Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 27 continued ... AWar Story Have you ever thought of planes in the war? War might not have always been people on battlefields with guns, there are many more parts of war then just that. This is a story about my great Aunt Evelyn and my great Uncle John, who both were a part of WWII. In 1939 John joined the armed forces. He was 21 years of age. He went to Saskatchewan Canada to learn how to fly a plane. He then went to Manitoba Canada to train to be a pilot and earn his wings. After training he was sent overseas to England. He was sent to Shawberry (England) for more training, where he became the pilot of a Lancaster bomber. He was stationed in Derbyshire (England). He flew 31 missions including a bombing raid over Berlin (Germany), and one to Norway to break a dam. For his efforts in the war he was awarded the DFC which stands for Distinguished Flying Cross. In Shawberry is where he met Evelyn. At the time Evelyn was living in Moreton Corbet which was near Shawberry. She worked in a post office. On John’s 22nd birthday he met Evelyn, he came to the post office for some stamps. A few days later he came back and he came back again. Then on the third night he asked her to the movies. It was a big thing to be invited to the movies because only soldiers were allowed, and that was the start to their relationship. They got married in 1945 and when the war was over John returned to Canada. At that time Evelyn was 5 months pregnant with their first child so she couldn’t travel. Once the baby was 5 months old, she travelled to Halifax N.S. on the ship RMS Aquitania. The sailing was in March, and was very rough, causing many to be seasick including Evely and her 5 month old son. Upon arrival in Halifax N.S. they were checked out by doctors. Once cleared they were allowed to take a train to Moncton N.B., where they were reunited with John. Then they travelled to Sussex N.B. to meet John’s family. In conclusion the next Remembrance Day try to remember John and Evelyn Walker, a bomber who didn’t just want stamps. 1st Place Junior Essay, Zoe Walker, Submitted by Elmsdale Br. 48, District F 2nd Place Junior Essay, Amelia Rovers, Submitted by Arras Br. 59, District B
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