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Building planes and making music during WWII

Natalie Montgomery, 95, shares her wartime story
Natalie Montgomery
Gilmore Gardens resident Natalie Montgomery worked in an aircraft factory during the Second World War. Photo: Richmond News/Megan Devlin

Gilmore Gardens, a retirement residence in Richmond, is home to a few of the city’s veterans who remember World War II.

This year, they’re holding their Remembrance Day ceremony at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. Members of the public are invited to join for remarks by a reverend and a rendition of The Last Post with refreshments to follow.

This year, the Richmond News caught up with Natalie Montgomery, 95, who shared her wartime story. 

Q: Tell me about your experience during the war

I worked in Toronto at the Mosquito aircraft factory.

I lived in Calgary at the time. They would send you there, pay your wage and find you a boarding place.

It was very interesting, but then the real reason I wanted to go was to take lessons at the Royal Conservatory of Music. I took a tram all the way into Toronto and then back again [to the factory in Weston] at night.

Q: How did it make you feel, working in that aircraft factory?

Useful.  I was very proud. I was able to make a contribution in my own little way.

There were a lot of people there. Men who couldn't serve because they had a physical problem. Some of them were nice, and some of them were not nice because they were upset that they couldn't serve. So this was their way.

Q: What was it like, having your family and friends away at war? 

It was really terrible. You just didn't know when you picked up a paper who was next.

My brother went into military police. He's six years older. He was stationed at both the airports and the ports. He had so many stories.

We were all very worried about him. He was in a London bombing and injured his back. He had to be put in hospital in final months of war. So when the war finished, he was still in hospital. He was shipped home finally, but his back bothered him the rest of his life.

Q: What about romance?

I did meet some New Zealand guys. I was on the train going back to Calgary from Toronto and there was a whole group of New Zealand aircraft officers. I nearly married one. My last name was Montgomery, and his first name was Montgomery.

Q: Why didn't you get married?

He was then shipped away overseas. And I went to Toronto. And we just had to forget about it. In the wartime, sometimes it's better. I don't think I would have survived going to live in New Zealand.

Q: What happened when the war ended?

Well, then they ship you back. I've been interested in Mosquito airplanes ever since. Never had a ride in one, though.

Q: What does Remembrance Day mean to you?

It brings back a lot of memories. Many, many memories. Actually, it would be nice, in a way to put them behind you. But you just can't. And actually, I won't. I want to bring it forward and remember them.