4 - Southpoint Sun
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
A War Time Love Story By Melissa Loeppgy Life Enrichment/Marketing Manager Rosewood Erie Glen
Editor’s note: Melissa recently interviewed Rosewood Erie Glen resident Marion Thompson about being a veteran of the Second World War, where she met her husband Arnold, a Leamington-born farm boy. Here is their story…
Arnold Thompson in his Army uniform.
Marion Thompson in her Army uniform.
Above - Arnold and Marion Thompson celebrating their 60th Anniversary. Arnold passed away in 2017.
Left - Marion Thompson is a current resident of Rosewood Erie Glen in Leamington.
Meet Marion and Arnold Thompson. Marion Leckie grew up in Alberta, and was getting into a little trouble when she decided to enlist in the army. She just knew she had to quit getting into trouble and try something new, so she chose to enlist. She did her basic training in Vermillion, Alberta. The basic training lasted one month. During this time, she listened to all commands, and learned route marches — which were rather hard for many women — but Marion caught on fast. “I also remember it was a very cold winter and we dressed in layers to stay warm,” she said. In the meantime, her soon to be husband, Arnold Thompson was working on his family farm in Leamington, when he received the call to the army. Families were only allowed one son to stay home and help with the farm so Arnold had no choice — he had to go. Not knowing each other yet, Marion and Arnold took the long journey by boat and trains and ended up in England for their service in World War II. Marion worked on the top floor of the Canadian Military Headquarters, where when she looked outside the window, she would see a giant hole in the ground where a bomb landed prior to her arrival. She worked in the office where she put out Part 1 and Part 2 work orders and then eventually went to the detention barracks to oversee the day-to-day there. Arnold, on the other hand, wanted to fly planes but didn’t qualify due to issues with one of his eyes, so instead became a Corporal in the army, driving a tank. Arnold did everything in that tank. His job was to get soldiers back and forth safely. Arnold saw a lot of combat, while Marion did not witness any combat. Neither of them lost anyone close
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 324 and Ladies Auxiliary would like to express sincere thanks and appreciation to the people of Wheatley and Leamington and the surrounding area for the generous show of support received during the 2020 Poppy Campaign and Remembrance Day Service. We would also like to acknowledge and thank the following: • Clergy and others for their participation in the Remembrance Day ceremony • Those who sponsored wreaths • Local schools, businesses, churches, groups and individuals for their Remembrance Day tributes and programs • The groups, businesses and individuals who made donations to the Poppy Trust Fund • All who displayed Poppy Boxes at their facilities
to them during the war but they did both lose people they met through their experiences. “Arn doesn’t like to talk about his time in the war. It wasn’t pleasant,” says Marion. In the meantime, Marion met a girl named Lena. They roomed together and became great friends. “We did a lot together and had a blast. Those were some great times,” she said. Marion and some friends joined the track teams, where she excelled and earned mostly first place ribbons with one second place ribbon. “It should’ve been a first, “she laughs. Her favorite was long jump. High jump was harder, but she could do it and do it well. She hoped to do pole vault but women were not allowed. She loved doing track every week. During some of their free time, Marion and Lena would go out dancing and eventually, she went on a double date with Lena and met Arnold. This handsome man was Lena’s brother. “That was one of the best days of my life,” she smiles. They hit it off and started writing letters back and forth. You had to watch what you wrote in those letters as they were all screened and blacked out if the government didn’t like it. As time went on, Marion kept working in the office and Arnold travelled all over from England to France, Holland, Germany and Czechoslovakia. They continued writing letters. “I remember one time Arn got in a lot of trouble with a woman for stealing a chicken and eggs. He wanted some real food, not the dry food he only had in the tank,” she laughs. There are lots of funny stories for sure. But Arnold’s life was a lot different from Marion’s. She lived in huts that were well designed, with four girls per cubicle and very decent food — unlike what Arnold had in his tank. Neither of them were ever prisoners of war. Marion earned lots of stripes while Arnold earned medals. Continued on page 9
