raising the children. Those were some of the hardships, due to war, that were seldom talked about. Helping families to cope with the absence of a husband and father was done, for the most part, through the work of local clergy and the kindness of neighbours. Food and clothing would often be provided, along with wood and coal, to keep the families comfortable.
Nearly everything was rationed during these difficult years. Many families needing extra ration stamps would approach local merchants to see if any were available. Morris & Bernard and Myrick’s would be given unused stamps from farmers who had
no use for them. They were mostly butter and tobacco stamps. Heavy smokers and chewers of twist would visit around the
community in search of these extra stamps. It was a difficult time in life with war taking its toll in homes, which were far removed, from the war zone.
In Tignish the people were made aware of the closeness of war when a
Royal Canadian Air Force Radar L Base was set up just two miles ‘
“ W“
away in St. Felix. As well Search and Rescue stations were at Tignish Shore and Alberton South. The Radar Base was in full operation in 1942. The names used by the stations were
RCAF Tignish, RCAF St. Felix, RCAF Greenmount, and RCAF Alberton.
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