Vintage Nevard Christmas

Vintage Christmas cards sent to the Sask. Nevards by their family still back in Essex, U.K. in the early days of the 1900s.
This one from Uncle Cecil Nevard in 1907 to nephew Bill. (E.W. Nevard).

December 17, 1907

My Dear little E.

I hope you will like this card but I am afraid you will not receive it in time for Xmas. I suppose you have plenty of snow now but we have not seen any yet. I hope you received the order I sent for you. I am very sorry that you have had the toothache. Please wish your Uncles Arthur, Horrie, your Mother and Father a very happy Christmas from us all and give them our love and accept the same for yourself. 

With much love, Cecil

Cecil Nevard 

A Trip To The Clinic

November 12 1964
This evening Dick and I drove down to Lebret to Stan's garage as the automatic transmission was leaking and getting quite low. Stan advised taking the car in to Regina to an automatic drive clinic and he phoned to the place arranging an appointment for next Monday.

November 16
I got up at 4 am, had my breakfast, shaved and got ready and started out for Regina at 6 am. I did not know what the roads would be like so I drove slow and got to Regina by 7:30. The road was good and I made most of the trip before daybreak. I had to wait a while at the transmission clinic before anybody showed up but they were not too long getting at work on it. The foreman, Gerard Hooey, took it for a short drive to test it before they took the transmission out. After this was done he showed me different parts which needed repairing and figured that the total cost would be about $175. He said they would put a rebuilt transmission in for $185 so I agreed to that.
One of the mechanics, David Fraser drove me to the geriatric centre in his truck and I saw Uncle Arthur and Jack Fitch and Mr. Hutchings. They reckon that Uncle is a bit better than he was. He was sitting in an arm chair but he can't talk much and he seems to be pretty helpless. An orderly fed him with a spoon while I was there.
It had warmed up and was quite pleasant walking back to the clinic which is close to the new Leader Post building on Park street. They had the car all ready for me when I got back so I gave Hooey a cheque for the job and drove home getting back before 4 pm. As I'd had no dinner I made some cream of mushroom soup.

Late Harvest and Municipal Election

November 12, 1946
Bud came along before daylight this morning trying to start the tractor so he could take the outfit up to John Senft's. He couldn't get it started so he asked me to come out and help and eventually he had to put a fire under it to warm it up before he could start. Then he went down after the separator. He succeeded in getting it to the yard but the radiator was freezing up on him so he had to give it up as a bad job and went up to John Senft's. They both came back with John's team to haul the separator but when they started off one of John's horses was scared of the separator behind him so they had to take him off and borrow Roy's horse, Duke, before they could get away.
I got a tank of water and then turned the team out and did some fencing. They got John's oats threshed. Bud running the machine and John Senft, Kreutzer and Donald having racks. John Senft and Bud brought the separator back at night with the John Deere tractor. They threshed about 15 loads of sheaves.

November 12, 1946
The great municipal election day. Robert Senft and Mike Engel came after Uncle Arthur in a car and took him to Hobetzeder's  to be D.R.O. I went and did a bit more fencing on the East line of 13. John Senft hauled a load of wheat for Bud. and while we were having dinner he came along to haul a load for Dad. So I went to the bin with him and helped load up. Dad went off to Lipton with him. They didn't get back until nearly 6 pm and Edwin Senft came along in a car right behind them to take them back to Balrobie to vote. They only just got there in time. Bill Senft brought them and Uncle Arthur back. Manuel Miller won the election.

Bud Nevard on a newer tractor (Ford 9N). Not the one referred to in the above journal entries which was a McCormick Deering 15-30.

News From Ipswich

A letter from Cecil Nevard in Ipswich, Suffolk, U.K. to his brother Horace in Saskatchewan in 1940.

52 Corder Road
Ipswich
December 1940

My Dear Brother
You will I guess be surprised to hear that I have been laid up with pneumonia. Have been at home just two months today and expect to return to work on Monday next. Fortunately my wages are not stopped. I rather worried Ethel and the Doctor for two days or so as they were doubtful whether I should pull through but I am still here, thank God. I got it through being run down and then getting out of bed and patrolling the street on A.R.R. duty so must thank Jerry bombers for that.
Fortunately I was treated with the new drug, M693 so had no messy linseed poultices nor pneumonia jacket. I've finished with air raid work until the spring (Doctors orders).

I think you know that Horace is taking over our old home (as Emily wished) and is still living there when off police duty, on his own. He misses Emily very much.
I did the job to get co-op money transferred and post office account. Also small life assurance. I've paid all accounts and the balance handed to Horace who has undertaken to send you ten pounds after the war. The amount Emily told him was due to you. He would have sent it right away but under the present conditions there might be some difficulty.

You are all wondering, I expect, how we are all getting along here in England. Believe me we are not in the least downhearted nor wanting for food. Of course its not pleasant when the Jerries are passing overhead, which they frequently do at night. One never knows when they will drop a bomb. Quite a number have been dropped in this vicinity but only about nine people killed and a few wounded. Very little damage done except on one occasion. We live within 200 yards of the place where a land mine exploded and about 600 houses damaged. No windows were broken in our house.
This was the only big bang we have had. As it did not go off at once all the people were evacuated and no one was hurt.
Leslie is still at Napiers in London. Just had a move up to the analysis department. They are all quite ok.
Ethel's father slipped down and cracked his knee cap some six weeks ago. Still in London hospital but getting on well and expects to come out shortly
Their home in London is quite ok. Ethel went up to see him about a fortnight ago. She said that although lots of damage had been done in parts there's plenty of London left and life goes on much as usual.
Daphne who is still working hard sends her love to you, one and all, in which Ethel joins.

Your affectionate brother
Cecil

P.S. Leslie hopes to get married next June to an Ipswich girl (quite nice)
One of Ethel's cousins from Ontario came over with the first
contingent of the Canadian R.A. He is a Sergeant and has been to see us.

1940 Letter From Ipswich

                                                                                                            51 Corder Road
                                                                                                             Ipswich
                                                                                                             29 September,1940

My Dear Horace
You are naturally wondering how we are getting along during these terrible times. Well, thank God, up  to the present , fit and well. We of course get Nazi bombers over most nights and as an air raid warden I have to report at the Post and then wait for the bombs to drop. Fortunately none have fallen in my sector. For although I have passed a course in first aid, well I should be rather sorry for my patients.

We have had a number of bombs dropped around the district and some in the town. One broke most of the stained glass windows on the South side of our Church but no structural damage.
Four people only have been killed altogether. 3 on one occasion and then 1. Mostly from shock.
England has not yet been invaded and no attempt made. Believe me if Hitler and his crowd attempt it he will have a warm reception for the vast majority of people will fight to a man. We haven't got the wind up, neither have the people of London. I speak from my personal experience for Ethel, Daphne and I spent a week with Ethel's father in London.
The barrage is terrific, not pleasant, but you can live through it.

Leslie came home this weekend and he is quite fit and still working at the same place. Louie and all her family are still the same. Poor old Louie misses her treatment her poor legs are as bad as ever. Muriel has been moved to Nayland and she cycles over to see us occasionally when she has a day off. Its 13 miles from here so quite a good ride.

I have not yet heard from you since I wrote about Emily. Its hard to part with your mother and your sister but considering all things one can not feel but that they are better off. For when the air raid goes it is advisable to get downstairs and when you are aged or unwell that is far from pleasant, and as likely as not get a chill.

As to food there is plenty in the shops. I can see no difference from pre-war times and prices have gone up, but very little. The only thing I personally miss is sugar. I wish we could have more than a half pound per week per person per week. This is for cooking and everything. Butter goes down next week from 6 ounces to 2 ounces per person per week. But  there is plenty of margarine to make up for it.
I went to Lexden yesterday afternoon to see Horace. He is now a full time special constable doing clerical work in the Chief Constable office. He misses Mother and Emily very much but is still carrying on the house at Lexden. He will not have to go into the army and Ethel (Hall's) husband is exempt for some time.
Daphne still works at ---------- and is now in the cashier's office. Plenty of money about but not for Daphne.
Can now hear a German bomber going over but its very dark and cloudy and he is up so high (3 miles I suppose) so he doesn't know where he is fortunately.
Well have no more news so must conclude with fond love from all the family to all the clan of Nevards.

Your affectionate Brother
Cecil

Nevards Trip To England

June 4: Gifford took us to see Carlton Church. We saw Aunt Annie's and her parent's graves. After dinner we helped in the garden. I took a snap of Walnut Tree House.

June 5: We walked to East Green Farm and took a snap of it. We visited Sammy and Violet after supper and saw Leslie there too.
June 7: Christine drove us to Sternfield. Later to Benhall and Framlingham. We visited Leslie and Martha after dinner.

1975 Trip To England

Bill Nevard returned to visit the land of his birth , Suffolk and Essex, U.K. in the summer of 1975. A few entries from his brother's journal follow.
May 27: John Strudwick drove us to the airport and we had a nice trip over.
May 28: We landed at Heathrow at 11 am. I phoned Muriel. We went and saw Buckingham Palace.
May 30: We went to the National Maritime museum at Greenwich by river boat. We went to Foyle's book store and then to The Book restaurant for supper. I phoned Kelsale and Gifford answered.
June 1: We went to Holy Communion in St.Paul's cathedral. After dinner we went to Trafalgar Square and saw Nelson's monument and the four lions guarding it. Then on to the National Art gallery.
June 3: We went by taxi to Liverpool Street station and then to Saxmundham where we were met by Gifford. We had a royal welcome at Walnut Tree House. Gifford took us to see Kelsale Church.

Headlands Picnic 1943

From the daily journal of Bill Nevard.
June 29, 1943
Dad and Uncle Horrie both went to Lipton with wheat. I was cultivating. Jubilee seemed to find it hard work so I let him out after dinner and got Spark instead. I found out this afternoon that Violet has a wire cut in her fetlock so I let her out tonight.
Roy and Joy went to Balrobie dance.

June 30: I caught Embers this morning and went on 25 with the John Deere gang plow. Dad had put the new shares on but it soon cleaned and is working alright though plowing rather deep. Not an awful lot of tall growth on the stubble yet excepting stinkweed. Joy and Donald went to Headlands picnic and all three of them went to the dance.

July 15 1947

In the summer of 1947 Bill Nevard was working on the new barn.

July 15 I dug some of the West wall in the morning. Then I caught Gleam and Embers
and hauled two loads of gravel after dinner. Mr. Fisher brought Dad home and they
rode up to Cliff Barton's to see about a building that Mr. Fisher wants to buy
and move to Lipton where he and Mrs. Fisher are going to live.

July 17 Raining a bit this morning so Roy and I made 20 more half blocks in the
stable. It cleared off after a bit. Bud, Carol and the baby went to Lipton and
went to Lipton sports with Bill Miller. Mr. Fisher came along and took Dad, Uncle
Horrie and Donald down to Lipton sports. Roy and I got 2 loads of gravel after dinner.

Election Day 70 Years Ago

June 11, 1945.
I plowed in the morning and in the afternoon Dad, both Uncles, Bud, and I went to vote at Balrobie in the democrat with Gleam and Embers. Mrs. Ernest Senft was D.R.O. and Bill Peake was polling clerk.
We saw Sid Phillips and his family there . Also Mrs. McCullough, Sam Smith, Bernice and their 2 children, Jack Mintzlar, Howard Van Luven, Robert Senft, Charlie Huber and Red Schmidt on the way home. Lutzs' overtook us and Bud went with them.
Didn't have time to do anything much after we got home. There was a letter from Dick in the mail. We were listening to election returns on the radio and heard that the Liberals are returned to power with a smaller majority.

This is actually a photo of Kate Hobetzeder in a "democrat" since I do not have one of the Nevard's conveyance. Chances are good that some time that same election day that Kate and family showed up at Balrobie to vote.

V.E. Day

Yesterday, May 8, 2015 marked the 70th anniversary of victory over Europe day. It was a momentous day and mention is made of it in a letter home from Dick Nevard who was stationed in England at the time.
Bill Nevard makes reference to the event in his journal on the 13th of May.
May 13, 1945: Sunday, a special Victory celebration service at Headlands school today at 2:00 pm. Dad and I went in the democrat. Bud and Carol rode with us. Uncle Arthur walked but we caught him up before we got to the school. Uncle Horrie, Joy and Donald went in the cart.  Mr. and Mrs. Tom North and daughters. Ed, Ethel and Bill Dodd. Mr. and Mrs. Millward and Ivadelle. Mr. and Mrs. Radwell and Mrs. Bowman and John. Mr. and Mrs. Cliff Barton and Geoffrey. Mrs. Bordass, Mamie and Malcolm. Mrs. Wheale, Mary and Shirley. Mr. Tingey and the same man who was with him the last time.
Roy was home for a while. He has been working for Tom Heggie and now he is going to work for Rudolph Hiske.
I finished writing my letter to Dick. In the evening I went and caught Firelight and Frank, who were both in Uncle Arthur's land, ready for work tomorrow.
Dad went up to Silver Birches.

. A photo of a Church service at Headlands school a few years later in 1951.

Photo At The San

1974 July 18
I walked over to Long's this morning and found out that there is to be a senior citizens meeting in the parish hall this afternoon. Went for the mail and got a letter from Koon-so. A man named Wotherspoon from Melville spoke to me and wanted to take some pictures of me.
3 lads with him and they all had cameras. Apparently they are studying photography with the summer school of the arts. So they took a few pictures up against the West wing. He is a cousin of Mrs. Ernest Senft.
Dick mowed the lawn. I drove down to the S.C meeting. 15 there. Just a business meeting. They are hoping to get the old Pioneer Store for their meeting hall. I got groceries at Suns when I came home.

Letter From Grove Farm to Indian Head

                                                                                     
                                                                                      Grove Farm
                                                                                       Saxmundham, Suffolk
                                                                                       October 23, 1906

I hope this will meet you all quite well as it leaves us. I received your letter this morning which I was very pleased to get.
I had ever such a long letter from Louie also. I expect she will be home again in a fortnight's time and your mother is coming back with her. I expect she will miss you all now more than ever after Louie and the baby come away.
Louie has had a lot of people come to see her and the baby. I expect it will seem rather dull down here to her after seeing such a lot of people but she will have the boy to cheer her up.
I was sorry to hear that Mary had not been very well. I expect little Ernie was pleased to see his Uncle Arthur wasn't he?
Is he helping to thresh? Is Ernie still away at work? He has had to go away quite a lot of times hasn't he?
I expect you are glad that you haven't had to go away much as it cost such a lot to live when you are away don't it?
I hope you won't upset the ink bottle anymore after you have wrote my letter as it must be very provoking to have to write your letter twice.
Willie and Dick have just had their dinner at 3 o'clock today as they have been working in the town. Willie has had the  toothache very bad so now he has been to the doctor's and had it drawn so it is better now.
Father is going to Rushmere on Saturday to see his brother and stay for the Sunday.
I had a nice letter from Annie last Sunday week and we heard from Mary last Saturday week.
I'm wondering if you will be at Indian Head when this letter comes but if not I daresay you will get it some time or other.
I was pleased to hear about your harvest festival and I would like to have been there but I can't come as its such a long long way and the wide sea in between. I do so long to see you some times and then I feel so pleased when your letters come.
I went to Saxmundham Church twice last Sunday but the Sunday before I did not go out only once.
Mr. Aldous who took the farm where we used to live came here last Sunday week and he say that his people don't like living there at all.
I expect that little rose which I sent in my last letter was quite dead by the time you got it wasn't it?
Dick is now just come in with the milk so I must not stop to write much more as I must look after the separator.
Do you have to walk a long way to work now or are you near the house? I suppose that little Ernie won't be able to play in the garden now that it is cold. It will be a year ago tomorrow since you and Louie went back to Lexden after your first stay at the Grove Farm.
And now dear Horrie I must bring my letter to a close and I hope I shan't upset the ink over it.
With love to all and my truest love to you I remain your ever loving Alice
P.S. Dick want me to tell you that he has got some great beets where you saw him digging in the garden.

1906 Letter from Alice Hall to Horace Nevard

                                                        Grove Farm Saxmundham
Suffolk, England
July 6, 1906
My Dear Horrie
I expect you are beginning to look for a letter from me but I did not receive your letter till this morning so I could not write before. It was an extra long while coming this time and I began to wonder if it was lost. I don't know what sort of flowers they are which you sent me which you got on the prairie but some sort of Canadian flower I should think. I am sending you two little pansys out of our garden just for a remembrance and two daisies off the meadow. The summer has really come now and we have had some hot weather since I wrote to you last.  I expect you find it very hot at work. I hope the mosquitoes don't worry you so much now. I expect you have seen Mary and Ernie by this time. I expect Ernie thought it took a rare long time to get  to Canada. I hope they got there alright. We shall not be able to hear yet for a few days I don't suppose. Mary sent a post card to Emily from Londonderry and Emily  forwarded it on to us. It was very good of Emily to go to Liverpool with them. Louie is home again now. She came back on Monday. I expect Cecil will be coming to stay with Louie for his holiday at the end of this month. Annie is coming home tomorrow just for the weekend and going back on the Monday and then she is coming home again on August the seventh for a fortnight's holiday. She told me when she wrote to me last that she wished to be remembered to you and to tell you that she would welcome you for a brother one of these days. I had been looking for the postman to bring me a letter for over a week before it came and Willie said he expected you had got another girl out there in Canada just to tease me. But Dick said I must not pay any regard to that  because they used to tease him just the same when Maud went to Derbyshire and he expected you were too busy to write. I was so pleased when Mother brought me the letter this morning. It came while I was turning the separator. I am writing this in a great hurry but I hope you will be able to understand it. I am going to the town this afternoon and I want to post it when I go. I have just had my dinner and I expect you have just had your breakfast but I don't know what time you have it though. We got 41 pounds of butter this week and we took 36 pounds of it to the town and my arm did just ache when I got there. Father was going to carry it for us and then they were so busy so I thought I could carry it. They are very busy with the hay now and we are having beautiful weather for it and hope it will continue to till the hay is done. Willie bought a clipper or grass mower at the show so that will help them on a bit. We have got such a lot of gooseberries in the garden but we didn't have many cherries. Although the tree was so full in bloom as I daresay you will remember and what few there was the birds were soon after them. I went to the Girl's Friendly Society Festival last Wednesday afternoon at Kelsale Rectory and I enjoyed myself very much. I saw my cousin Mary from Leiston. She is Daisy's sister you know who is at Colchester and we had quite a nice time together. I expect they are all coming here from Leiston on August Bank Holiday so we shall be quite a party. I had a nice big card given me at the festival for 5 years of faithful discharge of duties in the employment of my parents. I was quite surprised as I did not expect to get anything as I had always been at home.
Last Saturday week we had a lot of company. Father's brother from Ipswich and his wife and their son and his wife and three children came here and stayed to dinner and tea. My cousin Walter has not got any work and there is ever so many in Ipswich out of work. He is thinking of going out to Canada but I don't know whether he will. He is a bricklayer by trade, You can read some of this letter to Mary if you like or else tell her as I have no doubt she will like to hear all the news. Give our love to her and I hope she is better now and kiss dear little Ernie (Bill Nevard) for us all. I expect he will help to cheer you up and keep you lively. He didn't seem to mind leaving us at all but I don't suppose his little mind could realize that he would not be coming back again yet awhile. It is a good thing that he is so happy. I don't think he will ever really forget us. I am sure they must miss him very much at Lexden.
I don't think I must stop to write much more. I will keep the piece of Canadian money and the flowers for a keepsake . you pressed them out very nicely. I do so wish I could see you sometimes but I ought to not to write so I suppose. I hope you are not downhearted because although we cannot see each other we can write although its not quite like talking. I think of ever so much I want to tell sometimes and then I go and forget it. Annie said Herbert was quite well and was coming home in October I went to Saxmundham Church last Sunday morning and to Rendham Church in the evening. Is the Church you go to anything like Lexden Church?

Hoping this will meet you quite well. With love and kisses I remain your ever loving Alice.

Bill's November 21, 1944 Letter Continued

November 21, 1944 letter continued.

Yesterday as soon as I'd done the necessary chores I took the wagon up on 25 and got my first load of barley home ready for hauling. As soon as I got back Dad and Uncle Arthur hitched on to the democrat and drove off to the Goff sale which was supposed to start at 12 o'clock. Actually it didn't start til 2 o'clock. The Goffs had invited Dad over for dinner so he was able to put his team in the stable and have some dinner before the sale started. Dad bought 3 sections of spring tooth harrows for $42. He also bought a hammer, logging chain and neck yoke. We seem to have mysteriously lost both our hammer and logging chain and both are necessary things to have around the farm.  Hobetzeder bought the binder and paid $278 for it. Tom Goff paid $80 for the mower so things went plenty high enough. Dad said the drag harrows sold for a higher price than they cost new in March.

I finished fencing the oat straw yesterday.  Dad wants to make a wooden trough, then when we let the stock onto this quarter we will be able to water them from the cistern. I don't know if I told you this before but Dad bought some new harness this fall for a team as he thought our other harness wasn't strong enough for hauling.

I shall have to get busy as soon as I get the barley hauled and start wood chopping. Last year I had it all cut and piled in the yard by Dec. 14th but I haven't cut any yet this year.

It was snowing a little last night before they got home from the sale but not very much. It is rather unusual to get so far into the season without a fall of snow. However with these thick fogs we have the frost on the grass is almost like a snow and Andy Gray was telling me that some of the electric light wires have broken with the weight of the heavy frost on them. 

I guess that uses up the news for this week and I'll have to quit.  Hoping you are well I remain your loving brother..        

                                                                                                                              E.W. Nevard

Alf Goff on the left of photo

November 1944 Letter From Bill to Dick

                                                                                     Headlands, Sask.
                                                                                     Nov. 21, 1944

Dear Dick
I have only a week's news to write and nothing very exciting to report. On the 15th I took a load of wheat to Lipton and posted my last letter to you. Donald started out with me but John Senft overtook us in his truck so Donald rode the rest of the way in with him. He was hauling wheat for Uncle Arthur. At the big coulee I met John Senft coming back for another load with Donald. He hauled 4 loads for Uncle and Uncle rode with him the third trip and came home on the fourth.
I got bags of cement to finish the cistern and some planks to make a trough with.
On the 16th we finished the cistern bottom and top. A nice bright day. I had to get a tank of water afterwards. Donald was here to supper. Joy would have come too but she had a cold.
On the 17th I took another load of wheat to Lipton . There wasn't so much traffic on the road as before although it was a nice day. Donald had sent to Eaton's for a pair of skis and I picked them up at the station. Also a carton from Aunt Flo for Uncle A. containing her husband's clothes. Donald went for the mail at night,
On the 18th I was fencing a straw pile and hauling water. Dad making bread. Uncle A brought the mail and I got your letter.
This is now Wednesday morning, the 22nd and I'm eating breakfast. I got 567 bushels of barley. I'm hoping to take the first load of the company's share to Lipton today.
On Sunday the 19th Dad and both Uncles went to Goff's in the democrat. The sale to wind up Alf Goff's estate was held yesterday and Dad wanted to go over beforehand and look the stuff over.
On Monday I took another load of wheat to Lipton. Probably the last for this year. John Senft took two truck loads for Uncle Horrie which pretty well cleans him up.
There were more wagons in town than usual as people were bringing cattle and hogs in to the stock yards to ship. Also it was nomination day for the municipality.
Louis Cohen has injured his shoulder and is unable to use his left hand. He is intending to get an x-ray of it I think.

Back row, Ernest, Bill and Arthur Nevard.

Part 2 of Emily Nevard's 1916 Letter to Horace.

The week Granny laid in bed we had any amount of work as Mr. and Mrs. Hurnard went away as they were having some new stoves fixed so they cleared all the linen up and sent to us and as there were no maids in the house Mrs. Hurnard casked if Mother would see the linen was well aired as there would be no one in the house to do it. And she would pay Mother extra for it so Mother was very worried as she was afraid Granny might pass away before we could get the work out of the house. As it happened it was alright. We had sent all the work home and as they were away we didn't have any last week in the house until Thurdasy morning (after the funeral) which was just alright .

We laid Granny to rest on Wednesday the 12th at 2 pm. We intended having it at 2:30 but the Rector don't like having funerals later than 2:00 this short days. I arranged everything. I ordered the coffin and as the weather is so uncertain and the roads so muddy I asked Arthur Clark to order a Shellibier. There was just enough room for us all to ride. They put the coffin in front in a glass covered recess and we rode at the back. Mother and Uncle Robert, Aunt Alice and cusins Walter, Emma and I, Horrie and Mrs. Clayden at the end and Aunt Annie met us at the Church gate. There were only three people besides ourselves in the Church. Mrs. Elizabeth Clayden and her neighbours opposite and Miss Colvin. People told me afterwards they didn't know Granny was dead, much less buried. You see she was ill only one week so people didn't know. Mrs. Colvin sent a spray of pure white lillies and Gertie Appleby sent a spray of Arum lillies, white Chrysantheums and Lent lillies. Cecil and Ethel and I had a very nice wreath between us. Cecil and Ethel did not come as it would be rather expensive as the railway fare would be 11/ each return and Ethel had no black so would have to buy. And they were here just after Xmas.

When Grandfather died there was a little money in the post office savings bank in Granny's name that Grandfather had put in. He said it would do to pay for a nurse if she wanted one and be enough to bury her respectable. So when Cecil as Grandfather's executor took Grandfather's money out of the bank he drew what was in Granny's name also . Granny gave me 20 pounds to put in my account so that I could get it without any trouble. I have had to take out some of it to pay 2 or 3 small doctor's bills and other things. But there is still enough left to pay for all funeral expenses and a little to spare. There wouldn't have been if she had all her own way about it. She would have liked to have had it and given it to Uncle Robert and he wouldn't have done any good with it. Grandfather always told us it was on purpose and for her funeral and other expenses. I expect if there is a little to spare we shall have to give Uncle Robert some of it.  Isn't it a pity when people waste money. I don't know anything about Uncle Walter. He wrote to me for money last June twelvemonth. I just sent him a post card to say I hadn't any in the house and Mother was away and I would write later but I never did. I haven't heard from him since so I haven't written and told him his mother is dead because there is no knowing where he is now as he often changed his address

Mother said if we did write and find him most likely she would have to send him the money to come and then keep him the time he was here. And there would be no telling how long he would stay and she said she couldn't do it. You see he knows I have Grandmother's money in my name so he thought he might as well have some of it. What a trouble people are to you if you have got money. He sent to me once before for 2L-0-0. I couldn't get so much by the time he wanted it so I sent 36/ I had been saving up for a new coat and skirt. If I were to spend money or dress as some people do  I shouldn't have a penny.

We miss Granny very much. It is hard to realize she will not come back again but it is a great relief for Mother as it used to worry her to know what to feed Granny. Although she could eat the same food as us Mother felt she must get her something nice. That is one thing, Mother did see after her well. It was very trying for us as Granny couldn't see she had to ask us everything and if it happened to be a wet day she would ask about 20 times during the day if it still rained. Hers was a very monotonous life sitting here all day, especially when we were in the kitchen washing. And when we were in here we didn't know what to talk to her about as we couldn't tell her all our business as she might tell other people. She used to ask us all about the neighbours if they were washing, etc. It was rather a responsibility too having her as she couldn't see. Mother was alwyas afraid something would happen to her and we would not get a doctor here in time. Poor old Granny, I trust she has gone to her rest. She was always preparing for that home. She used to set here and pray for all. She used to ask for a fine day for us to dry our linen. She used to pray for all out in Canada. Ask for a good harvest and all other things. It is a good thing she did as she was not sensible at the last. She often spoke about you, how you went and dinner with her the day you went away.

I sent you a long letter which you would get after Xmas. I sent a paper to Arthur asking him to send it on to you. Please thank Ern for his letter. Mother was very pleased . Thank Mary for hers too. I will write as soon as I can. Now I must close with love from us all here to you from your loving sister.

                                                                                                                Emily Nevard.

Grandmother Nevard front row centre. 

1916 Letter From Emily to Horace Nevard

                                                                                                           March 1916

                                                                                                           36 Straight Road

                                                                                                            Lexden, Essex

My Dear Horrie

I was pleased to receive your letter by first post on the 12th and was never more surprised in my life when I read it and saw what it contained and very pleased too. I really can not thank you enough for your kindness and also for your kindness of heart that made you think of doing it. It wouldn't matter how much some folks made, they wouldn't think of helping their sisters. Mother is so pleased that you are in a position to do it.

We are very sorry you have had the shingles in your arm. We hope they are better by now. Aunt Alice had them round her waist last spring. She had the Doctor and he said it was caused by cold and a nervous breakdown so Mother think it must be the cause of your having them too. She says she think you have been worried about enlisting. You feel you ought to fight for your country and yet you feel you can not leave Ern all alone as he couldn't manage to do the land all himself. And you are doing your duty by farming the land and growing corn which is so much needed. It is very well for young men who have no work to go but you have yours cut out. I don't see how we can grow much corn in England as so many men have enrolled under the group system and now the bill on compulsion is passed in the house it will take more men. Women are doing wonderful things now but I don't think they are physically trained for manuring , ploughing and seeding the fields. Milking, weeding, haymaking, stone picking fruit gathering they can do. We have women clerks, postwomen, chauffeurs, tram conductors, omnibus conductors, ticket collectors and porters. It makes me feel proud of being a woman.

Now I have some news to tell you. Poor old Granny passed away on Saturday the 8th at 4 in the morning. She was taken ill on New Years night. She appeared as well as usual all day and had her meals the same and her supper of bread and cheese and half cup of beer but about 10 when we went to bed she asked me to get her some vinegar as her head ached so bad. So I bathed her head with vinegar. She felt cold and shaky too so I gave her some whiskey in hot water. You can guess we didn't sleep very much that night so next morning, Sunday, I went for Dr. Chichester. When he came he said a small blood vessel had broken in her head. He said to make her as comfortable as possible and he wouldn't send any medicine as it wouldn't do any good. She laid unconscious more or less all day. Uncle went up to see her but she took no notice of him. Uncle went to see her again in the evening and she knew him then. She asked where Walter was at work as she always asked about them all when he came to see her. But she soon went off again. Wednesday night she was not so well and was worse on Thursday. Friday she fetched her breath very hard all day. I managed to give her three small lots of weak brandy and water in the morning. Mother and I stayed up all Friday night and Granny passed away at 4 am Saturday morning. 

Emily Nevard and her mother, Sarah.

Home From The City November 1945

1945

Tuesday , November 6. Aunt May and I went downtown and took my watch to the watch repair man. Then I went to Helen's to dinner. We went downtown after dinner. Helen saw the doctor. He said she shouldn't be working so Mary decided to stay longer. I went back to Aunt May's alone. After supper I walked down to where Grace works and we went down to the Albert Street bridge where we met Margaret Lutz and we got on a street car and went to the Rex Theater and saw "Desert Song" starring Dennis Morgan. Also saw Young and Willing. After the show we got a street car and rode down to Grace's place. She walked part way with me, then she left me and I took the wrong turn and got lost. I walked around for a while and then I saw two women in a car, asked them the way and they took me to Aunt May's.

Wednesday, November 7. Aunt May and I went downtown and got my watch and got my pictures from the studio. Then went to Helen's to dinner. Mary and I got dinner. What a dinner! I went back to Aunt May's about 3 o'clock. Aunt May went down to the bus depot with me and saw me off. Gladys Berner and her husband were on the bus. When we got to the Craven Hill between Regina and Southey the bus skidded and turned right around. The men all got out and spent about half or three quarters of an hour getting it straight again. When we got to Lipton we were an hour late. Leonard came to the bus depot and carried my suitcase to the car. I went to the town hall to the show "Her Primitive Man". After the show I found Shirley and Jack and went back to Naemark's with them. Then Leonard and Malcolm wanted to go so we went home. Boy was I ever tired and just about frozen. My holiday was over.

November 1945 A Few More Days In The City

Sunday, November 4. A much warmer day. Aunt May showed me the way to where Grace Hobetzeder works. I went there and stayed an hour or two and we had a great old talk. Decided to go to a show on Tuesday. Went back to Aunt May's to dinner. After dinner Aunt May and I went to see Mrs. Hammill. Then I went to Helen's place for supper. After supper Lucille S---------N and her boyfriend, Frank came about ten o'clock. Mary and I went back to Aunt May's.

Monday November 5. Mary and I started to go see Biinningtons but we met Agnes on the street so we didn't go. Went back to Helen's to dinner. After dinner we went downtown. We met Fred Wagner in the Army and Navy and he asked Mary to go to the show so she went. Helen walked with me as far as the Safeway stores, then I waked to Aunt May's. It was snowing. Aunt May and I went to the Grand Theatre and saw the show "Maytime". I thought it was a lovely show. After the show we went to a cafe and Aunt May bought me a banana split. It sure was good.

Trip To The Big City

October 28 1945

Sunday. Another cold and windy day. Went to Wheale's in pm. We decided to go to Regina on Friday. I told Mary to go ahead of me but she said she would wait. Hope it doesn't snow before Friday. I will keep my fingers crossed.

November 1, Thursday It was a very cold and windy day today. I was packing the suitcase I borrowed from Carol ready to go to Regina. Donald drove me to Wheale's with Rusty and the cart and we were hoping and praying that it wouldn't snow too much or be too cold to start the car. It was snowing when we went to bed.

November 2, Friday. It was snowing and a cold Northwest wind but Leonard got the car started alright and took us down to the bus. There were two or three people we knew on the bus. Philip Fisher, Dave Raichman, George Wesa, Ruth Frey and her mother. We got to Regina and Orpha Senft was at the bus depot to show us the way to where Helen lives. We stayed at Helen's place for dinner and a while after. Then we went down to where Jerry, (Helen's husband) works and I phoned to see if Aunt May was home. Then we got on a street car and went to Aunt May's for supper. Ater supper Mary, Helen and I went to a show at the Grand Theatre. "Son of Lassie". We also went to Ross's Cafe and played the juke box. We went back to Helen's place and had lunch. Then Jerry drove Mary and I  to Aunt May's for the night.

Saturday November 3. We got up rather late and had breakfast. Then Aunt May showed us the way and we walked down to Helen's. We had dinner there and after dinner we went downtown to the Army and Navy. Then on to Eaton's and Simpsons. We walked around until we were played out , then took the street car back. Had supper, then Jerry and Harvey, Jerry's brother, drove me home. Mary stayed with Helen. It was raining, the streets were very slippery. Went to bed tired but happy. 

To be continued.......

Bill Turns 63

February 20, the wildest day we have had this winter. I walked to work this morning and the wind nearly blew me off my feet going around those two corners. The Eriksens were away and never came home tonight.

February 22, I stayed home today. Went over to Eriksens for a cup of coffee.  The papers say that Saturday's blow was the worst storm in Saskatchewan's history.

February 23. Poor old William Shakebroom has reached his 63rd birthday. Dick gave me a pair of braces for a present. John Isabelle has quit the San after a brief two days work last week. Archie Boyd still in sick bay. The D.V.A. are paying Uncle Arthur's funeral expenses and sent me a cheque for $35 to reimburse me for what I had paid.

January 28 1946, Hogs to Market

January 28: We loaded up four of our young hogs in the sleigh and I took them to Lipton, Uncle Horrie going with me. Not too bad a day but a cold wind developed making it somewhat unpleasant. The sleigh seemed to drag heavy but we got down in plenty of time. Our pigs being the first stock there. John Fleming was right behind us with a steer loaded in his sleigh. After unloading our stock and putting the teams in, John Fleming, Uncle H. and I went to Joe's restaurant for dinner. I went to Andy Gray's after dinner and gave him the certificates to fix up. Mrs. Gray is much better now.
Quite a bunch of teams in at Kellsey's. I saw the train come in but Dick was not on it.
Blowing harder and snowing a bit on the way home. Bud took Carol to Lipton in the cutter about 9 p:m.
January 29: Snowing today so I didn't do a lot. Uncle Arthur went up to Winstanley Grove to feed Bud's pigs. Uncle Horrie and Donald came down in the afternoon with our rack and took their sleigh back and their groceries. Uncle Arthur brought the mail down with two letters from Dick who thinks he will be home in February. Bud came back tonight and told us that he and Carol are the proud parents of a son born at 9 o'clock this morning.

 A somewhat unrelated photo but it shows how deep the snow can get some winters in Sask. Centre is Margaret (Daisy) Nevard when she worked at a farm near Pense in about the winter of 1912-13.

A Nine Mile Walk In January

Actually 18 miles in total distance walked.
January 15, 1949
This being my day off I decided to try and get home.  I caught the Regina bus and was the only passenger until we reached Lipton. The driver said the roads were good.At Lipton Bill Rutherford and his wife and one of the Wesa boys got on. I got off at Gillespie's corner and walked the rest of the way home facing a pretty stiff wind all the way but the road wasn't bad. I met about four cutters going in.
I found all well at home. Dad had made a meat pudding for dinner. Four of us ate it. Uncle Arthur, Roy and I. Roy is cutting wood for us. Dad found up some clothes for me to take back. He has put beaver board on the ceiling and has burnt quite a number of old clothes out of the way.
About 3:30 I started walking back to Lipton and I had to walk all the way. Still blowing and colder than before but the wind was behind me. It was bright moonlight when I reached Lipton and got to Brink's cafe about 6:50 p;m.  Bob Montgomery, more than slightly stewed, greeted me like a long lost brother. The bus soon arrived and took me safely back to the San.

Bill Nevard at upper right of photo along with some of the other workers at Fort San. 

January 13, 1965 Continued

I drove back home for dinner. In the afternoon I went back to Lipton, called on Mrs. Goff. She phoned Joy to let them know I was going to see Uncle Horrie. I drove out to the cemetery again and gave Lerat a thermos of hot coffee. He thought he might be finished about 4:00 pm.
I drove out to the farm, parked by the gate and walked in to Silver Birches. They were not surprised to hear about Uncle Arthur. I did not stay too long as I did not want the car to get too cold to start. When I got back to the cemetery about 4:00, Lerat still had an hour's work in order to finish. I drove into town to see Bud but he had gone off again. So I called around at Mrs. Goff's for a while. Then drove back to the cemetery, waited til Lerat had finished, then drove him home. Hannah came along this evening with a few boxes of Uncle's things including the Waterloo stick.

January 14:Dick and I both off work today and we left home in good time going down to the Fort to pick up Lerat. Inclined to snow a bit but much milder. We drove right up to the cemetery as Lerat wanted to make sure everything was ok. Then going back to Lipton and we left Lerat at the hotel. Then went to Mrs. Goff's where Les, Joy, Ralph, David and Ivy Hobetzeder were there. . Uncle Horrie and Don soon arrived. The service was delayed as Mr Ellis got his car stuck near Jim Potter's and had to be pulled out so we went to Bud's place next door and waited.
Nothing else untoward occurred and at the close of the service most of us went to the grave side. Pat Neil, John Senft, Tom North, Philip Fisher, Manuel Miller and Melvin Grainger were the pall bearers. Then we came back to Goff's for a while. When we thought Lerat had time enough to fill in the grave we went back to pick him up. He wanted to go into the hotel for one quick beer so we left him and went to Our Store to buy a few groceries. We talked a bit with Tom North and Philip Fisher and then Dick went to look for Lerat. Met him coming back from the hotel. We drove back to the Fort and I paid Lerat with a cheque for $25.

Arthur Nevard January 11 1965

When Dick got home this evening from work he received a phone message from Regina General Hospital that Uncle Arthur was in serious condition.  While we were having supper Bud phoned Birns and told us that Uncle had died.
January 12: When I got through my work I drove to Lipton calling in at the San on the way where Dick told me that Mr. Ellis could hold the funeral either Thursday or Friday. When I called at Buds he wasn't home from Regina. He had to go to sign a release before the hospital would let Uncle Arthur go.
I then called at Walton's to see about the grave plot. Then to Mrs. Goff to see if she had any suggestions as to pall bearers. We were expecting Bud to call in on his way home but he never showed up. As we had been up late the night before we went to bed fairly early. Hannah (undertaker) phoned up Birns and they got Dick out of bed to provide the necessary information so he could put a death notice in the Leader.
January 13:  Dick phoned Bud from work and found out that he couldn't start his car when he got back to the Fort last night and had to get a ride home. Bill  Lindsey let me off work at 8:30 and I went home, started the car and drove down to Lerat's home in the Fort. He wasn't ready, told me to come back in an hour so I went home, kept the fire going and went back for him about 10:30. We drove to Lipton and he stopped at the hotel for lunch while I called at Bud's where Mary told me that Bud had got a ride back to the Fort to get his car.
I went to the municipal office and Walton told me where we could dig.  I picked up Lerat and we drove out to the cemetery. We had to  shovel some snow at the entrance where the snow had drifted. I made a couple of rounds with the car and Lerat started digging about 11:45 and I went home to dinner.