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      Video written and produced by the Oakville Public Library’s Digital Heritage Assistant, 2019. Narrated by June Campbell. Photos from Oakville Images, Oakville Public Library Oakville Historical Society, Town Of Oakville, Metroland Media, Toronto Archives, Wikimedia Commons, Toronto Public Library, Library and Archives of Canada, Smithsonian National Museum of American history, …

      This project was created with the support of the Friends of the Ajax Public Library and Veridian Connections. Audio, video and photos courtesy of the Town of Ajax Archives and Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. Limited. Toronto, Canada. Special thanks to original Bomb Girl Louise Johnson and former Ajax Mayor Ken …

      Video written and produced by the Oakville Public Library’s Digital Heritage Assistant, 2018. Narrated by June Campbell. Photos from Oakville Images, Oakville Historical Society, Oakville Museum, Library and Archives Canada, FLickr, Wikimedia Commons, Toronto Archives, McCord Museum, Library of Congress, Bronte Historical Society, David Rumsey Historical Map Collection, Trafalgar Township …

      Historical Context Language Advisory: Please note that that language choices made by individuals at the time of filming are reflective of the time and have been retained to ensure that attitudes and viewpoints are not erased from the historical record. Some terms may not be those used today. Project Sponsors: …

      Video written and produced by the Oakville Public Library’s Digital Heritage Assistant, 2017. Narrated by Eric Sillius. Images courtesy of Oakville Historical Society, Library and Archives Canada, City of Toronto Archives, Wikimedia Commons, and S. Creighton. More historical images of Oakville as well as local history books can be found …

      In this interview, Joy Smith discusses being a trainer during World War II as a Non-Commission Officer. Joy explains that she originally became involved in the war effort because her father was a major in the First World War and a colonel of the Queen’s Own Rangers in the Second …

      Video written and produced by the Oakville Public Library’s Digital Heritage Assistant, 2018. Narrated by Lisa Williams. Photos from Oakville Images, Oakville Historical Society, Oakville Museum, Library and Archives Canada, FLickr, Wikimedia Commons, Toronto Archives, McCord Museum, Library of Congress, Bronte Historical Society, David Rumsey Historical Map Collection, Trafalgar Township …

      In this interview, R. F. Hank Ford describes his experiences going into World War II and working as a pilot during the war. Hank entered the war in 1939 after marrying his girlfriend and then trained at St. Catharines, Ontario before going overseas to Europe. He describes at length certain …

      In this interview, Frank Waywell talks about his involvement in the war effort before, during and after World War II. Frank first started in the Royal Army Medical Corps but then felt compelled to join the air force once he saw the severity of the war. He talks about his …

      In a very lengthy interview, Roy Kelley talks about his extensive involvement in World War II. Roy joined up with the militia in 1936 and was sent overseas in 1941. He was with the Lorne Scots and trained in Georgetown, Ontario in addition to spending time in Hamilton, Ontario. Being …

      In this interview, David Senst speaks about his involvement prior to and in World War II. David joined the army back in 1937 and was actually in Norway for some time when Russia was threatening Finland. He was present at the defence of Calais, while 250,000 British troops were trying …

      In this interview, Harry Barrett, former mayor of Oakville, talks about his experiences prior to and in the Second World War. Harry speaks about joining and training with the cadet core for five years. While training with them, he was issued uniforms and Ross Rifles from the First World War …

      In this fascinating and lengthy interview, Jim Gibb talks in detail about the multitude of experiences he had while serving in artillery from July 1940 to October 1, 1945 in World War II. Training in both England and Scotland and then landing in Sicily, Jim traveled through Italy, Spain, France, …

      On Thursday, July 23rd, 2015, Oakville Public Library’s Digital Heritage Assistant, Avneet Dhillon, sat down with Gene Reed at Bronte Legion Branch 486 for an interview. Gene is a Past President and long-time member of the Bronte Legion. The Library collaborated with the Bronte Legion on a digital exhibit entitled …

      In this interview, Bernard Rich speaks about his experiences as a pilot during the Second World War. Bernard explains that he joined the airforce when he was 19 years old because he couldn’t find work in Quebec City with him being so close to the draft age. After working as …

      In this interview, Donald Leaver tells about his experience as an officer during World War II. Donald joined the militia in 1940 with the Lorne Scots and trained in Niagara. Wanting to get into the war and see some action, he took his tests to become an officer in Toronto …

      In this interview, Hugh O’Donnell talks about his experiences as a paratrooper in World War II. Hugh was born in Glasgow in 1922 and transferred into the paratroopers after Churchill stated that anyone who wished to join them would be released from other duties. Among his memories, he speaks about …

      In this interview, Wess McIntosh speaks about his extensive involvement with the Canadian forces, first with the naval reserves and then with the airforce. Wes joined the navy in 1933, but he also started learning to fly in 1934. From there, he received his private pilot’s license in 1934 and …

      In this interview, Geoffrey Smith talks about his experiences working in the navy and operating sonar equipment as an Anti-Submarine Detection and Investigation Officer. He describes how he ended up in this specialized division formed by Britain after World War I in order to more effectively hunt submarines. Geoffrey goes …

      In this interview, Ivan Mavrinac talks about working as a Non-Commission Officer of Records at Petawawa, Ontario in World War II. Born in Croatia in 1920, Ivan and his family moved to Canada in 1929. He graduated in 1939 from a three year commercial course and was invited to join …