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Ridley had a large population
The school needed much more housing for students. -
high ammount of Ridley students
the population was reduced 3 years after when the Great Depression struck -
Period: to
Great Depression
Ridley's population shrunk and there weren't enough boys to fill up the Merrit House -
Construction of Merrit House
In order to provide more housing, Merrit house was built -
Construction of new Gymnasium
The economic situation had improved so the school was able to build another gymnasium. -
Period: to
View from a border student
Ronald Bryden saw Canada as a country which wants to find its place in the world with its own lifestyle. He describes the Canadians as men of two seasons. In the winter they are playing hockey and drink alot of milk and hot chocolat, waiting for the spring and the summer. Then in the spring they are getting more active; There are many parties they drank alot of alcohol and looked for girls. -
Christmas at Ridley
The atmosphere at Ridley reflected the hope and anxiousness of the soldiers. Many articles are dedicated to soldeirs dead or alive, where they are highly respected and acknowledged. There was a Major R.S Cockburn who delivered information concerning the deaths of Ridleians overseas which emphasizes the significance of the old Boys at Ridley.Additionally, at Christmas letters were sent to the Old boys at War which ratifies the respect and for the soldiers at War even at such a special time x-mas -
Poems on War
Around the time of Easter there was a yearbook article published discussing certain poems on the war. These poems included one of Churchhill dicussing how he would save the nation and how he is the leader of the century. this is showing the strong connection Canada has with Britain and how everyone would know of the new in Britain because of thier power of Canada. This still somewhat lasts today but is more likely found during WWII where churchill was a power figure and idolized by his poeple -
Winter 1943
In the Winter 1943, the cadet corps at Ridley experienced several modifications. The training is said to have become "stricter" with more practices and intense trainings. The changes could have been influenced by the occurence of war at the time and corps could have started to commerate the fatal and courageous activities of old boys at war. -
2nd Blackout Drill in Ridley
Blackout drill where the residents of the houses hid in their 'blackout rooms' for a duration of time in preparation for bombings -
Second War Blackout
On this day, the school experienced its second blackout during hte war. However, after the first one, they had been instructed with a specific routine for these cases. -
Spring at Ridley
Spring term in Canada is filled with sunshine and blooming flowers which should represent hapiness but during the war, the change is season: the bright sun light and blossoming rose buds mocked the ridleains of the lives yet to be lost. The boys at ridley during spring realised that with bright good weather there would be new offenses and an increased lists of casualties of ridleains.
This dampened the atmosphere of the school at ridley -
Gratefulness letter from British boys to Ridley
British boys sent a letter thanking Ridley for welcoming them here -
1st Blackout Drill in Ridley
Blackout drill where the residents of the houses hid in their 'blackout rooms' for a duration of time in preparation for bombings -
Ridley Squash Team
A Ridley Squah Team entered an inter-school meet at the Badminton and Racquets Club in Toronto. -
Major L.H Denison
Died in the battle of Emmerich -
Canadian Holiday Created
After the victorious battle there was a world-wide capign for May 8th to be a national holiday to celebrate those who fought in the war and came thorugh victorious