A little bit of history for you Enfield buffs

[Slapshot]

My 90 year old grandma passed away about a month ago, and in her obituary it says she was a machinist at the Small Arms Long Branch factory in Ontario during WW2. I knew she worked as a machinist but not at the longbranch factory. She told me that she used to cut rifling.

Some of you may have a rifle that my grandmother made the barrel for.

Hope it shoots straight.

 

[enefgee]

Your Grandma contributed to the creation of a real Canadian cultural icon, and was willing to sacrifice so that we could enjoy the freedom we have. Those folks truly are the greatest generation. May she rest in peace.

 

[wheaty]

These are some of the barrel broaches used at Long Branch...she might have used one of these during her tenure there.

 

[Nelson84]

What gets me is the older generations would never brag about what they did. Sad that you find these things out after they are gone. Would have been nice to hear first hand what they actually did. Would have been cool to find out more. Or when you find a trophy or a war medal and you have no idea what it was for.

 

[Magellann]

I agree, they did a job that was neccessary and never gave it a second thought.
My condolences to your grandma.

 

[sail32]

One of my aunts worked in Montreal during WW2 checking Lee-Enfield barrels.
She told me she gauged the last 7 inches of the barrel.

 

[Kirk1701]

What gets me is the older generations would never brag about what they did. Sad that you find these things out after they are gone. Would have been nice to hear first hand what they actually did. Would have been cool to find out more. Or when you find a trophy or a war medal and you have no idea what it was for.

Much of the service was fraught with horrors none of us will ever know. Even service on the home front was characterized by sacrifice and fear. No one knew if the Allies were going to prevail in Europe, so the constant threat that Hitler could invade North America was on everyone's mind. You would see off brothers, husbands, fathers, and sons, many far too young. Most of these men were doomed. I doubt I'd wish to remember much about those years either. Or I can't think I'd look back on them with anything other than relief that they're behind me.

I've also heard many writers and veterans say in interviews that Canadian service personnel were some of the most humble of all the Allied powers. They took many of the most awful tasks and completed them without complaint or glory-seeking. Those who survived were grateful and wanted only to return home and try to forget.

 

[silverfoxdj]

Much of the service was fraught with horrors none of us will ever know. Even service on the home front was characterized by sacrifice and fear. No one knew if the Allies were going to prevail in Europe, so the constant threat that Hitler could invade North America was on everyone's mind. You would see off brothers, husbands, fathers, and sons, many far too young. Most of these men were doomed. I doubt I'd wish to remember much about those years either. Or I can't think I'd look back on them with anything other than relief that they're behind me.

I've also heard many writers and veterans say in interviews that Canadian service personnel were some of the most humble of all the Allied powers. They took many of the most awful tasks and completed them without complaint or glory-seeking. Those who survived were grateful and wanted only to return home and try to forget.

If we could carry forward some of the character and humility these people displayed we would all be better for it

 

[tiriaq]

Two summers ago, I met a lady who had machined Bren breechblocks at Inglis.

 

[buffdog]

These are some of the barrel broaches used at Long Branch...she might have used one of these during her tenure there.

I have some of these rifling broaches, only mine are for the Bren Gun and the Lee Enfield. The Company that made them, and stock numbers, etc., are electropenciled on the shank near the end.

My Mother made parts for Mosquito Bombers at the Massey Harris - Verity Works in Brantford Ontario. One Aunt worked at the FTS in Brantford, another Aunt worked for John Inglis and my Grandfather, although older and retired from Bell Telephone, taught in the Signals School (RCEME) that is now part of Mohawk Park in Brantford. That is how my Father met my Mother in 1940, when she came to pick him up one afternoon.

We have lost too many stories and History when these people passed away.
.

 

[SeanU]

My condolences for your Grandmother. My Gram also worked for Longbranch as an assembler- it was where she and my Grandfather met. He was a kid fresh off the farm from Saskatchewan working as a barrel maker at the time before he shipped out to Halifax in 1943. If only I could trade my Savage No4 for a 1941-43 Longbranch No4, I could actually shoot a rifle made by my grandparents!

 

[Kirk1701]

If we could carry forward some of the character and humility these people displayed we would all be better for it

I'm sure we would if faced with the same set of trials.

Condolences to the OP. I'm glad you were able to at least talk to her about her service.