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Smoking Soldier Postcard

A WWII soldier grinning with a cigarette in his mouth illustrates the front of a stamped post card addressed to R. Bethune, Esquire, Braeside, Ontario, Canada.

2015-0344 Gordon Bethune fonds, Arnprior & McNab/Braeside Archives.

1941 postcard issued by the Overseas League (Canada) Tobacco and Hamper Fund for soldiers to send thanks to those who sent packages from home.

The small and tight-knit community mourned the loss of six young men during WWII:

Private Ivan George Mosley (age 19), served with the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. He is buried in the Cassino War Cemetery, Italy.

Private James Arthur Phillips (age 18), served with the Corps of Staff Clerks. His name appears on the Halifax Memorial for those who died at sea.

Sergeant John McLeod Thomlison (age 21), served in the Royal Canadian Air Force. His name appears on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey, England.

Warrant Officer Class II John McKinnon Bradford (age 21), served in the Royal Canadian Air Force. His name appears on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey, England.

Flying Officer Duncan Alexander Carmichael, (age 23), served in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He is buried in the Bretteville-Sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery, France.

George A. Gray – is listed in the Women’s Institute Tweedsmuir History Book 4 as “Killed In Action”. No other information could be found about him.