My Papa

Dr. Clifford Whitton Forsyth

My grandfather. He was a medical doctor and flight lieutenant in the Canadian Air force during WWII. He had curly hair and bright blue eyes. He was stationed in London, UK during the London bombings. He mainly treated burn victims. When he was coming home on the Queen Elizabeth, the Germans reported that they bombed and sank the ship. My grandmother, Josephine, was waiting in Halifax with two little girls when she heard this news. Her sorrow and terror wasn't to be though, the Germans had lied. The ship was not bombed and sunk. The ship was shot at but missed. My grandfather made it home alive and safe. 

Doctors were in short supply out in Western Canada. He and his family (including little Sandra--my mom) left Eastern Canada to start a new life. They arrived first in small town Saskatchewan--Vicroy. My grandfather was the town's only doctor. He was kept busy. No one had any money during the war so sometimes he was paid in chickens and eggs.

Later, the Forsyths relocated to Alberta--High River and Calgary. This is where they raised their six children. I visited my grandparents each summer in High River--I loved that town. Their home was full of love and wonder. I miss them. My grandfather's favorite T.V. show was M.A.S.H.--easy to understand why.

I honour my grandparents today (and all soldiers), for their sacrifices and efforts to stop Hitler and his nasty regime. Thank-you Papa and Granny.

*It is interesting to note that my paternal grandmother, Lydia Mix Hart, was German by birth. During WWII she hid that fact. She lived in small town Alberta also. She and my Grandfather Hart owned and ran the town hotel. My grandmother never spoke German and she didn't even tell my dad that he was 1/2 German. My father did not know his German heritage until much later.

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