Laurie V. Smith served as the President of the Brandon Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion during the 1940s.
Custodial History
This fonds was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1997. Prior custodial history is unknown.
Scope and Content
Fonds includes correspondence, policy documents, and publications relating to the activities of the Royal Canadian Legion, primarily in Brandon under the Presidency of Laurie V. Smith, during and after the Second World War. Prominant themes include the aquiring of gifts for hospitalized veterans, primarily through the Canadian Legion Christmas Tree project, veteran rehabilitation, and promotion of the Canadian Victory Loans project.
Guy Masson "Bay" Smith was born on June 7, 1899 in Glenboro, MB. He graduated from Glenboro High School and then relieved his father in the post office while the latter served on a Military Tribunal. Bay enlisted with the Royal Air Force in 1918. For a short time he was the manager of a cream buying station in Glenboro before moving to Corning, SK in 1924, where he was an agent for Imperial Oil. In 1929, Bay returned to Glenboro to take over the Post Office duties from his mother, Elizabeth Alice Smith. Smith was appointed postmaster in 1950, and continued in that position until he retired in 1965. Under his leadership, a new post office was built in 1954; upon his retirement he sold the Smith Block and Post Office building. Smith married Mayme McKnight (1899-1977) in December 1923 and together they raised two children: Tannys and Robert.
Bay was active in community life. He was a charter member of the local Kiwanis Club and a member of the Masonic Lodge. He served long tenures on the Rink Committee, the Glenboro branch of the Red Cross and the Glenboro Board of Trade. He was a past president of the Junior and Senior Bands, was Secretary of the South Cypress Centennial Committee, and treasurer of the annual Fun Fair. He was a founding member of and helped design the local course at the Glenboro Golf Club. Bay Smith died on September 16, 1997 in Glenboro, 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 Bay Smith about his family history, his life and career and his community involvement in the town of Glenboro. The interviewer is Irene Brown.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the Glenboro local history "Beneath the long grass" and Smith's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
Audio Tracks
Media missing or recording not available.
An unexpected error occurred.
Update Required
To play the media you will need to update your
browser to a recent version, or update your Flash plugin.
Maria Corlette Nelson (nee Grant) was born on December 29, 1900 on the family homestead at Forrest, MB. Maria attended Clark Hall Academy at Brandon College and continued her education until she received her BA in 1925, and her Certificate of Education from Toronto in 1927. Returning to the prairies, she spent the next six years teaching. In 1930, Maria married Wesley Gordon Nelson (1899-1981) and moved to the Nelson farm in the Sparling district. The couple had three daughters, Catherine, Helen and Marion, the latter who died at 3 years of age. In 1960, Maria entered Brandon College's teacher training course (TTC). Maria Nelson died on May 16, 1996 in Winnipeg, MB. She is buried at Brandon Municipal Cemetery.
Ella Laura Cole was born on in 1897 in the RM of Elton in what is now the North End of Brandon, MB. She came to Brandon, MB in 1923 to attend business college. Laura worked for Hughes and Company for over 39 years, then worked for Gordon West until retiring in 1969. Laura was a member of Knox United Church. She never married. Laura Cole died on January 12, 1989 in Brandon, MB. She is buried at Brandon Municipal Cemetery.
Peter Alexander (P.A.) Alex McPhail was born on July 11, 1897 in the RM of Elton in what is now the North End of Brandon, MB. Raised on the family farm in Forrest, MB, he was the eldest son of Archie and Mary McPhail who came to Manitoba from Ontario. Alex took over the farm in 1915, and farmed there until 1949, when he and his family moved to Brandon. During the First World War, Alex as a lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He married Effie Irene Weir (1900-1999) in 1933 and together they raised four children: Ronald, Malcolm, Archie and Donna. Effie and Alex were both active members of their community. Alex was especially involved in the agricultural community and won many prizes over the years for his livestock. From 1954-1965, Alex was the General Manager for the Provincial Exhibition Association of Manitoba and the Manitoba Winter Fair. He also served one term as the president of the Canadian Association of Exhibitions. Additionally, Alex was on the Brandon General Hospital board, the Brandon College board, and was a member of the Kiwanis and Shriners clubs. He was also involved in local sports. Both Alex and Effie McPhail were active members of the United Church. Alex McPhail died on June 28, 1989 in Brandon, MB. He is buried at Humesville 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 Maria Nelson, Laura Cole and Alex McPhail about the early days in the North End of Brandon, MB. The interviewer is Efffie McPhail.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and obituaries for the interviewees. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
Audio Tracks
Media missing or recording not available.
An unexpected error occurred.
Update Required
To play the media you will need to update your
browser to a recent version, or update your Flash plugin.
Mary Elsie Taylor (nee Greer) was born on January 24, 1898 in Stayner, ON. The family moved to Rapid City, MB in 1906. Elsie took her teacher training in Portage la Prairie and taught in one-room schoolhouses throughout Manitoba. She married William Taylor (1888-1986) on February 7, 1933 in Newdale, SK and together they had four children: James, Margaret, Kathleen, and Lorna. Elsie and WIlliam farmed at Emerson for thirteen years, then moved to Haney, BC in 1946, when William retired. After eleven years in British Columbia the couple moved to Rapid City. Upon their return to Manitoba, Elsie taught in McCreary, Glendale and Rapid City. She retired in 1963. Elsie Taylor died on August 19, 1992 in Brandon, MB. She is buried at Rapid City 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 Elsie Taylor about her life, in particular her experiences in education. Interviewer is Gordon Shanks.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Taylor's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
Media missing or recording not available.
An unexpected error occurred.
Update Required
To play the media you will need to update your
browser to a recent version, or update your Flash plugin.
Grace Rosina Magnacca (nee Jones) was born on November 22, 1922 in Cardiff, Wales. Her family came to Winnipeg in 1911. Grace graduated from Dominion Business College and worked at Stovel Advocate and NorWest Famer until she married Stephen Magnacca in 1927. Stephen Adolph Magnacca was born on October 12, 1902 in Winnipeg, MB and he received his education in the city. Steve's miltary career began in 1914 when he joined the Winnipeg Highland Cadets and for more than 50 years he served in both the active and reserve army. He was made Hon. Colonel of the 26th Field Regiment in 1967.
Following their marraige, the Magnacca's lived in Winnipeg with their children Patricia and Allan, until Steve's military career took them to Brandon. Upon arriving in Brandon in 1940, Steve opened the A4 Training Camp. Following the Second World War he was transferred from active service to the militia where he served as hospital manager with the Department of Veteran Affairs. After a year he left the position to go into business; his business interests included real estate, insurance and general contracting. Steve also served as Mayor of Brandon from 1962-1970. During his tenure as mayor, the new city hall, the Keystone Centre and the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorim were constructed. He also worked on the development of Brandon's industrial park and the housing subdivisions of Kircaldy Heights and Riverheights. With her business background, Grace assisted her husband in his various roles.
Both Magnaccas were active in the community and St. Matthew's Cathedral. Steve was past president of the Manitoba Real Estate Association, later receiving lifetime membership. He was past president of the Brandon Lions Club, the Royal Canadian Legion Brandon Branch No. 3, and the Assiniboine Historical Society, as well as president of the Brandon Museum, a former director of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind in Brandon and a former treasurer of the Brandon Progressive Conservative Association. In 1973, Steve was named to the Order of Canada.
Stephen Magnacca died on August 4, 1980 in Brandon, MB. In 1983, Grace moved back to Winnipeg to be closer to family. Grace Magnacca died on December 20, 2004 in Winnipeg, MB. They are both 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 Grace Magnacca about the history of the Magnacca family. Interviewer is Effie McPhail.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and obituaries for both Magnaccas. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
Media missing or recording not available.
An unexpected error occurred.
Update Required
To play the media you will need to update your
browser to a recent version, or update your Flash plugin.
Hazel B. Smith was born on May 14, 1906 in Toronto, ON and moved to a farm south of Carberry with her family when she was 2 years old. The family then moved to Arizona, MB, then back to Carberry while she was quite young. Hazel attended country school and then school in Carberry. She took nurses training at Winnipeg General Hospital but was unable to finish her second year due to health problems. Although unable to complete her training, Hazel helped with maternity cases and did some home nursing after returning to Carberry in the 1930s. In the years after the Second World War she worked in a doctor's office. She also worked at the Children's Hospital (BC?), a logger's hospital at Alert Bay, spent two years at Fox Memorial Hospital, then moved to Sioux Lookout. Upon returning to Manitoba she worked with the Inuit and then spent nine years at Grace Hospital after she and her mother settled in Selkirk, MB. Arthritis forced her to change occupations and in 1967 Hazel was hired as custodian for the then new Carberry Library. She retired in 1969, and was replaced by Audrey Harburn. Hazel never married. Hazel Smith died on May 3, 1996 in Winnipeg, MB. She is buried at the family plot in Carberry, 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 Hazel Smith about her life as a nurse and library clerk. Interviewer is Audrey Harburn.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Smith's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
Media missing or recording not available.
An unexpected error occurred.
Update Required
To play the media you will need to update your
browser to a recent version, or update your Flash plugin.
Lorne Melville Rogers was born on May 24, 1910 in Brandon, MB. He attended Mount Vernon School, before taking over the family farm. Lorne was on the Mount Vernon School Board for a number of years and also Forrest Elementary. He was a member of the Manitoba Pool Elevator and served on the local board. In his earlier years, he played the violin in a band for many Red Cross programs and dances in the war years. Grace Ellen Howard was born on January 10, 1910 in Stony Mountain, MB. The family moved to the "Rugby Farm" near Forrest in 1924. Grace completed her schooling at Rugby School.
Grace and Lorne married on November 20, 1934 and together had two children, Doris and Norman. The couple farmed the Rogers family farm together. Grace was active in the St. George's Red Cross during the war years and St. George's ACW. She was also a member of the Forrest Legion Auxiliary, and enjoyed flower gardening, sports, music and cards. Grace and Lorne retired to Brandon in 1983, where they enjoyed senior activities together, as well as travelling. Grace Rogers died on March 10, 2001 in Brandon, MB. Lorne Rogers died on December 19, 2001 in Brandon, MB. They are both buried at Rosewood Memorial Gardens.
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 Lorne and Grace Rogers about early agriculture. Interviewer is Frank Anderson.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the Forrest and District local history "Family Trees & rural Roots," and Grace Rogers' obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Audio Tracks
Media missing or recording not available.
An unexpected error occurred.
Update Required
To play the media you will need to update your
browser to a recent version, or update your Flash plugin.
Margaret Winnifred Smith (nee Scarrow) was born November 7, 1902 in Rathwell, MB. She took her schooling at Rathwell and became a telephone operator. She then went to Vancouver and then back to Winnipeg where she received comptometer instruction at Success Business College. Following her studies, she worked at Speirs-Parnell (which became Westons). Whilie in Winnipeg she joined the United Church Central Congregational Choir and the CNR Choral Society. She met Henry Bernard "Harry" Smith (?-1974) at Speirs-Parnell and they were married in 1928. They had no children.
When Harry joined the RCAF in 1939, Margaret went with him to Vancouver and then Saskatoon. They were living in Ladner, BC at the end of the Second World War. While in Saskatoon Margaret was president of the Airmen's Wive Group, and a member of Knox United Church choir. In ladner she was choir leader in the United Church. In 1945, the couple moved to Neepawa, where Harry started a business with Fred Anderson called Smith and Anderson Radio Electric. In Neepawa, Margaret joined the United Church choir, was president of the Missionary Society and the Business & Professional Women's Club, and a member of UCW. Margaret Smith died on January 26, 1999 in Neepawa, MB. She is buried at 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 Margaret Smith about her life story and that of her husband, Harry. Interviewer is Winnie Cheetham.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the Neepawa local history "Heritage," and Smith's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Audio Tracks
Media missing or recording not available.
An unexpected error occurred.
Update Required
To play the media you will need to update your
browser to a recent version, or update your Flash plugin.
Vella May Smith (nee McLean) was born on November 25, 1900 in Golden Stream, MB. She attended Golden Stream School. She was briefly employed as a stenographer for the Bank of Montreal before marring Guildord James Smith (1887-1961) in Gladstone in 1922. The couple lived in Gladstone until 1924, when they moved to the Lidstone district. On the farm, they raised four children: James Alexander, Nina, Sheila and Irene. In 1957, Vella took a position as a cook in Flin Flon, then in 1959 she began working as a cook for the CNR. She remained in that position until 1961. Vella retired in 1965. Vella enjoyed music, particularly playing the piano, gardening, sewing, and was a skilled horsewoman. In her early years, she acted as a community nurse. She was a member of the Lidstone Women's Institute and the Merry Mixers senior's group. Vella Smith died on December 31, 1991 in Swan River, MB. She is buried at Birchwood 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 Vella Smith about growing up in the Village of Golden Stream. Interviewer is Betty Gibson.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Smith's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Audio Tracks
Media missing or recording not available.
An unexpected error occurred.
Update Required
To play the media you will need to update your
browser to a recent version, or update your Flash plugin.
Robert Alexander Smith was born on March 25, 1901 at Madford-Ingelow, MB. He attended Matheson school and farmed in the Ingelow district. The family farm, 2-12-17, was sold in 1951, and Robert moved to Winnipeg where he was employed with the International Harvester Company and Triange Auto Supply. Robert met Martha Buchanon Thorburn (1917-2010) when they were both Scout leaders and actively involved with Chalmers United Church in Winnipeg. The couple married in 1955, and together they had one son, Alexander. Robert and Martha retired in 1971, and moved to Douglas, MB. Robert Smith died on November 30, 1983 in Brandon, MB. He is buried at Carberry Plains 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 Robert Smith about the early days at 2-12-17. Interviewer is Blair Loree.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the Douglas local history "Echoes of A Century," and the obituaries for Robert and Martha Smith. Description by Christy Henry.
Audio Tracks
Media missing or recording not available.
An unexpected error occurred.
Update Required
To play the media you will need to update your
browser to a recent version, or update your Flash plugin.
