November is a time to remember and commemorate the people who sacrificed their lives for our country. At the museum, we recently received two donations that speak to Sooke residents’ immense contributions during the Second World War.
At the start of October, Don Richardson, son of Frank Richardson, donated letters his father wrote to family in Sooke while stationed in England working for the Royal Canadian Ordinance Corps (RCOC). A couple of weeks later, Willow Dodge and Fern Albany, daughters of Frank Planes, donated his Second World War medals to the museum. Frank Planes served in the Fishermen’s Reserve on the north coast of Vancouver Island.
Frank Richardson’s letters to his mother, Emmy Richardson, document the realities of wartime England with a twist of humour. Richardson served in the RCOC from 1942 to 1945. He trained at Camp Borden in Ontario, which became Canada’s most important training facility during the Second World War. On March 24, 1942, Richardson wrote a letter to his mother, sent from “somewhere,” detailing his trip to England. He wrote, “Well here I am again at last, none the worse for wear and very much alive… We had a dandy trip over, the weather was perfect, I was only sick for a couple of days but ate every meal that was put before me.” Richardson’s humour comes through in the recounting of his days in England, “It sure is a great day to-day, it is real warm out – a perfect day to do nothing at all.” (June 14, 1942 letter sent to his mother). In his letter on Sept. 19, 1942, he opens with, “Back again, still very much alive and as fat as ever, in fact a little fatter.” Richardson’s letters provide a personal glimpse into the realities of someone serving in the war.
Frank Planes’, a member of the T’Sou-ke Nation, Second World War medals serve as a necessary reminder of Indigenous peoples’ involvement in Canada’s war efforts. Planes served in the Fishermen’s Reserve, a branch of the Royal Canadian Navy that, at its peak, had 900 members and 40 vessels; it operated from 1939 to 1945. History and documentation around the Fishermen’s Reserve (FR) are scant. Discussions around creating the FR started in 1936 as Canada made contingency plans for a potential war with Japan. By 1938, recruitment began, and in 1939, there were over 200 recruits ready for training. The intention behind the FR was to establish a defence for Canada’s west coast since the country’s six warships would be stationed on the east coast. Due to their knowledge of the waters, FR recruits consisted of mariners and fishermen, mainly from coastal northern B.C. areas.
Initially, the FR adhered to the strict rule that recruits must be of “pure European descent and of the white race.” Eventually, the rule was overturned, and Indigenous men like Frank Planes were recruited to join. Planes served from 1942 to 1945 patrolling the Strait of Juan de Fuca, ensuring Canada’s borders were secure. As Planes’ papers were being filled out, he was asked about his nationality. At this time, Indigenous people were not allowed to serve in the Canadian army or navy unless they were willing to relinquish their “Indian Status.” Indigenous men like Frank Planes were not allowed to list their nationality as “Indian.” The person filling out the paperwork asked if there was “anything else.” Frank replied that his stepfather was French, and at that moment, Frank Planes lost his status. Upon returning from his duty, he was no longer a status Indian. He could not regain his status until 1985 when Bill C-31 was passed. Bill C-31 is an amendment to the Indian Act eliminating discriminatory provisions, allowing Indigenous peoples who previously lost their status due to a marriage or duty in the military, and so on, to regain their status.
There is so much to say about Indigenous people’s involvement in the war effort that this article cannot cover. These are important stories to share and deserve to be told in full. During November, the museum will display the letters and medals and explore the Fishermen’s Reserve in depth. Nov. 8 is National Indigenous Veterans Day, and the museum will host an event to commemorate Frank Planes’ contribution to the Canadian war effort. We encourage you to join us at 1:30 p.m., where there will be a short presentation about both donations and the history of the Fishermen’s Reserve.
Emma Wilton is the collections and exhibits manager with Sooke Region Museum.
