This photo was taken of my Nana by her dad (our Great Papa Baker) in 1945 on Cedar Harbour, Lake Simcoe.
The hat she is wearing is made of parachute silk and was brought home from the war. The hat is one of the items that was contained in the safety packs found in emergency life boats. Note: my nana said the “emergency life boats” were essentially rubber dinghies that were intended for assisting soldiers whose boats capsized.
My Papa Baker brought this hat home for her after serving in WWII as an RCAF Flight Sergeant and reconnaissance photographer. He photographed everything from taking aerial snapshots of pre and post bombing missions, to daily life at war, to royalty and everything in between (including the less glamorous parts of serving his country).
When my Papa arrived home from the war, he continued his passion for photography by capturing his kids as they grew up and the countless memories he made camping and at various cottages.
Stay tuned for more snapshots into the history of lake living as captured by our Papa Baker.
Photo: taken by William Douglas Baker on 1945, Lake Simcoe