Another not quite Wordless Wednesday…
I fear that becoming a dad has turned me into a bit of a softie, at least as far as kids are concerned. I ran across this photo on Pinterest. It had been pinned from some random Tumblr account with no details about its source. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and this one certainly speaks volumes.
It’s pretty clear the boy has tugged away from his mom and is reaching for his dad who is in this column of soldiers apparently shipping off to war. I guessed it was World War II by their dress. I became mildly obsessed with the people in the photo, and wanted to know more. Did the dad make it back?
Eventually I traced this to photographer Claude P. Dettloff, who took it on October 1, 1940. The line of soldiers were The British Columbia Regiment, shown as they marched down Eighth Street at the Columbia Avenue intersection in New Westminster, Canada, on their way to a waiting train.
Claude very appropriately named this photo, “Wait for me, Daddy”, because, as it was being taken, a young five-year-old Warren “Whitey” Bernard tugged away from his mother, Bernice, to reach out for his father, Private Jack Bernard. I love the smiles on the soldiers just behind Private Bernard.
So that told me who it was in the photo, but what became of that father and son? I found out. The regiment was eventually sent to France and the Netherlands. Unlike so many who never returned to their loved ones, I’m happy to report Private Jack Bernard made it back to Whitey at the end of WWII.
If little Whitey Bernard is still alive, he’d be about 78 years old now. I’m not sure why it mattered so much to me, but I was glad to find his dad made it back home to him. On that note I’d like to add, to all of our brave men and women in harms way right now, get home soon, and get home safe. Godspeed.
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Timmi
January 23, 2013 at 9:50 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
What a lovely story. I too like to know the stories behind pictures.
Michael Schmid
January 24, 2013 at 10:41 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Thank you, Timmi. It became a bit of a detective story for me. I was very happy to find in the end the father and son were reunited. Thanks so much for stopping by.
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Justin - Writing Pad Dad
January 23, 2013 at 11:57 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I almost didn’t read this post because I didn’t want to read a sad ending! So glad I did! Awesome story and picture!
Justin – Writing Pad Dad
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Michael Schmid
January 24, 2013 at 10:45 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Yeah, I was a bit worried about what I might find… or that I might not find anything at all. As I found each clue, I was able to narrow the scope of my search until I found very specific info. Appreciate you dropping by. I’ll definitely visit your latest post, as a $25 Starbucks giftcard sounds good to me.
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Kelli
January 24, 2013 at 7:17 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I often see pictures like this and wonder what the outcome was. I think it’s amazing that you took the time to follow up on it, and wonderful that you found good news in the end! Thanks for sharing!
Michael Schmid
January 24, 2013 at 10:48 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Hi, Kelli. There’s a tool called “TinEye” (a plugin on Firefox) that allows easy image searches (better than Google’s version so far). It lets you pick a photo on the Internet and search for other websites that have hosted that photo. That helped me get started in my search. Have a great weekend (we’re almost there)!
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Charlie Hendricks
January 26, 2013 at 11:11 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Very touching.
Michael Schmid
January 27, 2013 at 5:09 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Thanks, Charlie! It touched me, but then I’ve become a big old teddy bear since having our little girl.
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Larry Dunnigan
March 10, 2013 at 5:46 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
A great photo and one that hung in every school classroom in British Columbia until the end of the war. Warren “Whitey” Bernard retired to Tofino, British Columbia and opened a small marina/gas station/hardware store that is now run by his son Steven. You can read more at the History of Vancouver website.
Michael Schmid
March 11, 2013 at 10:19 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Hi Larry. Thank you so much for that information! I guess it was well known in Canada. My wife knew it from my description alone. I must be the only one who’d not seen it. It’s quite evocative. Have a great week, Larry.
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LCpl In the BCR
May 5, 2013 at 11:54 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
This photo is pinned up against the wall in the armoury I parade in. It’s nice to see something so famous, so close to something a part of me. I am in the BCR (2381 BCR, Irish Fusiliers, Duke of Connaughts Own)as a Lance Corporal.
Michael Schmid
May 6, 2013 at 10:32 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Thank you for stopping by, Lance Corporal. I’m happy to know this photo is still in circulation and honoring the bravery of the British Columbia Regiment, then and now. A poignant personal moment, indeed.
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