Uncle Hughie’s Tour de France and Flanders

Rod McNairnay of Enderby, B.C., shares a postcard from his great uncle, Hugh McDonald (right), sent home during the First World War, while he served as a driver with 4th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery.

“Hope this finds you all well, as it leaves me in the best,” wrote Hugh on the back of a postcard, dated March 19, 1917. “This is the two lads that drive along with me, and we are all from Winnipeg. What do you think of us dressed up in our Sunday best. Kindest Regards, from Hughie.” McNairnay explains the postcard was sent while his great uncle was preparing for the Battle of Vimy Ridge. In Winnipeg after the war, Hugh took up his former occupation as a driver for the T. Eaton Company Ltd., a job that lasted 46 years. The photo below was taken in 1922 or 1923. We thank Rod for his contributions to Find-Share-Discuss, and invite readers to share similar memories or connections to wartime or peacetime service.