Bill’s brother Douglas, who served in the air force, was stationed for a time at the base in Greenwood, Nova Scotia, and they regularly visited

back and forth.

Bill traveled extensively throughout Nova Scotia as part of his job.

The Department of Fisheries was one of the oldest departments of the federal government. It had changed little over the years, and adhered to an arcane and anachronistic set of administrative rules and regulations. In May of 1950, while on the road in Antigonish, Bill submitted his expense account for the previous month. He received a letter from the acting director of the Fish Inspection Laboratory, informing him that, “In connection with your disbursement account for the month of April, I have deducted an item of $2.75 for dry cleaning of two pair of trousers and one navy gaberdine over coat. This has been done because the Department would not O.K. this item of dry cleaning incurred within one week of your going on the road.”

Kathleen would sometimes accompany Bill on his road trips. They stayed in various cottages and cabins along the way, and after Bill’s work was done for the day, they would often go for sightseeing excursions along the south coast of Nova Scotia. Sometimes they would be joined by one of Bill’s co—workers, who brought his wife along as well. While Bill and his co—worker were carrying out their jobs, the two women would get together during the day. One day, when the seas were too rough for Bill and his co—worker to venture out to collect water samples, and with little else to do but stay in the cottage, Kathleen made fudge and the four

of them played bridge for the afternoon. It was an idyllic time for the newlyweds, with Bill firmly launched on a career and Kathleen honing her homemaking skills.

Before Christmas of that year, Kathleen learned that she was pregnant. Although she and Bill had never really talked about having children, it seemed to be the natural thing for them to do. They had both grown up in large, extended families, and the thought of not having a family never really occurred to them. One thing was certain: they wanted to have a lot

of children — she thinks that eight was decided as ideal.

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