Grizzly Northern Prepares for War, Caribou News and Chronicle 6 September 1939

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The Caribou News and Chronicle

Since 1909

Kamloops, British Columbia           Wednesday 6  September 1939

Special Issue - Page 1

Grizzly Northern Railway Prepares for War!

It is now three days  since Britain and France declared war on Germany, following the German invasion of Poland on 1 September. The House of Commons will meet in special session tomorrow and will debate Prime Minister Mackenzie King's request that Canada join the war in Europe. It is widely expected that such approval will be given and therefore that Canada will be at war shortly. The following bulletin was released to Grizzly Northern Railway employees yesterday in anticipation of the declaration of war.

Maudie-Ann Currie

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Grizzly Northern Railway

Kamloops, British Columbia

5 September 1939

My fellow employees, it is with heavy hearts that we learn that Canada will be at war with Germany once again, in the struggle for freedom against tyranny in Europe. It has been just under 21 years since the end of the Great War, with all the deaths and destruction that that war caused. Many of you served in the armed forces and also suffered injuries, or experienced the grievous loss of family members or friends in that awful war. You will well understand what lies ahead.

In the coming days much will be demanded of all of us in support of our government and Canada’s military. Our railway will have a key role to play in transporting both raw materials and goods in support of the war effort. I urge you to apply your best efforts at all times in carrying out your work, and I pledge that I will also do so.

For those of you who join the armed forces, you will go with our very best wishes and hope for your safe return. I assure you that there will be a position available with the Grizzly Northern for you then.

Obviously we will need more people to maintain and operate the increased number of trains that will be required, as well as to substitute for those who leave on armed forces service. I expect that many of your family members and friends may be interested in joining the company and I invite them to apply at our offices here in Kamloops, in Rocky Mountain House or at any other of our facilities. We will need more people to work as train crew, to maintain and operate locomotives, rolling stock and other equipment, to maintain trackwork, and certainly also in the offices. Based on our experience during the Great War I expect that many positions will be filled by women, and also perhaps by boys and girls ages 17 to 21 in some of the junior positions.  All will be welcomed.

Isambard Neuville

President and General Manager

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