February 1, 1924 - September 10, 1945
Olive Lillian Litt was born in Brant Township, Ontario, on February 1, 1924. She was the daughter of Gordon and Nellie Litt, of Formosa, Ontario. She was the fifth in a farming family of eight children, including Harold, Simon, Norman, Borden, Dorothy, Reta and Eleanor. The family was Lutheran. One brother, Borden, was in Service overseas in Holland.
She stood 5' 4 1/2" tall, weighed 160 pounds, had a fair complexion, grey/blue eyes and auburn hair, plus a partial upper denture. She had a Grade 8 education, but left school to go to work. She was a maid at the General Isolation Hospital in Kingston, Ontario.
Olive enlisted in Kingston on June 28, 1944.
On her PERSONNEL SELECTION RECORD: "Completed Grade 8 at the age of 14 in Ontario Town Schools. Her progress seems to have been fairly good. She says she would have liked to continue but had to go to work. 27 months as ward maid in Kingston Isolation Hospital; 8 months shift work in 2 different war factories; balance of time she was helping at home. PERSONAL HISTORY AND APPRAISAL: She is a strong looking young woman. She looks as though she is accustomed to hard work. She looks to be quite athletic and says she enjoys all sports. Has been a member of a baseball team. Her reading consists mostly of detective stories. She enjoys dancing and shows and goes out mostly with girls. Litt hopes for placement as a hospital orderly. Her test indicates low average ability and she has had over two years experience in the Kingston Isolation Hospital as a ward maid. She has a willing attitude towards hospital work and seems well suited for this placement." Lt. A. M. McKenna
Postings:
On August 18, 1944: "Completing Basic Training No. 3 CWAC Kitchener, 25 August 1944 Girl's Army Adjustment has been good. She has worked well and is smart on parade. In manner, she is pleasant and polite and seems steady. She would like to be an RP or an Instructor. She may be considered for this, however, her experience and interest in hospital work suggests placement as a hospital assistant." Lt. Doreen R. Wilcox
On September 7, 1944, Kingston: "Completed Basic Training and posted to No. 103 Dept Coy, August 30, 1944 for allocation. At this time, is most enthusiastic about Army life and states, 'Everyone has treated me wonderfully.' Has given up the idea of being an RP and feels she will be happiest as Hospital Orderly." Capt. Betty L. Lough, Army Examiner
Olive Litt was admitted to hospital in February 1945. "At present, I am troubled with a severe hacking cough. In the evening, I feel feverish [for a month] and have lost 10 pounds in the past two months." It was noted one of her aunts died of tuberculosis and that her coughing at night would keep other girls awake. She had had severe, sharp pain in her left side for 5-8 weeks.
She was diagnosed with advanced pulmonary tuberculosis by Capt H. Wallis.
On February 26, 1945: "This is a well built young woman with red hair, fair complexion and blue eyes. She has been in the CWAC for approximately 8 months and is now being discharged because she can no longer meet the medical requirements. She is extremely reluctant to leave the Army because she states she has been very happy. During her period of service, she was employed as Ward Aid in Rideau Military Hospital. She carried out her duties efficiently and has a clear conduct record. Her illness has necessitated her being confined to hospital for some time. She meets this prospect with admirable philosophy and hopes to utilize her time by continuing her education through correspondence. She appears highly deserving of every assistance that can be rendered her in this matter. She has average ability, good personality and although she could not undertake advanced academic studies, she is capable of high school commercial or a vocational course. At present, because of the uncertainty of her length of confinement, she feels unable to make any definite plans about her future employment. It will be necessary to appraise her physical condition on discharge from hospital before determining her type of work. She is a reliable girl and could be depended upon in the job to which she is finally allocated. She hopes to recover sufficiently to re-enlist. She would be quite suitable, providing she could meet the medical requirements." Lt. Ada C. Smith, Army Examiner
On September 10, 1945, Private Olive Lillian Litt died at the Queen Alexandra Sanatorium, London, Ontario of pulmonary tuberculosis.
She is buried in Walkerton, Ontario in their cemetery.
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