Moira Philp

Moira Philp (top right) and other Farmerettes pose by the Thedford Camp sign on the side of the main building.

1949, Thedford

I was Moira Kelly but my nickname was "Mickey."

I signed up for Ontario Farm Service Force from my home in Georgetown where I was in High School. No girl friends joined me, I was on my own for the adventure.

One farmer that I remember working for was Claude Lockrey, but I did work for others, just can't remember their names.

1949 is a long time ago! What I do remember is that it was a "golden time."

Even though the onion fields seemed to go on forever, I remember the laughter and the taste of bologna sandwiches heated by the sun yet tasting like some sort of reward for hard work!

I remember hitchhiking to "The Bend " and discovering boys, and feeling devilish all at the same time.

Sitting or maybe "bouncing" would better describe the trip back to the camp in the back of the truck after the day's labour. We would all be tired, dirty, and hungry. Yet we were excited for what the evening had in store for us. After all, there was a roller skating rink next door, and I did skate, and there were lovely beaches nearby. We knew how to hitch a ride and we knew we had a curfew.

What I do remember is some of the music that summer. Popular songs were: That Lucky Old Sun, Nature Boy and Tzena Tzena Tzena and popular artists were Frankie Lane and Nat King Cole.