One Family’s War 1940 - 1944 - edited by Rollie Bourassa

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Today’s Blog Post


One Family’s War 1940 - 1944

Last night I spoke with Rollie Bourassa, an old friend of mine from Regina, Saskatchewan. Rollie and his wife Bea were connected to us as friends and also their daughter married one of my cousins. Complicated to describe, but friends is the easiest way to explain it for you.

It has been 13 years since Rollie and I last spoke. That happened around the time that Alida and I were leaving Regina to take up our new digs in Peterborough, Ontario.

This past Christmas I received a copy of “One Family’s War – 1940 – 1944” edited by Rollie Bourassa. My mom was reading one her pairie magazines and got wind of Rollie’s new book. She ordered it for my Christmas present.

Yesterday I completed the reading of this amazing book. I am deeply moved and will be for weeks as I sift through all that I am digesting from the book.

I highly recommend it for any Book Club that would need to read something that will stir them to their roots.

It would be good to read this book in about October of the year… so you are able to be ready for the November 11 – Remembrance Day in your place in the world. You will never stand at a War Memorial the same again… after you read what “One Family’s War – 1940 – 1944”! Never! Ever!

So why is it so compelling?

Rollie has edited and with the help of some amazing people, and published all his father Clarence’s letters to his mother Hazel. Clarence wrote so affectionately, deeply, privately to his beloved Hazel way back in Lafleche, Saskatchewan. Every letter is filled with his loneliness and great desire to be home with her and his two sons, Rollie and Murray. His homesickness is almost more that I could take as I read each letter.

I had a lump in my throat right along with Clarence as he described his deep feelings and tremendous struggle in serving in the SSR (South Saskatchewan Regiment). He loved some of what he did, but hated other parts. He loved the Orchestra and Band that he played in, but the loneliness nearly killed him. How can you play in a dance band while watching other couples enjoy themselves on a dance floor!?

It is hard to know where to stop my description of this book and these letters – without telling you all the story.

Our present armed forces do not deploy for indefinite periods of time, rather there is a set time and at the end they may come home for some R&R. In Clarence’s service it was not ending. He was allowed “leave” but that was only for a few days at a time.

Clarence’s involvement in the Second World War was from 1940 to1944 – a full four years.

This is story of romance, deep emotions, war, training, music, and the deepest human struggles any one will ever face.

I can’t say more… except BUY THE BOOK. You will not be disappointed in any way.

I cannot tell you the ending… though I desperately want to…

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/  

Resource
http://www.uregina.ca/news/newsreleases.php?release=689
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/One-Familys-War/Rollie-BOURASSA/e/9780889772212

http://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Familys-War-Clarence-1940-1944/dp/0889772215