The Second World War was one more challenge that faced the Keefe 
     
     family. They had weathered the Depression and gone through the tragedy 
     
     of losing a wife and mother. Now, siX of Kathleen’s brothers volunteered 
     
     to serve with Canada’s armed forces. 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     Six ofKathleen’s brothers served during the Second World ‘Wr. From [423 to right are 
     
     Gerald, Maurice, Earl, Elmer, Leslie and Reverend ‘Vilfred (reconstructed Photograph) 
     
    
   
   
    
     Four of the brothers — Earl, Maurice, Gerald and Elmer — were posted 
     
     overseas. Father Wilfred, an army chaplin in Debert, helped escort troops 
     
     overseas and accompanied wounded soldiers being sent home. A sixth 
     
     bother, Leslie, enlisted but because of asthma problems, remained in 
     
     Canada. Because Canada recognized the need for farmers to produce 
     
     food in time of war, Lennie remained at home and took over the 
     
     responsibilities of running the Keefe farm. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Every month, the Keefes sent parcels overseas to the four brothers. 
     
     Kathleen corresponded regularly with her brothers, sending letters 
     
    

    
     along with cigarettes and candy sown up in cloth so they would get to 
     
     their destination. Every evening, they would gather around the radio to 
     
     hear the latest news on CFCY and follow the course of the war in the 
     
     Guardian newspaper. As the casualties mounted, their concerns deepened. 
     
     The rosary was said with greater fervour, praying for the safe return of the 
     
     men and women who were involved in the war effort. 
     
    
   
   
    
     68 KATHLEEN MURPHY, MAITRIARC