Meeting the Buckwells

Meeting the Buckwells

 

 

The bus from Calgary to Macleod pulled into a reserved parking area near a local coffee shop. The driver announced that this was a 60 minute stop. The next stop would be the town of Lethbridge, about 60 miles distant. Since Macleod was our destination, we got off the bus and headed for the coffee shop. A large banner over the door announced, "Where the East meets the West". This seemed to be the popular place to meet, as there were a number of Air Force men and women milling around, in their blue uniforms. Macleod was home to a new flight training school, #7 S.F.T.S. (Service Flight Training School), where pilots were trained to fly bombers; they also trained gunners, bombardiers and navigators. This small prairie town of Macleod with a peacetime population of 1,500 suddenly became a major training center for the Air Force with as many military personnel as civilians. More about the town and the Base later.

It was time to meet the Buckwell's. We drove north from Macleod for about two miles, and then turned onto an access road that went about a mile to the entrance of the ranch. As we turned in, I could see the long entrance driveway with a large white farmhouse at the end. There were a number of other buildings, barns, and a large corral. I noticed there was a wide creek on the other side of the outbuildings. As we came up to the house a man was standing by the side of the driveway that mother recognized. As we got out of the car he came over and welcomed us. It was Leighton Buckwell. Leighton was tall, with a weathered faced. He looked every bit my concept of what a cowboy would look like. He escorted us into the house to meet the family.

Mrs. Buckwell was a very motherly looking woman. She greeted me warmly and I liked her immediately. Her daughter Ruth was also there and said that she hoped I would enjoy living with them. They had another lady staying there, the school teacher for a little "one room schoolhouse" that was just a couple of miles away. Leighton led me upstairs to what was to become my room. The Buckwell's made me feel very much a home. I was certain that I would be happy staying there, as they seemed to be such a nice family. As time went on, I found my first impression was right (more about the ranch house in the following blog).

Mrs. Buckwell was a widow. Her two sons and daughter helped run the farm. It was an immense undertaking as the farm and ranch covered a wide area. It would take an all day ride on horseback to cross their property. They raised cattle, had a number of milk cows, and over six hundred sheep. They raised wheat and other crops. They had several hired hands and when it was time to bring in the crops they hired Indians from the nearby reservation. The Indians would pitch their teepees on the property and bring their wife and sons to help out.

When war broke out, both Leighton and his brother Walter wanted to join up. They knew that they both could not go, for one of them would have to stay behind and run the farm. They decided to toss a coin and the winner could choose who would stay behind. Walter won, and Leighton stayed home. I had a chance to meet Walter; he came home on leave after training and prior to being sent overseas as a bomber pilot. He was very much like his brother, tall, strong and also looked like a cowboy. It was 1942, and pilots were badly needed overseas. He had home leave for only two or three days prior to reporting back for assignment.

Mrs. Buckwell had prepared a special dinner the night before he was to leave. Everyone was there and many stories were told about Walter growing up, good natured jokes, and more. No one mentioned the war, but I'm sure everyone was worried about where Walter was heading and wondering what the chances were that he would return. The Battle of Britain was on every radio, and it didn't sound good.