The Lafrenière Soldier, Saint Léon and World War II

 The Lafrenière Soldier, Saint Léon and World War II

Continued translation of Odile Marten's Pionniers de la Montagne Pembina:  Saint Léon 1877-2000 borrowed from the Manitoba Legislative Library.

(p. H-164)

At the beginning of September 1939, Germany invaded Poland. Two days later, France and Great Britain, bound to Poland by an agreement, went to war with Germany. On September 10, 1939, Canada declared war on Germany.  

The terrible war that is tearing Europe apart leaves no one insensitive. Newscasts come in News reports arrive almost without delay across the Atlantic, to Saint Léon. 

Joys and tragedies overlap in community life. Even if the conflict does not unfold in Canada, the repercussions are felt. We are more saddened when the news comes from the fighting where so many Canadians were left on the battlefield.

Nineteen young men from Saint Léon joined the Canadian army during the war, most conscripted after 1942 when the Canadian government voted for conscription.

Oscar Lafrenière son of Louis Lafrenière and grandson of Ovide-Benjamin Lafrenière was one of the 19 men.

(p. H-166)

Good and Bad Effects of War

It is indisputable that this world war was the greatest cataclysm that humanity has ever known. However, apart from the sadness that people felt at the tragic news that reached them from Europe, their sensitivity to the suffering of the inhabitants of the countries in war, and their concern for the young soldiers they knew, they were not very touched economically speaking, by this war.

It is true that in order to mobilize the war effort, the Canadian government introduced price controls and rationed tea, coffee, butter, sugar, and gasoline. Each family received a booklet of ration coupons that were to be presented when purchasing these items. These restrictions were accepted rather quickly since the depression of the 1930s had made people "tighten their belts" and they could get their butter from their farms and substitute honey for sugar.

The prices of agricultural products rose and people were able to find employment much more easily, but to do so they had to go to work in the city. Thus, it was the exodus of young people to the city, during and after the war, which reduced the number of parishioners.

However, after several years, it was this terrible war that greatly reduced the misery caused by the depression of the thirties and gave a favorable impetus to the agricultural economy of the time. The Saint-Leoneans who had lived from hand to mouth for more than a decade could foresee better days in the near future.

The Red Cross

During the war, the women of Saint Léon took part in the Red Cross project. It involved knitting stockings and mittens for the soldiers. All are proud to do their part to alleviate the suffering of war.