Oxford Diversity Vendor Show Ingersoll
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On a cloudy Victoria Day Weekend, I attended the first Oxford Diversity Vendor Show Ingersoll, hosted by Khadijah Haliru from Hanak Foods, held at the Unifor Hall in Ingersoll, Ontario on Sunday May 22, 2022. Khadijah Haliru wears many hats as a multifaceted entrepreneur and author residing in Oxford County who wants to connect and "to expose the reality that there are a significant number of diverse people in Oxford County now."
Khadijah is the CEO of K Business Group Incorporated which manages a group of brands, including HANAK Foods, the first bottled Nigerian stew sold in stores across Canada, K Body Blends, organic natural skin care products, and K Coaching Academy, her coaching school. With her well diversified businesses, it is no wonder that Khadijah was able to host such an event.
The Oxford Diversity Vendor Show Ingersoll consisted of nineteen local vendors ranging from groups like OCCA, organizations like Kiwanis Ingersoll, food, jewellery, clothing and skin care product vendors, a travel agent, Oxford Manor Retirement Residence, and an immigration agency. About 150 people attended the all-day event which ran from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.
As a Black woman who moved to Oxford County in 1992, I was pleased that Oxford County's population has become more diverse since then. It was a pleasure to meet Suzanne Phillips, President of Oxford Caribbean Canadian Association (OCCA) who founded the group during the pandemic in January 2020. Her goal is to connect new Black immigrants to the area with others who have been here for awhile to provide support and advocacy. Through social media like Instagram: @oxfordcaribcan and Facebook, there are about 300 followers.
The Core Steering Committee for OCCA consist of Duan Daley, Treasury, Linda Reid, Secretary and Michael Thomas Vice President. OCCA is a non-profit community group who via networking, plan to initiate services for adults and youth. Linda mentioned that a picnic was held in the last weekend of August last year. This year they will host another Summer Barbecue at Pittock Park and hope to have an official launch in October.
Despite a newly formed group, OCCA has T-shirts, hoodies, and toques for sale. As a non-profit group, Linda stated all proceeds go back into programs. Other activities include Track and Activity night, Biking and Hiking and the OCCA Women's Group. Connect via Facebook, Instagram or by email at oxford.caribcan@gmail.com.
(Linda Reid, Suzanne Phillips and Duan Daley from OCCA)
Aside from being the President and founder of OCCA, Suzanne Phillips also is an entrepreneur with her skin care business called Grassroots Health. "Grassroots Health is a health hub that addresses the mental and physical health concerns of women holistically." Suzanne started this new business venture two months ago and has an on-line store.
(Suzanne Phillips owner of Grassroots Health & MC Prestige)
The MC for this event was the lovely and multi-talented Noreitta Adelyn Ramocan, stage name Prestige Ignites: a model, singer, songwriter, spoken word artist, poet, motivational speaker, and a spiritual consultant. Prestige reported that while growing up, she listened to her mother singing reggae songs. She is from a line of musicians in her family, as both parents and an uncle were singers. Despite a faulty microphone, Prestige allowed vendors to talk briefly on/about their businesses. ​
Lydia Della Rocca was the first vendor to speak. She is a fifth generation Canadian of Italian heritage who is an Independent Travel Agent with Fareconnct Travel who cited the popular destinations for 2022. With the pandemic over two years, Lydia reported that the travel industry was hit hard. But now people are wanting to travel. She also reported of the Ontario Staycation Tax Credit which encourages Ontarians to travel the province to help with tourism and hospitality sectors. Ontario residents can claim up to 20% of accommodations expenses in 2022.
Marjorie Curet, Principal Consultant from Silver Peak Immigration, cited some statistics about immigration. She reported that small businesses are more likely to employ immigrants then large businesses and how immigrants are more likely to open business. Other statis include:
One of three dentists are immigrants,
32% of software publishers are immigrants,
50% of restaurants are immigrants.
Marjorie also reported that "immigrants are hard working, optimist and open-minded people who are the backbone of this county." Aside from the believe that immigrants take jobs away from residents, immigrants are the source of job creation for they are most likely to open small business that employ residents.
Other activities at the Oxford Diversity Vendor Show Ingersoll included, Hanna painting, music, Magic Express children's cho cho train rides and food. A fun time for the whole family.
​I had the opportunity to sample an eggroll from Taste of Indonesia that was very tasty. I even tried my pallet for the first time on a Nigerian dish called Fufu from Khadijah's business Hanak Foods. According to a post entitled What is fufu? How to make the West African staple trending on TikTok "fufu refers to the slightly sour, spongy dough made from boiled and pounded starchy food crops like plantains, cassava and yams — or a combination of two or more." I found it very light tasting, almost as if eating a cloud. Wonderful, but then again, I love food.
(Nigerian dish rice with Fufu)
The host of Oxford Diversity Vendor Show Ingersoll, Khadijah Haliru, wrapped up the event by "asking for mutual understanding and respect for each other and recognizing we all bring something to the table. Acknowledging we all come with unique experiences, we must value that it makes us even better as a community."
Better words could not be spoken with recent hate crimes. Khadijah hopes to host this event next year to include a fun filled weekend from June 16 to 18, 20023, to include Woodstock, Ingersoll and Tillsonburg, which will continue to grow to unite us.
The 88th Annual Christmas Bird Count
(Image courtesy of/& used with permission)
Boxing Day 2021. What a great way to work off Christmas Dinner with a walk in the woods counting birds. The Woodstock Field Naturalists' Club held their 88th Christmas Bird Count on December 26, 2021. I joined the Club in 1993 and participated most every year in the Count.
While the Woodstock Field Naturalists' Club held their 88th Christmas Bird Count, this year marked the 122nd year of inception of the Christmas Bird Count. Prior to the 20th century, hunters participated "in a holiday tradition known as the Christmas "Side Hunt," the group who shot the biggest pile of birds won. (From Audubon website)
Due to scientists who were concerned about declining bird populations, a new holiday tradition was started on Christmas Day in 1900. "Ornithologist Frank M. Chapman, an early officer in the then-nascent Audubon Society, proposed … a "Christmas Bird Census" that would count birds during the holidays rather than hunt them." (From Audubon website) On that day, 27 birders participated in 25 Christmas Bird Counts that ranged from Toronto, Ontario to Pacific Grove, California who counted 90 species of birds. (Click to a link of the first Christmas Bird Count)
The Christmas Bird Counts occur around December 14 through January 5 each year. Thousands of volunteers throughout North and South America take part in the count in all weather conditions. From The Audubon Society website, "the data collected by observers over the past century allow Audubon researchers, conservation biologists, wildlife agencies and other interested individuals to study the long-term health and status of bird populations across North America. When combined with other surveys such as the Breeding Bird Survey, it provides a picture of how the continent's bird populations have changed in time and space over the past hundred years." (From Audubon website)
What conservationists have learned through Christmas Bird Count data
(Image from the Internet)
Mother Nature is amazing! The second week in March, buds were sprouting on trees and branches, birds were frolicking to entice mates and Robins were abounding. To some seeing an American Robin is a sure sign of spring, but for me it is the majestic turkey vulture.
These massive scavengers are so graceful in flight that its mesmerizing with their massive six feet wingspan gliding effortlessly on a thermal air stream. Usually when you see one turkey vulture there will be a group. When flying, a flock of vultures are called a kettle, when resting on the ground or in trees is called a committee and a group of turkey vultures feeding together are called a wake.
Turkey vulture in flight (Image from the Internet)
​These birds are so beautiful in the sky but with their red bald head, not so much up close. However, I tend to notice that when I do see a turkey vulture in the spring, there is still one more snowfall.
Turkey vulture up close (Image from the Internet)
It seems Mother Nature felt sorry for us having to deal not only with another year of the Coronavirus pandemic but with another lock down. Temperatures in early March were double digits, like summer weather. I took advantage of this by cleaning up and preparing my ponds and putting out my garden paraphernalia. I have never been this early getting my gardens ready.
Going for my daily walk was great not having to don all the winter grub. Some mornings I just wore a tee-shirt. Fantastic! But it proved to be short-lived then yoyoing. It was a winter wonderland on April 21st then a week later a high of 22 degrees Celsius. Back to wearing coats and hats then slathering on sunscreen.
April 21, 2021 (Image taken by Heather A. Rennalls)
April 22, 2021 (Image taken by Carl Rennalls)
Now on the last day of April, there is a frost advisory with the possibility of the temperatures dipping to -2 degrees Celsius. Yikes! Just like with the cases of COVID-19, Mother Nature is up and down. Just when we thought we had all clear that spring weather arrived, Mother Nature threw us a curve ball.
Frost covered trees (Image from the Internet)
Another rite of passage for spring is spring cleaning. Dreaded by many, I am sure. Being off last March due to COVID-19, I spent my time spring cleaning both inside and outside my house. I found it refreshing discarding many unused items and trying to par things done. A year later, I once again spent time spring cleaning. Now I am off due to early retirement. Loving it!
Once again, the goal was trying to pair things down. After living in my house for twenty years, I want to scale back to just the essentials. Not an easy feat but a continual work in progress.
As a homeowner, spring cleaning is not just a required and needed service, so is maintenance. Over the next weeks and months, I will be highlighting various house maintenance chores required during the spring season. Some things I was not even aware of and many maintenance jobs can be done by the homeowner rather then employing professionals. However, there are times when professionals should do some maintenance work. All this will be explored.
In the meantime, enjoy the beautiful sunshine and everything that springtime has to offer. Enjoy reading the poem Spring Has Sprung. ​
Quote: "Where flowers bloom so does hope." ~ Lady Bird Johnson ~
A Brief Black History of Woodstock
This is the fourth and final instalment of a four-part series from the article "A Brief Black History of Woodstock" that was edited and appeared in the What's On Woodstock Magazine in the January/February 2021 issue.
Woodstock has seen its share of outstanding Black entertainers who have and continue to achieve tremendous success in the entertainment world with the Marshall and Morton families.
The Marshall family from Woodstock were well known as the four Marshall brothers all served in the armed forces. According to the book A Safe Haven, the Marshall family first appeared in Oxford County census in 1881 in Blenheim Township where the widow Eliza Marshall lived with her eldest son Thomas and his family. Eliza's two other sons, Horace and John moved to Woodstock in 1891 their older brother Thomas followed in 1901.
Horace and his wife Jane came to Woodstock in 1890 where all five of their sons were born: Harold, Wallace, Horace, Arthur and George. They all attended public school in Woodstock and Wallace went to Woodstock Collegiate (WCI). George died at 17 years of age. Growing up they all had jobs in Woodstock. Both Horace and Wallace worked for the Thomas Organ Company. However, the four remaining Marshall brothers moved to Toronto to find employment.
​Both Horace and Wallace were WW1 veterans, and both also served in the Second World War where Horace was a Sergeant-Major in the Canadian Machine Gun Training Centre. Arthur Marshall was a Quartermaster Sergeant with the Frist Battalion of the Irish Regiment of Canada in the Second World War.
The Marshall Brothers, left to right: Horace, Wallace & Arthur
In 1920, Wallace Marshall moved to Barrie, Ontario and married Vera Irene Rolling. A later their famous daughter Phyllis Marshall was born. Phyllis was an exceptionally talented woman who studied piano as a child. She was also a dress designer, an actress and an athlete who was a contender for the 1940 Olympics for a runner.
Phyllis made her debut at the age of 15 as a singer on CRCT and CBC radio stations. During the 1940s she sang blues and jazz with various Toronto dance bands. During 1947 to 1948, she toured throughout the United States with the Cab Calloway Orchestra. Phyllis appeared on a CBC radio show "Blues for Friday" from 1949 to 1952. In the 1950s she starred in two television shows: "The Big Review" 1952 to 1954 and "Cross Canada Hit Parade" from 1956 to 1959. She also performed with the great Canadian jazz pianist the late Oscar Peterson on BBC-TV.
Phyllis Marshall, daughter of Wallace & Vera Marshall
​In 1959, Phyllis performed on BBC Television in England in her own show "The Phyllis Marshall Special". In 1964 she recorded the Juno Award winning album That Girl with two American jazz stars Buck Clayton and Buddy Tate. Phyllis's second career as an actress began in 1956 at the Crest Theatre in Toronto. She took on both dramatic and musical roles stage, radio and TV productions such as the revue Cindy-Ella in 1964; "Paul Bernard, Psychiatrist" in 1971; "Voice of the Fugitive" in 1978 and in the CBS-CTV's Night Heat during the mid-1980s.
One of Phyllis' last performances was for Nelson Mandela's 70th Birthday Tribute at the Freedom Fest in Harbourfront in 1988. Phyllis Marshall died in Toronto on February 2, 1996. She is remembered as one of Canada's pioneer Black television super star.
The Morton family originally resided in Peel Township in Wellington County where James and his wife, Sarah Ann Cornwall were listed in the 1861 census. Both James and Sarah were born in the United States as was their eldest son Walter. Of their six children, five were born in Ontario and three called Woodstock home. Walter Morton moved to Woodstock where he was listed in the 1891 Census at the age of 25. His two younger brothers, George and Henry along with their wives, were here according to the 1901 Census.
For forty years, Henry Morton worked at the McIntosh Coal Company. His first wife, Hattie died in 1906. He then married Annie Lewis in 1918. The couple had ten children: six sons Harold, Donald, McKenzie, Embry, John and Douglas; and four daughters: Dorothy (husband John James), Isobel (Allan Bennett), Elizabeth and Phyllis. Henry and Annie were married for 36 years when Henry died in 1954 at 81 years old.
After Henry's death, Annie married jack Walters. In 1965 she published a book of seventy poems entitled This is Annie. By then she was a paraplegic. Annie died in 1967 at 68. Annie's children Isobel, Don and Douglas remained in Woodstock. Douglas Morton was married to Ida nee Lawson and they have two children: Greg, the famous entertainer, married to Debra and Nanette who is married to Mark. After 55 years of marriage, Douglas died on November 22, 2010.
Book of poetry by Annie Walters, who was previously married to Henry Morton
Greg Morton attended Woodstock Collegiate Institute. When he was 16 years old, he worked at a local department store as a P.A. Announcer. Greg graduated in animation and worked as an animator on the Scooby and Scrappy Doo Shows and the New Flintstones for Hanna Barbara. He provided voice-overs in the cartoon series of Robocop and Police Academy. Greg also has director role under his belt after directing several Saturday morning cartoons including ABC Hammerman and The Legend of White Fang that appeared on HBO
Comedian Greg Morton grew up in Woodstock, Ontario
In 1985, Morton ventured into the world of stand-op comedy. Thirty-five years later, Greg continues to entertain audiences worldwide and has opened for numerous celebrities like: Celine Dion, Dionne Warwick, Harry Connick Jr, and the late Luther Vandross. He is a long-time veteran of the famous Just For Laughs comedy festival in Montreal and has appeared in Laugh Factor.
Greg Morton appeared as a contestant on Season 14 of America's Got Talent on May 28, 2019 where he impressed the judges that Howie Mandel promised to invite Greg to open for him. On the show Greg performed his famous two-minute rendition of the Star Wars Trilogy that had the audience of all ages in stitches. At 61 Greg Morton has achieved success that will continue. Greg Morton may even get a street named in his honour right here in Woodstock, Ontario.
Born in Hamilton in the 1880s, William (Hippo) Galloway came to Woodstock about 1899. He was a member of the Bain Baseball Team. This was a successful team that played in the Canadian Baseball League. Formed under the Bain Wagon Company, a manufacturer company in Woodstock, William played third baseman making him one the few Black players in organized ball until Jackie Robinson played in 1946.
William (Hippo) Galloway played both baseball & hockey
​Also, in 1899, William and Charles Lightfoot from Stratford were the first Black hockey players in the Ontario Hockey Association. However, there was racial tension when an American player refused to play with William. Although his Woodstock hockey team wanted him to stay, they had to let William go. He left Woodstock for the United States where he joined the all Black team the Cuban Giants. William Galloway later played for the Page Giants.
Yet another famous, well respected and popular Black resident in Woodstock was George Gravy. He was born a slave in the southern United States around 1856. Prior to coming to Woodstock in 1925 where he proclaimed himself as the unofficial Town Crier, George resided in Chatham, Ontario. There he shined shoes at both the Hotel Rankin and the Old Hotel Garner. Aside from being the town crier, George also shined shoes and washed windows. He had a shoeshine stand in the back of Sam Kostis' restaurant at 369 Dundas Street in Woodstock. He also worked at the Steward Manufacturing Company for less than a year.
Woodstock residents nicknamed him George "Washington Jones" a name he did not like but one that stuck and has since been immortalized. For twenty-five years George Gravy paraded around the streets in Woodstock advertising everything from hockey and baseball games to local events like dances, the Lion's carnival, Woodstock Fair and the Rotary Bingo. Many of the Woodstock merchants hired George to advertise their products and services.
Dressed in a silk black hat, a swallow-tailed coat, striped pants and freshly polished shoes, he was bedecked with numerous medals, badges and flags, George started off with a sliver trumpet. He then had a handbell which was replaced with a double hand-bell which he rang before making his announcements through his brass megaphone. Which is now an artifact at the Woodstock Museum. He also caried a sandwich board which would promote the next motion picture showing at the Royal or theatrical production at the Capital. It was said that George's booming voice could be heard in Eastwood, five miles away, if the wind was right.
George Gravy Woodstock's Town Crier 1925 - 1951
The late Ed Bennett wrote that during World War II, Woodstock soldiers serving in England claimed they could hear George's voice announcing regular Saturday night dances. Bennett also mentioned that George's favourite saying was "Well, bless my soul." A friendly person, George was remembered as quite a character in town who "always had a big fat grin on his face." and who referred to almost everyone as "Buster Boy" or to the very few he called "My friend."
With failing eyesight, George Gravy would be seen around town tapping his way with his white cane. Many prominent citizens would help him across the street. On December 8, 1951, George Gravy died at the House of Refuge and was buried in the Baptist Cemetery in Woodstock. Famous businessmen were his pallbearers. In 1952, the late Percy Canfield took up a collection and erected a granite headstone that read "George Jones, 1856-1951, Town Crier".
George Gravy, Woodstock's famous Town Crier is now immortalized in a song written by the city's current Town Crier. Scott Fraser was appointed Town Crier in November 1992 by Woodstock City Council. In 1994, Scott wrote about George Washington to composer James Gordon, from CBC Radio's Ontario Morning Show, "Hometown Tunes". That same year, James Gordon composed the song George Washington Jones. Furthermore, on August 6, 2004, close to 300 Woodstock residents gathered to remember this unofficial but loved town crier when a pathway leading to the Woodstock Museum, was named in his honour: The George Washington Jones Walk.
As illustrated, these are but a few of Woodstock's Black residents who have been a part of history in Oxford County for over 150 years. These earlier settlers have and continue to contribute to their communities.
The third instalment of a four-part series from the article "A Brief Black History of Woodstock" that was edited and appeared in the What's On Woodstock Magazine in the January/February 2021 issue.
Reports indicate that the number of slaves who reached Canada via the Underground Railroad was between 30,000 to 75,000. Although no accurate figures can be given for the number of fugitives or Free Blacks in British North America. It is estimated that about 30,000 fugitive slaves arrived in Canada between 1800 and 1860.
Whatever the number however, not all Blacks who came to Canada were ex-slaves. Following the American Revolution many free Blacks settled here too. Some Blacks even fought in the War of 1812. Similarly, by the 1800's, many Black people made their way to Oxford County trying to make a living in their communities. They worked in a wide variety of occupations like domestic workers, preachers, blacksmiths, framers, carpenters, bricklayers, plasters, roofers, framers and barbers just to name but a few.
The Attawandaron or Neutral Indians inhabited Southwestern Ontario before being exterminated by the Iroquois and the Hurons, who were supplied guns with the arrival of the British and French. The area then became the hunting grounds for the Iroquois. Travelling through this area during 1792-1793, the First Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, Sir John Graves Simcoe, felt the present site of Woodstock, would be a good spot for a garrison town. The area was named on the survey as "the Town Plot" and Simcoe proposed the name Woodstock after his hometown in England.
On January 1, 1851 Woodstock was incorporated and became the centre of a rich agricultural county with successful farms. Manufactures at the turn of century included the Woodstock Iron Works established in 1842 by H. P. Brown. The Vulcan Iron Foundry manufactured stoves, agricultural implements, tin and sheet-iron ware. There were a few grist and flouring mills in the city and two tanneries, a patent medicine factory, a large wholesale and retail book and paper warehouse that manufactured bookbindery. There was also an oil refinery and a brewery. Woodstock was also the chief station for the Great Western Railway which ran from the Town north, south, east and west. Documentation cites that some companies and business in Woodstock employed Black people.
A well-known barber in 1860 was Thomas Doston who escaped slavery in Kentucky in the 1840's and came to Woodstock. Thomas and his wife Abigail had two sons, James and William. The family remained in the area until the 1880's, when they moved to Detroit to live with their son James who became the Deputy Sherriff. Thomas died in Detroit in 1906.
Gilbert 'Gil' Sanders became known as the "only barber in town" who had a shop located on Dundas Street West in Woodstock. By the 1870 Census, Gilbert had two other Black men working for him as barbers, Henry Anderson and William Tillman. During the 1880s, Gilbert was married and had a family of three living in Woodstock.
Marshall Anderson, known as "Marsh", was born in South Norwich in 1844. In 1871, when he was 27 years old, Marsh farmed on a rented property near Burgessville. He resided there with his first wife Sarah and their 3-year-old daughter Frances. Following Sarah's death, Marsh married her younger sister Mary. The family moved to Woodstock in 1881 where Marsh joined the Woodstock town fire brigade until the fire department was made a permanent one and moved to the fire hall on Perry Street. However, that same year, Mary died. According to Joyce Pettigrew' book A Safe Haven The Story of Black Settlers in Oxford County, the Woodstock Fire Brigade wrote a letter to the editor of the newspaper as public note of condolence.
Marshall Anderson
During the 1890's, Marsh was the municipality's law enforcement and known as "Woodstock's Faithful Night Watchman". Hired by local merchants, this large Black man patrolled the city after dark when policing did not provide night coverage after six o' clock. Lieutenant-Colonial John White came up with the idea of having Marsh protect stores and business at night. Marsh's beat was from Vansittart Avenue to Wellington Street, on both sides of Dundas Street as well as the stores and business around City Hall Square.
Marsh had an assistant; a large Newfoundland dog named "Duke." The two made an effective team but Duke was poisoned when he was 11 years old. Marsh's second dog was a Great Dane named "Seeker". While Marsh tried the doors of the local merchants, Seeker would stand and wait. If there were any sign of trouble, Marsh would let Seeker in to investigate. The beat back was in reverse; Seeker would lead the way down the allies behind the stores, followed by Marsh. If something usually was found, Seeker would "utter a deep growl and stand guard until Marsh" arrived with his gas lamp to investigate and make an arrest if necessary. If someone had to be placed in the lock-up, located in the cellar of the town hall, Marsh would lead the way, followed by the culprit and Seeker bringing up the rear. It was reported that Marsh and Seeker never lost a prisoner. In the morning, the prisoner would be freed.
However, according to the late historian, Edwin (Ed) Bennett, not all people who stayed overnight in the county jail were criminals or vagabonds. Ed once explained how his father, a well-known prosperous businessman the late Bill Bennett Sr., spent the night in jail. In the early morning in 1904, Bill first arrived in Woodstock by train. Bill met Marsh and asked if a hotel would be opened. Marsh offered Bill a bed in a section of the jail used as a hostel by prisoner's dependants. Marsh told Bill that 'it's cheaper than a hotel!' The senior Bennett accepted, and in the morning, he moved to the Oxford Hotel.
After 40 years of public service, Marsh retired at age 81 in 1925 and was granted a pension for life by the Woodstock Police Commission. In 1932, Marshall Anderson died in hospital after succumbing to illness by his coal-gas oven. A poem written about Marshall Anderson that went:
Go home to supper now.
You proud business man.
The "Seeker" and Marshall
Will secure all your land.
No crook will accost you.
No robbers appear
For in spite of brave Marshall,
It's "Seeker" they fear.
The Smith family were well-known and respected in Woodstock. Peter Smith was born into slavery on April 2, 1844 in Richmond Virginia. He escaped slavery via the Underground Railroad to Canada possibly in a crate that family members still have. Peter settled in Chatham but later moved to East Oxford in 1871, according to the Census that same year with his wife Martha who was from Chatham. The couple then lived in East Zorra then eventually moved to Innerkip. They had six children Samuel, Albert, Leonard, Martha, Annie and Rose.
Peter worked as a blacksmith, he farmed, and he also worked in the lime kilns in Ingersoll. He would gather scarps of metal, rags and bones to recycle. After his wife died on April 9, 1911, Peter moved to Woodstock to find employment. He eventually moved to the House of Refuge where he died on January 17, 1929 at the age of 85.
Samuel Walter Smith was the eldest of six children born to Peter and Maude Smith on December 13, 1871. Of his five siblings, Samuel was the only one of the six who reminded in Oxford County. He was born in Innerkip then moved to Woodstock to find employment. Samuel married Mary A. Anderson from Chatham in 1903.
Like his father, Samuel was a hardworking man and an entrepreneur. According to his son, Fred Smith, Samuel was the first person to plough the streets of Woodstock with his team of horses and a snow plough. He also delivered wood and cleaned up after fires. Sometimes Fred would accompany his father and his team of horses ploughing the streets at 4:00 in the morning.
Samuel also founded a gravel company in Woodstock. He built his home at 256 Phelan Street in 1903 which would become known as the Homestead. According to the book A Safe Haven, Samuel supplied milk from his two cows to the Silverwood's Dairy. Samuel and Mary had nine children: John, Fred, Walter, Madeline, Leta, and Hilda, Selena who died at a young age, Mabel and Mildred. Only 4 of the Smith children remained in Oxford County.
On January 15, 1937, Samuel died from carbon monoxide poisoning while fixing his vehicle in his garage. He was 67 years old and credited as a prominent man who helped to re-build the church in his community.
The grandson of Peter Smith, John Smith and his wife Shirley resided in the family Homestead on Phelan Street. John worked at Oxford Regional Centre. Like members of the Smith family, John and Shirley were also active members of their church. In October 1974, they dedicated a Memorial Light and Plaque to the Dundas Street United Church in Woodstock in memory of John's parents.
The memorial light is an outside light that was installed over the east side door of the church. Installed with a photocell, the light comes on automatically at dusk and turns off at dawn. The inscription on the plaque reads as follows: "This light is given to Dundas Street United Church by Mr. and Mrs. John W. Smith to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Mr. and Mrs. S.W. Smith." John Smith died on February 1, 2002.
Born on March 22, 1909 and raised in Woodstock, Frederick (known as Fred) Alfred Smith was well-known and respected person around town. Fred was known to 'break into song' wherever and whenever he went. He was known as the area's finest gospel singer who sang for churches and gatherings and even travelled to the States to sing.
Fred used to deliver the newspapers for The Daily Sentinel-Review, he worked as a polisher and janitor for James Stewart Manufacturing Company when he was 16 and worked there for 32 years. The James Stewart Manufacturing Company was established in Woodstock in 1892 then moved their operations in the early 1960s' they wanted Smith to follow but he declined.
In 2000, Fred donated his family-owned century-old Stewart Good Cheer coal/wood burning stove to the Woodstock Museum which continues to be part of their collection. After the company left town, Fred then worked at the local freight company Overland Express Company as a janitor for 38 years.
Fred married Phyllis LaSalle and had 4 daughters: Gloria, Brenda, Shelia and Tammy. Of his 4 daughters, only one resides in Oxford County. Sheila Picknall is an Education Assistant in Woodstock and has two sons Nathan and Justin. Fred Smith died at Woodingford Lodge in Woodstock on October 2, 2007 in his 98th year.
In 1959, Mildred Smith, the youngest of Samuel Smith's children, was appointed pastor of the British Methodist Episcopal (BME) Church in Woodstock where she had been the deaconess of the church since 1950. Her duties of a deaconess included visiting the sick and dying as well as assisting the pastor with service. In a newspaper article that appeared in the Woodstock Sentinel Review on July 9, 1959, Pastor Smith reported that she is on "old fashioned" type of minister and people would expect to hear an old-fashioned Gospel service. Despite her small congregation of five, Pastor Smith hoped that the old church would be bulging to its seams with people. This never occurred however, but the Smith family still went down in the history book.
The Smith family are one of the few remaining Black families who arrived in Oxford County via the Underground Railroad during the mid-1880s. The family has 150 years of history contributing to their community.
Built by former slaves, the British Methodist Episcopal (BME) Church was once the religious and social centre of Woodstock's Black community. Known by various names: Hawkins' Chapel and Park Row Community Chapel, the church opened its door on December 2, 1888. A porter at the O'Neil House George Washington and stonemason Dan Anderson, started canvassing in 1883. By 1886 the two local Black men purchased lot number 1 at 257 Park Row in Woodstock, to build the 200-seat frame church.
Also known as Hawkins' Chapel and Park Row Community Chapel
The church was named Hawkins Church after the first minister, the Right Reverend Walter Hawkins. During the 1880s, the church serviced about 75 Black families and was one of the few Black churches in the community. The last burial service held at the church occurred on January 15, 1937 for Samuel Walter Smith (Peter Smith's eldest son.)
After being closed for six years, Reverend George Boyce took over the church in July 1977 and re-opened it a year later as Park Row Community Chapel. To show that the church was open for any race, it was painted black and white. Reverend Boyce baptized Kevin James Mitchell, of Stratford son of Ray and Cecilia Mitchell (Mabel Smith's daughter) on February 6, 1978, during the church's re-opening. The child was the fourth generation of the Smith family to be baptized in the church before it was closed permanently in 1986. A single-family dwelling now stands at the site that was once a centre for Blacks in Woodstock.
Susan LeBurtis was born Susan Brown in Artemesia Township in Grey County in 1857. She was one of seventeen children born to Lemuel and Phebe Brown. Susan moved to Collingwood, Ontario to find work and met Reverend Charles William LeBurtis. In 1885, the couple moved to Woodstock where Reverend LeBurtis was a minister at the BME Church. Susan provided herbal remedies to cure her friends' and neighbours' numerous aliments. This became so popular that she sold herbal medicines from their home located at 331 Dundas Street. In advertisements, the business called The William LeBurtis Medicine Company in which was known for the manufacturer of LeBurtis' Blood Purifier.
After Reverend LeBurtis died in 1910, Susan took over the business. By 1912, she renamed this business Le Burtis Medical Company and moved to 327 Dundas Street. Susan was so well known for curing ailments with her herbal remedies that many of her clients came from the United States. She only charged when there was a cure. Although charged by the Ontario Medical Association for practicing without a license, Susan's case was dismissed. Susan LeBurtis continued to sell and practice herbal medicine until her death on April 8, 1926.
(The last instalment will be posted next week.)
The Underground Railroad & Harriet Tubman
The second instalment of a four-part series from the article "A Brief Black History of Woodstock" that was edited and appeared in the What's On Woodstock Magazine in the January/February 2021 issue.
​The first major wave of fugitive slaves to Canada occurred between 1817 to 1820 and the choice of refuge was Essex County as it was the easiest and fastest to reach from the United States. About 20 terminals were set up in Ontario dotting along the shores of Lake Erie and the Niagara River, as well as Amhertsburg, Sandwich, Windsor, Owen Sound, Hamilton, St Catharine's, Toronto, Kingston, Brantford, Collingwood and Prescott. Many Great Lakes ships would carry runaways without charge and drop them on Canadian soil. Ships such as Bay City, United States, Arrow, Mayflower, Forest Queen, May Queen, Morning Star, and Phoebus. Areas in Oxford County that both escaped slaves and free Blacks settled included, Ingersoll, Woodstock, Blenheim, Norwich, Summerville and Otterville.
About 20 terminals were set up in Canada along the Lake Erie shore.
Escaping slaves usually travelled at night on foot through swamps, bayous, forests and waterways guided north by the stars and hid at stations or ports, during the day. Slaves passed information on escape by songs like "Follow the Drinking Gourd," "Wade in the Water," "Steal Away, or "Sweet Chariot".
The most northerly terminus of the Underground Railroad was the former Wesleyan Methodist Church in Ingersoll. Led by Quakers by the way of St. Thomas, slaves escaping bondage from their plantations from Virginia, Georgia, Louisiana and even as far as New Orleans, were smuggled into the attic of the Ingersoll Church during the night. Anti-slavery supporters would try to find work for them on neighbouring farms throughout Oxford County or would transport them to other areas to work, to enable them to safely reach their destinations.
A legendary conductor on the Underground Railroad was Harriet Ross Tubman. Known as the "Black Moses" of her people, Tubman was born into slavery around 1820 on Edward Brodess plantation in Maryland, Ohio. One of 9 children, her parents Harriet (Rit) Green and Benjamin Ross named her Araminta or "Minty" Ross. Harriett grew up with the harsh realities of bondage. From the young age of 5, she was hired out to care for a baby. At nighttime she had to constantly rock the baby, if he cried, Harriett would be whipped. She received such beatings that Harriet bore scars. As an adolescent, Harriet tried to protect another slave and suffered a head injury after an overseer throw a two-pound weight aimed for a slave she helped escape. This incident left Harriet with a scar in her forehead. She suffered from terrible headaches and endured sudden loss of consciousness throughout her life.
In 1848, she married a free Black man, John Tubman. Harriet told her husband of her wish to escape but aborted it when John threatened to tell her master. After the death of Edward Brodess, the estate was divided, and Harriet's sisters were sold. After a failed attempt to escape with her brothers, Harriett found out she and her brothers would be sold and sent to Georgia in a chain gang.
In 1849 Tubman escaped on her own foraging through the woods at night, she found shelter and was helped by free Blacks and Quakers. She eventually reached freedom in Philadelphia. There, Harriet met with the prominent abolitionist and civil rights activist William Still. Like him, she too became a conductor on the Underground Railroad. Tubman quickly gained respect among both the slaves and abolitionists. Abolitionist John Brown called her "General Tubman".
Despite a $40,000 price on her head by a group of slave-owners, Harriett Tubman continued to lead escaping slaves to freedom. She brilliantly used disguises—sometimes posing as a deranged old man and at other times, as an old woman—to avoid suspicion when travelling in slave states. During her expeditions, Tubman carried sleeping powder to stop babies from crying and a pistol to prevent her charges from backing out once their journey began. However, Harriett never lost a passenger, although threatened, she never had to use her gun.
​Over a period of ten years, Tubman made an estimated 19 expeditions into the Southern States and personally escorted about 300 slaves out of bondage to become free in Canada, including some of her siblings and her aged parents. She lived in St. Catharine's, Ontario for ten years before returning to the United States to serve the Union Army during the American Civil War in 1861 in South Carolina. While there she served as a nurse, a scout and a spy. Harriett Tubman is still considered the first and only woman to led American troops into war. She also helped prepare food for the 54th Massachusetts Regiment—composed entirely of Black soldiers.
​Following the war, Harriet continued to be a champion helping the poor newly freed slaves, raising money for clothes and adequate educational facilities. She also became a strong supporter of woman suffrage. Tubman was not able to read or write, but in 1869, her friend Sarah Bradford helped her publish her biography, Scenes from the Life of Harriet Tubman, so that her achievements could be an inspiration to others. Harriet Tubman died on March 10, 1913 at the age of 93. This extraordinary woman was buried with military rights at Fort Hill Cemetery in Auburn New York.
Quote: "Slavery is the next thing to hell." ~ Harriet Tubman to Benjamin Drew [author of The Narratives of Fugitive Slaves] St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, 1855 ~
Early Canadian Black History
February is Black History Month. For each week this month, I will be posting a segment of a larger article I wrote on A Brief Black History of Woodstock. This article was edited and appeared in the What's On Woodstock Magazine in the January/February 2021 issue.
Black Lives Matter; marches for racial equality. Images conjured up from anywhere in the United States right? Wrong. A march for racial equality occurred right here in Woodstock Ontario on Sunday June 7, 2020 at Victoria Park. Organizers, Hannah Hodder and Jessica Hoffstetter, are two young Black women who grew up in Woodstock. They decided to join in on the nationwide protests over the killing of George Floyd on May 30th in Minneapolis and to highlight the systemic racism and violence against Black people. Growing up Black in Woodstock, both Hannah and Jessica experienced racism and described the lack of resources for Black youth during their interview by the Woodstock-Sentinel Review.
Both women were surprised but pleased by the large turnout for the protest. They were also contacted by Woodstock Police Chief Daryl Longworth who wanted to begin conversations and they now sit on a new advisory board to address diverse cultures.
Like the United States, Woodstock and Oxford County, Black people have been a part of history for quite some time. Like many parts of Canada, Oxford County was home to a number of Black communities that have since disappeared and are largely forgotten. Few monuments commemorate these long-gone hamlets neither of early Black settlers nor of the individuals who made contributions to Oxford County.
The late Mary Evans-Smith volunteered at the Oxford Historical Society who dedicated her time researching Black history in Oxford County during the 1990s. She believed if you "talk about Canada being a multicultural country, every race and colour must be included in its history." Otterville historian, Joyce Pettigrew, documented local Black settlements in her 2006 book, A Safe Haven The Story of the Black Settlers of Oxford County. Although limited compared to other communities throughout Oxford County, Woodstock does have a rich Black history in both people and buildings that the scope of this four-part blog post will address.
However, to understand how and why Black people came to Oxford County, we must know the history of Canada, one which and to some extent, is still not taught in school. Forgotten in our history books is the mention that slavery existed Canada. Black people first arrived in Canada as slaves by the British around 1608. But the first recorded Black person to arrive on Canadian soil was Mathieu da Costa from Azores. He was not a slave but a linguist, an explorer, a pioneer and a translator between the Micmac Indians and the French explorer with Samuel de Chaplain in 1606. ​
(©2017 Canada Post Corporation, copied with permission)
Da Costa was favoured by explorers due to his knowledge in several languages: Dutch, English, French, Portuguese and pidgin Basque, the dialect that many Aboriginals used for trading purposes. As a result, his talents helped to bridge the gap between the Europeans and the Micmac Indians. It is possibly that da Costa could possibly have been in Canada as early as 1603.
Olivier Le Jeune, a boy from Madagascar, was the first recorded slave that came directly from Africa and sold in New France in 1628. Captured in Africa at 6 years old, Le Jeune was transported to Canada by David Kirke. When Kirke left in 1629, Olivier was sold to a Canadian. He was baptized in 1633 and given the last name of one of the priest, Jesuit Father Paul Le Jeune. Oliver Le Jeune died in 1654 in New France.
From 1628 to 1759 (when the British conquered New France), 1,132 slaves were transported to New France, all of African descent. In 1688, Governor Denonville's request for royal permission to import slaves directly from Africa was denied. As a result, a direct slave trade from Africa to Canada was never established.
In 1685, The Code Noir or "Black Code" became law which provided guidelines on the sale of slaves, their religious instructions and training, and the disposition of their offspring. Although referred to as "servants" rather than slaves, both Indians and Blacks were deemed to be property by their masters and were sold. French settlers preferred Indian slaves or panis. The majority of Indian slaves were Pawnees or from closely related tribes. The English settlers chose and brought Black slaves.
The slave population increased rapidly in Canada after 1783, when the United Empire Loyalist migrated from the United States to Canada after the Revolutionary War from 1775 to 1783. About 40,000 Loyalists found refuge in the British provinces of Nova Scotia, Quebec and later made their ways to other areas: like Kingston, York, Toronto, Newark, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Amherstburg. Along with these early Loyalists were Black soldiers who volunteered to serve with the British forces during the war. However, aside from Black Loyalists, some Loyalists brought over their slaves to Canada who would later see an end to slavery.
On June 19, 1793, Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe introduced a bill prohibiting the import of slaves into Upper Canada (Ontario). However, known as the "Slave Bill" faced great opposition but once passed, Upper Canada became the only British Colony to legislate for the abolition of slavery. This bill prohibited further entry of slaves into the province. Slaves already living in Upper Canada remained slaves for life, their children, born after 1793, could be free at age 25 and their children would be free at birth. It took another 41 years to abolish slavery throughout Canada.
On August 1, 1834, about 781,000 slaves were emancipated throughout British North America by the British Imperial Act. On that day, known as Emancipation Day, a slow exodus of Black people began from United States into Canada. Emancipation Day celebrations occurred in Woodstock and Ingersoll. In Natasha Henry's book Emancipation Day, Woodstock hosted an event in 1898 that was advertised in the Daily Sentinel Review on July 22, 1898.
Between 1840 and 1850, there was a huge influx of Black people exiting the United States due to the passing of The Fugitive Slave Law of 1850. (This act was a much stronger act than the earlier Fugitive Slave Law of 1793.) This law allowed slave owners to recapture runaways and even free Blacks, in northern Free states.
For many slaves, Canada represented a dream of freedom where slave catchers and lynch mobs couldn't hurt them. Slaves on the Underground Railroad endured months and even years, of living like fugitives while bounty hunters and racist government policies were always trying to impede their flight to freedom. Most slaves started out their journey on the Underground Railroad by running away from their plantation in the middle of the night. Often the runaway slave was alone, but on many occasions whole families would escape together. Many Black people followed the North Star to Canada and some came to Oxford County via the Underground Railroad.
The Underground Railroad (also called the "Liberty Line") was not underground nor did it have tracks but was a movement consisting of network of escape routes. The Underground Railroad emerged as a result of over 415 years of slavery in the United States that started in 1450 and continued through the Civil War until the passing of the 13th Amendment which abolished slavery in 1865. Oppressed slaves wanted a way out and with the help of Abolitionist and other Anti-Slavery advocates, many slaves escaped to freedom in Canada by following the North Star via the Underground Railroad. Slaves not only escaped to Canada but also to Mexico and the Caribbean.
The term "Underground Railroad" originated supposedly in 1831 when a Kentucky slave named Tice Davids fled his plantation with his master in hot pursuit. Tice jumped into the Ohio River determined to swim to Ripley, Ohio, on the other shore. Pursued by his master in a boat, Tice made it to shore. When his master reached the shore, however, Tice was nowhere to be found. The frustrated slave-owner declared that Tice had vanished before his very eyes disappearing on some kind of "underground road." The success of Davids' escape soon spread among the enslaved on southern plantations.
With the advent of the steam railway, terms like the "Underground Railroad" were used as code words. The "train" would occasionally be nicknamed the "Gospel Train". "Conductors" consisted of people or groups of people like the Quakers, freed Blacks, Sympathetic Whites, Native Americans, German farmers and various religious groups, who feed, clothed and hid escaping slaves from one point to another until freedom was reached. "Stations" were places the abolitionists hid their "cargo" - escaping slaves - like barns, churches, attics, cellars farmhouses or secret passages. The Underground Railroad began in the 1780s by the Quakers.
The relationship between Blacks and Quakers goes a long way and it is a close relationship. Quakers or - the Society of Friends - were the backbone of the abolitionist and anti-slavery movements. Being peaceful people, Quakers do not believe in violence and they also believe that all men are created equal and had concerns for social reform and education. The origins of the Quaker testimony against slavery and the slave trade can be traced back to George Fox, the founder of Society of Friends also known as the Father of Quakerism. He first spoke out against slavery in 1657.
(Levi and Catherine Coffin)
The President of the Underground Railroad was a Quaker named Levi Coffin. His home in Newport, Indiana (and later in Cincinnati, Ohio) was known as the "Grand Central Station." Through their work in the antislavery movement, Levi and his wife Catherine helped thousands of runaway slaves. During a visit to Canada in 1844, Levi visited many people whom he had helped escape slavery. (To be continued.)
Quote: "...no man can tell the intense agony which is felt by the slave when wavering on the point of making his escape....The life which he has, may be lost, and the liberty which he seeks, may be gained." ~ Frederick Douglass ~
2020: The Year of Polarization
Phew! What a year! Thank goodness it's over. 2020 will go down in the history books as being the most memorial year ever but for all the wrong reasons. Don't get me wrong, there were joyous occasions like births, couples getting married and families reconnecting; mainly, life happening.
But there was so much polarization that occurred during 2020. The slogan used by Virginia Slims cigarette ads during the 1960s and 1970s "You've Come a Long Way, Baby" aimed specifically for women, has me questioning: how far have we really come? If 2020 taught us anything, it showed that both racial and gender injustices still prevail. Maybe the logan should instead be: "Baby, You Still Have a Long Way to Go".
2020 first started off with devastating fires that decimated Australia's landscape. The exit of Britain from the European Union as well as Britian's Monarch stepping back from their Royal duties.
2020 was also marred by the dreaded COVID-19 or Coronavirus Disease. (Which I'm sure both words including "pandemic" will be the most searched words in 2020.) Nothing of this magnitude has ever affected the whole wide world since The Black Death during the mid 1300s. It sparked an unprecedented global public health crisis which still continues a year later.
​The first COVID-19 case started in China in January and lockdown occurred there in February. By March this dreaded disease put all the world in lockdown.
Nevertheless, despite nearly 20-million deaths worldwide and counting, there are still a lot of doubters who claim that COVID-19 is just a Government hoax to get people to inoculate. It's a shame that the COVID Self-Assessment Centre is on speed dial and a favoured link on my browser.
The Internet was used as a weapon to spew misinformation on the pandemic. Fake news at the highest level. It doesn't help either when a prominent leader of a powerful nation holds undiscerning opinions about COVID-19. Like suggesting injections with disinfection could possibly be a cure. Really?
But like with any fearmongering, people turn to the Internet to seek out information quickly. Although many realize what they read may be untrue, that information nonetheless gets passed on, and so on, and so on. You get the drift. (Reminds me of yet another old commercial). It's like that old adage; sensationalism sales.
Despite a vaccination that rolled out in December, who knows when life will return to normal: not having to wear masks; meeting friends and even giving hugs. Maybe a new normal will be in order, whatever and whenever that may be.
Civil unrest occurred in the United States in February after numerous stories emerged of police killings of unarmed Black people. Ahmaud Arbery who was just jogging in his neighbourhood in Georgia was shot and killed. After the killing of George Floyd in May, world-wide protests against police brutality and racial injustice were sparked with Black Lives Matter demonstrations.
The March issue of TIME Magazine portrayed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the front cover. The edition addressed "The Fight for Equality" which described the Civil Rights Movement then compared to today, six decades later. I couldn't help but think that Dr. King was rolling in his grave to think that 57 years after his "I Have a Dream" speech, marches and demonstrations for racial justice still prevailed.
In May, the documentary of Congressman and Civil Rights icon, John Lewis appeared in theatres. Entitled John Lewis: Good Trouble, describes his dedicated contribution to the Civil Rights Movement and his continued fight for people's rights as City Councilor and then in Congress. A close friend of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis died in July. The same day another civil rights icon, Reverend Cordy Tindell Vivian also died. Reverend Vivian worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and he too was a prominent leader for non-violence.
John Lewis appeared on the front cover of TIME Magazine's Augst issue entitled "Conscience of a Nation." During the March on Washington, prior to Dr. King's iconic speech, John Lewis also gave a very compelling speech. Back then he was a prominent leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNNCC) who spoke to a large audience at Lincoln Memorial. At twenty-three he was the youngest speaker at the March.
For the first time Black, Indigenous, Asian and other ethnic minorities were appearing in advertisements, shows and programs, some for the first time. Seven professional sport teams plan on changing their names and/or mascots that were racist in origin against Indigenous People. Even well-known products like Aunt Jemima, Uncle Ben's and some rums were changing thier logos. Amount time too. Canadian Novelist and Essayist Lawrence Hill, addressed this in the article "Good riddance Aunt Jemina, and goodbye to Uncle Ben, too" in June. Plus, all around the world, removal of monuments linked to slavery and/or racial injustice were being removed.
Tim Hortons even got involved. In November Tim Hortons along with Hockey Canada, rolled out two female Hockey Barbie dolls; one white and one black after fellow Canadian Hockey Olympians Marie-Philip Poulin and Sarah Nurse respectively.
(Hockey Players Marie-Philip Poulin & Sarah Nurse with dolls resembling them.)
The new Tim Hortons female hockey Barbie Dolls is twofold: not only do they address the racial issue; it also forges another polarized issue; one on gender inequality. An issue that has raised its' ugly head for some time now.
The #Me Too Movement did not start with sexual harassment allegations against Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein which surfaced in 2015 but by Activist Tarana Burke back in 2007. As a youth camp director in 1996, Tarana could not listen when a young girl tried to disclose a sexual abuse allegation against her mother's boyfriend. Tarana was mortified seeing the look of rejection and hurt on the young girl's face as she directed her to another counselor.
Also subjected to sexual abuse in her life, Tarana could not deal with what the young girl was going through nor could she admit at that time, that she too endured the pain and shame. As a result, she started the Me Too Movement. In the beginning it was to assist children but soon saw the need to address and include adults. As Tarana reported: "When you experience trauma and meet other people that have a similar experience, and you show empathy for each other, it creates a bond."
The #Me Too Movement went viral three years ago which saw the fall of many high-profile men with Harvey Weinstein being the most popular. More than 85 women came forward with sexual misconduct ranging from sexual harassment to rape against Weinstein which he denied all claims. In February Weinstein was found guilty of two criminal sexual assaults and third-degree rape and was sentenced to twenty-three years.
This movement also brought home that even famous actresses encounter sexual harassment in their workplace too. Something that unfortunately occurs far too often than people realize. The 2019 movie Bombshell addressed this issue with a Televisoin Reporter for Fox News.
The support and following that the Me Too Movement ensued, showed that women are not alone and hopefully are coming forward to express they will not stand for anymore abuse in the workplace.
A major jolt to gender equality came on November 7 when President Elect Joe Biden selected a woman as Vice President. During her victory speech, Kamala Harris is not only the first woman to hold this office, she is also the first Black woman and the first South Asian woman to hold office. In her words:
I am thinking about her and the generation of women. Black
women. Asian, White, Latina, Native American women
who throughout our nation's history have paved the way for this
moment tonight. Women who fought and sacrificed so much for
quality and liberty and justice for all. Including the Black woman who
too often are overlooked but often proved that they are the back bone
​ of our democracy. … Joe Biden had the audacity to break one of the most substantial barriers that exist in our country and select a woman
​ as his Vice President.
2020 will now be known as a landmark in American history, for electing for the first time, a woman as Vice President. Globally however, women are Presidents in their countries. Again, quoting Harris:
While although I maybe the first woman in this office I will not
be the last. Because every little girl watching tonight sees that this
is a country of possibilities. And to the children of our country,
​ regardless of your gender, our country has sent you a clear message: Dream with ambition, lead with conviction, and see yourself in a
way that others might not see you, simply because they've never seen it before. And we will applaud you every step of the way.
On Wednesday January 20, 2021 a new dawn will be issued in for America with the Inauguration of the 46th President of the United States; Joe Biden, along with his Vice President Kamala Harris. Maybe now that country can be great again rather than being fractured. Which in tune will no doubt have positive rippling affects for the rest of the world. Time will tell.
Maybe after all, the slogan "You've Come a Long Way, Baby" is still relevant.
Quote: "I fought too long against discrimination based on race and color to allow discrimination based on gender identity to be considered acceptable." ~ John Lewis ~
Harry M. Sanders & The Legion of Honour
In October 2017, WWII Veteran, Harry M. Sanders, received a letter from France informing him that he was honoured Knight of the French National Order of The Legion of Honour medal insignia. Despite over 70 years after the war, France personally thanked Harry for his part in liberating their country during WWII.
The Legion of Honour, full name National Order of the Legion of Honour, is the highest French order of merit for military and civil worthiness that was established on May 19, 1802, by First Consul and one of the worlds' most military geniuses: Napoleon Bonaparte. ​
Chevalier (Knight) medal insignia Awarded by France
he local Tillsonburg native was surprised but pleased to be honoured with such an award. Harry Sanders served as a First Radio Officer in the British Merchant Navy from 1942 to 1946. Harry was formally recognized on December 14, 2017 during the Town of Tillsonburg's Volunteer Appreciation Night. Tillsonburg Mayor, Stephen Molner, arranged for Marc Trouyet, Consul General from the Consultant General de France in Toronto to present the award to Harry. But like any great story, there is a beginning.
In his memoir entitled, WWII War at Sea: A Personal Narrative, Harry wrote a chronological narrative of the war. He stated that "the events are factual, the dates at times a bit iffy. Seventy-three years is a long time to remember every detail. I kept no war diary….I am not a writer, only an old sailor with my story to tell."
And what a story he told indeed. I had the pleasure of interviewing Harry Sanders at his beautiful home in Tillsonburg. Harry explained how he attended a private school in England. At eighteen he would have been conscripted to either fly a plane or drive a tank and he didn't want to do either. With his love for water, Harry had to be at sea.
In war, all merchant ships had to maintain a 24 hour radio watch, requiring three radio operators (during peace time only one radio operator was needed). Harry took a six-month radio course where he graduated from the Maritime School of Wireless, South-Shields England as a Third Class Radio Officer. The course was intensive and included dismantling a transistor radio and taking and receiving Morse code at 125 letters per minute; equivalent to typing 65 words a minute.
Three days after passing his exam, Harry was called to the Merconi Company office where he was assigned to the S.S. Barrgrove. The merchant ship was already out in the harbour. Once aboard, Harry reported to the Captain. The ship set sail the following day. During war time, Captains did not know their destinations until they were at sea. The S.S. Barrgrove was one of a 45 ship convoy traveling in six columns, seven ships deep along with two Canadian Corvettes (anti-submarine convoy escorts) travelling at five knots. On the second night a ship was blown up by a sea mine.
Once the S.S. Barrgrove arrived in Lisbon to pick up a supply of ore; used to make helmets; it headed to Gibraltar to meet another convoy of 84 ships. In this convoy seven ships were torpedoed and German planes attacked the rest. Three ships went down one just in front of the S.S. Barrgrove. The sea around the ships was engulfed in a fiery ball. Ships leaving the area could not stop to rescue survivors in the water as they too would become victims of the next attack. The S.S. Barrgrove eventually returned to England.
At eighteen, Harry had his first experience of the horrors of war. However, it would become much worse. The second ship Harry was assigned to was the S.S. Domine; an old ship that should have been in the salvage yard. However, during the war, anything that floated and had an engine was fit for duty. The S.S. Domine left with a convoy of 52 ships, two corvettes heading for the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa. But with a speed of 4 knots, the S.S. Domine fell far behind the convoy by the time they reached Bay of Biscay, between France and Spain. Three days later the engine died and the ship drifted alone all day. Since radio communications could not be used, they were not able to contact another ship.
Harry recalled that at 1:21 a.m. there was a tremendous explosion and he was thrown outside his cabin. The S.S. Domine was struck by a torpedo. Harry crawled in the control room to ty to send an SOS but the transmission was damaged. He then grabbed the Admiralty codebooks, dumped them into a metal box and threw it into the Atlantic Ocean with himself in tow. Swimming from the sinking ship to be away from the gravitational pull, Harry reached a floating raft and hung on while watching the ship sink beneath the waters along with twenty officers and crew.
Harry and nine others were the sole survivors who all clung to the raft. Harry reported that when a ship is torpedoed, few lifeboats survive. As a result, rafts are fitted on the main and aft masts to float free when released. These rafts had scanty survival kits.
The dishevelled group with varying degrees of injuries all fell into the water at first light, when the German U boat that had torpedoed their ship the night before, surfaced 100 feet from the raft. Despite the captain's questions left unanswered, he told the group they were close to the coast of Serra Leone, wished them well and sunk silently beneath the surface of the water. Harry was very grateful to that German Captain who showed mercy to the survivors and provided them with hope.
Due to little food, rationing of the limited water supply, no shelter from the cold nights and the scorching sun during the day. Two or three men died during the night and one man threw himself overboard knowing it would be hard to survive with his injuries. There were now only two survivors left on the raft, Harry being one of them; he thought it was the end.
Nevertheless, Harry woke up in a hospital bed. He had a dislocated shoulder and third degree burns on his face, hands and lips but he was alive. He does not remember what happened to the other man on the raft. He was the sole survivor found washed up on a Freetown beach off the coast of Sierra Leone by a local fisherman. After spending fifteen days in hospital, Harry returned to England. Five days later he was deployed to another ship.
In total, Harry Sunders was a Radio Control Officer on eleven ships. In 1944, he attended the Royal Navy Training School where he was trained to liaison with aircrew using wireless telephone. After passing his second F.C.C. certification of proficiency in radiotelegraphy, Harry became a First Class Radio Officer. It was onboard the M.V. Monowie ship that would earn Harry the Legion of Honour Award.
Harry M. Sanders with his Legion of Honour award
In its former life, before the war, the M.V. Monowie was an 18,000 ton New Zealand luxury liner. Now stripped of her luxury, landing crafts replaced lifeboats and it became a troopship during WWII that delivered American soldiers to Omaha Beach. From his book WWII at Sea, Harry wrote that after a six-week boot camp G.I.'s arrived to board the ship. They were placed below deck, officers and female personnel on the boat deck and Negro soldiers were separated on the lower deck as well as in the dining room despite fighting the same war Harry cited. These men, who three months ago probably milked cows, "were about to face a well-trained seasoned German Army at war for three years. God help them."
Harry recalled that on June 6, 1944 at 5:30 a.m., landing nets were dropped over the sides of the M.V. Monowie to land G.I.'s on Omaha Beach. While standing on the bridge, Harry witnessed the carnage that would become the largest amphibious attack in history.
The Battle of Normandy ran from June 1944 to August 1944, codenamed Operation Overload. The battle began on June 6, 1944. Known as D-Day, or Deployment Day, 156,000 American, British and Canadians troops landed on five beaches: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword which ran along a 50-mile stretch of heavily fortified beach in France's Normandy region.
Normandy landing beaches - June 6, 1944 – D-Day
(Image from D-Day Overload website)
Of the five beaches, Omaha Beach was the largest at six miles long in which the most intense fighting occurred on D-Day. That was because cliffs overlooked Omaha Beach which made attacking the area very difficult. In his words, Harry described Omah Beach's on D-Day:
Germany took 4 years to build their Atlantic Wall. They sowed impregnable
​ belts of beach obstructions designed to prevent any landing craft from reaching
shore. They build indestructible pillboxes, meters cement think. Positioned them
​ on the cliff covering the beach so machine gunners could fire lengthwise down
the beach, the killing ground. They were also able to drop a continues barrage
of bursting artillery above the enemy huddled below at the face of the cliff.
This was Omaha Beach! (From WWII at Sea)
On August 25, 1944, the Allies liberated France which helped paved the way for allied victory in Europe. On September 2, 1945, WWII finally ended.
To honour the courage and sacrifice of those who served in the Battle of the Atlantic, the Royal Canadian Mint made the special 75th Anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic $2 coin in 2016.
To "honour the solidarity, bravery and sacrifice of Canadians who fought together to take Vimy Ridge," the Royal Canadian Mint commemorated the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge with a limited edition $2 circulation coin in 2017.
("Coin image©2018 Royal Canadian Mint – All Rights Reserved")
In his memoir, Harry reported the astonishing figures of destruction: "At war-end, we learned that 3500 of all U-boat sinking had taken place in the North Atlantic. It had become the graveyard of both men and ships. The battle of the Atlantic ended with 15 million tons of shipping lost. 4,500 allied ships sunk 75,000 merchant Navy Officers and men dead or missing-in-action." Listening to Harry Saunders recount his experiences during WWII and of the many men who lost their lives at sea, I came across a website with the following poem:
Post by Administrator on May 24, 2013 at 10:53 am
Let those who come after see to it that his name be not forgotten."
No crosses mark the ocean waves;
No monuments of stone.
No roses grow on sailor's graves,
The Sailor rests alone
His tributes are the sea gulls' sweeps,
Forever wild and free . . .
And teardrops that his sweetheart weeps
To mingle with the sea
Many remain without commemoration.
(From Message Board: Her Name WasTregenna)
While writing this blog I once again visited this website and found that there is a campaign by the Battle of Atlantic Memorial to build a national memorial to commemorate the 100,000 people who died in the Battle of the Atlantic as well as those who served and survived. According to the feed, the 91 feet monument is expected to be placed on the Pier Head in Liverpool and is designed by sculptor Paul Day, who also created the Battle of Britain monument in London. The goal is to unveil the monument in 2019 which will mark the 80th anniversary of the start of the Battle of the Atlantic and the beginning of World War Two.
Sadly, WWII did not end all wars. WWI was supposed to be the Great War to do that. Today, many lives continue to be lost to and for wars.
Quote: "The Battle of the Atlantic was the dominating factor all through the war. Never for one moment could we forget that everything happening elsewhere, on land at sea or in the air, depended ultimately on its outcome." ~ Winston Churchill
Pictures of Harry Sanders and his medals at his home in Tillsonburg