Winter Work On The Nevard Farm

Headlands P.O.
January 17, 1944
It looks to me as if you are going to get two letters from me at once as my other letter, written on the ninth, hasn't been posted yet. They are figuring on going to town tomorrow which means both will be posted together and also a letter to Aunt Flo thanking her for the Christmas gifts.
There being no letter from you in the last mail I wondered if you might be popping in on Saturday night or Sunday morning.
On Jan. 10th as the water in the pasture well was getting pretty low I walked down to that slough of Uncle Arthur's in the corner East of our house and cut a hole through the ice in the middle. After cutting through about 8 inches of ice I hit dirt so I knew there was no use bothering with that slough. I got a couple of loads of wheat straw home and hauled away manure. John Senft came along about dinner time and took the saw and frame away to cut wood. He paid $4 for a share in the saw.
On the 11th Richard Supple came through with his covered in cutter. It is painted red and the shape of it makes you think of a grain elevator in miniature. He was taking Jimmy down to catch the train, the latter having got his second call for training, but he is back now having been turned down. Roy went to town with them. I got three loads of wheat straw home trying to get as much as I could from the stack up the hill before the stock pull it all down.
On the 12th Dad and I loaded the sow up in the sleigh with some difficulty as she apparently couldn't see eye to eye with us in the matter . I took her for her second visit to McCullough's and got her bred to his boar. If it is successful as last time she should have her litter about the 5th of May. I stayed at Mac's for dinner. Mr. and Mrs. Sam Smythe have another little daughter 5 months old. That same day I started hauling water from Uncle A's big slough for the cattle. Donald was cutting wood for Uncle A.
On the 13th I hauled manure and got another jag of wheat straw home. Guess I have got nearly enough bedding in the corral now to last the rest of the winter, if you can call what we are having winter.
There was a C.C.F. meeting at Headlands at night but none of us went. Uncle H. has a bad cold.
On the 14th I cleaned out the new hen house. It was snowing and blowing a bit that day but it didn't amount to much.
Saturday the 15th was dull all day and the trees white with frost. Dad and I took Raspberry up to John Senft's behind the sleigh and got her bred. Bill Senft was there to help John fix his well pump. Do you remember the Fordson tractor that Fishers had? Sandy Goff has it now. He came here on it Saturday afternoon wanting to borrow the saw, and afterward took it home with him.
Dad killed a rooster for Sunday dinner. Roy and Joy went to a party at Barton's Saturday night. Quite a lot there I heard. Donald had a cold and stayed home. On Sunday there was quite a crowd down at the big slough playing. Likely you'll hear a detailed account from one of the herrings.
Today I was choring about and Dad , Uncle A and Roy went to the annual school meeting. They had to elect a complete board of trustees. The new board is Cliff Barton, Sam Wheale, and Mike Kowbel.
Hoping you are in the best of health I remain your loving brother
E.W. Nevard

The only photo I have in the family albums showing a closed in cutter.

69 Years Ago On The Nevard Farm

 At the time Bill Nevard wrote this letter to his brother, Dick Nevard was stationed at Nanaimo, B.C. with the 116th Field Regiment of the 25th Field Regiment of the Canadian Army.
                                                                       Headlands, Sask.
                                                                        Nov. 21, 1943
   

Dear Dick

It is now time to commence my usual Sunday night epistle to you. I have only 3 days news at present as I finished my last letter to you Thursday night and posted it Friday.

I beat the alarm on Friday morning and got up at 4:35 a.m. in spite of which is was 9:00 by the time I started off to Lipton with a load of wheat. It took me over 4 hours to get to town owing to the rough roads. It has been thawing a bit in the daytime and freezing at night so it is either rough or slippery most of the way but I got down without mishap. Fred Engel overtook me on the way and told me that Mrs. Hobetzeder had died the day before and in town I heard that she would probablyl be buried on the Saturday.

Jack Binnington and Johnny Supple rode to town with John Fleming. He charges fifty cents a piece for passengers now when driving the mail. When I got home I found that Hobetzeder had been here in my absence wanting Dad and Uncles to go as pall bearers. John Senft was also around looking for his calves. We have calves of John Senft, Fred Engel and Wm. Miller all on our summerfallow besides 3 of Uncle H's horses and two of Uncle A's with ours.

On Saturday, November 20 Donald came down with the mail. Besides your letter to Dad there was one from Aunt Louie which I guess I will have to answer in a little while.

Dad and both uncles went to the funeral at Lipton in the democrat. Dad, Uncle H, Messrs Fisher, Michelson, Radwell and McCullough were the bearers.

I cut 1/3 of a load of wood that day and did various chores. I am finishing this letter on Monday night before going to bed as I figure on going to Lipton again tomorrow and posting it so you will not need to be alarmed if you get two letters close together. You know it is not always possible to post letters at regular intervals and if the weather were to change suddenly a snowfall might keep us away from town for quite a while.

Sunday was quiet and uneventful. I cut some holes in the ice of the slough down near the grade so that the stock could get a drink as the ice was getting quite thick, about 5 or 6 inches.

This morning I got up early and after getting ready and loading up started out for Lipton. It was a nice bright day and thawed quite a bit but cool enough in the wind. Uncle A took a load too and caught up to me before I got to town. Jack Binnington and Murphy Newton were in ahead of us with loads. Jack had a three year old mare with him who had never been to town before.

I saw Mr. Brinkworth in town today and ordered a Cockshutt tiller (4 1/2 feet). It will cost $296 cash and is ordered for February delivery. It can be handled by six horses and has a power lift. Of course I am not sure that the company can fill the order but Mr. Brinkworth thought my chances would be better if I ordered early. I have put your money in the bank for safe keeping until it is needed. Dad bought a heater at Jampolsky's on Saturday and I brought it home today. Dad had sent to Eatons for one previously but they could not supply it and sent back the money.

Well its time to go to bed and I can't think of anything more of interest. Will probably send another letter next week. Cheerio

from your loving brother E.W. Nevard

 

News Of The War

My grandfather, Horace Nevard, was kept well informed of the goings on back in his old home of Lexden, Essex, U.K. by his sister Emily. World War I was in full swing at the time of this letter and no doubt quite a concern to all British subjects.
36 Straight Road
Lexden, Essex
June 8, 1915
My Dear Horrie
We were very pleased to receive your letter on the 2nd. Curiously enough I had one from Daisy. They were both posted 18th May and arrived June 2nd. I'd just posted one to you the day before asking if you were still alive.
I am thankful to say we are all alive and well up to the present. The German Zeppelins have been very lively just lately. They passed over London on the night of the 31st. We don't know full particulars of the damage as the government won't allow a full account to be published. They were seen to pass over Colchester on Friday night and on Sunday night they passed over England and killed several people but they won't let the press publish the locality. So they are pretty daring just now. One of our airmen brought down one Zeppelin as they were near the enemy lines. A British monoplane circled above the Zeppelin and dropped a bomb into it. It broke up the Zeppelin and blew the 25 men that were in it all to pieces. The force of the Zeppelin turned the monoplane over and over as it came to the ground but the airman got up the power in his engine and got away.
You said in your letter you had rain on the day you were writing. We do hope you will have plenty of water and a bountiful harvest and a bumper lot of potatos. .
The warmer weather we have had has brought things on fine. The peas are in bloom and Horrie's wheat is in the ear. It is strong and high. Its a fancy of his to plant some wheat each year. As we do not keep fowls in the lower garden he has dug some of it up and have a nice lot of onions and potatos, a few runner beans near the wire netting.
Annie Lusted is going to be married this month. It was the second time of asking on Sunday. I expect they are doing a very good trade now as her young man has left his job as chauffeur and is going to live there and carry on the business. They have five National Reserve men in the room in the back where they used to hold club suppers, etc. (well just for lodging or sleeping I should say).
They get 9d per night.5/3 per week. That means 26/3 per week. A good many are doing fairly well out of the soldiers. The men are having a good time here, better than the poor fellows at the front. They only have to go on guard every 4th night. So they have 3 nights clear and when they are going on guard at night they don't go for a march that day.
Arthur Clayden's wife presented him with a son on Monday morning. I mean Arthur C. whose mother live next to our garden. Harold is still in Philadelphia. Uncle Robert's Walter had the stand off at R. Beaumont's so he is working on the new huts at Reed Hall. He is color man and has to mix all the paints.. The only trouble, he don't get enough work to do. He don't know what to make of it as he was used to being hustled (at R.B.). He gets either 8 or 9d per hour.
Will is still at Mr. Hutton's. He has not enlisted yet but he expects he will have to. Ernie Gooch says he hd enough of the army when he was in it. He is not going to join any more. Fred Denton is still serving butter and bacon at London Road stores. They do a big trade there now. I overheard him say he cut up between 3 and 4 hundred pounds of cheese in a week and he told me he cut up 11 sides of bacon in a week.
You see all London Road and Stanway, Colne Road, Nelson Road, Straight Road, etc., soldiers are billeted. Of course those in the new huts are supplied by the government and some of them billeted out have their rations sent but not the yeomanry. There was a fine account of them at the front in the E.C. Standard a fortnight ago. A lot of poor fellows will never return. Joe Hemmings has been at the base since last August. Just lately he moved into the firing line and he got wounded in one leg. He is in the veterinary corps. and look after wounded and sick horses. Miss Corse Scott was married..............

Unfortunately the rest of the letter is missing.

Dick Returns From Leave

January 5, 1944

Regina, Sask.

Dear Dad

This is my first letter for the new year. I arrived in Regina about 5:30, the journey being uneventful I did snatch a few winks of sleep on the train. Tell Bill I sat on the opposite side of the train at Lipton station so he woud not see me if he looked. I was arranging my luggage and taking my coat off when the train pulled out. I ate one apple on the train and the other one when I got to the barracks.

When I got to Regina I asked the provosts if there was a duty truck. They said I would have to find my own means of getting to camp so I started to hoof it. I had not gone very far before a car pulled up to the sidewalk and a man asked me to hop in, which I did. He took me right to the barracks which was pleasanter than going by duty truck. The guard at the gate asked me if my pass was good till this morning. I said yes, then he asked , "do you want to go uptown tonight"? I told him yes and he said, well buzz off then, but don't tell anyone. So I went and drew my blankets and two kit bags. They could not locate my large pack so they told me to call for it this morning, which I did. I was told that it was 15 below zero in Regina yesterday morning, the same as at home.

After getting everything straightened out at barracks I walked to Uncle Eddies, taking my civilian clothes with me, and the books. Aunt May put them on the verandah. Aunt May had a cold. Uncle Eddie is about the same. I listened to Fibber McGee and the news, then we played five hundred rummy until around 11:00.

So far I have been doing next to nothing and have heard nothing as to what they are likely to do with me. So I spend some of my time catching up with my sleep. I hear a couple of fiddles tuning up in the next bay so we are going to have a little entertainment.

Your loving son, Dick.

P.S. will you please give the enclosed letter to Aunt Alice.

Dick Nevard at left with Uncle Eddie Edwards.

Bill's Trip To Town January 1944

  Headlands P.O.
Sask. Jan 9, 1944
Once again I'm writing to you on Sunday night as usual. I don't know just when it will be posted. Uncle A said a few days ago he would have to go to town soon, either Monday or Friday on account of getting in the bank but Dad was up at Silver Birches this evening and he never said anything about going tomorrow.
After you left on the train Tuesday I went over to the elevator but Andy Gray wasn't there. Jake Huffman was in with a load of wheat and I talked with him for a while, then went over town and posted the letters. Then I bought the lumber Dad wanted. Willie Wilson told me there was some freigtht over at the station so I went and put that on the platform ready to pick up. It was for Uncle A. Then I went to the elevator again and saw Andy Gray. He told me he had room for wheat but not for oats and barley just then. I can't haul until we get more snow anyway.
I asked him about salvage paper. They are not doing anything in Lipton about it yet. The last time they collected salvage paper there it was kind of a washout. They had a whole lot of it stored in sheds and were going to have it trucked out but they were told that the expense of hauling it out would be more than it was worth. So finally , needing the sheds for other purposes, they paid somebody $6 to take it out and burn it.
I got home alright on Tuesday night and on the fifth I hauled away manure and got a load of wheat straw. In the evening Tom and Ed North came along in their covered in cutter after the parcel. They came in and stayed for a while.
On the sixth I got a jag of last year's hay home from 13 for the cattle and on the seventh I got a load of good hay home for Raspberry and the team. Yesterday being a nice day I went up the hill for a load of wheat straw and brought the mail home with me including your letter to Dad. Uncle A. has heard from Bud at last, he is in Italy.
I had two more books from the Open Shelf, "52 Years a Policeman, and Commentary on the Bible". The latter is a big book containing the text of the first five books in the Bible. There is about 675,000 words to read in it so it will keep me busy to get through the two books in the time I'm allowed.
Well I guess its bedtime again and five o'clock will be here before I'm ready for it so goodbye Dick.
From your loving brother............... E.W. Nevard
Aunt Alice wishes me to thank you for your letter to her.
                                                                    
Bill and Ernest Nevard 1946.

August 1942 Letter From L.G.

A letter to Dick Nevard from Les Goff who was already in the Canadian Army in England.

                                                                                          August 22, 1942
                                                                                          2nd AT Regt.
                                                                                          Orderly Room
Dear Dick
Just a few lines hoping this finds you all well and not working too hard. Sorry I've slipped up on my writing lately but you see there isn't a heck of a lot to write about outside of what we are doing and thats against rules.
Well I guess you are all pretty busy back home right now with the harvesting. I hear you had lots of rain this summer. Things should be looking better now. Do you see much of Sandy these days? I haven't seen Bud yet but have seen quite a bit of Phil Fisher and Dick Creese. I guess there will likely be quite a few of the boys around home being called up for training pretty soon.
Well the army isn't so bad and its quite a change but I daresay I'll be glad to get back when its over. We have a pretty good time and theres a good bunch of boys and you get around quite a bit. Every three months a seven day leave so a guy gets a chance to sleep in a real bed once in a while. But most of us come back off a leave more tired than when we went so you can imagine what kind of a time we have.
Things get a bit dull at times especially if you are out in the country but lately its been rather exciting what with bombs and a few other things. Me and my chum were dodging machine gun bullets one day. Lots of fun. I've seen a few German planes but they don't come often enough. Really livens things up a bit.
We missed out on that raid that the Canadians made but maybe we'll get a chance next time. Well I've seen quite a bit of London, spent some of my leave there with my chum. Its sure quite the place but would be better once we get to know our way around. We didn't do bad. Had quite a hectic time. I also had a nice time with my relations in Wimborne.
Well Dick, I guess I'll have to bring this scribble to a close. Give my best regards to all. I've got about six more letters to answer so cheerio and all the best. Keep writing. Always a friend...
Les.

Les Goff at left.

Postcards From Belgium

As we approach Remembrance Day 2012 its interesting to look back on postcards from November 1918. My grandfather, Horace Nevard sent these to Alice Hall back in Suffolk. The war was over and he was headed home.

As Fall Turns To Winter

The Nevards were busy preparing for winter in November of 1940 as recorded here in Bill Nevard's journal.

November5

Jack Binnington called in tonight on his way back from Lipton to say he would haul a load of wheat fot Dad tomorrow.

November 6

Dad, both Uncles and Jack Binnington went to Lipton with wheat . Snowing and somewhat unpleasant but they managed to get down without mishap. Jack's team ran away on the road home while he was riding with Dad and Willie Miller caught them near his place. James Walton came here this morning to get wheat statistics in regard to the bonus.

November 7

Enough snow on the ground to stop going to town with grain for a while.

My grandfather, Horace Nevard with his grain wagon backed up to the bin preparing to load wheat.

 

Basic Training at Brandon

About a year ago I had a blog posting re: Dick Nevard joining the Canadian Army in January of 1943 . By March 25th of that year he was headed to Brandon, Manitoba for more basic training. Here is his letter to his mother

I arrived in Brandon about 2:00 this morning. The train was two and half hours late or more. It was an hour late pulling into Lipton. What caused the delay was the train had so much freight to pick up. There are not so many freight cars now so the passenger train does some of the freighting, thus the delay.
I guess Dad told you that I introduced him to George Macknack who was also going back from his leave. Dad, Uncle Horrie and Mr. Binnington chatted with him a few moments while the freight was being loaded (there were 73 crates of eggs shipped out of Lipton).
I slept a good deal the latter part of the journey but it was kind of a fitful sleep. We kept picking up the gunners along the way until the final score stood at eight. I think most of them were catching up on sleep. Most of the fellows are back now but two of them are stretching their ninety-sixes a bit. Brassingweight and Rushaway are the culprits. One fellow went on the loose last Monday. He came out of hospital, they would not give him his ninety-six so he took it.
The snow has pretty well gone around Brandon. There is lots of water standing around near the huts. It is mild and bright but windy today.
I received your letter this morning. Bombardier Dunn handed it to me. No letter from Aunt Flo but I guess she has not had time to write.
When I was in hospital I got the news both from the radio and the papers. Now I just scan the papers, I do not read them thorougly.
I asked Bombardier Dunn and he said I could get another ninety-six hour leave in about two months time. I can get a fourty eight hour leave in about two or three weeks time which I will take the opportunity to visit Aunt Flo. But that will put my ninety-six hour leave off for another two or three weeks so it will be between two and half and three months before I get home again but time soon goes. I must close now with love and best wishes to you all.............                Your ever loving son Dick

L60919 Gnr. Nevard. R. A.
116th Field Battery, 25th Field Regiment R.C.A. C.A.
Fort Brandon Barracks
Brandon, Manitoba

Dick Nevard far right.

A Wedding And A Fight On Straight Road

Much excitement on Straight Road, Lexden when Emily Nevard wrote this letter to her brother , Horace, in Canada in 1915,
36 Straight Road
Lexden, Essex
June 26, 1915
Dear Horrie
I thought of sending your letter off quick and here it is now. I do hope you are not getting very dry weather like we are. We have had cold, drying Northeast winds for the past 7 weeks or more. Today it is due West. It will be 7 weeks come Tuesday since we had any rain. Until last evening. We had just a little. Not enough to lay the dust.
I should like for you to see our gardens and the houses. Every flower is dusty. The tiles look as if someone has shaken a lot of white pepper over them.
I had a letter from Louie on Monday. Poor Louie was taking on terribly about the weather. She says it will be pounds out of their pocket. Just for the want of rain. Will says it is enough to break the bank. The cold winds has done more damage than if it had been hot and dry. There are a lot of trying times to put up with when you have to get your living on the land. You know that don't you.
Annie Lusted was married on Wednesday. It was quite a smart affair. Mother and I watched the proceedings from the bedroom window. They had two motors trimmed up with red and white rosette. There were between 20 and 30 of the guests went down to the Church from the house. A number of men from the National Reserve also. They took a large cart rope with them and when the newly married left the Church they fixed the rope to the motor and dragged them home. Each man wearing a cream rose in his cap. They cut them off Mr. Lusted's tree on the shed in the garden. There were nearly 30 men. When they reached home the wedding party had their photos taken sitting back to the palings near the orchard facing the house. The men of the National Reserve stood lining the road on their right. Next the men were taken with the bride and bridegroom in the centre front and the Colonel and Captain, Sgts. etc. on either side.
Afterwards the Colonel presented Mrs. Moore with a green marble timepiece and a picture from the men. Annie was dressed in a white satin (walking length) veil and orange blossoms and carried a sheaf of white lillies. The two bridesmaids were in pale blue with blue mob caps and had bouquets of pink carnations. 2 little boys were in blue tunics and knickers, hats and carried walking sticks tied with blue ribbon. Mr. Daniells sent a barrel of beer and Mr. Lusted gave another so you can guess the men were alright. We heard plenty of their singing. We do get plenty of noise now there are so many men about.
Since I started this letter I heard that Fred Denton is going to be married. Charley Bibby, Frank Bibby's father, is to be married to his housekeeper next Tuesday.
Wednesday..
Dear Horrie
They finished up the week of the wedding by having a free fight on Saturday night in the front yard. It started between a National Reserve and a soldier (invalided from the front for the second time). He has a very bad leg and didn't know how to stand so his brother took his part, then they knocked him about and their father also who was with them. It was disgraceful. They are to blame for serving them with so much beer. They get mad drunk and don't know what they are about. There were 3 rows last week but only one fight. It is not at all unusual to hear them fighting now. We don't like it I can tell you. Nor do our neighbours.
The rest of this letter is missing. Written by Emily Nevard (sister to Horace

Emily (front left) and the rest of the Nevards at 36 Straight Road in 1903.