To the Editor:
In 1921 I was born in a little house on 14th street just two streets east of Haig School. It was the only house on the street and the street was the last street on the east end of town. I could look at the sunrise, the horizon, and into the future with nothing to stop me. The great stretches of virgin grassland was an invitation to explore the prairie as few others could.
On Saturday this week, my daughter Margaret drove me back to Weyburn where we toured the streets looking for my old favourite places, including Haig School, where I was a student, Souris School where my late husband was a student, and Weyburn Collegiate where we both attended.
He joined the SSR in 1939 and took part in the Dieppe raid. I joined the factory workers in Montreal who made guns to help win the war.
My visit this week also included a walk through Hillcrest cemetery where my mother and father, Mary and Ralph Hind, are buried.
My husband, Lt. Col. Les England is buried in the veteran’s group. He died in Ottawa but wished to be brought “home”. His grandmother, Louisa England, who helped raise him, is another one buried there.
My wish is also to be buried in my parents plot in a cemetery which is very nicely cared for by thoughtful people who understand the generational ties to the place of one’s birth.
It was a nice gentle visit back “home” for my 98th year. I will go back to my present home with more very happy memories of the place of my birth.
Charlotte England
