“It’s uncanny. It’s too much of a coincidence to be a coincidence”.
That is what a Weyburn woman is saying after a bizarre set of circumstances led to her being reunited with some letters written by her father during the Second World War and other artifacts.
Connie Regier is a local poet who spends some time at the Weyburn library. Earlier this month, the city’s mayor, Marcel Roy, paid a visit and Regier took time out to read him a poem she had written called “The War”. That poem was about her and how much she had missed her father who was overseas fighting.
Roy was so touched by the writing that he went to the city’s branch of the Royal Canadian Legion asking if there was a way to get Regier involved in Remembrance Day ceremonies by reading the poem.
A call to Regier was placed and the wheels were set into motion to have her recite the poem today.
It is now where the story takes a bizarre turn.
Connie Nightingale with the Royal Canadian Legion says just days before Roy’s visit a young man came into the Legion with a discovery.
“This young man is renovating his home and behind as in inside of a wall inside a space inside his home, he found some papers –they were drawings, handwritten notes and letters. “ Nightingale said. “We think they were playing mailman and they found a hole in the wall which they used as their mailbox which ended up being a time capsule created by childhood innocence. There were also three letters sent home from a soldier in World War 2 with the envelope stamped “South Saskatchewan Regiment”. They were signed by Syd Wilson.”
Nightingale said she would seal up what had been donated and do something with them after Remembrance Day.
Upon meeting Regier, the two started conversing when it was revealed Regier’s father was named Corporal Sydney John Wilson.
The two were in a state of disbelief as they put two and two together.
“It’s overwhelming!” Nightingale said. “The events that had to line up for this to happen right from the original writing of the letter to the curiosity of the children who created a hole in the wall to create a time capsule to the discovery and the willingness to surrender these treasures to the Legion, a mayor who had time to come here to make a request and for this meeting to take place is overwhelming.
For Regier, the discovery literally left her speechless.
“I’m still in shock.” Regier said. “The fact the Mayor would be interested in this and start the ball rolling on what happened especially at this time of the year makes me feel as if somehow my father is trying to speak to me by having all this happen.
Regier says the home was one built for veterans when they returned. While she was probably part of the pictures that were put inside the wall, she doesn’t remember it at all. As for the letters, she never knew they existed.
As she reads the letter, Regier is close to tears as she recalls the emotions she was feeling.
“It was very emotional. I couldn’t read them for a while, but I knew it was my responsibility to read them and what was said.” Regier said. “It took me a while to absorb it and see the relationship he had with my mother and how he was as a young man. It takes me back and makes me feel as if he is right beside me.”
As for what happens to the treasure that was found, Regier says it is staying at the Legion right now with discussions to be had as to what will happen.
She is also very thankful to the man who discovered this for doing the right thing and bringing everything to the Legion.
“It is amazing to me that he didn’t just toss them out.” Regier said. “How did he know he had found something of value and have the integrity to take it to the right place. It’s uncanny as to how this all came together.”