having a good time — I don't think that the
situation was one that could have easily been turned into the wild and shameful
holocaust that occurred in Halifax. Very wisely the city had made plans to
de-centralize the festivities.
…
We both send our very best love to our husband — father --
And then some,
Your own,
D.
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