MY NEW BOOK –
A Different Type of Soldier: The Canadian Military Concert Parties 1941-1945
The Canadian Military Entertainers of World War II are my passion. My latest book – A Different Type of Soldier – chronicles the journey of The Tin Hats, The Kit Bags, The Bandoliers, The Forage Caps and The Haversacks between 1941 and 1945. Madison More has written an insightful Forward in honour of her great grandfather, Charles More, a member of The Tin Hats. There are also some references to the Canadian Army Show. This book is a gentle reminder that an effective fighting force is a diverse fighting force and that soldiers in active combat situations need to be able to experience kindness, empathy and humour. Music and live theatre can lift their morale and enable them to feel the lightness of being necessary to address the horrors of war.
At a time when many countries are reconsidering military service, this book is a reminder about what this service could mean for the enlisted men and that maintaining their morale is a sacred trust.
My father taught me that there are many ways to be a man.
Most people see the hyper-masculine infantry man charging up a hill, gun in hand.
In reality, active combat requires many types of soldiers and a complex form of masculinity that demonstrates not only grit, but also accepts diversity and vulnerability. At a time when many countries are reconsidering military service, this book is a reminder about what this service could mean for the enlisted men and that maintaining their morale is a sacred trust. The Canadian concert party members were part of this commitment to the well-being of those who served their country. I would love to hear from any of the family members of these military entertainers and.or stories from audience members of any one of these concert parties. Feel free to contact me through the form on this website.
The book is available on Amazon.ca
Ballads, Bombshells, and Brotherhood: The Men Behind the Tin Hats Concert Party (Book)
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
