All but one of the soldiers returned home safely. Everett Francis, a member of the Royal Canadian Navy, lost his life when his ship was torpedoed in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Alex Dawson was 18 when the war began and he remembers how anxious he was to enlist. Two requirements had to be met by all who enlisted; you had to be 21 years of age and you had to pass a medical examination. Unknown to Alex, his mother told Dr. Bell, the family doctor, about Alex’s desire to enlist and also his age. She did not want him to join his brothers in the war. Alex made seven visits to Dr. Bell and each time was turned down for medical reasons. Alex became suspicious, and when he learned Dr. Bell was out of the province, he seized the opportunity and biked to Summerside where he had a medical and passed. Alex was sent to Montreal, but there he was called before the Commanding Officer who explained to Alex that his age was under review. However, the Officer went on to explain that the review board would not be meeting until after Alex’s regiment left for Great Britain. Alex and Hillus Cairns were in the same battalion. When they enlisted they received a check each month for $45.00, but shortly after they received a raise to $46.50. They were given half the check and the other half was sent home to their family. Packages from home were welcomed by the boys who were trying to live on $23.25 a month! Alex recalls receiving a package each month from his cousin, Martha Dawson, who was stationed in Montreal. Invasion precautions were taken on Prince Edward Island during the Second World War. Home Guards were appointed by each commu- nity to walk the roads after dark. These men were inspectors for the Black Out Drills. Fred A. Leard was one of these guards in North

-, Tryon. The women of the commu- nity took an active part in Red Cross work during both wars, and for some time afterward, making bandages and quilts, and knitting socks and sweaters, which were sent overseas to be used where needed.

The people left behind did not have much time to contemplate events across the ocean; however, each evening everyone gathered around the radio to hear the latest news from the front. With fewer hands to do the farm work, many more hours had to be spent on the land and in the barn. It was a diffi—

Private Fred Dawson. Alex Dawson collection.

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