 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
Letter Dated 8 Dec 44
Re Injury to Spr Gardipy P.
On 6 Dec 44 Spr Gardipy (driver) was told to unload his truck of stores carried.
I had shown him where the stores were to be unloaded, which was near the place
where Spr Horvath, J., was cutting an old German trailer with an oxy-acetylene
torch. As Spr Gardipy walked by, on his way to his truck, an old drum, which
was supporting the trailer off the ground, blew up causing severe burns to
his face. I did not see the drum blow up, but I had just left Spr Gardipy
after having told him to back his truck in and unload the stores.
L/Cpl. G.R. Kirker.
To: The Deputy Minister of National Defense
Dear Sir,
I regard to my adopted son, Pete Gardipy.
I am an old man, age 68, and my health is not good. I have one section and
a half of land, about seventy head of stock and horses. (I farm with horses,)
and Pete is the only son I have with me. Pete is the son of my deceased daughter
and I adopted him when he was a baby. Consequently, have no help whatsoever
in carrying on my farming operations, I cannot hire help at $60 per month
for this would ruin me in no time, and help is hard to get.
I sincerely believe that Pete would be doing more in helping the war effort,
by farming and raising cattle for the troops.
In the last war, I sent my only son Gabriel, to fight for our country. I was
then in good health and able to carry on, but now it's the reverse. I need
help and must have it. Gabriel returned from the last war, thank God for that,
and has a large family of his own and has more to do then he can possibly
do himself. If it's against the Army regulations to discharge a man from the
Army when he is fit, then I would ask you to allow him to be absent from the
Army until he is called upon to serve. That is, until it is absolutely necessary.
I appreciate the fact that we need men to fight, and I would not ask you this
if I was satisfied in my heart, that my son would be more helpful in fighting.
I would appreciate it very much Sir, if you would be so kind as to bring this
matter to the attention of the Minister of National Defense at your earliest
convenience. And if he be able to grant me this favor it would warm the heart
of an old man.
With all good wishes, and thanking you in anticipation.
Yours Truly
Joe Gardipy
Shortly after this letter was written Peter was granted his leave and returned
home to his family in Beardy's.
Peter Gardipy died shortly after returning home from the war, leaving his
Widow Stella Gardipy and five children; Hilliard, Rosalie, Patricia, Julia
and Peter.