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May
9th, 2005
Thornhill
Celebrates V. E. Day
Created in Honour of
the 60th Anniversary of the end of the War in Europe
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The following article
written by Doris M. FitzGerald, which appeared in the Richmond Hill
Liberal in the week following V. E. Day, provides a glimpse into the
feelings of jubilation and remembrance expressed by the people of
Thornhill as word reached home that the war in Europe had finally come
to an end.
This exhibit has been created in memory of the ten young men and women
of Thornhill who did not return home.
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V. E. Day in Thornhill
"On Monday
evening
the ringing of bells and the happy singing of children gave the first
intimation to residents who had not been listening to the radio, that
V.E. Day was at last a reality. The children were the pupils of
Thornhill Public School, who, led by their teachers, marched up and
down Yonge St. , waiving flags and singing patriotic songs. As if by
magic decorations appeared on shops and houses and there was much
excited running back and forth between neighbours and friends. To those
with memories of the previous war the news came as a blessed relief
after years of anxiety and tension. Their jubilation was tempered by by
the remembrance that some of our lads will not come marching home
again..."
Now too, we must face the tremendous task of rehabilitating our
veterans and of helping to restore and rebuild the impoverished
battle scarred countries.
On Monday evening the combined congregations of the of the
United, Presbyterian and Anglican churches held a solemn and impressive
service of Thanksgiving and intercession in Trinity Anglican church.
The Rev. Dr. Duncan and the Rev. S. A. R. Wood officiated and the
church was crowded to the doors.
Public demonstrations were left to the young people... For
want of anything better to use as streamers the children bought up
every available roll of toilet paper to festoon cars and throw over
wires and fences. At dusk there was some street dancing to music
provided by the juke box belonging to the rink and another loaned by
Mr. H. C. Swabey. Mr. Reid of Garden Ave., Langstaff added to the
festivities by skirling a few tunes on his bagpipes. Before rain put an
end to the celebration an effigy of Hitler was strung up and burned
amid
cheers and boos.
On Tuesday Yonge Street was littered but quiet again. The
hotel and the Bell Telephone office were however experiencing the
busiest day on record. Mrs. Nelson Findlay said they were hard put to
feed all the hungry people who came begging for meals, and Mrs. Francis
reports that besides many extra local calls, connections were made for
more than 400 long distance calls. Two girls were kept busy at the
switch board during each shift.
A splendid 27-piece R.C.A.F. band gave dash and zest to
the community Victory parade to the United Church on Sunday evening.
Forming at the school grounds the parade moved up Yonge Street to
Centre Street and the the church. Veterans, Scouts, Cubs and Girls'
Council marched behind the band and then took seats which had been
specially reserved for them in the auditorium.
After the service the parade formed again and marched
passed the reviewing stand on Centre St. where Colonel Edmund Willis
took the salute. With Col. Willis were the Reeve of Vaughan township,
Boynton Weldrick; the Reeve of Markham township, Charles Hooper, and
the village trustees. The school trustees and the group committee of
the Scouts were also at the stand.
After the parade the members of the band were invited to
"Happy Acres", Alan Sumner's home for lunch.
The United Church was full to overflowing and a loud
speaker attachment carried the service to those who found seating in
the
school room. The singing was led by the combined choirs of the
Anglican, Presbyterian and United Churches and the pastors of these
congregations took charge of the service. Rev. S. A. R. Wood of the
Anglican church delivered the sermon. An offering of $85.00 was turned
over to the local Red Cross organization. A feature of the service was
the reading of the names of the twelve young people who had paid the
supreme sacrifice. The congregation stood while the chimes softly
played "Abide With me" and a prayer of remembrance was offered.
Altogether it was a memorable and beautiful celebration. A beautiful
order of service , prepared by the Canadian Council of Churches was
used."
Doris M. FitzGerald
[Exact date uncertain: Early May, 1945]
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The following pages are from the Thornhill
Honour Roll and Scrapbook compiled by Doris M. FitzGerald shortly after
the war. Not all of the men and women of Thornhill who served in the
forces were represented here, yet all are represented on the Honour
Roll below.
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Images from the Thornhill Honour Roll and
Scrapbook
Compiled by Doris M.
FitzGerald [c.1947].
Thornhill Archives
(2003.18)
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A List of the Men
and Women of Thornhill and District Serving in the Forces 1939-1945.
Title block by Thoreau
MacDonald, names by Doris M. FitzGerald.
In the collection of the
Thornhill Village Library
larger image
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