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West Vancouver in World War II September 1939 West Vancouver was quite different from the one in September 2016. Its approximately 7000 inhabitants were predominantly born in Britain. They resided in Ambleside, Hollyburn or Dundarave. The bus line ended at West Bay. It was a closely knit community led by a small group. Tom Taylor writes: We were lucky to grow up in West Vancouver, despite the war. Inconvenience and minor fear withstanding, we lived in a virtual haven. The dull disquiet of far-away conflict was for us often assuaged by such "Local and Personal" tidbits as "The friends of Cherie Robinson, 24th and Mathers, will be glad to hear that she is convalescing from a severe attack of the flu."... too young to fight, as We grew up in innocence perhaps the were most of our parents too old luckiest generation ever. There would beno refuge either in fantasy or place for those who had to face the storm. (`Glimpses", page 12) -- -- - continued from page 1 A gas mask drill at Pauline Johnson school in May 1943. Photo courtesy of Fred Van Aggelen. Tom looks at West Vancouver during the war years through an examination of articles printed in the West Van News and the Vancouver Province. He includes personal comments on people and events. In the early days of the war the articles were basically domestic in nature. They talk about community youth touring Britain with the Kitsilano Boys' Band. They chronicle the marriage of Rupert Harrison to Helen Thompson, daughter of Harry L. Thompson. On April 20, 1940 there was a notice in the West Van News that the resident of 2087 Kings must install indoor plumbing and remove the outside toilet. These slowly began to be replaced by stories on young men and ladies signing up for the Canadian Forces and being posted overseas. As the years pass, these are augmented by articles listing those who were missing or killed in action. The community as a whole became more involved. West Van High woodworking students manufactured wooden Lee-Enfield rifles for the school cadet corps. Various groups became involved in home support of those overseas. The West Vancouver Legion sent 15,900 cigarettes to the boys in Europe. Another 22,000 were ordered. Mrs. Fiddes and Mrs. Walker helped organize a local refugee organization to recruit volunteers to host refugee children for a small remuneration. Other groups organized to restrict the rights of enemy aliens in the community and the country. A local Defence Corps urged the Dominion Government to intern all enemy aliens and recommended that their sympathizers be forbidden to possess offensive or sporting weapons. Editorials against "fifth columnists" are frequent. An effigy of Hitler was burned by 2500 school children and adults at Ambleside Beach in a War Bond Drive in June 1941 .West Vancouver's 300 strong Air Raid Wardens conducted a very successful two-hour practical test on April 2,1941. The Hollyburn Rangers were set up to protect West Vancouver from sudden attack especially page 3 continued on page 4 --