Watch out for these other invasive plant species
stories by Marc Huminilowycz
Apple trees gave way to artillery in the Meaford area from 1942-45, as this tank at Clark’s Homestead near Vail’s Point illustrates. With World War I raging, the Clarks were just one local farming family who gave up their land to the new Meaford Tank Range.
After Canada entered the war in September 1939, the success of Hitler’s armoured and mechanized units in Europe created greater need for similar equipment for the Allied forces. No suitable venue was available for such vehicles and training – Camp Borden was in need of expansion and the terrain at Hawkestone, Ontario, near Oro, was too soft for the heavy tanks. What was required was an area providing space for battle practice, hard ground, moderate snowfall, proximity to railway and highway facilities, and a direct firing range of a minimum of 1,000 yards. The land had to be affordable and had to be found and turned into a tank range quickly.
Land in the northernmost areas of St. Vincent and Sydenham Townships, near Meaford, was deemed to be most suitable. The estimate of the cost to acquire this land was less than the cost of three RAM tanks. Hence, in July 1942, offers were made to property holders.
Much discussion took place amongst the landowners affected; many felt that the government was not offering enough money for their properties, which had now suddenly become valuable. Some suggested that a better settlement would be received through the courts, but it was rumoured that without co-operation, the required land would simply be expropriated. This rumour held true and the expropriation plan was filed at the North Grey Registry Office on July 21, 1942, making the land the property of His Majesty the King.
In her memoirs, Edna Jean Shouldice (nee Clark) recalled: “Rumors started that the government was going to expropriate our farm [which they did in 1942], as well as roughly 150 other farms in that area for a training place for the soldiers. Some of the neighbour boys wanted to take them to court, but my Dad, in his wisdom, said you were dealing with the government and that we’d have to go along with them … They were given only a few short weeks to get their hay out of their barns and off the fields, find another place to live, get a truck, and get moved. It was an emotional and exhausting time in their lives … In 1945 our family obtained permission to go to the range to our farm. The soldiers used our home for an office with radio equipment in my bedroom. They kept beer in the well to keep it cool. They were very hospitable and took us for a ride in a tank … There were nine tanks in our orchard, beside the house.”
Today, the Land Forces Central Area Training Centre offers state-of-the art facilities and is one of Canada’s largest military training centres, handling all of Ontario’s regular and reserve training staff every summer and employing as many as 300 military and civilian personnel. ❧
Source: Grey Roots Museum & Archives
