Gulliver’s has discovered a new local book that we believe has enormous potential for  Canadian-wide interest: Somewhere in France: Love Letters from the Trenches by  Kevin Reeves.  A romantic and intimate tale of a Canadian soldier from Winnipeg fighting in France during the First World War, and a young northern Ontario girl, the story is told through their letters to each other.  Richly illustrated with contemporary photos of northern Ontario, many never before published, the book will intrigue students of history as well as readers who enjoy a good story well told.  After the war, the soldier, awarded a Military Medal, returns, convinces the girl to marry him, and spends the rest of his life in the area, contributing actively to the life and development of the community.
    Dave Reeves, MM, originally from Winnipeg, was instrumental in the formation of the local Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 23 in North Bay.  His wife, Laura Dreany, came from one of the original families in the area, who held the contract for clearing trees and building the roads that opened the area for settlement.  Kevin Reeves, thier grandson, grew up in North Bay unaware of how much of the family photographs, videos and written documents would be of interest to so many people outside of the family.
    Moving beyond the personal to a wider context, the book includes photos of the building of the Vimy monument, and the ceremony of its dedication.  The flavour of the time is also enhanced by information on contemporary film and music.  The reader will  experience World War I and its aftermath through the eyes of a young participant deeply involved in the action.