Martin Wesley Johns was born to missionary parents Alfred and Myrtle Johns in Chengtu, West China on March 23, 1913. The family returned to Canada in 1925. Johns attended high schools in Tacoma, Washington; Vancouver, BC; Brandon, Manitoba; and Exeter, Ontario. He studied at Brandon College from 1928-1931 before obtaining his B.A. (1932) and M.A. (1934) from McMaster University and his Ph.D. From the University of Toronto (1938). From 1937-1946, he taught physics at Brandon College. In 1972, Brandon University awarded him an honorary Doctor of Science degree.
Johns served in the Canadian Officers Training Corps (C.O.T.C.) in 1940-1941 doing research concerned with neutron physics at Chalk River. In 1947, he joined the Physics Department at McMaster University, where he remained for the remainder of his career.
Johns married Margaret Mary Hilborn on July 15, 1939. Together they have four children: Robert, Elizabeth, Kenneth and Kathryn. Following Margaret's death c. 1979, Johns was married to Elsie North for twenty years. At the age of 90, Johns fell in love with his sweetheart Marian Thompson.
Martin Wesley Johns died on September 18, 2008 at McMaster Hospital.
Custodial History
The notebooks in accession 17-2007 were in the possession of Wesley Wong, former member of the Physics Department at Brandon College, who mailed them to Martin Johns in 2002. Wong suggested Johns donate them to the McKee Archives, which he did on January 28, 2004. The photographs in accession 8-2009 were sent to Carla Eisler, Alumni Relations Officer, Brandon University by Ken Johns (Martin Johns' son) following Martin's death. Eisler transfered them to the Archives in February 2009.
Scope and Content
Accession 17-2007 contains two lab record notebooks used by Martin Johns while he was a member of Brandon College's Department of Physics. The notebooks record class lists, grades, absences, and seating charts for courses Johns taught, as well as regulations for lab reports and major assignments.
Accession 8-2009 contains twenty-one black and white photographs dealing with Brandon College students, faculty and buildings. There a a few photographs of Brandon, as well as one of the Queen Mother from her visit to Brandon in 1939.
Notes
History/Bio information taken from the Martin W. Johns bio file in the Archives reading room.
There are some holes and torn fabric. The flag also has some small stains.
Scope and Content
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1922 as part of their commencement activities. The flag, which is made of a cotton based material, features the class colours of yellow and black, as well as the class motto "Virtus in Arduis" ("Courage in difficulties"). The flag has a pocket for hanging.
Notes
Loose translations for the class mottos were provided by Dr. Rosanne Gasse (Latin) and Dr. Steve Robinson (Greek), as well as from googling the mottos in October 2006. Description by Trinity Nylen/Jessica Old (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
Some fraying and possible mouse holes. Staining on canvas.
Scope and Content
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1923 as part of their commencement activities. The flag, which is made of wool and canvas, features the class colours of green and gold, as well as the class motto "Vincit qui patitur" ("The one who is patient wins"). The flag has a pocket for hanging.
Notes
Loose translations for the class mottos were provided by Dr. Rosanne Gasse (Latin) and Dr. Steve Robinson (Greek), as well as from googling the mottos in October 2006. Description by Trinity Nylen/Jessica Old (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1924 as part of their commencement activities. The flag, which is made of wool, features the class colours of green and white, as well as the class motto "Vincit qui patitur" ("The one who is patient wins"). The flag has no method for hanging.
Notes
Loose translations for the class mottos were provided by Dr. Rosanne Gasse (Latin) and Dr. Steve Robinson (Greek), as well as from googling the mottos in October 2006. Description by Trinity Nylen/Jessica Old (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1925 as part of their commencement activities. The flag, which is made of wool and canvas, features the class colours of burgundy and grey, as well as the class motto "Ministrare est Vincere" ("To serve is to conquer"). The flag has a pocket for hanging.
Notes
Loose translations for the class mottos were provided by Dr. Rosanne Gasse (Latin) and Dr. Steve Robinson (Greek), as well as from googling the mottos in October 2006. Description by Trinity Nylen/Jessica Old (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1926 as part of their commencement activities. The flag, which is made of wool, features the class colours of green and orange, as well as the class motto "Non nobis solum" ("Not only for us" or "Not only for ourselves"). The flag has a pocket for hanging.
Notes
Loose translations for the class mottos were provided by Dr. Rosanne Gasse (Latin) and Dr. Steve Robinson (Greek), as well as from googling the mottos in October 2006. Description by Trinity Nylen/Jessica Old (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
Discolouration/bleaching in the centre, mild tearing in the corner, missing fabric on some letters.
Scope and Content
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1927 as part of their commencement activities. The flag, which is made of wool, features the class colours of black and orange, as well as the class motto "In omnia paratus" ("Prepared for everything"). The flag has a pocket for hanging.
Notes
Loose translations for the class mottos were provided by Dr. Rosanne Gasse (Latin) and Dr. Steve Robinson (Greek), as well as from googling the mottos in October 2006. Description by Trinity Nylen/Jessica Old (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
Material is deteriorating around the edges, staining on canvas pocket, some letters are lifting, some with staining.
Scope and Content
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1928 as part of their commencement activities. The flag, which is made of canvas, velvet and an undetermined woven material, features the class colours of purple and gold, as well as the class motto "Patet Omnibus Veritas" ("The truth is open to everyone"). The flag has ties for hanging.
Notes
Loose translations for the class mottos were provided by Dr. Rosanne Gasse (Latin) and Dr. Steve Robinson (Greek), as well as from googling the mottos in October 2006. Description by Trinity Nylen/Jessica Old (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
Fraying, the letters are peeling and there is mild glue residue left over from a peeled letter.
Scope and Content
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1930 as part of their commencement activities. The flag, which is made of canvas and velvet, features the class colours of red and white, as well as the class motto "Age Quod Agis!" ("Do what you do!"). The flag has ties for hanging.
Notes
Loose translations for the class mottos were provided by Dr. Rosanne Gasse (Latin) and Dr. Steve Robinson (Greek), as well as from googling the mottos in October 2006. Description by Trinity Nylen/Jessica Old (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1931 as part of their commencement activities. The flag, which is made of felt, features the class colours of scarlet and black, as well as the class motto "Carpe Diem" ("Seize the day") below the image of a ship. The flag has ties for hanging.
Notes
Loose translations for the class mottos were provided by Dr. Rosanne Gasse (Latin) and Dr. Steve Robinson (Greek), as well as from googling the mottos in October 2006. Description by Trinity Nylen/Jessica Old (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1931 as part of their commencement activities. The flag, which is made of felt, features the class colours of scarlet and black, as well as the class motto "Carpe Diem" ("Seize the day") below the image of a ship. The flag has a pocket for hanging.
Notes
Loose translations for the class mottos were provided by Dr. Rosanne Gasse (Latin) and Dr. Steve Robinson (Greek), as well as from googling the mottos in October 2006. Description by Trinity Nylen/Jessica Old (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1933 as part of their commencement activities. The flag, which is made of felt, features the class colours of green and yellow, as well as the class motto "Per Ardua ad Astra" ("Through hardship one wins the stars"). Writing on the flag is centered around the image of a lamp or lantern referencing the College's logo. The flag has a pocket for hanging.
Notes
Loose translations for the class mottos were provided by Dr. Rosanne Gasse (Latin) and Dr. Steve Robinson (Greek), as well as from googling the mottos in October 2006. Description by Trinity Nylen/Jessica Old (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1934 as part of their commencement activities. The flag, which is made of cotton and canvas, features the class colours of cherry and grey, as well as the class motto "Ut Prosim" ("(in order) that I may do good"). The flag has a canvas edge with grommets at top and bottom for hanging.
Notes
Loose translations for the class mottos were provided by Dr. Rosanne Gasse (Latin) and Dr. Steve Robinson (Greek), as well as from googling the mottos in October 2006. Description by Dennis Hurley/Tim Shackel (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
Tearing of fabric (one attempted repair prior to donation)
Scope and Content
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1935 as part of their commencement activities. The flag, which is made of felt with canvas, features the class colours of black and gold, as well as the class motto "Una Voce" ("With one voice"). The letters "BC" are surrounded by a wreath of interlocking chain. The flag has rope ties for hanging.
Notes
Loose translations for the class mottos were provided by Dr. Rosanne Gasse (Latin) and Dr. Steve Robinson (Greek), as well as from googling the mottos in October 2006. Description by Trinity Nylen/Jessica Old (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1936 as part of their commencement activities. The flag, which is made of felt, features the class colours of blue and silver, as well as the class motto "Quand même" ("Even so" or "All the same"). The motto is placed above a shield featuring two pick axes and the letters "BC". The flag has twine ties for hanging.
Notes
Loose translations for the class mottos were provided by Dr. Rosanne Gasse (Latin) and Dr. Steve Robinson (Greek), as well as from googling the mottos in October 2006. Description by Trinity Nylen/Jessica Old (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1937 as part of their commencement activities. The flag, which is made of felt, features the class colours of red, white and blue, as well as the class motto written in Greek ("Forward"). The flag features a winged "O" emblem. The flag has rope with a wooden handle for hanging.
Notes
Loose translations for the class mottos were provided by Dr. Rosanne Gasse (Latin) and Dr. Steve Robinson (Greek), as well as from googling the mottos in October 2006. Description by Dennis Hurley/Tim Shackel (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
Upper right side has tears at the corner, 5 small holes on upper edge, some letter stitching coming undone
Scope and Content
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1938 as part of their commencement activities. The flag, which is made of felt, features the class colours of maroon and silver (white), as well as the class motto "Plus ultra" ("And more beyond"). The flag features the letters "BC" and a sailboat design. The flag has rope for hanging.
Notes
Loose translations for the class mottos were provided by Dr. Rosanne Gasse (Latin) and Dr. Steve Robinson (Greek), as well as from googling the mottos in October 2006. Description by Dennis Hurley/Tim Shackel (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
There is some splatter on the letters D and A, as well as the numbers 3 and 9.
Scope and Content
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1939 as part of their commencement activities. The flag, which is made of felt, features the class colours of black and gold, as well as the class motto "Agenda" ("What needs to be done"). The flag features the letters "BC" and "U. of M." and a crest. The flag has a top edge pocket for hanging.
Notes
Loose translations for the class mottos were provided by Dr. Rosanne Gasse (Latin) and Dr. Steve Robinson (Greek), as well as from googling the mottos in October 2006. Description by Dennis Hurley/Tim Shackel (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
Letters on the small stars are deteriorating, with two stars being illegible.
Scope and Content
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1940 as part of their commencement activities. The flag, which is made of felt, features the class colours of green and gold, as well as the class motto "Altius" ("Higher"). The flag features one large yellow star and twenty small yellow stars. The smaller stars have the names of the graduates stitched in green thread. The flag has a stitch holes along the upper edge for hanging.
Notes
Loose translations for the class mottos were provided by Dr. Rosanne Gasse (Latin) and Dr. Steve Robinson (Greek), as well as from googling the mottos in October 2006. Description by Dennis Hurley/Tim Shackel (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
Tears on the right side, missing right upper and lower corners, damace in the middle at the crease, tears on left side.
Scope and Content
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1941 as part of their commencement activities. The flag, which is made of felt and canvas, features the class colours of maroon and gold, as well as the class motto "Vincemus" ("We will overcome"). The flag features the names of the graduates, a crest and "BC '41." The flag has a canvas pocket with rope for hanging.
Notes
Loose translations for the class mottos were provided by Dr. Rosanne Gasse (Latin) and Dr. Steve Robinson (Greek), as well as from googling the mottos in October 2006. Description by Dennis Hurley/Tim Shackel (February 2024) and Christy Henry.