Occurrences to Alter Routine On February 11, 1945 as 245 additional POWs arrived by train, guard was increased; one prisoner had attempted an escape enroute to Wainwright. Treatment of this particular prisoner generated much correspondence between the prisoners' spokesman, the Swiss consul and the Director of Internment Camps in Canada. The officer in question had previously attempted escape and it was felt he should be handcuffed to lessen chances of this occurrence being repeated. He also had to serve a detention upon arrival at Wainwright, as a disciplinary action ordered by the Camp Commandant. Other than some minor technicalities, the action did not contravene the laws of the Geneva Convention and the matter was eventually dropped. Another escape endeavor involving Lt. E. Meuche and Lt. K. Conrad resulted in success the following month. The enterprising escapees had enlisted a tailor from their ranks to design uniforms (coveralls) from mattress covers for the occasion. Dressed in these, and toting wire spools, they casually left the enclosure while sentires watching from the towers assumed they were army engineers of the fencing crew. When a count was called by Commandant Lt. Col. Bradshaw, the prisoners were uncooperative, delaying the procedure by an entire day. When finally they agreed to a count, it was discovered which men were absent and the inevitable paperwork began. About a month later the two were apprehended in Gary, Indiana and were sent to Gravenhurst rather than being returned to Wainwright. A surprise search of POW quarters on April 27, 1945 disclosed an eight foot deep shaft entering an incomplete twenty foot tunnel below Hut #18. POW spokesman requested removal of one prisoner who felt his life was in danger. The Commandant complied, having the German officer escorted to an alternate camp. It is noted that bombs from previous training exercises were found by prisoners on parole walks. May 8, 1945: Camp was notified the war was officially over in Europe following Hitler’s suicide the week prior. At 1000 hours on this day, the Adjutant, Commandant, Intelligence Officer, Interpreter Officer and Quarter Master entered the enclosure. A proclamation was read to the prisoners, first in English, then interpreted to German. The news was received quietly by the internees, who knew it would be yet a long wait before returning to their homeland. To celebrate the war’s end, a Civilian Parade was held in the Town of Wainwright. The pipe band of No. 30 Coy. VGC led the parade with pride. Later on that month, the VGC celebrated their fifth anniversary. Empire Day resulted in a spledid event arranged by Camp and Town officials, the Master of Ceremonies being Lt. J. M. Burden. A morning parade led again by the pipe band, made its way from the train station down Main Street to the post office, where Lt. Col. Bradshaw took the Salute. The afternoon was reserved for a community picnic with baseball, contests, and refreshments. Soft drinks, hot dogs and ice cream were free to all children. Prizes were handed out to winners of events prior to the picture show in the evening. This event proved the commitment of camp and community to become partners in unison. Two young soldiers A.W.O.L. New Years Eve, were brought back to camp under escort January 8 and awarded fouteen days detention. Lt. Col. Bradshaw died February 18, 1946 after a long illness. Capt. Peter reid escorted the body to Winnipeg and represented Camp at the funeral. A shooting occurred in Guard Unit lines on April 27, 1946 resulting in the death of Pte. Long, No. 27 Coy. VGC. Details were not supplied in War Diary records. May 25, 1946 was declared a holdiday in camp, due to the busy day before when the last of the POWs left Wainwright.