Posted by Rob Edlefsen on 1/27/2008, 3:28 pm, in reply to "Re: George Grimshaw, Royal Rifle"
141.119.184.10

Hello Melissa - It is a very small world. Yes my sister Sheena and your aunt Barbara hung out together in their high school years. As a matter of fact (ready for this??) I was at your aunt Barbara's wedding up in a church in Otterburn Park (I believe it was on Mountainview street). I think my sister was one of the brides maids/lady of honour or somethng in the wedding party. I'm going back 33 or 34 years ago. I was seventeen or thereabouts. Here's another funny one - your family looked after our wee dog Shandy when we all went to Scotland in 1971. Ask your aunts if they recall that. I agree with you on how little so many of todays students know about Canada's contributions in the world wars (both I and II). My eldest daughter did a history project on a "ficticious" soldier writing home to his parents on the eve of the battle of the Somme in WWI. The letter was all written on "aged" paper and envelope complete with copies of authentic stamps of the period etc. She then wrote another official looking document dated several days after the initial letter stating them "We regret to inform you of the loss of your son....). I gave her some old military buttons, an antique WWI match holder, coins from 1915 (I used to collect coins), a battered old harmonica and uniform patches, in other words the deceased soldier's personal effects. She then placed them all in an old looking box with shipping address etc. SHe got a fantastic mark - so much so that the teacher wanted to keep the project. I bothers her as well how her class mates have no clue what the wars were all about. She and my other daughter know that both their granfather (my dad) and their great grandfather fought in the wars. Their great granfather was in the Black Watch. One more thing to give you a smile. I think you said you live in KItchener? I live in Cambridge and entertain a lot at the retirement and nursing homes in the tri-cities area. Anyway - I have rambled long enough. Hope to hear from you again. My best to all your family who remembers me/my family. --Previous Message-- : Hi Rob!! Sorry to email you back again.... : Just got off the phone with my Mom and she : remembers you, your dad "Chic" and : your sister very well.... Sheena??? : Apparently, your sister hung out with my : aunt Barbara quite a bit.... Funny, thanks : so much for emailing me back.... I really : appreciate the kind words about my : grandfather... he meant so much to me and my : Mom and, like you, we did not know alot : about what happened as he would not speak of : it... : : Thanks again and keep in touch! : : --Previous Message-- : Hello Melissa - : I have no wartime stories of your : grandfather as I am too young. However, My : family and I were friends of your : grandfather and grandmother from Beloeil : Quebec back in the late 60's and early 70's. : I knew (I guess your aunts) Debbie and : Dorothy from Cedar Street School. I often : talked to your grandfather when he would : drop around for one reason or another and he : and my father "Chic" (also a : second world war vet), would "shoot the : breeze". I was always raised with a : deep respect for those who served this : country in the war(s) and were left with : various disabilities because of it. Of : course as a young teenager I would ask my : dad what had happened to George in the war : but he would not go into any detail other : than as a POW of the Japanese and their : documented poor treatment of prisoners, his : feet were injured/damaged in such a way as : to cause him problems for the rest of his : life. Forgive me if this is vague as I am : trying to recount conversations from : thirty-something years ago. : He was alway a gentle soul and was always : kind to me even as a typical teen in the : seventies. I had a lot of respect for your : grandfather George Grimshaw as a Canadian : Vet and as a person. It is nice to see : someone take the time to try to find out a : bit about their grandparents. I too am : looking for clues and stories of my : grandparents. In particular my dad's father : who served in the Black Watch in the first : world war. : I wish you all the best in you search and my : good wishes to your family. : : Rob Edlefsen : : --Previous Message-- : I was just wondering if there was anyone out : there who knew of, or has any information : regarding my grandfather/had friendship with : him. He was a Royal Rifleman and was : captured and held as a POW until the end of : the war. He was from Beloiel/Montreal, : Quebec... Any information would be : appreciated. Thanks. : : Melissa : : : : :