140 comments

    • Thanks for the note! Since posting that picture it has been viewed more than any other post. I would like to write an article about Weredale House – please email me if you would like your recollections to be included.

      Michael

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      • Hey Ron, I lived in weredale during that period also. Your name rings a bell. Do you remember the big black councler nicknamed SNOWBALL?. A mean son of a bitch, my first day there I watched him and another guy beat the crap out a kid in the stairwell. Andy MacLean

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      • I was 8 or 9 when I was there with my brother John Mclean it was just abuse after abuse for us Brugman was really a bad person and a lot of other people two. Lots of the older kids to were bad and did bad things can’t remember all the names of them but was not nice

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      • Bruce, I remember you and your brother John Maclean. I arrived there when I was 12 in 1959. I was put into Junior North dormitory and my bed was right next to John’s. Brugman was a real bastard; he strapped me once and hit me a few times. I remember the two brothers (Richard and Michael Truman) ran the canteen and were senior counselors at the Camp. They enjoyed hitting us across the head. I talked with Victor Malarek in 2003 on the phone while he was working at the Globe and Mail. He told me that Brugman died in ’84. Maybe he’s down in Hell smiling up at us. I am 73 years now. God bless all you Old Boys who had the misfortune of living in Weredale.

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      • Hello Michael. Did you ever write that article on Weredale House that you mentioned? If so, can you provide a link to it?

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      • I was in weardale in 1962 i was in junior west dorm. I remeber that s.o.b. Brugman he whiped me with the strap in the infirmary kneeling on thr step of the barber chair…i am now 70 and i will never forget the shit that went on in that place! I became a very vengeful person that led me to many years in the Penitentuary…

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      • Not sure if you know there is an action in process on behave of those that experienced so many terrible instances whilst in Weredale.
        Take a look on facebook for Leith Hamilton a survivor that has spent most of his life fighting for those that experienced abuses.
        If you can’t find a link to Leith let me know I will get the information for you.

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      • Hello; There have been multiple comments here about someone named Brugger. My dad was born in 1929 and was at Weredale in the mid to late 30’s. He mentioned this man frequently. The best memories he had from Weredale were from the summer camp. Otherwise, it was a fairly unhealthy experience. I would love to hear from others who were there during this time or who have fathers, etc., who were.

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      • I have just discovered my dear brother was at Weredale House . I recently saw a documentary on Weredale Home and found it very disturbing. Perhaps you do not have any information of boys staying there prior to 1971 however, I would like to know how to find out any information on my brother Mark that would have been there during that approximate time.

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      • Hi, was there from 1966 age 9 to 1976. If I knew Mark’s last name, I could tell you if I remember him. They’s is also a Facebook group page where former Weredale Old Boys that are wanting to re-connect with each other. There’s also is a website concerning a current Authorized Class-action lawsuit for People abused in Quebec Youth Protection Centres and people that were at Weredale House are included. For more information about that you can email: info@weredale.org. Hope I’ve been of help to you.

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    • Yep. I sure do know Snowball. And Lester the Molester the old man janitor.
      Who are guys to remember ? Kurt Douglas, jimmy Dumakis, Howard White , the Dillion brothers. ???

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      • My room was next door to the ellis twins and I roomed with a guy named krakow or something like that, he was related to the ellis twins. I ran away from there just after the twins brother gogo was shot and killed down in the point

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      • i too knew lester all to well,i have put it in the past ,i was residen in 1962 for 5 or 6 years and was one if not the youngest boys there,george knapp andmy brother also served time during the days of mr.brugman and mr.macadum,george carpenter,mr budolph!would like to hear from any one who remebers,george knapp!thks!

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  4. I Also Lived There In 50s.Does any body Remember A Big German Guy Named Brugman Who was the Superintendent> WhatA Bad Ass He Was.Very Crule Guy. Have Lots Of Bad Memories Of That Place.

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    • I Also Lived There In 50s.Does any body Remember A Big German Guy Named Brugman Who was the Superintendent> WhatA Bad Ass He Was.Very Crule Guy. Have Lots Of Bad Memories Of That Place.

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      • Hi Norman
        David Foster here, I was there from 1948 to 1953! You are so right about Brugman, he was NASTY.
        I have a question…There was a Group Photo taken of all the kids in the gym sometime in 1951 or 52. Would you or anybody you know of that might
        have one? if so, I’m looking for a copy for my family history Genealogy Tree. Can anyone help? Thanks

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      • Brugman was still there in 1963 when I lived there for a year. He didnt care for me, said i was a mommas boy, and did everything to make my stay miserable.

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      • My father Keith Nickson I think would have been there in the 50’s at some point as well. I am just reading a short summary of his childhood and this includes his time at Weredale House. One of his stories of Mr. Brugman who he said was a “real mean piece of work” and how one night a bunch of boys refused the eat the awful food and they threw it on the floor. This led to a beating by Mr. Brugman out near the exit which is where my father said he went rather than the office. Sounds like a terrible place!

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      • Brugman was there a long time. I was strapped in the barber chair so many times. My ass would always bleed. 64-68

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      • Wondering if anyone would remember Brian Stuart William Gee? Not sure how long he was in Weredale but he left in 1966 at the age of 16 and went into the military.

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    • …George Brugman, big bellied bully. Also George & Ernie Carpenter, the main supervisors of all the boys. Also the maintenance old fart that lived in the basement good & bad times…some of the best were going to Westmount High and up at Camp Weredale, except when the dining room burned down…!!! …Was there from Sept. ’64 to Sept ’67… …Also, Brugman gave me the ‘strap’ 2 times (bare-ass, of course, another oddball) & I had to scrub the long central stairwell with a toothbrush …same stairwell where we were made to sit under the ‘clock’ for hours as punishment… memories…!!!

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    • i remeber mr brugman 1961,he slapped me so hard in the mess hall in front of everyone ,almost knocked me off my feet and boy he coul strap me hard,marks on bare ass lasted fo 2 weeks !

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  8. Hi out there. My name is David Foster, I was, along with my two brothers, Brian and Stephen were residents at Weredale House from June 1948 to May 1953.
    There was a group photo taken in the GYM some time in 1951/52 Would anybody from that time have this group photo and if so, would it be possible to get a copy from you via E-Mail? I would be most appreciative as I have recently lost the one I had,
    regards
    David Foster

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  10. i was there in 59 to 65 george brugman, mrs.craig nurse Dewar, Mr Leach, yes they were not the best group to be around

    and last but not least Mr McCadam his name was first on the list followed by Mrs.Craig..

    and then there were the bad guys . paul kababba,{A miq,mak} they wanted to do things to you because you were 10 and eleven years old, george carpenter, and lester the cleanup molester not the nicest of people at that time. Does anybody remember being sent to the DR.Uwin Institute for checking your head and being fed LSD that institute did a lot of research

    at our expense the boys of Weredale!!! not great memories. I was called {conman}

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      • only me george we were at camp together remember peter bergron danny wilson black kid red head ian the british crybaby and me michael bryntwick tc george life is stranger then fiction old buddy i remember you as froggy with the glasses like it was yesterday

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      • George many people care for every person that for whatever reason resided at weredale house. The many residents deserve to have their individual stories told. Many residents would like I am sure to be able to connect with other residents.

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      • George,Derrick Laurie how are you ,I believe you were friends of my brother Ken,I remember playing leaners a card game we would play for our 50 cents allowance, you were a good funny guy

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  11. I almost forgot to mention standing under the clock facing the canteen {a punishment}
    and just beside the office was the big chair in the dental room they did not call it that

    but george Brugman all 6’5” of him gave me the strap nurse Dewar pulled my jeans down and on my bare bottom
    he walloped me 6 times with that red pice of leather 18″ long 3″ wide….can not forget !!!!!

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  12. My husband was there in the 60’s…. Gordon Knapp. He had a brother, George Knapp, who was also there. They both have horrific memories on this place. We are looking for another brother, Glen Knapp, if anyone knew him.

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    • My name is George Gagnon I was there in the 60s there was a picture of me at camp i have some story’s to tell. I was there for 7 tears or more gagnon 55.@aol.com does anyone care what happen to us back then?

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    • Gordon Knapp was a friend of mine before weredale I believe we were both at Allancroft 1966or65,always wondered how Gordon turned out ,he liked to keep his hair neat ,good fella

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    • I’ve looked for Glen a few times over the years. Good friend. Shared an apartment after Weredale. Nice to see his at least. Anyone else on here know anything about Glen?

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      • Hi
        I’ve looked for Glenn Knapp quite a few times over the years. Please get in touch if you do find him. This has to be awfull for you, I’m sorry.
        We were good friends in the early ’70s, shared an apartment on the last of it actually.
        You can get in touch on the Weredale Old Boys FB page or on my own FB
        Thank you, good luck & stay well.
        Rob

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    • Wondering if your husband knew Brian Gee . He was there until 1966. He may have had a couple of brothers there as well.

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    • My Name is Steve Russell. Lived In Werdale from 72 to 74. I knew Glenn really well & went with him to Barbados in the West Indes for a month & was his best man at his wedding in Montreal East To Susan Buchnann in 1980. He moved to Toronto in 83, had 2 kids & lived in Mississauaga. Sorry to say he had a Drinking problem But was a really nice guy. Came up to my place in Central Ontario to get away from the city & to chill out. Had it all but took the wrong turn. Have not seen him in over 20 years. For many years he was part of a treesome- Steve Rob Eshelby & Glenn. Did the 70’s 80’s & 90’s & could we party. If he ever reads this ask him about the garage bar in Bridgetown, Paintball & Cresent Street in Montreal. For ever young Steve
      stephen.russell3@sympatico.ca

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  13. Lindsay mcallan lived there 73-77 whentimes where good they were good .in my case whey they were bad they were bad.lol

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      • I was in weredale from 68 to 76.there was no females there,I feel bad about the guys that got abuse.i did not get any abuse fom any staff.i remember Allan Cobb. Roger fortin .Delano georgdeni were good guys.

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      • I was roomies with Lindsey. I think we were on 3rd west or center,I don’t recall for sure it was long ago.
        At one point Mario Canalis (?) was “floor warden”, nicest staff member I ever met there.
        I don’t talk about what I saw there, no one ever believes it.I know my family made it out as year long summer camp. Camp was fun actually for me, Weredale house not so much.

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  15. I was there from 1951-1953. came from NS and went to Westmount Junior and senior high school. Don’t remember the sad tales about Brugmann the many of the commentators have said here. I took care of the canteen at one point and was a junior councillor at camp. one of the very senior guys was Mike Cripton who was studying dentistry at McGill. He eventually went to NB and became quite successful. So all the stories are not bad. I went off to NB when I left there (adopted) and eventually graduated in Engineering. Learned a lot about growing up at Weredale. If you were tough you survived.

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  16. My father and his two brothers were at Weredale in the 1930s. His elder brother lied about his age and went to war, and my father ran away and hitch hiked to Toronto, where he met my mother and settled down. I would like to connect with people who know boys who were there in the 1930s and 1940s or were actually there themselves. I have attempted on several occasions to get medical records from Weredale (via Batshaw now), but have been told that they no longer exist, which I do not believe.

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    • You might ask permission to visit the old pool area which I’m told that is where the archives is located and a lot of the files are located on

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      • Thank you so much for replying. You mean in the actual building? The next time I’m in Montreal I will do this. I have a document signed by my father asking for for the release of his records. I sent this to Batshaw and they told me the records were destroyed, which I do not believe.

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  17. I was there in 56 to 60 since i was a working boy i didn t exp;erience all the bad things, i pretty much had freedom to do as i wished leaves on the weekend from chief etc. i remember joe leach lester taylor but had no issues, mary craig miss dewar and geo brugman didn t much get involved with the working guys. i remember old knobby and his pipe who made the beds. so i don t have horror stories like some others.

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  18. I did not live at Weredale but went to Westmount Park School and Westmount High School from 66 – 77. I went to school with alot of Weredale boys and often wonder what happened to them, Peter Twerdowsky ( I think he passed away), John Tite, Larry Dillon, the Ellis Twins, I also went to school with Garth Cote whose dad worked at Weredale.

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  20. I was at weredale house briefly in around 1965 when I was eleven. Experienced some very bad staff right from day one. Ran away a number of times eventually driven north of Mtl. To Shawbridge boys farm by Brugman himself. Did’nt realize at the time but this move saved me from the predatory staff at Weredale. Today I am 67 years old and think often of those days and my lost childhood. Alas life is good.

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    • Hello…my dad was at Weredale in the late 1930s. He was abused by Brugman. He didn’t disclose this to me until a few years before he passed away. He ran away several times but was found a d brought back. He finally ran away, hitchhiked to Toronto and met my mother. I always assumed when he talked about Brugman that he was a younger man. I didn’t realize Brugman was still around In the 1960s. Thank you for posting this. I have been looking for men with the same experiences.

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  21. Me and my two brother, Brian and Randy were there 1970-1972 and what a nightmare. I was 12 when I arrived and scared out of my wits for months. I was aggressive enough to fight of the perverts, but got hammered by a few other staff members. The only time I felt at peace, was up at camp…The place swarmed with those vultures. Brugman and Cote were the top honchos and Cote was a real mean piece of work…

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    • Hello Don Phelps. I am wondering if you recall anything about a tall, very blonde kid who was there in 1970 called Walter or “Wally” (his actual name was Vladimir and was originally from Czechoslovakia before moving to Montreal). He would have been about 14 years old at the time.

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  24. I was there from Sept 1, 68 till Sept 1, 72, lots of names I remember like the Della Cortes, Strega, and on and on. I go up to camp often because I live close, memories that just made me a better person later on in life but it was a Hugh adjustment afterwards and anyone who says that they didn’t need some kind of adjustment needs their head checked.p

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  25. I definitely recognize allot of the names and associated stories,
    amazing nobody wrote a book on the life and times at Weredale house. perhaps a good title would be, ( 6 Weredale Park )

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  27. My friend and I attended Westmount High and we had some buddies from Weredale. Wondering about Ali Whelan…would have been in early 70’s. thank you

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    • Hi
      Spoke to Ali, (who now goes by the name he was givem at bieth, Barry. Pipestem) quite a while ago, had a number for him on Bathurst st, disconnected now of course but the internet shows a 2018 listing for Barry & an Ellen Pipestem. I left her a note on FB. If you have the time, you could follow up with his adoptive family in Fredricton
      http://www.inmemoriam.ca/view-announcement-236427-betty-whalen.html

      If you connect with him, have him call me pls.
      Best luck
      Rob Eshelby
      9022377053

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      • If I remember correctly he also went to a private school on Monkland close to Addington in N D G.

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  28. My ex husband worked at Weredale from 1974-1978 or maybe later. We were separated by then. I hope he was one of good guys. His name, James (jimmy) Roberts

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  30. My dad James (Jimmy) Walker lived at Weredale from about 1947 – 1955. We have a couple of pictures from there, one from Camp Weredale and one from the house.

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  32. I was there during 1961 to Nov 1963 and ended up in Weredale after getting into some trouble. The first time I met Brugman was in the meal queue and he said hello “digger” – I had no idea at the time what a digger was (an Aussie soldier), but I wonder if he was either in the army or involved with the military at some stage.

    My memories of Weredale weren’t too bad and were certainly formative and character building! I never got the strap, but being an Aussie I was of course called a limey and got into a few fights, mainly at the Camp Weredale – the routine was that one of the younger kids would continually picked on you and of course going outside to settle the matter resulted in a fight with him and about two of his mates.

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  34. I was in and out of Weredale detention center (as it was called in 1976 to 1980), it was horrible then to. A staff member named (Fortin) use to wake us girls up with the fire extinguisher. Ouch.

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  35. Teddy Dillon went to a group home several months before I left. I went to the same group home later and he was still there. James Roberts is a very decent person. Ralph or should I say (Alice Cooper) hope you Dominic ,Johnny and the rest of your family are doing good. As for Snowball he hated that name and I got keys thrown at my back many times for calling him that. I did some vollenteering years after I left and saw the old files in a room above the gym. I was tempted to take my file but didn’t. Wish I did.

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  36. Very Interesting to read all this I was there from 58 to 63 Yes mr.brugman was not an easy person As I was in line going
    to the canteen for lunch mr.Brugman would sit on a window sill .as I passed by he said, to me what did you have for dinner
    I said chicken from then on he smiled and called me chicken.that did not stop him from getting nurse mary dewar to pull down my pants and underwear he took that book belt and gave me 8 of his finest wacks. Had a fight with Phillip spooner in the basement where we shine our shoes.had a fight with freddy malerick. got into more trouble with Mr.brugman had to stand under the clock for 4 hours. I was in Junior north to start then as i got older intermediate centre and the story goes on and on
    Does anybody remember cakov he walked me in the face when we were playing baseball. how about the little guy little.
    He was molatto {the name for in between at the time”} I used to run end to end of the yard with him he would alway’s beat me just barely but he won.. they called me {conman } as I seemed to have key’s to everywhere .however that is another story

    for another day. and I can go on for now I think this is enough

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  37. does anybody remember Mr.Paul the Gym teacher when he thought you did something wrong he would place both hands on his hips and out of nowhere slap yes that was a slap to your face did not know was it a left hand or a right hand.

    Mr.macadem, Mrs.Craig, ah joe Leach!!! there were many who tipped the scales Junior north , Intermediate North They moved you around and nasty Paul Kababa, george armstrong and his ilk trying to do nasty things to us 10 and 11 years olds

    so much more to remember….. later

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    • The fake-out slap I remember came from George Carpenter he worked the gym too. Everybody has their own memories.

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  38. Hello everyone. 67-71 remember a lot of you. There is a class action on Weredale in Quebec and all the other hell holes in the system. I was also in Saint Pats. So many stories. Most people you talk to about Weredale don’t believe you! So stopped talking about it years ago.

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  39. I was in Weredale at 7 years old till about 19 years old 1950 1962 approx.
    At 16 I was sent to work after a big rumble at Camp Weredale , regardless of out involvement we were all deemed guilty
    At one level we at least had a camp to go to for two months away from the City
    If anyone knows of Mike meagan (Meaghan) I would appreciate some info His Dad worked as a porter on CPR
    If found keeping a low profile helped , stay away from WEstmount Police going to Westmount High though some tried to look after us , went to Elementary school but they kept me back a year
    Sure did stupid things on the street , but once else did we know.
    Brugman , just kept a low profile, Mr Leach was ok once you got to know him as a person working , Dolly had good stories. Nurse allowed me to hide my stew in my pockets avoiding Brugma. Mrs Craig was a good person
    Xmas was 1 shirt, pants , chocolate called on stage

    Cheers

    Rob

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  41. I recently found out my uncle was placed at Weredale. His name was Bill Phillipps, and I’m guessing he was there sometime during the late 50’s through to the mid/late 60’s. I was born in 1972 and am pretty sure he was out by then. Would anybody have any info about him during his time there? It would be greatly appreciated.

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  42. Call me Lee. I was there about 2 years and was in Junior west dorm. I left to go live with my mother but 4 or 5 years later she sent me back. I remember an older guy called Jerry Rahill who was sleeping on the east side cause he worked and was older, Mr. Brugman hated him. When I was there both times I was usually with Jimmy Prudence who was always playing with his toy soldiers on the hill in the yard. The second time I was there I mostly hung out with Ross Holloway who always carried his guitar and wanted to be a singer and musician. years later we met on on the street and he was making a living playing and singing for a living. He was part of a group but I can’t remember their name. Their big song was the eagle, the hawk, and the dove. !

    I remember Mr. McAdam, Mr. Leach, Mr. Mattfield,… and there was a guy referred to as Mr. Chief or the chief , apparently he was the boss of it all both Mr. Brugman and Mr. Leach answered to him. if there was anything good about Weredale it was movie night.

    Every time we had guests we had to sing the weredale song and Ross Halaway and I hated it ! we both would get called to go up on the stage to sing as we were the little guys and Mr. Brugman said we looked cute to the guests. I was there when Victor, Freddy and Peter Mallorek were there. I also went to camp Weredale because Peter Niven got me work in the Kitchen even tough I was very young. 

    !

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