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SEVENTY YEARS AGO - MARCH 1940 - EXCERPTS FROM THE AYLMER EXPRESS
 Barnecott and Monteith Proprietors
INTRO
Canada entered into W.W. II in September of 1939.  The following are selections chosen for their interest information and concerns of our grandparents’ time.  Aylmerites proudly supported local people in the Boer War and later in W.W. I, now once again we would be part of another world war.  These selections are from the bound copies of The Aylmer Express in the Museum’s Collection, which we wish to share with the public.  This is in keeping with our mandate:  preserving, promoting and presenting local heritage.  Now open weekdays Monday-Thursday, Friday 10-1.  For daily Tundra Swan migration reports call our Swan Line at 519-773-7926 (SEE-SWAN).  This line concludes on March 31st.
THURSDAY, MARCH 7
- E.C. Monteith, J.J. Campbell and Town councillor Ivan Steen present a model of the proposed new Band Shell to council.  This committee informed council that the cost of the band shell would be $1500.
- G.R. Martin, manager of the Aylmer Royal Bank will take up his position as manager of The Royal Bank in Simcoe.  The Martins came from Port Dover in 1934 and the couple were actively involved in town affairs.  Mrs. Martin assisted the efforts of war work with the Red Cross, played the organ at St. Paul’s United Church and Mr. Martin was successful in assisting the Legion in raising money for the war effort. Mr. Martine replaced Ross J. Leach.  Quentin J. Cook will be the new manager following Mr. Martin’s departure.  The family will be missed.  
- Men’ made to measure suits available for Easter at Durkee & Son.  $19.75 and up
- Carroll’s, an Aylmer grocery store once located on Talbot Street East were offering one bar of Lifebuoy cake soap at 7 cents,  10 bars of Sunlight Soap for 49 cents and two bars of Palmolive soap for 11 cents
- Dominion Stores were promoting a ½ pound of Blue Ribbon Tea for 33 cents and coffee for 55 cents
- For many years the Greyhound bus company picked up passengers in Aylmer and in March were promoting return trips to a number of U.S. destinations.  Bus fare from Aylmer to Tampa, Florida was $35.45
- Town Council were faced with money problems due to replacing the Aylmer Public school boiler which recently burned out, expenses in building the new John Street bridge and legal fees regarding their law suit with the contractors of the new high school and it appeared the taxes would increase
- “Have you shown me everything you have in your shop?”
“Not quite.  We have an outstanding account of yours if you would care to look at it.”

 THURSDAY MARCH 14
- Movie actress Sonja Henie was co-starring with Ray Milland and Bob Cummings in a movie being shown at Aylmer’s Capital Theatre.  The movie’s name was “Everything Happens at Night”
- The Aylmer Branch of the Alma College Alumna met at the home of Mrs. Charles Haight for their March meeting, Wednesday afternoon.  Mrs. W. I. Rogers, the president conducted the business period, after which Mrs. D.H. Connor delighted the gathering by reading excerpts from Nellie McClung’s latest book.  Lunch was served by Mrs. Harold Youell and Miss Myrtle Teeple.  The April meeting will be held at the home of Miss Teeple.
- Most of the roads in the vicinity are full of pot holes which makes the driving somewhat difficult
- Luton - The Women’s Association are holding a Crokinole and Chinese Checker party in the school house on Friday, March 15th.  A good lunch is promised to all those who choose to attend.
- You could buy a new Easter bonnet at Dewar’s from $1.95 to 2.95, men’s ties for 49 cents or new fashion purses in pastel shades for $1.
- True Enough - A quack doctor was expounding the magic healing powers of certain herbs that he compounded.  “You see my friends,” he said.  “I have sold this tonic for over thirty years and have never had a complaint against it.  Now what does that tell you?”  A voice from the audience answered:  “That dead man tell no tales.”
- At the Monday night meeting of Straffordville Council, members of council supported residents who appeared before them on the issue of street lights for Straffordville and so Council.  Council introduced By-Law 1070 authorizing the Reeve and Clerk to sign the agreement with the Ontario Hydro Commission for street lights in Straffordville.  Eden had turned down the proposal.

 THURSDAY, MARCH 21
- F. L. Truman promoted the new Chevrolets in newspaper ads, especially the “Royal Clipper” for Easter.  It was the longest of all the lowest priced cars--the car that measures a full 181 inches where length counts, from front of grille to rear of body
- Phone 387 and purchase your Easter ham from Hughes’ Meats, smoked or picnic hams from 19 cents per lb.
- Jaffa - Mrs. F. Haney, Mrs. W. Pearce, Mrs. E. Teeple as directors from this little village, have taken into the Red Cross Rooms at Aylmer, 9 pairs of hand knitted socks, scarves, wristlets and wash cloths also 9 pyjama suits, several pneumonia jackets, bed socks.  Many willing hands are ready to do more.
- Wilson H. Mills was campaigning for re-election in the upcoming federal election.  He reported in his campaign ad that he had maintained an office in Sparta hired a full time secretary and had both Bell and rural telephone services and asked for your vote on March 26th.
- In the same issue Norman R. Martin, National Conservative Candidate for Elgin ran his ad (a larger one) and among his 11 stated platform issues was:  We are in favour of appointing to the National Government Cabinet, “a leading woman amongst the women of Canada.”
- G.N. Bardwell, Aylmer Jeweller,  promoted his Bluebird registered diamond rings - they’re perfect from $25 up
- VINCENT - On Sunday, March 17 [St. Patrick’s Day] 1940 to Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Vincent of Springfield, a son
- Card of Thanks - We wish to express our thanks and sincere appreciation to the neighbours and friends responsible for the wood bee and all who came to cut wood while Mr. Prong is ill.  Mr. and Mrs. Ray Prong
- Bank Clerk - “You forgot to dot an ‘I’ in your signature.”  Patron - “Would you mind dotting if for me?”  Clerk - “I’m sorry, but it has to be in the same handwriting.”
- Nurse Edith Cavell starring Edna May Oliver, George Sanders and Zasu Pitts was playing at the Capitol
- 400 Canadian Women Prepare for Service as War Drivers;  Groups Training in 8 Cities
- Aylmer Man Makes Good in Automobile World - Harold M. Ratley is Plant Manager for National Automotive Fibres Inc. - Largest Manufacture of their Kind in the World.  Thirty five years ago Harold attended Aylmer High School.  The principle at that time was W.W. Rutherford [after whom Rutherford Ave is named] and showed apt talent in their mechanic shop.  His first job was with Messrs. Peckham and Millard in their Aylmer bicycle repair shop. He completed his apprenticeship with Aylmer Pump and Scale Co., later he went to Detroit where he became a tool and dye maker and later helped to develop the success of his current employer.  Mr. Ratley married Miss Ida Gifford of Aylmer and the couple moved to Detroit.

 THURSDAY, MARCH 28
- Headline - LIBERAL PARTY IS SWEPT BACK INTO POWER, W.L. McKenzie King is Prime Minister of Canada and Wilson H. Mills, a Sparta fruit grower will be back in the House of Commons for his third term
- Members of the Vienna Red Cross Association of Vienna purchased a sewing machine thanks to their supporters
- New Sarum - Lloyd Soper has secured a position with the Royal Canadian Air Force
- Canadian Canners were advertising for corn acreage
- Former Aylmer dentist, John Woods died in his Aylmer home at age 94.  He was the first person in Aylmer to own and operate an automobile in Aylmer.  He was an active member of the Freemason and joined the Aylmer Lodge in 1940 going on to receive various degrees.  The funeral took place from the Allen Funeral Home.  A private service was held at St. Paul’s United Church.
- O. McGregor of Aylmer’s Cities Taxi Service promoted a film by the Department of Highways appearing at the Capitol Theatre March 27 and 28 on Drunk Driving and in his ad stated, Then you will see the need for our safe taxi service
- A great banker said to a young hostess:  “I am ashamed of my failure to keep abreast of modern science.  Take the electric light, for instance.  I haven’t a clue how it works,” His hostess gave him a patronizing smile. “Why” she said, “it’s very simple, really.  You just press a button and the light comes on.  That’s all there is to it.”
- The mobilization of armies in Britain, France, Holland and Belgium created a shortage of pens and writing ink requested by soldiers to write their families of their circumstances.  Countries short of funds were bartering with pen salesmen offering them tobacco leaves for pens in Bulgaria and some businesses in Iceland worked out an agreement to their salesman in dried codfish
- Dominion Stores Limited were offering 3 pkgs. of Corn Flakes for 21 cents
- The Aylmer Legion was holding a Victory Dance at the Legion Hall on March 29.  Admission was 25 cents
- Maid Wanted - Capable for housework, small family. Please give particulars as to age and experience. Box 12, Aylmer Express

The King and Queen demonstrated their courage to the world in 1939 when they chose to visit Canada by crossing the Atlantic Ocean.  They were fully aware of the possibility of German submarines.  They felt it was important to visit Canada whose help would be needed before the end of that year.  They also visited the United States regarding their assistance in the upcoming conflict in case of war.


The Royal family refused to leave Buckingham Palace in London during the bombing Britain would undergo in the coming war years.

Their Majesties

KING GEORGE VI AND QUEEN ELIZABETH