Gerry Beaubier was born in Wainwright, Alberta to Beatty and Babe Beaubier. He completed his high school in Saskatoon, before receiving a BSc in Geography from Brandon University.
Before attending university Gerry served in the army as a special reserve, while working as a night clerk at the Bessbourough Hotel in Saskatoon. His post-graduate career consisted primarily of work for Canada Agriculture, under the PFRA Branch (Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration). Later he would work as an Executive Manager, helping develop forage and range management programs for several post secondary schools, including, Assiniboine Community College, as well as schools in Red Deer, Lethbridge, and Saskatoon.
Gerry Beaubier married Joyce Abercrombie, of Saskatoon. Together they had two sons: Neil and Dean. Neil, an Account Advisor for the Royal Bank, was born in Regina, and currently works in Swift Current. Dean was born in Swift Current, received his PhD in Education and currently lives in Forrest working at Elton Collegiate.
The Beaubiers, who were originally from Ireland, emigrated to the Canadian West, making Gerry part of the fourth generation of his family to call the region home. His great-grandfather, along with his grandfather and great uncle were amongst the first one hundred settlers in Brandon. Together they first built the Beaubier House, a boarding house for early settlers and travellers. After it burnt down they began construction on the Beaubier Hotel, which stood at the corner of 8th Street and Princess Avenue in Brandon until August 17th, 2008. His grandfather, David Wilson Beaubier, continued to build and operate hotels throughout the prairies, including the Empire Hotels (of Brandon and Saskatoon) and The Park (Moose Jaw).
David Wilson Beaubier served as a secretary of the Orange Lodge of Manitoba. As an Orange Lodge Colonel, he worked with other Orange Lodge members, to recruit throughout the prairies for the purpose of World War One. For his efforts , David was promoted to Leftenant Colonel, and later Captain of the 99th Manitoba Rangers. David's sons (Gerry’s father, at University of Manitoba, and uncle at McGill), were both working towards undergraduate degrees when war broke out in 1914, and each would leave school to join their father at Camp Hughes.
Custodial History
Gerry Beaubier collected these photos primarily in the years 2000-2011, largely
from family and friends who knew of his interest in the topic. They were donated to the S.J. Mckee Archives in 2011.
Scope and Content
Collection consists of digital photographs of those who trained for battle in World War I at Camp Hughes and in Brandon, Manitoba. It also includes a digital copy of the cover of the Nominal Roll of Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Men, who departed from Brandon in 1917.
The photos, taken primarily at Camp Hughes, are of a number of battalions, including the 34th, 100th, 108th, 181st and 214th. The photo, PT in England, is a postcard sent home from Beaty Beaubier. The Massey Harris building seen on the right side of, WW1 B parade0001, was used to house troops throughout the war. The man standing alone at the front of the parade in, 181 Parade, is David Wilson Beaubier.
Notes
Information for the biographical and custodial histories was provided by Gerry Beaubier on September 25, 2013. Description by Dustin Lane (October 2013).
Richard Harold "Doc" Hannah was born on July 9, 1916 in Wakaw, SK. He obtained his BA in biology at McMaster University before joining the staff at Brandon College in 1948, teaching botany and zoology. In 1962, after completing a MSc degree at the University of Minnesota, he returned to Brandon College and was appointed head of his department. He served as faculty advisor to the Athletic Board for twenty years and for over 30 years, Doc was a coach, manager, trainer and the inspiration behind the Braandon College Cap and Brandon University Bobcat hockey teams. It was his involvement with College athletics that led to the nickname "Doc." When he retired in 1981, he was granted the title of Professor Emeritus. In 1993, Doc was inducted into the Brandon University Dick and Verda McDonald Sports Wall of Fame.
Doc married Reta Bernice (1914-2005) and they had three children: Richard, Sharon and Patrick. Doc was a member of the AF and AM (Tweed Lodge No. 113), the Royal Order of Scotland and Khartum Temple Shrine. He served as Grand Master of Manitoba (1984-1985). Richard Hannah died on September 6, 1990 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 Doc Hannah about his career at Brandon College/Brandon University. Subjects include: JRC Evans and faculty members; chapel services; the Literary Society; sports; campus buildings; university status; college life and operations. The interviewer is Bill Burgess.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and the Manitoba Historical Society website. Description by Christy Henry.
Access Restriction
Content Warning: This interview was recorded in the early 1980s, and contains some language that would now be considered racist in nature. Listener discretion is advised.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
Audio Tracks
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John Hugh "Jack" Renton was born November 23, 1899 on the home farm south of Deloraine, MB. He attended Hazeldean and Delorane schools. Jack married Margaret Ellen Potter (1904-1984) in 1929, and together they had two children: Hugh and Jean. The Renton's spent their lives farming in the Hazeldean district until retiring and moving to the town of Deloraine in 1964. In 1988, Jack moved to Delwynda Court. Jack was a member and Past Patron of Deloraine Masonic Lodge, Chapter Member and Past Patron of Deloraine Chapter Eastern Star, a member of the Cemetery Board, served on Hazeldean School Board and was an Honorary Member of the United Church Session and of the Agricultural Society. John Hugh Renton died on March 11, 1989 at Deloraine Memorial Hospital. He is buried at Deloraine 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 Jack Renton about the history of Old Deloraine and the move to New Deloraine. Interviewer is Eva Cassils.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Renton's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
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Mary Ellen Birtles was born at Sheffield, England in 1858. She emigrated to Canada with her family in June 1883, settling in Winnipeg. In 1889, she was one of the first three graduates of the nurse training program at the Winnipeg General Hospital. During her nursing career, Mary Ellen worked in North Dakota, Medicine Hat, Brandon and Calgary. In Brandon she served first as a senior nurse (approximately 1892-1894), then returned in 1898 to become Matron of the Brandon General Hospital. She retired from that position in 1919. In 1935, Mary Ellen received the Order of the British Empire from the Governor General of Canada for her role in the pioneer nursing of Western Canada. She never married. Mary Ellen Birtles died on June 22, 1943 in Alexander, MB. She is buried at Alexander 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 Phyllis Long reading an article written by Mary Ellen Birtles in 1925, about the history of the Brandon General Hospital.
Notes
History/bio information from the Manitoba Historical Society website. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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The original photograph remains in the custody of the donor, who scanned the digital copy and sent it to the McKee Archives in 2014. The donor's paternal grandmother graduated from Brandon Normal School in the Spring of 1912.
Scope and Content
Portrait of the students of Brandon Normal School Spring 1912 class.