Shrapnel Wound Post-War Flare-Up 1940

In about 1940 Ray Jackson suffered a flare-up in the wound in his right shoulder. Fragments of shrapnel that were never removed became infected. One day he was rushed to the Christie Street Veterans' Hospital in Toronto with a high fever. Fortunately penicillin was now available and after a short stay, he was sent home.

Christie Street Veterans' Hospital

Although the wound bothered him from time to time, especially at night, it never again became infected.

Soldiers' Civil Re-Establishment February 20, 1920 Shelburne, Ontario

Ray has requested a transfer from The Shelburne Garage back to Teeswater due to ill health in the family. His boss describes him as "honest and industrious".

Receipt for a Car and Ford Standardized Labour Charges Manual August 8, 1919

Ray bought a car as soon as he got home. He saves the Ford Standardized Labour Charges Manual. Perhaps he used it when working at Ernie's garage in Teeswater.

Ray with his 1916 Ford

Ray Jackson is back!

Soldiers' Civil Re-Establishment April 26, 1920

Ray finally receives a Vocational Pay cheque.

Soldiers' Civil Re-Establishment March 19, 1920

Ray runs into delays with the Department of Soldiers' Civil Re-Establishment.

Soldiers' Civil Re-Establishment and Returned Soldiers' Insurance February 12, 1920

Ray receives another letter instructing him to report to his brother Ernie's garage in Teeswater. He also seems to have sent in the application for Returned Soldiers' Insurance offered by the Canadian government.

Soldiers' Civil Re-Establishment February 9, 1920

In 1918-1919, 350,000 men return to Canada and start looking for work. Ray is among the last to return. The Canadian government provides some money for Soldiers' Civil Re-Establishment and Ray seems to have started his vocational retraining. He now wishes to work for his older brother,  Ernie Jackson, at the Gray-Dort Garage in Teeswater, Ontario.

The War Is Over and Ray Is Home. Now What?

The  war is over and Ray is home. During the time he was away he wrote to his girlfriend from Teeswater, Norma Skilling, and carried her photograph in his breast pocket. Unfortunately none of these letters survived, except a small scrap of paper with a few Valentine's Day verses sent to him by Norma.

Norma Skilling
c. 1916

Letters pertaining to Ray's re-establishment into civilian life will be posted as well as a short biography of what happened to him after the war. 

July 3, 1919 No. 5 Canadian General Hospital, Liverpool, England

Ray writes to his mother from No. 5 Canadian General Hospital, Liverpool, England. He expects to take the next hospital ship, The Essequibo, to Portland, Maine.

The Essequibo

May 1, 1919 Woodcote Park, Epsom

Ray writes to his older brother Bert about hopes for the future when he returns. "Ab" refers to his paternal uncle Albert Jackson.

April 4, 1919 Woodcote Park, Epsom

Still frustrated by the delays, Ray writes his mother about how he is filling his time.

March 23, 1919 Woodcote Park, Epsom

Ray writes to his older brother Bert wondering if the farm has been sold yet and impatient with the pace of the military procedure here. The last page (s) are missing.

Postcard from Hector King