Halifax Daily News
Summer 1999

REUNION A REALITY AFTER NEARLY 60 YEARS
Visit to maritime museum set special visit in motion
By Valerie Wilson

For almost 60 years, Nanaimo resident Bill Pineo has reminisced about a special June day in 1940.

Entertainer Gracie Fields, backed by a children’s choir, stood on the bridge of the Duchess of Richmond, and sang for Pineo and the other troops headed across the Atlantic from Halifax.

He had no way of knowing that across the world, in Australia, Anne Miller, who sang with Fields that day, has long pondered the fate of those servicemen.

She had wanted to meet one of the brave men one day, to share their thoughts of that emotional departure.

That day arrived Friday, due mostly to the memory of Carrie-Ann Smith, a research librarian for the Halifax-based Pier 21 Society.

Pineo wrote a letter to the society last summer describing the day he and Miller have thought about for nearly 60 years.

"Suddenly, the air filled with the beautiful voice of Gracie Fields, echoing across the harbour," Pineo wrote. "It matters not, that no one had seen Gracie in person.  Just hearing her was proof that someone cared.  Even though 60 years has passed, it is as vivid today as it was then, and likely could become a positive highlight of military history."

Miller, on a trip to Canada from Australia, visited the Pier 21 Society last month to look for a newspaper photo of her on the ship that day.

When Miller mentioned the photograph showed her singing beside Fields, Smith immediately remembered Pineo’s letter and shared it with Miller, who then knew she had to meet Pineo before returning to Australia.

She wrote a letter that led to Friday’s meeting.

"This is the highlight of my trip," Miller said Friday.

Pineo said he couldn’t believe Miller also had vivid memories of the day Fields sang for the troops as they prepared to sail.
"It was as important to me at that time as it was to Anne," he said.
He was especially impressed Miller has over the years wondered what became of the men aboard the battle ships.

"Not too many people thought about it that way," Pineo said.

The fact Pineo lives in Nanaimo is ironic.

In 1940, when she was 11, Miller and her family had sailed from Liverpool to Halifax on their way to Singapore.

The war delayed the family’s plans and they settled in Nanaimo until 1948 before moving to Australia.

Miller’s visit Friday settled a friendly dispute between Pineo and his wife Pam.

"My husband has always told me this story about Gracie Fields but I thought it was probably just a record playing and I didn’t believe him," Pam Pineo said.

We'll meet again, don't know where

 Written by Bill Pineo.

Halifax Harbour, June 1940.
Minesweepers, accompanied by destroyers bristling with guns, were getting organized in order to protect a convoy of troop ships soon to be heading across the Atlantic. For most of those on board the ships, it was the beginning of a great adventure: this being their first time away from Canada. As they gathered on the decks assigned to them, a sense of anticipation was evident, as young minds vividly projected exciting pictures of what lay ahead of them. Now and then, their thoughts travelled back over the miles to those they would be leaving behind; some perhaps, forever. Suddenly the air was filled with the beautiful clear voice of Gracie Fields echoing throughout the harbour.  It had to be the favourite of almost everyone, and the timing was most appropriate. "Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye."  A short silence was followed by another great song, as the ships started to move into their respective
positions.  "We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when, but I know we'll meet again some sunny day."  A song shared by both Gracie and Vera Lynn.  The silence on the ships was broken by cheers, and it is almost certain that the day will remain in the memory of all those who were there. It does not matter that it may have been a recording.  Someone on the shore was concerned about those leaving, and thoughtfully played the songs.  It was an episode that should be included in Canadian Military
History.




 

Special thanks to Ms Carrie-Ann Smith and Mr.Bill Pineo for granting permission to publish this story

Story courtesy of www.Pier21.ca – National historic site, Gateway to Canada

photo: June 8th, 2005
Ferry to Vancouver Island
Departure from Horseshoe Bay: 10.30 PM