Cousin Agam Fhèin » told by Janet Stubbert

A Brief Encounter during World War II

Dave Ferguson — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 23:16:07 +0000

by Janet Stubbert

During the Second World War, Canadian citizens sacrificed much in order to assist and support the many young men and women who were called upon to defend our country. Women left at home soon found themselves filling the void in the workplace. This indeed was the birth of womenâ€™s freedom groups.

Life as we knew it changed radically; food was rationed, money was scarce, and ladies’ undergarments sported buttons where elastic once was.

Halifax Harbour, opened year round, was an important and busy port during the war years. Streets were forever filled with servicemen awaiting their departure for overseas. The young women of Halifax became accustomed to the unsolicited attention they received from young servicemen.

One warm afternoon my sisters, Evelyn and Anna, strolled along Halifaxâ€™s main thoroughfare. Following closely behind them, were several young sailors making polite asides to one another concerning the demeanour of the young ladies in front of them. The girls, quite aware of the attention they were getting, pretended to ignore it. Occasionally, one of them finding a remark captivating, looked over her shoulder and smiled at the handsome young men while the other looked down her nose.

All was well in heaven and on earth until Evelyn felt the button on her undergarment loosen. The undies fell to her feet. Immediately stepping out of the unmentionables, she astutely retrieved them and with great presence and with a flourish she passed them to her sister saying, â€œHere!!! Donâ€™t ever let that happen again!!â€?

Flabbergasted, Anna stood scarlet-faced, stuttering, and stammering… to the great delight of the laughing sailors.

Anna, Evelyn, and Janet Stubbert are daughters of Jack Stubbert and Mary Rankin.

Vern Jordan’s Cape Breton Adventures

Dave Ferguson — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 19:52:16 +0000

by Janet Stubbert

Edna Stubbertâ€™s husband Vern Jordan enjoyed his summer vacation trips to Cape Breton. There are two events that happened to Vernon in Cape Breton that come to mind when I think of him..

Vern always looked forward to staying at Aunt Juliaâ€™s (LeBlanc) in Margaree. The room he stayed in had a tin roof and Vern really enjoyed hearing the rain dance on it. One year Aunt Julia had renovations done on the house and guess what? She had that tin roof replaced. Vern never really got over that. He constantly talked about it.

The other event brings tears to my eyes even today after all these years.

Standing on the front stoop of Uncle Roryâ€™s (Rankin) home at the Banks, Vern looked across the field to where his new car sat. It was the first new car he had purchased in years and he was planning to wash the ocean spray off it but hadnâ€™t had a chance to do it yet.

A crunching noise brought fear into Vernonâ€™s eyes. There next to his car stood an old grey mare chewing on the fender of the beautiful car. In a panic Vernon chased after the horse but alas it was too late. There for all to see were large teeth marks in the bare metal left clean of paint by the teeth of the old grey mare.

â€œHow am I going to explain this to the insurance company? They wonâ€™t believe a horse chewed my car!â€? Vernon swore.

Uncle Rory stood quietly in the bright sunlight a broad smile covering his strong face.

No, he thought, they wonâ€™t. Who in their right mind would?

Vern Jordan: husband of Edna Stubbert
Edna: daughter of Jack Stubbert and Mary Rankin; Mary was the sister of Annie Belle Rankin, wife of Jack D Macdonald
Aunt Julia: Julia Stubbert, sister of Jack Stubbert
Uncle Rory: Rory Rankin, brother of Mary Rankin and Annie Belle Rankin