Paris Museum’s Victory Bond Dance recounts stories of locals during the First and Second World Wars

The Victory Bond Dance, a Paris Museum Fundraiser, held at Legion Branch 29 on November 25th, boasted a full house. The first part of the evening was a combination of a pub-style 40's era singalong led by local musician, Ian Bell, interspersed with short dramatic vignettes telling the stories of Paris individuals during both wars

One story was about a baby shoe that belonged to Joseph Bradbury (a former mayor), which travelled through much of the first war with his father, who took it along as a remembrance of home. When Walter Bradbury was killed in the final months of the war, the shoe returned with the rest of his effects to his wife, Lillian

Another true story concerned Fred Oldham, who, in WWI, suffered shrapnel to his chest, but was saved by the pay record and his book of notes from Camp Borden, that slowed the shrapnel down enough that it didn't reach his heart. Sadly, his son, Fernley Oldham was lost on a training flight in Alberta in WWII.

The third story was about some of the roles of women during the wars, including Annie Broughton, who struck up correspondence with many soldiers during WWII, initially through the Overseas League Hamper and Tobacco Fund, where she and her sister sent off cigarettes When Annie died, over 500 letters were donated to the museum from her house, some from the soldiers, whose lives were brightened by having a friend to write to, and some letters from Annie, that were returned from the front when their addressee was no longer alive.

All of the artifacts, the shrapnel, the books,

Bonnie McCrae (left) and April Graham were two of the three actors helping to tell the stories. Below, Ian Bell led the singalong with such favourites as "Lilli Marlene", "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree" and "Til We Meet Again".

The baby shoe and the letters, were available for viewing

The museum raised over $1,000 dollars and they would like to thank everyone who attended this event!

-Content submitted by Paris Museum & Historical Society photos by Kit Lyon