Grand Theatre announces 2024 High School Project A Lifetime of Comradeship In 1943, John Morris volunteered to join the Fleet Air Arm, a branch of the Royal Navy that operated aircraft from navy ships. He was 16 years old and wanted to work on aircraft carriers. Because of problems with his eyes, John’s application for the specialized branch was denied. The Navy recruitment office, however, saw something they liked in John because they offered to keep his name on file until they found a spot where he could contribute. John didn’t have to wait long. By 1944, at the tender age of 17, he was called up and the Navy put him in its Dental branch where he became a dental technician. The Grand Theatre’s renowned youth mentorship program, the High School Project (HSP) will celebrate its 26th anniversary with the Tony and Olivier award-winning Roald Dahl’s MATILDA the Musical (book by Dennis Kelly and original songs by Tim Minchin). It will feature students on-stage and behind-the-scenes to take on roles such as stage management, props, wardrobe, scenic art, orchestra, sound, and entertainment marketing. The High School Project is open to any high school student from London and area who will be enrolled in high school in the fall of 2023, or participating in homeschooling. Ages generally range from 14 to 18. Visit www.grandtheatre.com/participate-high-school-project to learn more.www.grandtheatre.com/high-school-project Dentistry during a war may not be as glamorous as flying aircraft, nor is it the topic of Hollywood films or Netflix documentaries. However, it played a pivotal role in World War II. According to one source, “in the time span of 1942 to 1945, over 69 million restorations, over 16 million extractions, and over 2.5 million full or partial dentures were provided by dentists.”
Warm Hearts on the Coldest Night of the Year
TD Wortley Branch Manager Frances Distefano, and Manager Customer Experience Andressa Barros braved the cold Feb- ruary 24 and participated in Mission Service of London’s Coldest Night of the Year walk in support of local charities serving people experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness. “As leaders of the TD Wortley Branch, it is a mission of ours to lead by example when it involves supporting our community. We have a lot to be thankful for, therefore, being visible and taking action to support fundraising initiatives that help those less fortunate is priority more than ever,” said Andressa.
John (left) and fellow sailor
in a variety of capacities. He started in a cotton factory for 85 cents an hour and went on to build ambulances and work in construction doing renovations. John’s long tenure with the Royal Canadian Legion began soon after arriving in Canada. His first home was in Woodbridge and that’s where a friend from England introduced him to the Woodbridge Legion. By 1968, John was living in London,
John played a part in that. He was stationed at the Royal Naval Hospital in Malta where he oversaw the shipping and receiving of dental supplies. Malta was a British island colony in the Mediterranean and a strategic location during the war because of its access to supply lines to and from North Africa. Between 1940 and 1942, Germany and Italy fought to gain control of the island. By the time John arrived in 1944, the British had prevailed, and all was quiet during his 10-month tour there.
South Collegiate’s Emma Bishop, 2023 High School Project
Frances Distefano and Andressa Barros
Botox, Lip Filler, Dermal Filler, Laser Hair Removal, facials, hydrofacial, Indian head massage, microblading, permanent makeup, PRP, microneedling, Dermaplaning & more. Because the hospital was situated beside the harbour, John and the other sailors swam every day. John recalls once he and a few friends decided to swim from one side of the harbour to the other for a lark. John laughs now at how lucky they were that no ships sailed in while they did this. “We’d have been goners,” he quips. After the war, John returned to England and built double- decker buses. He emigrated to Canada In 1949 and worked 350 Ridout S • (519) 601-3900 www.boldbeauty.ca Face | Skin | Body Treatments Feel Great, Look Amazing Leading Skin Rejuvenation Clinic Enhance your natural beauty John in front of the Royal Naval Hospital in Malta
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John in a captured German E-Boat
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Page 12 Byron Villager Page 10 Wortley Villager • April 2024
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