Dianne McCosker

by DIANNE MCCOSKER
(Coffs Harbour, NSW, Australia)

My father Gordon Barton arrived in Canada in 1929 aged 16yrs. He went to Howick, Quebec and worked on a farm there. From all accounts he was very happy there. He joined the church, sang, played a number of musical instruments, painted and played sports. The family that he stayed with and many others in the district remained very supportive and best friends for the whole of his life and remained friendly to his children.
He signed up to fight for the Canadian Army when war broke out in 1939 and was stationed overseas. He was in the RCCS, and his war record shows he ended the war as a Sargeant. He met my mother in Kingston, Ontario and they married at the barracks chapel.
When he returned from the war, my parents were able to purchase a small farm in Copetown, Ontario. His intentions were to build up a dairy herd of Ayrshires.
Unfortunately, he died suddenly at the age of 37yrs, I was only a 3yr old at this time so do not know very much about my father's earlier years in England.

I think he was extremely happy moving to Canada and would probably thank the BICA for bringing him there.

Comments for Dianne McCosker

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Sep 05, 2022
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Photo
by: Deborah

Just have to add that I love the photo you shared. Nice looking couple.
Sep 05, 2022
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Wow
by: Bonnie Long

So nice to read a positive outlook as well. Thank you for sharing.
Sep 05, 2022
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
by: Deborah

Hello Dianne,

Thank you for sharing your father's story. I'm so glad he had a positive experience until his unfortunate early death.

That is more how the program was intended to work: good training in farming, supportive and educational. They hoped to create exemplary Canadian citizens while helping farmers get workers. The results depended somewhat on the people they were placed with.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to BICA Boys real stories.