Ballads, Bombshells, and Brotherhood: The Men Behind the Tin Hats Concert Party is a sequel to A Different Type of Bombshell: The Tin Hats Journey through World War II.
The Tin Hats was a Canadian Military Entertainment Unit whose contribution to the war effort in the Second World War was largely forgotten. The family members of these balladeers and musicians, myself included, all share a feeling of regret that they had heard so little firsthand about these men and their impact on so many others. There is a collective feeling of urgency to tell their stories before they are lost to history. So, who were these men?
The Tin Hats were not only brothers in arms, they were also connected to the who’s who of the burgeoning Canadian entertainment community, before, during, and after World War Two. At the same time, they were the unsung heroes who quietly did what they loved to do yet braved bombshells to support the wellbeing of their fellow military personnel.
The members of The Tin Hats were family men, soldiers, and multi-talented entertainers, all of whom experienced the Second World War in different ways. This book tells their stories through the author’s research and reflection, the voices of the members of The Tin Hats, the reflections of extended family members, and the voices of the broadcasters and journalists of the day.
The book included photos, and some personal letters to family. It covered their family history, time as a soldier, and a brief outline of the end of tour. It was written in a way that made the reader feel they knew each one of the lads personally.
Sheila Stan
The book is available on Amazon.ca
