A notice from the Whyte Museum in Banff came today by email.
Among the several programs and exhibits coming up, was a mention that William Waterworth’s prisoner of war logbook would be on display, along with additional material. I’ve just emailed the museum to ask about the dates.
UPDATE: The display is up already and will continue until mid-March 2011. It’s in the Archives, not the Museum galleries. The Archives’ hours are 10 to 12 and 1 to 5, Monday to Friday, but I would double check before going on a statutory holiday Monday.
I had the great privilege of meeting Mr. Waterworth at his home in Banff a couple of years ago. Sadly, he died recently. This came as a surprise to me. When I met him, he was in great shape, despite having just had foot surgery. My belated condolences to the Waterworth family and friends, should any of them happen to read this.
My meeting happened because I was a volunteer researcher for a museum exhibit called “For You, The War is Over“, which showed something of the prisoner of war experience for two groups of men: Alberta men captured as prisoners of war in Germany, and German men held as prisoners of war in Alberta. Through that project, I met a few of the dwindling number of surviving prisoners living in the Calgary area, and some of their families.
Mr. Waterworth’s log book, which I was very honoured to have been shown, is relatively rare. When the Allied prisoners were released, they faced a long, hard march back to friendly territory. Men died on the trail, with their friends unable to save them. They typically didn’t carry anything that wasn’t useful, so many log books and other personal items were left behind.
Another Calgary flyer, Barry Davidson, brought his PoW log book home. Through the generosity of his family and the Bomber Command Museum of Canada in Nanton, Alberta, you can see Mr. Davidson’s log book online. The books have some similarities, and some distinctly personal touches.
Mr. Waterworth’s log book is a family heirloom. Thank you to the Waterworth family for allowing others to see it.
Those who fought in the Second World War, and in wars before and since, regardless of where and how they served, literally put their lives on the line for the rest of us. They are all heroes.
Excerpt on the Whyte’s website about the logbook: “Bill Waterworth’s Wartime Log”
Barry Davidson Prisoner of War logbook on the Bomber Command Museum of Canada website
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