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During 1925, Franklin decided he also wanted a job to help Susan out with financial things around the house and ended up working with the Sleeping Car Porters. Although the workers were mostly black, Franklin was able to grow bonds with them and learn more about black culture. He had gained experience with this job about hospitality work and how to help serve people. The job was temporary and he only worked for a year there.

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Black Tuesday, 10.29.1929.

Susan.

Today, Canada’s economy has fallen, very devastatingly. I knew investing would get messy, I should have convinced Frank not to invest a lot more. I don’t remember how much we lost and I would like it to stay that way as the whole country is in a crisis. All I see now on the news is bad news after bad news. Today was a true misfortune though, I have been making sure to keep faith that everything will bounce back. My job, on the other hand, is gone. The pub seems to be going through a lot of money loss, affected incredibly by the stock drop. I don’t mind, instead I understand. Though, I did like my job and it was pretty comfortable. Mark asked me what was going on today after school. In all honesty, I did not know how to answer my own clueless child. All I know is that we’re living in a tragedy right now. It’s crazy, the 20’s have been booming but why did this happen right before the new year? It hit me like a truck that we live in history right this moment. Just like that, the 20’s went downhill and going into 1930, doesn’t look very good. I pray for better moments in life and plan on visiting the church to check conditions and pray with other families. Right now though, I will sleep off today and hope tomorrow is a better day, progressing even painfully slowly, just as long as there is positive progress, I would not want anything else. Goodnight.

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Living through the conditions of WW2 was not much of a hassle for the Lee's. The news always consisted of Germany and Hitler's next big plan to own Europe. Mark and Nancy continued with school while Susan was a stay at home mom. Franklin was also at home as he was resting after the war with Japan.

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On September 2nd, 1945, the war had finally ended after Germany and Japan surrendered. The Lee's witnessed the end of WW2 and celebrated the peace.

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Dear Father,

It’s Mark here, dad. Me and Nancy have been doing extra good in school, I even scored a ninety percent on a math test! Even though me and Nancy are doing good in school, we all miss you a lot despite it being 3 days of you away. I think I’m writing as I felt your absence strongly during dinner, but mother said this could also help me practice my writing so, here I am. It somewhat feels like World War one again, maybe even worse? We see a lot of news about Hitler nowadays. Something about his army called.. Nazziii’s? Oh! Nazi’s! They don’t look or seem nice though. Almost like an army made for bad! Hitler seems super evil with his ideas and wanting to take over Europe, father, I hope you’re fighting against him. Or was it… Japan? I forgot, but please come home with victory! Though, even if you don’t win, you will always be my favourite hero. I love you dad. Stay safe and be strong to fight off weaklings there.

(PS. I’m taking care of Nancy just fine, I’ll keep her safe at school and be a good older brother like you always wanted me to be, father.)

Sincerely,

Your favourite child, Mark

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Dear Susan,

I arrived at the Canadian Corps training ground. The preparations for war seem to be big as there are many men here ready to serve Canada. My training will last all War till it’s over in case the troop needs extra support, meaning I may be gone for a bit of months. In advance, tell Mark and Nancy I miss them already and will come home as soon as the war is over. My role is with the artillery troop, I help with the firearm support and surveillance. It’s a tiring duty but it seems to be a huge deal for war. It’s still unbelievable that I will be a part of Canadian history for war, your own husband is a true patriot, Susan. I promise to stay safe and look out always, remember to take care of yourself while I’m gone my lady. Posters have been plastered around the camp, posters that update us on what goes on out in Downtown. One of the most repetitive posters? Food rationing. Grow the victory garden before it’s too late, honey. Make sure to get the right nutrition, for I will be home soon so you won’t have to be lonely and starve as much. Soon, you and the kids will be able to eat meat again! I love you and stay safe.

Sincerely,

Your husband, Franklin

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Citations (Picture & Information credits)

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Citations (Picture & Information credits)

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First Photo: (“RCA History | | the Royal Canadian Artillery Museum”)
Second photo: (“Food Rationing Ww1 - Google Search” 2013)
Third photo: April. 2019. “WWI: Vimy Ridge, April 9, 1917: At Last a Victory.” RCI | English. April 9, 2019. https://www.rcinet.ca/en/2019/04/09/ww-i-vimy-ridge-april-9-1917-at-last-a-victory/.

Fourth photo: (“Roaring 20s - Google Search” 2013)
Fifth photo: “Demeaned, Overworked and All Called George: How Black Train Porters Transformed Canada.” Thestar.com. thestar.com. February 2019. https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2019/02/01/the-madness-of-being-george-how-black-train-porters-demeaned-overworked-and-called-by-the-same-name-helped-transform-canada.html.
Sixth photo: “Once upon a City: Homeless Battled Unsafe Shelters during the Great Depression.” 2017. Thestar.com. thestar.com. July 27, 2017. https://www.thestar.com/yourtoronto/once-upon-a-city-archives/2017/07/27/homeless-battled-unsafe-shelters-in-1930-in-downtown-east-toronto.html.
Seventh photo: “Canada at War against Japan, 1941–1945.” 2022. Canadian War Museum. 2022. https://www.warmuseum.ca/war-against-japan/.
Eighth photo: (“Saw Nazis Murder Canadians - Google Search” 2013)
Ninth photo: “Armistice Day in Toronto – 100 Years Later.” 2018. Thestar.com. 2018. https://projects.thestar.com/armistice-day-toronto/.

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In December 1941, Canada had declared war on Japan to defend the West coast. With experience, Franklin enlisted again as he still had a lot of patriotism for Canada. Franklin continued with the artillery troop and provided help with fire support. Although the troops were in full concentration, expecting a major attack from Japan, nothing ever occurred in the end. With nothing happening in the end, the Canadian troops were sent home with a neutral ending.

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Living through the Great Depression (1919-38)

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Living through the Great Depression (1919-38)

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During the 30's, the Great Depression had hit hard in Canada, causing everyone to lose investments and even jobs. Becoming unemployed, Susan lost her job at the pub, the family continued on and struggled a bit with financial problems and lost their own investments. The dust bowl had also hit the prairies, creating food shortage which reminded the Lee's that they could start living with food rationing instead. Mark and Nancy had already understood the issues going around in Canada and chose to live without any consequences.

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Living through the roaring twenties was a breeze for the Lee family. With Mark and Nancy attending school and the return of Franklin, Susan no longer had to work. Though she felt the need to do something instead of being a housewife so she ended up finding a job at a pub that was famous for their jazz performances. Franklin had taken a break and stayed at home, he was also treated with royalty for his war efforts.

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After two years of training with the Canadian Corps, Franklin was assigned to his first battle; the Vimy Ridge in April, 1917. The battle was tough but being apart of the artillery troop, Franklin had played a huge part with fire support and surveillance skills. The battle of Vimy Ridge ended up as a huge success, not only was it fully Canadian but it was also one of Canada's first war successes. Franklin was welcomed home with celebrations, filled up with pride from the accomplishment.

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The Lee's had to continue on without seeing their father, Franklin. Food rationing had become huge during 1915 as it was supposed to help save meat for soldiers as that was needed nutrition. With two growing kids; Mark (7 years old) and Nancy (6 years old), Susan had tried her best to provide the right food and eventually grew their own victory garden, growing all types of vegetables and fruits. On top of that, Susan had also worked as a mail woman to continue with steady income and to help with shortage of staff after men had joined the war.

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WWI had started, Canadians were encouraged to join the war and serve the British as Canada was a Britain colony. The father of the Lee’s, Franklin, felt that it was his duty to join as he was persuaded by propaganda posters and the approval from his wife, Susan. In 1915, Franklin joined to train with the Canadian Corps. While being a part of the Canadian Corps, Franklin was a part of the artillery troop, helping to provide fire support and surveillance during the war.