William George Vallender was born on December 16, 1892 in Gloucestershire, England. He arrived in Oak Lake, MB in June 1913, and began working on farms in the area. During the First World War he trained at Camp Hughes and served overseas with the 107th Battalion, "Glen Campbell's Timberwolves." William married Eidth Stoodley (1891-?) on September 12, 1918 at Horsley, Gloucestershire. The couple did not have children. Upon his discharge in 1919, the William and Edith returned to the Oak Lake area, where William continued as a farm hand until 1929, when he went to work for Adam Stewart as a mechanic. In 1936, he became the custodian for Oakwood School custodian. William was a member of Oak Lake Citizen's Band, the C.O.F. and a charter member of the Royal Canadian Legion #79. William Vallender died on March 9, 1987 in Brandon, MB. He is buried at Oak Lake 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 audiocasette tape containing an interview with William Vallender about his life in a farming community and military service. Interviewer is Phillis Cairns.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the Oak Lake local history "Ox Trials to Blacktop" and Vallender's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
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Edith Mary Laycock was born on June 25, 1913. She attended Brandon Collegiate from 1929 until her graduation in 1931. Ms. Laycock attended Brandon College from 1931-1934, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1935, she attended the Wheat City Business College and graduated from the Stenographic Course. Ms. Laycock was employed by the Canadian Pacific Railway as a stenographer for many years and belonged to the Canadian Pacific Expressmen's Mutual Benefit Society from 1939.
Edith Laycock was very interested in drama. While attending Brandon Collegiate and Brandon College she participated in school and college plays. She was involved in drama and theatre throughout her aadult life. Edith Laycock directed many of Brandon College's major productions beginning in 1950. She was also the director of many of the plays put on by the Brandon Little Theatre from 1950. Ms. Laycock also performed in the Little Theatre productions when she was not directing.
Ms. Laycock was also involved in many other elements of Brandon life. She served alternatively as the vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and production manager of the Little Theatre throughout the 1940's and 1950's. She was the Social Manager for the Brandon Festival Committee in 1948, the Publicity Chairperson for the Brandon Music Festival Association in the 1950's, and the Secretary of the Brandon Overture Concert Association. Laycock also wrote play reviews for the Brandon Sun in the 1950's. She was the director of the Manitoba Delta Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi. In the 1960's Laycock was a member of the Brandon Council of Women and Chairperson of its Arts and Letters Committee. She was also the Vice-President of the Brandon Art Club in 1960. Edith Laycock also held a 12-week class in creative dramatics for children at the Allied Arts Centre in the early 1960's.
Edith Laycock died in Brandon on December 17, 1987.
Custodial History
This fonds was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. Prior custodial history is unknown.
Scope and Content
This fonds consists of memorabilia kept by Edith Laycock. A large part of the collection consists of programs from plays that Laycock performed in or directed during the 1950's and 1960's. There are also numerous newspaper clippings about Laycock's plays including reviews, pictures, and advertisements. This collection also includes a folder of programs from the Brandon Little Theatre productions in the 1950's, as well as clippings about the Little Theatre. There are also numerous articles about miscellaneous drama and art events throughout Brandon, Manitoba, and Canada. The fonds also includes Laycock's daybook from 1962, and travel notes from Laycock's 1952 trip to Great Britain and Europe. The latter contains a passenger list for the Empress of Scotland, August 5, 1952. The collection further includes Canadian Pacific Railway passes dating from 1947-1963 and a copy of the Canadian Pacific Pension Plan. Fonds also contains material from the various organizations that Laycock was involved with including the Brandon Council of Women and Beta Sigma Phi. Fonds includes 12 photos that appear to be family photos from Laycock's childhood. Finally, the fonds contains various copies of plays that Laycock performed in or directed.
Jean Pettigrew Landreth was born on May 3, 1890 in Bright, Ontario. Her family moved west to a homestead north of Lauder, MB in 1891. Jean attended school at Grand Bend and Lauder, and in 1912-1913, the Business College in Moose Jaw. She lived on the family farm with her brother George until 1957, when they moved to the village of Lauder. In 1971, Jean moved to Cameron Lodge in Hartney. She never married. Jean was very active in the community as a member of the United Church, the Eastern Star Lodge, the Hartney-Lauder Fair Board, the Border Festival and the committee to establish a Senior Citizen's Home in the community. Jean also loved to travel. Jean Landreth died on November 29, 1992 at Souris, MB. She is buried at Lauder 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 Jean Landreth about her life story. The interviewer is Kay Briggs.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Landreth's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
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Jean Ann Purdie (nee Esslemont) was born on April 18, 1893 in Edinburgh, Scotland. She came to Canada with her family in 1910; they settled in Hamiota, MB briefly, before moving to Neepawa (1911-1914) and Brandon (1914-1918). Jean took her nurses training at Neepawa Hospital, graduating in 1914. She was active as a nurse during the Spanish flu epidemic, and also nursed at the Brandon Mental Hospital, where she met her future husband, Dr. Frank Kidd Purdie (1888-1956), who was the assistant superintendent at the hospital. Jean and Frank were married on July 16, 1918. After their marriage the couple settled in Griswold, MB, where they had two sons, Frank and Jack. Following her husband's death, Jean returned to Brandon in 1956. In her retirement Jean enjoyed travelling, her cabin at Clear Lake, modeling and club activities. Jean Purdie died on May 8, 1991 in Brandon, MB. She 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 Jean Purdie about her life, particularly as a rural doctor's wife, 1918-1956. The interviewer is Marjorie Lange.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Purdie's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
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Mabel Ester Montgomery was born on June 28, 1900 in Lanark, Ontario in Drummond County. When she was six years old her family moved to a farm north of Oak Lake, MB. Living first on the NW section of 16-10-23, she moved to the SW section of 16-10-23 in the 1950s. Mabel was the housekeeper at home on the farm her entire life. Mabel never married. Mabel Montgomery died on January 28, 1997 in Virden, MB. She is buried at Oak Lake 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 Mabel Montgomery about life in the rural agricultual community of Oak Lake, MB since 1900. The interviewer is Phillis Cairns.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Montgomery's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
Audio Tracks
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Marion Catherine Hannah (nee Elliott) was born on August 19, 1904 in Boissevain, MB. She moved to Brandon in 1923, to study nursing at Brandon General Hospital (BGH), graduating in 1926. During the 1930s, Marion served as the first president of the Junior Hospital Aid. During the Second World War she assisted in setting up programs through the YWCA for wives of servicemen and organizing in the serviceman's canteen. In 1942, she opened the first Red Cross blood donor clinic in Brandon and supervised the work for three years. From 1947-1956, Marion was the evening supervisor at Brandon College; she also taught health classes to the first teacher training students (TTC) at Brandon College. Marion joined the Provincial Department in 1958, working in general health programs and later specializing in geriatric programs, where she set up the Brandon Civic Senior Citizens Inc. Drop-in Centre and the Christmas Cheer Bureau. She retired in 1970.
Throughout her life Marion served as president of a number of organizations: The Brandon Council of Women; Brandon General Hospital alumni; the Manitoba Association of Registered Nurses (District 2); the Brandon Civic Senior Citizens Inc.; and Hobbs Manor Resident's Council. She was a life member of St. John's Ambulance Society, the Manitoba Association of Registered Nurses, Brandon Civic Senior Citizens Inc. and the Baptist Women's Organization. In 1967, Marion was chosen Brandon's "Woman of the Year" for her long record of community service. In retirement Marion was heavily involved in the planning and building of Hobbs Manor. She was also a member of First Baptist Church for more than 70 years. Marion married Howard Eldon Hannah (1894-1977) in 1928. The couple had two daughters, Jean and Katherine. Marion Hannah died on November 12, 1997 in Calgary, AB. She is buried at the 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 Marion Hannah about the origin of Park Community Centre, 1935-1946. The recording is a copy of an earlier interview conducted in the fall of 1976. The interviewer is Jack Senchuk.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Hannah's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
Audio Tracks
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Martin Kavanagh was born on December 16, 1895 in Wicklow, Ireland. He immigrated to Canada, to the Roblin area, in the summer of 1923. Having trained as a teacher in London, England, Martin's first teaching post in Manitoba was at Tummel. He next taught at Greenridge, then Treherne and finally in 1929, he joined the staff of Brandon Collegiate Institute (BCI). In 1946, Martin published the book "The Assiniboine Basin: A Study of Discovery, Exploration and Settlement." The research for that book, led him to champion the need for a public library in Brandon. In 1967, he published "La Verendrye: His Life and Times." In subsequent years, Martin developed an audio visual version of this work. Martin was awarded the Manitoba Centennial Medal by the Manitoba Historical Society, and in 1984, he was inducted into the Manitoba Order of the Buffalo Hunt. Martin married Katherine Power (1897-1953), with whom he had two children, Mary and Kevin. He married his second wife, Mary O'Malley (1898-1986), on December 31, 1958. Martin Kavanagh died on June 2, 1987 in Brandon, MB. He is buried at Assumption Roman Catholic 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 Martin Kavanagh about his life and writings, as well as the beginnings of the Brandon Public Library. The interviewer is Betty Gibson.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, Kavanagh's obituary and the Manitoba Historical Society website. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
Related Material
Martin Kavanagh fonds (10-2004)
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Matilda Elizabeth (Armstrong) Legg was born on March 24,1888 in Hackney, London, England. She married Henry Charles Armstrong (1881-1938) in England and the family came to Canada in 1912. The couple had four children: Mary, Tillie, William and Victor. Following Armstrong's death in an accident, Matilda married Alfred Legg (1884-1959) in 1945. Legg was a widowed retired farmer from Forrest, MB that she met while working at the Legion. Matilda was one of the original members of the craft room at the Drop-In Centre, Princess Towers, and was a life member of the Royal Canadian Legion. Matilda Legg died on August 18, 1983 in Brandon, MB. She 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 Matilda Legg about her life experiences in Brandon, MB, 1912-1982 The interviewer is Lillian Mummery.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Legg's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
Audio Tracks
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Mildred Grace Musgrove was born on July 14, 1902 in Boissevain, MB. She attended Boissevain School, and furthered her education at Brandon and Winnipeg Normal Schools, Dominion Business College, Wesley College and the University of Manitoba. Mildred taught at many rural schools before joining the staff at Neepawa Collegiate Institute in 1936. Although she taught a number of subjects, English was her specialty, and while at Neepawa, she taught and mentored Margaret Laurence. In 1967, she was awarded the Centennial Medal in 1967, for service to the nation. Mildred retired from teaching in 1969.
Mildred had a lifelong interest in curling and golf, and in 1990, she opened the Scott Tournament of Hearts in Neepawa. In retirement she travelled extensively, as well as worked as a volunteer. She never married. Mildred Musgrove died on February 22, 2001 in Boissevain, MB.
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 Mildred Musgrove about her teaching days in Neepawa, MB at Neepawa Collegiate Institute. The interviewer is Winnie Cheetham.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Musgrove's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
Audio Tracks
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Muriel May Patmore was born on May 1, 1905 in Brandon, MB. She attended Brandon Collegiate Institute (BCI), and after graduation, trained as a teacher, teaching in various communities in Manitoba, including Rankin, Bloomsbury, Killarney and Elgin schools. Later, Muriel was employed by Brandon Creamery, the Fair Board office and managed the seed department for Patmore Nurseries. Actively invloved in community organizations, Muriel was Vice-President of the Brandon Arts Club, a member of the Horticultural and Natural History Societies, an avid supporter of the Brandon School of Music, and a member of the Westman Philharmonic Choir. She also provided music scholarhips for the Brandon College/Brandon University School of Music. Muriel was a long time member of St. George's Anglican Church, where she sang in the choir. She had a great interest in the history of Brandon and the Assiniboine Valley, environmental issues and world events. She never married. Muriel Patmore died on September 20, 1999 in Brandon, MB. She 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 Muriel Patmore about her life and the Patmore story. The interviewer is Isabelle Heeney.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Patmore's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
Audio Tracks
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Richard Alexander "Dick" Jones was born on June 10, 1918 in Winnipeg, MB. Raised in Arnaud, MB, he attended school in Arnaud and Dominion City, before apprenticing as an automotive mechanic; Dick was the third person in the province to receive certificaiton and was licensed in 1939. He joined the Armed Forces in 1940, and served overseas with the Lord Strathcona's Horse from 1941-1946 in Britain, Italy and Northwest Europe. He returned home in early 1946, and married Ethel Reynolds (1917-2015) on February 2 that year. The couple had four sons: Rick, Wayne, Ted and Greg. Dick spent a number of years as a Ford dealer in both Ontario and Manitoba, before joining Ford of Canada as a District Service Representative and later, as a District Manager. In 1961, Dick left Ford to develop Assiniboine Community College, a technical and vocational training school in Brandon, MB. He served as the first President of the College. After ten years at ACC, Dick joined the office of the Assistant Deputy Minister of College and University Affairs and later took over Management Development for the Province of Manitoba. Dick was forced to retire in 1978, due to ill health. In retirement, Dick and Ethel travelled a great deal and enjoyed spending time with family. Richard Jones died on March 1, 2009 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 Richard Jones about the history and development of Assiniboine Community College (ACC) in Brandon, MB. The interviewer is Betty Gibson.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Jones' obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
Audio Tracks
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