Pop’s Column was a unique and informative piece in the Fraser Valley Record. This column became a staple piece in Mission to keep up to date with what was happening on the frontlines of the war. Not only was Pop a local historian he was also keeping the community of Mission in the loop with current events that unwittingly became local history. The first “Pop’s Column” was published on October 12, 1944. This first article set the template for the rest of his columns. The beginning of every article typically starts with a debrief of the past week. For example, here is the beginning of his column from October 26, 1944, “As the weeks go by we meet some of our friends who are on short leave to visit their people and pals around the old town. A large number of strangers are seen, and often British RAF boys are taking in the show and sights of Mission but for all that I often see and hear of our own boys and girls, so let’s have a look at some of them.” With this standard format, Pop would then begin to recount the information he would gain from letters, loved ones, and neighbours. A majority of the content in these columns served as an update on certain individuals.
Grinsted took pride in each person he wrote about and typically ended each review on individuals with a remark like, “Hats off” or “Best of luck”. The intent behind including personal letters in his column was to “make the column a little interesting”. Grinsted eagerly tried to obtain notes and letters firsthand as he believed the messages among them would inspire the people of Mission. Through his column, the community learned about life at war, promotions, injuries and so much more. The column also posed as a means to communicate with loved ones. For instance, Dave Woods “after being shown this column sent all the best to the boys and girls he knew”. As the column became more popular it also became longer which was due to the amount of information he was receiving whether it be from readers or soldiers overseas.
Pop’s Column was a piece of the Home War effort that brought the community together. In a tribute written about Pop in the Mission High School Annual, he was credited with the compilation of “these so-called “small” items of interest, bound together, constituted one of our most powerful weapons, a high morale.” It was also stated that “in the hearts of local men and women who entered World War II so Mission could stay on the map, there is a definite soft spot for one of her old-timers, “Pop Grinsted” ”. Moreover, Grinsted had a significant impact on the community of Mission whether it be in his work or through his column.