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Homemade Stuffed Crust
$4.99 July 2020
Vol 33 • No 02
Pizza!
Q&A with MUN’s New President
Gardening Tips for Newbies Legend of Trapper Tom
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life is better Published monthly in St. John’s by Downhome Publishing Inc. 43 James Lane, St. John’s, NL, A1E 3H3 Tel: 709-726-5113 • Fax: 709-726-2135 • Toll Free: 1-888-588-6353 E-mail: mail@downhomelife.com Website: www.downhomelife.com Editorial Editor-in-Chief Janice Stuckless Assistant Editor Katherine Saunders Art and Production Art Director Vince Marsh Graphic and Web Designer Cory Way Illustrator Mel D’Souza Illustrator Snowden Walters Advertising Sales Senior Account Manager Robert Saunders Account Manager Barbara Young Marketing Director Tiffany Brett Finance and Administration Junior Accountant Marlena Grant Accounting Assistant Sandra Gosse Operations Manager, Twillingate Nicole Mehaney
Warehouse Operations Warehouse / Inventory Manger Carol Howell Warehouse Operator Josephine Collins Distribution Sales & Marketing Amanda Ricks Sr. Customer Service Associate Sharon Muise Inventory Control Clerk Darlene Whiteway Retail Operations Retail Floor Manager, St. John’s Jackie Rice Retail Floor Manager, Twillingate Donna Keefe Retail Sales Associates Crystal Rose, Emma Goodyear, Jonathon Organ, Nicole French, Elizabeth Gleason, Rebecca Ford, Erin McCarthy, Mackenzie Stockley, Marlene Burt, Marissa Little, Hayley Fitzgerald, Elizabeth Gauci, Beth Colbert, Kim Tucker, Heather Stuckless, Katrina Hynes, Tammy Keating
Subscriptions Customer Service Associate Kathleen Murphy Customer Service Associate Nicola Ryan
Founding Editor Ron Young
President & Associate Publisher Todd Goodyear
Chief Executive Officer/Publisher Grant Young
General Manager/Assistant Publisher Tina Bromley
To subscribe, renew or change address use the contact information above. Subscriptions total inc. taxes, postage and handling: for residents in NL, NS, NB, PE $45.99; ON $45.19; QC, SK, MB, AB, BC, NU, NT, YT $41.99. US and International mailing price for a 1-year term is $49.99.
Canada Post Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement #40062919 The advertiser agrees that the publisher shall not be liable for damages arising out of errors in advertisements beyond the amount paid for the space actually occupied by the portion of the advertisement in which the error occurred, whether such error is due to the negligence of the servants or otherwise, and there shall be no liability beyond the amount of such advertisement. The Letters to the Editor section is open to all letter writers providing the letters are in good taste, not libelous, and can be verified as true, correct and written by the person signing the letter. Pen names and anonymous letters will not be published. The publisher reserves the right to edit, revise, classify, or reject any advertisement or letter. © Downhome Publishing Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without permission of the publisher. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada.
Printed in Canada
Official onboard magazine of
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staycation paradise
Contents
JULY 2020
44 Isolated By Choice In their really remote homes, social distancing is part of everyday life for these two couples. Ashley Miller
58 Rocking the Art World In the painted rock movement, the fun is in the find. Jenn Thornhill Verma
66 Stay Home Year 2020
58 rock stars
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How communities and tourism businesses are adjusting to life with COVID-19 Katherine Saunders
108 Hero of the Great War Though it was decades before he received it, Matthew Brazil earned France’s highest honour for bravery for his actions in WWI. July 2020
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Contents
JULY 2020
homefront 10 I Dare Say A note from the editor 11 Contributors Meet the people behind the magazine 12 Letters From Our Readers Graduating from a safe distance, getting creative amid coronavirus, and another mystery solved by readers
12 safe grad
20 Downhome Tours Downhome readers explore Newfoundland and Labrador
22 Why is That? Why does hair grow in some places on our bodies but not in others? Linda Browne 24 Life’s Funny A Laugh Between Friends Vera Mullins
22
hair today…
25 Say What A contest that puts words in someone else’s mouth 26 Lil Charmers The Face When… 28 Pets of the Month Pandemic Pets 30 Reviewed Top 10 Summer Reads Denise Flint
34 What Odds Paul Warford stews in traffic
36 Great Gertie Lane “Supernan” turns 100 Jessica Turner
26 ack!
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isn’t that just ducky
features 38 The Canadian Dream A Q&A with Memorial University’s new president and vice-chancellor Linda Browne
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50 Duck, Duck, Goose A birder’s guide to the ducks, and a goose, found in NL Todd Hollett
explore
face of change
62
simple things
62 Keep It Simple Tips for no-fuss, all-fun family camping adventures Connie Boland
74 Travel Diary A Day Trip to St. Brendan’s Denise Chippett
76 A Space for Trapper Tom New park in Bristol’s Hope honours a local legend Dale Jarvis
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Contents
JULY 2020
80
a new family space
home and cabin 80 Disaster Turned Delight Homeowners turn a nasty septic surprise into a dreamscape for their family. Marie Bishop
84 Felted for Life A local crafter who takes knitting to the next step Katherine Saunders
88 Todd’s Table Eggs Benedict Todd Goodyear
92 Everyday Recipes Pandemic Potluck
100 Gardening for Newbies Kim Thistle 6
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88 not just for breakfast
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116
changing the shoreline
reminiscing 106 Flashbacks Classic photos of people and places
107 This Month in History Transatlantic hot air balloon race
112 Sailors Who Became Lumberjacks Three men from a small NL town whose service spanned two World Wars Lester Green About the cover This white sandy beach in Burgeo is one example of the paradise found right here in this province, and has us dreaming of how wonderful a “Stay Home Year” vacation could be. Donna Warren photo
Cover Index Homemade Stuffed Crust Pizza • 92 Top 10 Summer Reads • 30 Isolated & Loving It • 44 Stay Home Year • 66 Q&A with MUN’s New President • 38 Gardening Tips for Newbies • 100 Legend of Trapper Tom • 76
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116 How the Golden Eagle Landed in Holyrood Tobias Romaniuk
120 Newfoundlandia Frontier Farming: The O’Brien Farm Story Chad Bennett
126 Marketplace 128 Mail Order 132 Puzzles 144 Photo Finish July 2020
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homefront lil charmers
The Face When…
Petrified of Petals
Three-year-old Jack wants nothing to do with these flowers! Jaime Connors Cambridge, ON
What the…? Baby Kelsey wonders what’s she supposed to catch with this tiny hand-line? Crystal Locke St. Alban’s, NL
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Not What I Ordered This is Michael, one month old, getting burped by Daddy – and not at all impressed by it. Amanda Donahue Norris Arm South, NL
Lard Lipton!
Beau Budden shows the face when you see a moose, but you didn’t get picked in the draw. Sami Budden Fort McMurray, AB
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features
In the painted rock movement, the fun is in the find. By Jenn Thornhill Verma
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Bill Short was out for a walk with his dog last summer
when he spotted a painted rock along Tipping’s Pond Trail, a two-kilometre loop at the top of Massey Drive in western Newfoundland. As he continued along, he spotted another painted rock and then another, eventually finding a half-dozen that day. Painted in various colours with no particular design or pattern, Bill figures the rock paintings were the work of children. But he’d quickly learn the hobby was more than child’s play. He flipped over one of his finds, revealing the name of the NL Rock Art public group on Facebook. “I didn’t know it was a thing,” Bill says of rock painting and hiding. The NL Rock Art group has nearly 39,000 members. Its primary goal is to post pictures of rocks that members paint and/or find, tagging them with the hashtag #NLRockArt. This social group is as much about linking members to new trails as it is about the rocks themselves. Their rock photo inventory dates back to August 2017, when the group started on the island’s east coast, in Paradise. It was summer of 2019 when Bill decided to get involved. “I wanted to add a few [rocks] to the walking trails and add to the experience for other people as well,” he says. Born and raised on the west coast in Corner Brook, Bill visited nearby Brake’s Cove to gather smooth, flat rocks. His initial designs were motivated by the shape of the rocks he collected. One he painted to look like a baseball, another like the cartoon character, SpongeBob SquarePants. “It was just something to put on the trail,” Bill says modestly. But soon he had moved on from painting one-off pieces to entire collections. After he’d painted one to look like a Kinder Bueno chocolate bar, he wound up designing an entire set: Mars, www.downhomelife.com
Mirage, Aero, Big Turk, Coffee Crisp, Crispy Crunch, Smarties and more. In the year since, Bill has painted upwards of 400 rocks and gained a legion of fans. Though he hesitates to describe himself as an “artist.”
By day, he works as a counsellor at a group home for young offenders in Corner Brook. Painting provides him a means to “express a creative side, pass time, get exercise by hiding and finding rocks, and see the happiness on people’s faces when they post that they found one of [my] rocks.” These days, his work has become more elaborate, with pieces ranging from cartoon characters such as Care Bears, Garfield, Scooby-Doo and July 2020
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Peanuts’ Charlie Brown, to realistic scenes like the Rose Blanche lighthouse, beached dories against a backdrop of fishing sheds, and St. John’s row houses. Among the works he’s received the most attention for are his collection of quintessential Newfoundlandia food items: Carnation Evaporated Milk, Fraser Farms Gravy and Meatballs, Hawkins Cheezies, Maple Leaf Vienna Sausage, Zest Sweet Mustard Pickles,
Brown piece, Heinz Ketchup, Mr. Noodles and Hawkins Cheezies. “That was super flattering,” says Bill, “because we listen to [Snook’s] Christmas [album] every year when decorating the Christmas tree, my nephew and I. That was a rush.” Nowadays, Bill hides about half of what he paints, saving those that took the greatest amount of time and effort for his own personal collection. However, he is willing to part with
Some of Bill Short’s Purity inspired rock creations
and Purity Jam Jams, Cream Crackers and Lemon Cream Biscuits. Maple Leaf Foods picked up on his social media posts and even sent Bill coupons for their products along with a note: “Thank you for sharing your ‘stone’ cold awesome artwork with us. We think you ‘rock’!” Bill is especially chuffed he’s found a fan in Pete Soucy, Newfoundland comedian and actor with a long list of TV, film and comedy credits to his name, but most popularly known locally for his alter-ego, Snook. Soucy reached out to Bill via Twitter to inquire about a few of his favourite pieces for purchase. Although Bill is not open for business yet, he’s happy to negotiate sales one-to-one. Soucy took home four pieces: a Charlie 60
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his most treasured painted rocks. Fans may connect with him directly via his Facebook (Bay of Islands Rock Art Group), Twitter (@cbnl84) or Instagram (@hirudooo) accounts.
The pursuit of rock painting For those interested in purchasing a customized piece of The Rock, professional rock artist Diane Budden is the one to call. Diane lives in Conception Bay South and is originally from Fogo Island. Her husband jokes that Diane “used to carve Christmas trees out of rocks” (a cheeky reference to the windswept landscape of the Town of Fogo). “I’ve painted rocks from the time that I could pick up a rock and paint it,” she says. The inspiration for her 1-888-588-6353
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Diane Budden uses cutting and gluing techniques to create traditonal Newfoundland shapes with rocks.
artwork largely comes from a 1996 book by Lin Wellford, Painting Houses, Cottages and Towns on Rocks. But Diane’s NL rock artistry has set itself apart with its broad array of designs, mostly iconic structures such as saltbox houses, row houses, lighthouses, churches and outhouses. More recently – and in an effort to appease her broad fanbase – Diane has begun creating village structures such as a general store, bakery, fire and police stations, post office, town hall and even a hospital (a particularly popular item during the coronavirus pandemic). This professionally trained artist/ entrepreneur has been perfecting her craft since 2001. She’s even mastered techniques to cut and adhere rocks, allowing customized features such as an added porch or chimney. Last year, Diane created and distributed 1,200 painted rocks, which retail for anywhere from $40 for wholesale items to as much as $200 for commissioned works. In summer, her work usually features in gift shops across the province from St. LunaireGriquet on the tip of the Northern Peninsula to St. John’s on the Avalon Peninsula. In winter, she joins the craft fair circuit. This year, the www.downhomelife.com
pandemic has hampered Diane’s business plans, with retailers reducing and cancelling their usual summer orders. It’s a tough blow, but she pivoted quickly, launching a retail website (Dianebuddenrocks.com) in April. She’s also on Facebook as Diane Budden’s Newfoundland Collectibles. The pandemic has influenced Bill Short’s practice, too, in that it prompted him to create a COVID-19 collection, complete with Cashmere toilet paper, Lysol disinfectant wipes and a portrait of a masked nurse. Recently, a curator from The Rooms provincial museum and archives contacted Bill to enquire about including his collection in an upcoming pandemic exhibit. Plans are not yet formalized, but Bill is flattered by the recognition. For both Diane and Bill, rock is their preferred medium. The shapes of the rocks require creative ingenuity, inspiring their designs. Both enjoy the thrill of the find – spotting the perfect rock to transform into a beloved character or structure. For Bill, hiding painted rocks is every bit as important since it literally connects people from different walks of life. July 2020
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explore
How communities and tourism businesses are adjusting to life with COVID-19 By Katherine Saunders
The view from Lodge’s Loft in Catalina 68
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In the community of Catalina,
two homes are nestled side-by-side along the coast. One, a new three-storey structure with all the modern amenities you could want. The other, a smaller historic building with a marvelous view of the ocean. These homes are owned and operated by mother and daughter Brenda and Julie Lodge as vacation rentals. The Lodges were looking forward to a busy summer of bookings, but their plans came to a standstill in March when the COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a staggering halt. www.downhomelife.com
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After mass cancellations due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, Brenda Lodge (right), owner of Catalina Home With A View, is still optimistic for the summer. Brenda’s B&B is called Catalina Home With A View. The house was built more than 100 years ago for the widow of Walter Pierce, who died in the Sealing Disaster of 1914. Mrs. Pierce was pregnant at the time with her first child, and her neighbours built her the home on her grandmother’s land. Brenda bought the property 30 years ago and turned it into a bed and breakfast in 2018. At the start of 2020, Brenda was preparing her B&B for its third season. “I actually had returning guests for this summer and had over 80 nights booked before the travel restrictions,” she tells Downhome in an interview in May. The public health state of emergency came into effect in March, throwing all her plans – and her guests’ plans – up in the air. “I sent my guests messages about the current travel restrictions, and guests for May and June have 70
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cancelled, most for July and some for August,” she laments. Julie Lodge, Brenda’s daughter, had been working in Fort McMurray, AB, when the wildfire broke out in 2017. She was pregnant at the time and escaped the fire with a car full of possessions, including her son’s gerbil, Thunder. She returned to Catalina for what was supposed to be a temporary visit while she got back on her feet. During that time, she got the idea to build a house next to her mother’s and run her own vacation home, Lodge’s Loft. “I built it with the vision of being a little more executive, upscale, type of accommodation for people in the 1-888-588-6353
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area,” she explains. The vacation home has five bedrooms and can accommodate up to 10 visitors. There is a built-in playhouse on the bottom floor, and ducks and chickens outside. She describes the house as “over the top, a bit crazy. I built this because when people walk in, I want them to feel good, to be wowed.”
Julie Lodge, owner of Lodge’s Loft, is seeing a surge of bookings from local residents seeking a staycation. www.downhomelife.com
This summer was to be Julie’s first full season. She already had 80 nights booked when the travel ban came into effect. Sheila Fitzgerald, president of Municipalities NL, can sympathize with the struggles and uncertainty the Lodges are facing. “Communities all around are concerned, from a
financial stability perspective,” Fitzgerald says. Municipalities NL (MNL) is a non-government organization that advocates for the interests of incorporated municipalities within the province at both the provincial and national levels. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, they’ve been helping their members navigate the new restrictions and plan for the economic impact. One of the biggest concerns, particularly in rural communities like Catalina, is the impact on the tourism industry. “A lot of these small towns survive because of small businesses and tourism in their areas,” Fitzgerald explains. Because of the restrictions on visitors to the province, as well as travel bans in other parts of the July 2020
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world, communities will not see the usual influx of visitors from cruise ships, tour buses and road trippers. In late May the province announced a $25-million grant for the tourism and hospitality sector, to help offset coronavirus-related financial difficulties that some small businesses are facing. Fitzgerald says, “[This is] an important step toward helping operators at this time.” However, there is still a lot of uncertainty about what the year will bring, and some businesses are preparing for the worst.
received confirmation that hotels, inns and B&Bs can operate. Still, Julie has met with criticism from people who do not want her to bring outsiders to the community. Fitzgerald reports that MNL has received questions from members about the application of the restrictions, and MNL has been doing their best to provide clarification. She explains that while municipalities themselves are not policing authorities and do not have the power to enforce regulations, they still need to
“My advice to the people of this province is, go out and enjoy your summer! We live in an area where there is so much open space, and so many different landscapes. Go explore! Have fun!” Sheila Fitzgerald, president of Municipalities NL “Last year, when my business was late opening, I had to incur my first full year of business fees in the winter on my own. It was a rough winter,” Julie recalls. “The thought of not being able to be open this year was… a hard thought to have.” And as Fitzgerald explained, it’s not just owners of accommodations who are impacted. Take-outs, convenience stores and gift shops are also facing the unknown this summer, and most will not know the full impact of the pandemic until next tax season. In addition to financial woes, businesses and communities have been dealing with confusion over the provincial restrictions. Julie received a message from a person in her area warning she could be fined for operating her B&B. Julie knew this to be untrue, but she double-checked with the provincial government and 72
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follow all guidelines and provide the correct information to business owners. As restrictions are eased, some municipalities are nervous about opening. Fitzgerald says her members generally have faith in the provincial regulations, but they do not know what to expect over the summer months, as the alert levels have not been completely defined. “As time goes on and the new regulations start to unfold, there are more and more questions,” she says. “And I don’t know that all levels of government really know what all the answers are because I think they’re figuring it out as they go.”
Welcome Staycation With all the chaos and uncertainty, there has been a glimmer of hope for communities and businesses, and that is the fact that Newfoundlanders 1-888-588-6353
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and Labradorians are embracing the “staycation” – vacationing within the province. The staycation is an emergent trend of the past few years, but this year, it is more important than ever because it is the only possibility for a summer holiday. A new Facebook group, StaycationNL, gives business owners and communities a place to share what they have to offer, and potential vacationers can seek recommendations. In Newfoundland and Labrador, the possibilities for exploring during a pandemic are ample. And for business owners like Brenda and Julie Lodge, staycations could be a saving grace. They are optimistic about what the summer holds. “For me, as an established operator… I’m sure I’ll get some bookings, I’m not worried about that,” Brenda says. She was initially worried about Julie’s business, because it is brand new, but Julie has had a surge of bookings from Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who are determined to make the most of their summer holidays at home by trying something new. At press time, Julie is almost completely booked for July, and she has a wait list of people who are interested in booking the house for August. “I think that things are going to be fine for me now,” she says with relief in her voice. Fitzgerald is all for the staycation, suggesting it’s a great opportunity for people to get out and explore the natural beauty that our province has to offer. “You want to see a sandy beach? We have sandy beaches! You want to go places where there are unique trails? We have unique trails,” she enthuses. “My advice to the people of this www.downhomelife.com
province is, go out and enjoy your summer! We live in an area where there is so much open space, and so many different landscapes. Go explore! Have fun! You can do it right here at home; you don’t have to go anywhere else to get that experience.” She adds that we are lucky to have so much open space that it is easy to get
“You want to see a sandy beach? We have sandy beaches!” Sheila Fitzgerald
Wanda Adams photo
around outdoors while keeping a safe physical distance. She encourages people to follow safety guidelines while being a tourist at home. When asked what keeps her optimistic, Fitzgerald points to the cooperation she has seen between neighbours, businesses and communities to help each other through these difficult times. “We’re Newfoundlanders at the end of the day. Nobody gets left behind, and whatever you can do to help your neighbour, you’re going to do it.” July 2020
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HOME and Cabin
DISASTER turned
Delight
How these homeowners turned a nasty septic surprise into a dreamscape for their family
By Marie Bishop
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Summer – finally! After the most challenging winter and spring on record, what a treat to finally be outside, puttering in the garden. Maybe this is the season to focus on that garden project you’ve been thinking of, in this year of “stay at home” regulations. Last year my husband and I did a total revamp of our front garden – though not exactly by choice. We had an unexpected septic system “event” that... let’s just say was messy. So we decided it was time to hook up to the town water and sewer. This decision meant a trench had to be dug through our front yard, eight feet wide and six feet deep, from the main road to the foundation of our house, a distance of approximately 40 feet. The biggest surprise, after we came to terms with the moonscape left in its wake, was how much privacy we had lost. Trees that had grown up over the past 30 years disappeared and left us exposed to the sight and sounds of traffic. The upside, and there’s always an upside, is that we had a clean slate to work with, more or less. Luckily we did manage to keep a few of the mature trees and two rhododendrons that were close to the house, but basically we were starting from scratch. For our front yard, we wanted as much privacy as we could manage, but also a space for our three grandchildren to burn off some energy, and a place to sit and enjoy the afternoon sun. Our first thought was to put up a fence, but hours of internet searching rendered a file www.downhomelife.com
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A boulder exacavated during the water and sewer installation was incorporated into a new seating area.
folder of ideas and much confusion. The ideal fence needed to be open enough for the wind to blow through it, not against it, and strong enough for vines and shrubs to grow on – bringing back the privacy we had lost and also adding colour and interest to the border. For the grandchildren, a level lawn with a soccer net on one end was a given, along with a place for the grownups to sit and watch them play. First job was to level the ground. A boulder the size of a stove had been pulled from the trench, and we decided it might make a nice feature in one corner. The rest of the tumbled ground was raked level and the rubble built into a low rock wall – which sounds simple enough, but requires patience, endurance and a good eye. Luckily for me, my husband has an abundance of all three. This also created a base for the fence, 82
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a barrier from the road and a support for a raised bed area outside the fence for planting climbing vines and shrubs. On the levelled ground, topsoil was spread and sods were laid – voilà! We had a lawn. Second step – the fence. The design we decided on was a cedar openlattice type of fence. Using one-inch square strips of cedar to create 10inch squares in a six-foot-wide panel, attached to 4"x4" posts, we built a fence that fit the bill. The real test was that it survived Snowmageddon – yay! The third item on the list was a place to sit and enjoy the view. Under the 35-year-old Flowering May tree, which managed to escape the excavator, was the perfect spot. Using our “new” boulder, some stone that was in the previous garden and a beautiful outdoor bench, we created an oasis. It’s the ideal location to sit 1-888-588-6353
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and enjoy the noisy energy of our three Wee Ones. Finally, and this is a work in progress, came the planting of new vines, trees and shrubs. We chose a combination of native and purchased plants, all in an effort to create an interesting, colourful view from the house, the garden and the road. This year will be the test to see what survived the winter snow, road salt and soil conditions. We will add, adjust, prune and remove as needed. We won’t have all our privacy back right away, but it’s interesting to see what grows and how quickly. This project wasn’t exactly on our priority list – until it was. And now I am so grateful that our septic tank disaster inspired a great space for all of us to enjoy, not only in the summer, but all year long.
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We’re wasting no time preparing for the next Downhome Calendar, . . . and neither should you! Submit your favourite photos of scenery, activities and icons that best illustrate the down-home lifestyle. We’re looking for a variety of colourful subjects – outports, wildlife, laundry lines, historic sites, seascapes, hilltop views, and so much more – and photos from all four seasons. In addition to free calendars and a one-year subscription to Downhome for all those chosen for the calendar, one lucky winner will receive a free trip for four aboard O’Brien’s famous whale and bird boat tours!
What are you waiting for? Submit today, using one of these ways:
by mail: Downhome Calendar Contest 43 James Lane St. John’s, NL A1E 3H3 online: www.downhomelife.com/calendar Must be original photos or high quality copies. Digital photos must be at least 300 dpi, files sizes of about 1MB. We can’t accept photocopies or photos that are blurry, too dark or washed out. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want your photos returned.
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reminiscing
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Many volunteers stepped forward to serve in the
Royal Newfoundland Regiment and the Newfoundland Royal Naval Reserve during the First World War. It is much rarer to see veterans from the Great War volunteering to serve again in WWII. When the Newfoundland Commission Government (est. 1934) asked for volunteers, three Hodge’s Cove WWI veterans removed their sailor suits, grabbed their bucksaws and axes, and sailed overseas. They were among fellow Newfoundland lumberjacks who levelled the forests of the highlands of Scotland to supply the war effort.
Seaman Silas Boone
Seaman Albert Drover
Courtesy Eric Peddle
Courtesy Albina Bursey
Seaman James Drover Courtesy Frank Drover
Silas Boone, the oldest of the three, had enlisted with the Newfoundland Royal Naval Reserve in 1912. He had completed 84 days of training aboard HMS Calypso when war broke out and was among the first deployment of sailors from St. John’s, NL, on the SS Franconia on November 6, 1914. Upon arrival in Europe, he was assigned to HMS Pembroke. Five days later he was deployed to HMS Fiona, an armed boarding steamer. He carried out his duties until December 1915. Silas returned to the shore-based facility at HMS Pembroke and remained there until granted leave to return home to HMS Briton on August 2, 1917. He returned overseas on November 13, 1917, where he remained attached to HMS Vivid III at Devonport, serving on different trawlers. He returned home after the war and married Julia Ann 1-888-588-6353
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Peddle, widow of his best friend Alexander, who was killed on May 25, 1918, while serving on HMS Dirk. Albert Drover, born May 24, 1897, was the son of Samuel and Hannah Drover. His career with the Newfoundland Royal Naval Reserve began on April 5, 1916. Three weeks later he boarded RMS Pretorian and sailed to England. Upon arrival, he reported to HMS Vivid I and completed two months of intensive training before joining HMS Berwick, the ship where he would spend his entire naval career. The Berwick offered protection to convoys and patrolled the Atlantic Ocean from England to the Caribbean.
Hodge’s Cove. Family folklore has it that James, Harvey Peddle and Leander Drover ran away to St. John’s to enlist with the Newfoundland Royal Naval Reserve. James’ enlistment records his birthday as January 8, 1899, making him two years older than he actually was at the time. He arrived in England and was assigned to HMS Vivid III. After completing his training, James was assigned to HMS Hildebrand. The ship was requisitioned by the British Admiralty and assigned to Force B of the 10th Squadron, Northern Patrol. James joined this ship at Devonport on August 20, 1918, and spent the next four months between
All three former Newfoundland Royal Navy Reservists from Hodge’s Cove once again left their families and travelled overseas to do their duty in defending their motherland. Data extracted from Royal Naval Log Books for HMS Berwick indicates that Albert completed at least four trips across the Atlantic from England to Halifax and down into the Caribbean Islands. On August 19, 1918, Albert was transferred to HMS Vivid III at Chatham, England, where he remained for the next five months, serving on smaller vessels. On February 19, 1919, Albert returned home to HMS Briton, where he was demobilized on April 10, 1919. He settled at Hodge’s Cove with his new wife, Olivia Spurrell, on November 5, 1923. James Drover, born January 5, 1901 (January 8, according to baptism records), was the son of Willis and Elizabeth Jane Drover of 114
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Devonport, England and Dakar Roads, Senegal, Africa. His final weeks overseas were spent at HMS Vivid III waiting for orders to return home to HMS Briton. An Evening Telegram article reveals that James arrived at Halifax aboard the SS Adriatic on March 9, 1919, and from there returned to Newfoundland. He remained at HMS Briton until demobilization on April 10, 1919. He returned home and married Selina Peddle. They had nine children, of which five lived to adulthood.
Answering the Call Again On November 9, 1939, the Dominion of Canada sent a request to Newfoundland Governor Sir Humphrey Walwyn to recruit 2,000 men for a 1-888-588-6353
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Overseas Forestry Unit camp in Scotland new civilian unit assigned to cut timber in the United Kingdom for the war effort. They would be paid $2 per day ($12 per week), with half of that automatically sent home to their families. Accommodation, transportation and medical requirements would be supplied. The men would supply their own appropriate clothing and footwear for logging. By the end of the war, 3,600 loggers would serve with the Newfoundland Overseas Forestry Unit. All three former Newfoundland Royal Navy Reservists from Hodge’s Cove once again left their families and travelled overseas to do their duty in defending their motherland. On January 23, 1940, Silas Boone boarded the SS Chrobry at St. John’s and sailed to Halifax. Onboard were close to 1,000 men who would harvest the timber of Scottish forests for pit props needed for the coalmines of Great Britain. The ship crossed the Atlantic, sailed up the Firth of Clyde and docked at Glasgow, Scotland. Three hundred fifty men, including Silas, were taken by train to Gourock, then ferried across the Firth of Clyde. On the other side, they walked a few 1-888-588-6353
miles on the road to Glenfinart Camps at Ardentinny. The exact dates for Albert and James’ enlistment and travel overseas are unknown, but records show that they served with the Newfoundland Overseas Forestry Unit. All three returned home after the war. Silas passed away in Hodge’s Cove in 1969. He is buried next to his wife at St. Mary’s Anglican Cemetery. After the death of his first wife, James married Bertha, daughter of John and Belinda Dodge, of Little Heart’s Ease. They had two children. James passed away on January 19, 1967, and is resting at the new St. Mary’s Anglican Cemetery in Hodge’s Cove. On December 23, 1976, Albert experienced one of the greatest tragedies of his life: the loss of his son, Hedley. Both Hedley and his friend, Willis Thomas, drowned after their boat was swamped near Mooring Cove, Southwest Arm. Two years later, on May 26, 1978, Albert died, they say, of a broken heart. He is buried at the new St. Mary’s Anglican Cemetery. Olivia died 10 years later and is buried next to him. July 2020
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