A labor

Dear Mum, by Ken Stofer;
Kenlyn Publishing; $12.95

of love

IFTY YEARS after it all happened it is difficult for

many people and impossible for the younger genera-

tions to imagine what Canada and Canadians were
like during the Second World War. But this book will help.

It is not an example of the liter-
ary art. It is a labor of fove based
on the letters and experiences of
Victor Syrett, of Sooke, Vancouver
Island, who went off in 1940 at 19
years of age to join the Royal Air
Force as ground crew. And never
came back. He died in Japanese
Captivity in 1942.

The thing that strikes me about
this story is its simple patriotism.

Canada was part of what was
then the British Empire and Com-
monwealth, and the Syretts of this
country were proud of it.

They also felt a blood bond with
Britain, and, like the biblical Ruth,
said to themselves ‘‘Where thou
goest, | go.”

Which of course sounds odd
now, if not ridiculous. But they
had the ideals of a fine family and
never thought to spend their days
whining. Willing sacrifice was their
way, which is more than can be
said of today’s slobbering suppli-
cants.

Wallis to judge aud

NORTH SHORE opera star Delia
Wallis will judge the annual Met-
ropolitan Opera western Canada
auditions.

The West Vancouver mezzo-
soprano, married to acclaimed vi-
olinist Gerald Jarvis, will be joined
by Jon Washburn and Robert

In Review
LOOKS AT BOCKS

The book was written by Ken
Stofer of Victoria, who sounds as if
he also is of the Syrett stamp. For
he too went over to join the RAF,
and to write this book spent the
past nine years researching the
documents and interviewing Vic-
tor’s friends, relatives and com-
rades here and in the U.K.

A labor of love indeed.

— by Doug Collins, North Shore
News columnist.

Morris.

Auditicns, held Nov. 24 in the
Koerner Recital Hall of the Van-
couver Acaderay of Music, are free
to the public.

For information phone 736-
6901.

ions

Wednesday, November 13, 1991 - North Shore News - 27

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