211 The Royal Canadian Legion www.mbnwo.legion.ca WILLIAMSON, Reginald “Reg” . . . continued Many problems harassed them, such as gophers and grasshoppers that quickly ate up large patches of grain. They experienced crop failures for many different reasons – drought, depression, hail, and rust. Sometimes the whole crop had to be burned to the ground. Heavy rains, wind and dust storms were part of every summer, as well as flies and mosquitoes. If there was little or no straw to feed the stock, spring found many farmers out picking grass to offset the scarcity of regular feedings. Ada often nursed the sick, be it family, neighbors or animals or fowl around the farm. One day, she gave a sick turkey a drop of brandy and he shook his head before he died. “What a waste,” her son said. Baby chicks were kept warn wrapped up in a box on the oven door and the orphan calves, colts or baby pigs were nursed on a baby bottle until survival seemed assured. “Survival” was another important aspect of life, keeping cool in summer and warm in winter. Winter’s food and fuel had to be put away during the summer months to take care of needs in the long cold winters that were sure to be severe. Social life depended on the neighbours, church, and school. They put on plays, sang in the choir, and Reg was proud to sing in the male quartet, having a resounding bass voice. Families and friends happily gathered around the piano or organ for two or three hours of singing. Children gathered around a young lad with a guitar and sang western songs, the favourite being “Home on the Range”. Dancing to an accordion or violin went on for hours. Ada belonged to Ladies Aid and Women’s Missionary Society and in later years to the Rebecca Lodge. Reg, to the United Farmers of Manitoba, the Manitoba Wheat Pool, Mentmore Beef Ring and Royal Canadian Legion, as well as others. Their marriage was blessed by three children: George Harvey, Reginald and Elsa Jean. Harvey was married in England during World War II to Rae Carberry. They came home to Langford in 1946, later returning to England in 1947 to make their home. They had a daughter, Elizabeth, and a son, Douglas, as well as four foster girls, Audrey, Anne, Paulette and Jeanette and three grandchildren. Rex married Colleen Stewart in Winnipeg while attending university there, following his return from overseas. After receiving his Bachelors of Science (Civil Engineering) Degree, they moved to Thunder Bay, Ontario, Rex and Colleen had four daughters and one son, and seven grandchildren. Elsa married Ernie (Pat) Hamp in Neepawa and in 1947, they moved to Kenora, Ontario after Pat’s return from overseas. They had two daughters and one son, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Through this lineage, Reg experienced five generations. Reg and Ada were greatly distressed when World War II was declared. Pat enlisted in the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and spent over five years overseas, Rex enlisted in the 12th Manitoba Dragoons and was invalided home from Belgium in 1945. Harvey enlisted in the Fort Garry Horse Regiment and served overseas for six years and was severely wounded in Europe. Ada’s failing health caused them to sell their farm and move to Neepawa in 1947. She died in December 1952 with interment in Riverside Cemetery. In 1955, Reg moved to Kenora, Ontario. He often returned to Neepawa and the old farm site as did other members of his family and they enjoyed memories of happy times together. Reg enjoyed a long life, good health, good memory, many loving friends and a devoted family. He died on February 28, 1983 and was 94 years old. He was buried in the family plot in Riverside Cemetery.
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