14

Workmen Assemble Hand Grenades
1 April 1941
Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
National Library & Archives

15

In 1943, Frost & Wood began producing a company newsletter known as "The Link" once a month until late 1944.

The Link was a means for Frost & Wood to keep morale up, but also as a way promote the family environment that had developed over the years. The company organized blood drives, and frequently encouraged employees to buy Victory Bonds to help their colleagues serving overseas win the war.

The newsletter often had features like "Plant Gossip" which updated employees on what their colleagues were up to, such as marriages, or duck hunting trips. Another column called "We Work and Fight to Make Their Future Secure" featured pictures of employees' children as a means encourage workers to keep on with the war effort.

16

They Need You In The Fight!
26 June 1944
Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Heritage House Museum

17

During the war, Frost & Wood stayed in touch with employees serving overseas. Every month the company would send packages of cigarettes and a copy of The Link to employees fighting overseas. Letters sent back to the company would also be printed.

"Dear Sirs: -
I wish to thank you for the cigarettes which I have just received. I appreciate them very much; I also find THE LINK very interesting. Thanking you again. Yours sincerely, James Griffith.

"Dear Sirs: -
Many thanks for the cigarettes which I have received every month and also your paper which I appreciate very much. I sent another letter some time ago, but answering to what I have heard I don't think it got through and once again thanks a million. Pte. A.F. Patterson.

"Italy, March 9, 1944.
Dear Friends: -
Well I guess it's about time to drop you another letter to let you know I'm still fine and still kicking around in this forlorn country called Italy. I understand there is to be another Victory Loan Campaign next month, and I suppose The Frost & Wood Company will be going over the top as usual. Hoping to be back before the year is over and the way things are going for the Jerries now, I guess there's a possibility of it, but just like they say, the game isn't over until the last bell goes. Sincerely, Bill Staples."

18

Overseas Mail
26 June 1944
Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Heritage House Museum

19

During the war, workers were needed in all departments. So much so, some former employees remember being able to walk in and pick whatever job they wanted to do. The amount of work available in Smiths Falls at the time attracted many young people to the area and to Frost & Wood.

During the war, Annie Barber moved to the area. Working out of the head office as a secretary, Barber remembers working out of a room they called "The Blue Room" because where curtains should have been, the windows were painted over with blue paint.

Barber's job was to type specifications for machinery and take pages to whatever department needed them. Of all the departments, Barber liked going into the Forge the least because it was so dark and noisy.

20

Office Ladies
24 January 1944
Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Heritage House Museum

21

The Frost & Wood Company produced the No. 36 hand grenade during the war.

When assembling the grenade, a worker inserted a dynamite cap into a receptacle inside the grenade. The base could then be unscrewed, which was kept separate until ready for action.

Inside was a small tube that had to be inserted into another part inside body of the grenade. This small tube had a mixture of Foamite of Mercury inside, and was so unstable, even the heat from someone's hand could cause it to explode. Once the base plate was screwed back on, it was then primed and ready.

When the pin was pulled, a spring loaded mechanism inside would activate, creating the grenade to explode.

22

Frost & Wood Grenades
Circa 1944
Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Canadian Industrial Heritage Centre

23

While the men of Smiths Falls enlisted to go to war, women were needed to work in the factory.

Though Frost & Wood produced grenades and shell casings, the munitions were not filled with explosive powder in Smiths Falls, and were often shipped empty to be filled later in the United Kingdom.

24

Women in the Factory
1939-1945
Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Stoddard, Don

25

Even today, Frost & Wood is best known for producing hand grenades. Many of these unarmed grenades were given to or kept by employees at the time, and were later passed down through their families.

26

Grenades: Frost & Wood's Best Known Product
Circa 1950s
Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Heritage House Museum

27

Of course not only women worked in the factory during the war. George and Armand Normandin moved to Smiths Falls with their sister, Germaine, in the 1940s.

Both totally blind, the Normandin boys went to Frost & Wood one day and put their names in for work. Called in a couple days later, the brothers spent the war drilling hand grenades at the Frost & Wood factory.