News of War: the 1940s

News of War: The 1940s was supposed to provide the world with a respite after the hardship of the 1930s depression. However World War Two brought more adversity.

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The 1930s was a time of economic hardship throughout the western world. As that decade approached its conclusion it appeared as if the hard times were over and everyone could get back to some sort of normalcy.

However, in early September 1939, a few short months before the "dirty thirties" could come to a conclusion, a new harbinger of difficult times appeared.

For months Adolf Hitler had been stirring turmoil in Europe. British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain had tried to negotiate some sort of understanding with the German leader.

However, on that first weekend in September 1939, it became clear that some sort of action would be necessary to stop Hitler's quest for dominion over his European neighbours. All weekend long hundreds of area residents gathered around the Sun Times building waiting for news of war.

At six o'clock on Sunday morning the newspaper received a bulletin that Chamberlain had not received assurances from Hitler that he would withdraw his troops from Poland.

A consequence of this failure by the Germans to agree to Britain's demands, the Prime Minister announced to the British House of Commons that Britain was now at war with Germany.

News of War With Germany

Shortly after the bulletin was posted in the window of the Sun Times office the news of war spread like wildfire throughout the city and neighbouring communities.

The major topic of discussion in local restaurants and churches that Sunday morning was whether the Canadian Parliament would follow Britain in declaring war against the Adolf Hitler's Nazi regime.

In many area homes, memories of the First World War were reawakened, bringing thoughts of loved ones lost or injured in that war.

There is no doubt that many worried about what losses the impending conflict would bring to the families of Grey and Bruce.

Exciting News of War

For the next five years the Second World War dominated the lives of local residents. Then, early in May 1945, the Sun Times office was once again the centre of attention in downtown Owen Sound.

Within moments of the newspaper receiving the information over the Canadian Press wire that the war was over the entire area began to celebrate.

Factory whistles and church bells were sounded. Everyone took to the streets. As soon as they were notified, principals at the local schools released their students from classes. The streets of Owen Sound and other area communities were the scene of joyous celebrations.

Union Jacks were unfurled in the business district. Impromptu parades were formed with marchers singing and shouting and car and truck horns blaring.

The Nazis had been defeated and once again peace was at hand. The news of the war ending was greeted with ecstasy by most Canadians. They were excited at the prospect of seeing sons, husbands and friends who had gone overseas to fight for their country.

Unfortunately, there were also homes where rejoicing the end of the war was on a much lower key. They were the family and friends of the men and women who would not be coming home from the fight to preserve freedom.

The information used in this column came from many different sources. However, the Owen Sound Sun Times was of primary importance.

A version of "News of War: the 1940s" originally appeared in my Local History column in the Owen Sound Sun Times on October 29, 1999.

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