George Thomas was born on December 24, 1888 in Birmingham, England. George married Beatrice Maud Taylor (1890-1970) on May 12, 1913 in Birmingham, England. The left for Canada a week later and settled in Neepawa where George's sister Alice already lived. In 1917, George started with the Canadian National Railway (CNR) as a Locomotive Foremans Clerk. George retired from the CNR in 1954, and promptly began a successful greenhouse. In his early days in Neepawa, George was Captain of the Neepawa Soccer Team, President of the CNR Recreation Association and also played cricket. He won numerous awards for his flowers in Neepawa, Brandon and Minnedosa, and was a life member of the Neepawa Horticultural Society, which he joined in 1916. He served on the Neepawa Parks Board for eighteen years and was made an Honorary Citizen of the Town of Neepawa in 1973. George and Beatrice had five children: Beatrice, Stanley, Jack, Mary and Roy. George Thomas died in 1985 in Neepawa, MB. He is buried at Neepawa Riverside Cemetery.
Custodial History
As part of the Westman Oral History Collection, this collection was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. The original tapes from the Westman Oral History project were deposited in the Brandon Public Library. Copies of these originals were made by Margaret Pollex of the Brandon University Language Lab at the request of Eileen McFadden, University Archivist in the early 1990s. These copies compose the collection held in the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Item is an audiocassette tape containing an interview with George Thomas about his life, especially his work with the railroad and in horticulture. Interviewer is Winnie Cheetham.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the Neepawa local history "Heritage," Ancestry.ca and the Billion Graves website. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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File consists of correspondence, newsclippings, copy of a speech by Chief Dan George entitled "Brotherhood and Understanding," 1973 Brandon University special convocation program, biographical information on Chief Dan George and a copy of a citation respecting Chief Dan George.
Storage Location
RG 6 Brandon University fonds
Series 2: Board of Governors
2.4 Correspondence and subject files
Box 7
Gordon Sterling Jory was born July 3, 1907 in Brandon, MB to Isaac and Mabel Jory. Educated in the city's public schools, Jory worked as a bookkeeper for MacArthur's and then for the Federal Government as an auditor for the Unemployment Insurance Commission. He retired in 1968. Among his interests were the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Lodge #19, for which he served as Grand Master in 1944. Jory also held membership in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, and the Rose Croix of that organization. He also enjoyed lawn bowling at Stanely Park and coffee with friends. Gordon Sterling Jory died on May 2, 1990 in Brandon, MB. He is buried in Brandon Municipal Cemetery.
Custodial History
In 1968 Gordon Jory contacted Eileen McFadden, Director of the Brandon University Library, with a proposal to donate his collection of Manitoba postal covers to Brandon University. He wanted a permanent home for what he knew was a valuable historical record. His collection was donated to Brandon University that same year. The volumes were stored on the Mezzanine floor of the McKenzie Building by the Library, and responsibility for the collection was transferred to the McKee Archives when it took over that floor in 1997.
Scope and Content
Throughout his adult life, Jory was an avid collector of stamps and in particular of postal covers. In the course of his collecting, he assembled a historic collection of Manitoba postal covers. Collection consists of four albums of postage covers collected and compiled by Gordon Sterling Jory. Volume 1 includes squared circle postal stamps for Winnipeg for the years 1892-1898. Volume two includes squared circle postal stamps for Manitoba towns other than Winnipeg for the years 1893-1904. Volume three contains general postal covers for Manitoba for the period 1879-1906. Volume four includes general postal covers for Manitoba from the years 1893-1910. Specialists will also recognize many interesting railway post office (RPO), broken circle, and other postmarks of the period.
Notes
History/Bio information from Jory obituary (Brandon Sun May 9, 1990). Description by Christy Henry and Tom Mitchell.
Gordon Irwin (1878 - 1968) was a long-time barber in Brandon, Manitoba. Irwin was born in Allenbank, Ontario. He married Elizabeth Jane Rollings (b. 04 Dec 1880, Napanee, ON; d. 24 Jul 1976, Brandon, MB) in Malton, Ontario, on January 11, 1905, and the couple moved to Brandon shortly thereafter. According to Henderson's Brandon City Directories, Gordon Irwin worked as a barber, for more than 49 years, in various establishments throughout the city. Notable shops include: the Imperial Hotel (1906), the CPR Barbers (1913-1923), Heise's (1929-1935), Kidds (1930-1941), and Robert Fowles (1949-1955). The Irwins celebrated their diamond anniversary in 1965, which was photographed and profiled in the Brandon Sun (14 Jan 1965, 8). According to his Brandon Sun obituary (19 April 1968, 12), Gordon Irwin passed away in Brandon on April 17, 1968, and was interned in the Rosewood Cemetery.
The decorative ceiling and border are consistent with another photograph of a tobacconist's shop in the McGuinness collection (see 20-2009.1). According to Henderson's 1909 Brandon City Directory, Gordon Irwin - a barber - and tobacconist J.S. Rosby shared at storefront at 919 Rosser Avenue. This address is situated on the north side of Rosser Avenue, adjacent to a laneway. It is possible that the back of the shop overlooks the Grand Union Hotel on the corner of Pacific Avenue and 10th Street.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the interior of a barber shop. Three barbers are posing by their chairs and two customers are receiving a shave. The barber in the centre has been identified as Gordon Irwin. A display for Rudolf's Patent Pipes is in the foreground. An ornate tin ceiling and elaborate border are visible in the photograph. Framed pictures hang above the mirror, including an advertisement for undertakers Vincent & Macpherson (1901-1906).
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph reads: Dave Dick says centre barber is Gordon IRWIN, location may have been about 813 Rosser. May have been Kidd's Barber Shop. Harold Tackaberry confirms IRWIN. McGUINNESS.
William George Flay was born on March 7, 1909 in Bampton, Devonshire, England. He came to Canada with his mother and sister in 1916 to join his father, who had immigrated three years earlier. After living and farming in serveral southern Manitoba communities, George joined the army in 1941, and saw service in England and the continent with the 12th Manitoba Dragoons. He returned to Canada in 1946. George was employed with the Brandon Mental Health Centre (BMHC) for five years, then worked as secretary-manager of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch No. 3, where he served until his retirement in 1974. He worked closely with the Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) to promote veterans' rights. The Legion honored him with the Meritorious Service Medal and life membership for his work. George was also involved with many community services, including serving on the board of the Children's Aid Society for over thirty years. One of his greatest pleasures for over twenty-five years was the Majorette Coprs he founded, which provided entertainment at many functions and parades in surrounding areas. George married Mary Olive Gwyer in 1939 and together they had five children: Robert Bruce, Charles, Morgan, Eva and Lois. George married his second wife Jeanne Greenlaw (1918-2013) in 1962, and together they created J&G Ranch, where they gardened, appreciated nature and did a lot of entertaining. George Flay died on November 13, 1991 in Brandon, MB. He is buried at Brandon Municipal Cemetery.
Custodial History
As part of the Westman Oral History Collection, this collection was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. The original tapes from the Westman Oral History project were deposited in the Brandon Public Library. Copies of these originals were made by Margaret Pollex of the Brandon University Language Lab at the request of Eileen McFadden, University Archivist in the early 1990s. These copies compose the collection held in the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Item is an audiocassette tape containing an interview with George Flay about the history of the Royal Canadian Legion in Brandon, MB. The interviewer is Jeanne Flay.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and obituaries for George Flay and Morgan Flay. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
Audio Tracks
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George White's No. 2 plant was located in Brandon, north of the CPR tracks about 15th Street. These steam engines were assembled here, but the actual extent of manufacture is not known. LAS.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
George White steam traction engine
Notes
Photo taken in Killarney, Manitoba
Sign on smoke box door (front end) reads: George White & Sons; London and Brandon; First Quality Line
