14
Racism was on the rise. Newcomers to Canada, especially those with a ‘foreign' accent, were regarded with suspicion. Nowhere was this more evident than in small towns and villages throughout the country where people generally knew one another and strangers were easily identified.15
Current map depicting the location of Navan, Ontario2004
16
The scene of our story is Navan, Ontario, Canada.Navan is located about 30 kilometres east of Canada's capital city – Ottawa – in eastern Ontario, and approximately one and a half hours by car west of Montreal, Quebec.
17
Street and building map of Navan, Ontario (from 'Navan of Yesteryear' by Verna Cotton)2000
Navan, Ontario
18
Navan of 1940 was a thriving farming community and home to approximately 150 people – mostly farmers and those whose livelihood depended on farming or the lumber industry.The heart of the village is located in Cumberland Township at the corner of Trim Road and Colonial Road.
19
Scenes from Navan, Ontario1940
Navan, Ontario
20
Among the businesses in Navan at the time were the J.T. Bradley General Store, Herb Deavy's Garage, Clarke's Store and Post Office, a cheese factory, a shoe shop, a barbershop, three blacksmith shops, a sawmill, a grist mill, a bank, and several more small businesses.Also serving the community were two churches (Navan United and St. Mary's Anglican), a school, a doctor's office (Dr. David Irwin's), and the local telephone service that was operated by Gertrude and Marjorie Findlay from their home in the heart of the village.
21
CPR Train Station (1898), Navan, Ontario (CPR Archives)November, 1898
Navan, Ontario
22
Navan's Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) train station had been built in 1898; it was located less than a kilometre west of the village on Smith Road. Residents and businesses relied on the train for transportation west to Ottawa and east to Montreal, Quebec.23
CPR Train Station and Smith Road, Navan, Ontario1920
Navan, Ontario
24
During the war years the Canadian armed forces relied on trains to move troops and equipment through cities and towns throughout the country, including Navan. Their schedules were unannounced and kept secret for fear that their movement could become known to spies.25
Cadets on the Move Navan cadets in training march south down 9th Line Road past Shaw's house.1940
Navan, Ontario
26
Cumberland Township saw its share of troop movement and military maneuvers. Highway #17 (Old Montreal Road, today) was the main line for the transport of vehicles, tanks and other heavy equipment on its way to Montreal and on to Europe.27
Tanks on Manoeuvers1940
Navan, Ontario
 |
 |
 |
 |