ELIZABETH (LIZZIE) WILLIAMS 1890-1971:

APPLE PIES AND THE MILITARY MEN

By Kathy Thomas

In 1908 the women of Queenston organized a branch of the Women's Institute. During the First World War the women spent long hours making supplies for soldiers. In 1915, it is recorded that the women made 252 flannel shirts, 42 hospital shirts, 109 pairs of socks, 42 scarves, bandages, and so on.

Queenston Heights Park was no longer designated a military reserve when Williams arrived in Canada in 1902. However training exercises in support of the main effort at Camp Niagara were practiced on the Niagara escarpment. This was Williams backyard. She lived and worked for Larkin Farms, one of 3 along the Niagara River. The farm in Queenston was located south of the park and was commonly referred to as the ‘mountain farm’. The families living on the farm gave witness to the practice of marching soldiers and artillery exercises. Perhaps it was this that inspired Williams, like many women on the home front, to contribute to the war effort.

Williams emigrated to Canada as a British Home Child and was immediately indentured as a domestic on a farm. Here she met and married Frank Digweed, another British Home Child. Queenston is where they seeded the roots of family and service. While raising a family she dedicated many hours to her community as a member of the Queenston Women's Institute, the Queenston United Church Women and volunteering at Laura Secord Memorial School.

Meanwhile, World War II also brought military men to Queenston, not for training but as tourists. These men, from all over the Empire, were offered the opportunity to visit Niagara Falls with a stop at Queenston Heights Park before being shipped overseas. On Sundays Williams and her husband opened their home to the visiting servicemen. Over the years thousands of army, navy and airmen were entertained at the farm. With the help of her five children Williams served tea and coffee and baked a countless total of apple pies.

This good deed did not go unnoticed. On July 1st 1946 Williams name, Elizabeth (Mrs.Digweed) appeared in the London Gazette. She was included in the Dominion Day honours list, being awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (M.B.E.) medal for her service to the air force personnel at Queenston Heights. This illustrious medal is awarded primarily to civilians for gallantry. This honour sums up the virtue of her life here in Queenston, a life of selfless service.

Elizabeth and Frank never owned a home. However, they lived in 3 distinctive Queenston dwellings. On the Larkin Farm they lived in the big house as Digweed was the manager. At one time the property was owned by Dr. Joseph Hamilton who planted the famous apple orchard. When the farm was sold to Ontario Hydro they moved into the gatekeeper’s lodge in Queenston Heights park. Here Williams was busy with her seven grandchildren who lived in Queenston. Later they moved into the Mackenzie Printery house museum as caretakers, living upstairs while operating the museum.

Elizabeth Williams’ legacy of community service is instilled in the lives of her descendants. They all continue to serve their communities in many ways.

Elizabeth Digweed: Member of the Order of the British Empire (M.B.E.)

medal for her service to the air force personnel at Queenston Heights.