14

Group photo of Canadian National Railway (CNR) Apprentices at the Transcona Shops
May 1939
Transcona, Manitoba, Canada

15

A young Jim Potter enjoying a summer day
1937
Transcona, Manitoba, Canada

16

Some students were fortunate to remain in school until their graduation in Grade 11. As they hoped for a bright future, it is unlikely that the high school students who graduated from Central School in June 1939 had any idea of what changes would come their way.

17

Mr. Jim Potter is relating the schedule of the Transcona shop whistle
23 September 2004
Transcona, Manitoba, Canada

18

Jim Potter's story of the "C.N.R. Shop Whistle"
Well we grew up with it, ya know, we grew up with the shop whistle. It blew at seven o'clock in the morning to say "Boys - its time to get up" you might say. It blew at twenty to eight and that was sort of "Get ready to go to work". It blew at five to eight, twice, twice at five to eight and by that time you should be "On your job". And then it blew five minutes later at eight o'clock and that was the "Start to work time". Then it blew again at twelve o'clock noon to signal "Lunch". And at twenty to one it blew again to say "Time to finish lunch and think about going back to work". And it blew at one o'clock to "Start work" and it blew at five o'clock to "End the day".

19

Grade XI A, Central School, Graduating Class
June 1939
Transcona, Manitoba, Canada

20

With few jobs available at the railway and prospects for education limited, many of Transcona's young men and women were ready to answer the call of duty Serving King and Country.

21

Grade XI B, Central School, Graduating Class
June 1939
Transcona, Manitoba, Canada