Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

W.A. Pritchard

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34738

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1932] (date of original), copied [1995]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 17.2 x 12.1 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph (mounted and titled) of William A. Pritchard, Reeve of Burnaby from 1930 to 1932 and member of Council from 1928 to 1930.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1932] (date of original), copied [1995]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 17.2 x 12.1 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 126-012

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph (mounted and titled) of William A. Pritchard, Reeve of Burnaby from 1930 to 1932 and member of Council from 1928 to 1930.

Subjects: Officials - Alderman and Councillors; Officials - Mayors and Reeves

Names: Pritchard, William A.

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

W.A. Pritchard, [1932] (date of original), copied [1995] thumbnail

William A. Pritchard

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38556

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1930]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 6.3 x 8.3 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of William A. Pritchard, Burnaby Reeve 1930-1932 and council member 1928-1930.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1930]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: New Westminster Public Library subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 6.3 x 8.3 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 459-016

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2003-19

Scope and Content: Photograph of William A. Pritchard, Burnaby Reeve 1930-1932 and council member 1928-1930.

Subjects: Officials - Alderman and Councillors; Officials - Mayors and Reeves

Names: Pritchard, William A.

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Interview with Charles B. Brown May 21, 1975 - Track 6

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory32

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1923-1938

Length: 0:06:27

Summary: This portion of the interview pertains to Charles Boyer Brown's comparisons between working for a Council versus working for a Commissionership.

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview pertains to Charles Boyer Brown's comparisons between working for a Council versus working for a Commissionership.

Date Range: 1923-1938

Photo Info: Charles Boyer Brown, by photographer Nicholas Rossmo [1950]. Item no. 307-008

Length: 0:06:27

Subjects: Officials - Commissioners; Officials - Aldermen and Councillors

Interviewer: Bradbury, Dr. Bettina

Interview Date: May 21, 1975

Scope and Content: Recording is a taped interview with Charles B. Brown by SFU (Simon Fraser University) graduate student Bettina Bradbury May 21, 1975. Major themes discussed are: the Depression, the Commissioner and municipal politics in general. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".

Biographical Notes: Charles Boyer Brown was born on June 16, 1894 in the town of Ongar, Essex, England. He came to Canada as a young child with his parents Jean and Percy Brown. In 1903, the family settled in New Westminster and by 1911, Charles had joined the Burnaby municipal staff working as an office boy. The outbreak of World War One interrupted Charlie’s career as he immediately enlisted with the Royal Engineers and served from 1915 to 1918. While overseas he met and married Lillian Bernice Bryan and they returned to Canada together after the war and Charles resumed his position in municipal administration. For a short time, Charles was appointed as the Municipal Assessor, but in 1927 he became the Assistant Municipal Clerk. In 1933, Charles was made Municipal Clerk, a post he held until he retired in 1959. Charles has also been credited with playing a significant role in administering the city while it was under the rule of the provincial commission from 1932-1942. Recognized for his expertise in civic affairs, Charles was appointed by the provincial government to a committee formed to review and revise the Municipal Act. He was also a member of the BC Municipal Officers’ Association from its formation in 1936 and was made its chair in 1953. While these civic duties occupied much of his time, Charles still managed to participate as a volunteer on many sport and youth clubs in the city and served as the secretary for the Kingsway Rotary Club. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to Burnaby, both paid and volunteer, Charles was presented with the Gold Key award in 1959, the same year he finally retired from municipal administration. During Charles’ lifetime, many changes took place in the Municipality that he loved. He saw Burnaby grow in population and progress and he could be proud of the significant part he played in that growth and development. Charles Brown died on August 11, 1981.

Total Tracks: 8

Total Length: 0:58:01

Interviewee Name: Brown, Charles B. "Charlie"

Interview Location: Walker Avenue

Interviewer Bio: Bettina Bradbury teaches history and women's studies at York University. She is the author of Wife to Widow. Lives, Laws and Politics in Nineteenth-century Montreal. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, June 2011), 520p; Working Families. Age, Gender and Daily Survival in Industrializing Montreal. (Toronto: Canadian Social History Series, McClelland and Stewart, 1993); (Republished Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1996) (3rd edition, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007). These interviews were undertaken after she completed her MA at Simon Fraser University in 1975 with the support of an LIP grant.

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Oral history subseries

Transcript Available: None

Media Type: Sound Recording

Web Notes: Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.

Images

Charles Boyer Brown, by photographer Nicholas Rossmo [1950]. Item no. 307-008 thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track six of interview with Charles B. Brown

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-06/100-13-06_Track_6.mp3

Boys on bicycles

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36843

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [193-?] (date of original), copied 1992

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.0 x 11.3 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of three boys standing beside their bicycles, each with a left foot resting on a left petal, ready to push off.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [193-?] (date of original), copied 1992

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Burnaby Centennial Anthology subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.0 x 11.3 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 315-301

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1994-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of three boys standing beside their bicycles, each with a left foot resting on a left petal, ready to push off.

Subjects: Transportation - Bicycles

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Boys on bicycles, [193-?] (date of original), copied 1992 thumbnail

Doug Cary

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37610

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1935] (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 4.6 x 2.9 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Doug Cary astride a bicycle in Confederation Park.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1935] (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Burnaby Image Bank subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 4.6 x 2.9 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 370-198

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1999-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of Doug Cary astride a bicycle in Confederation Park.

Subjects: Transportation - Bicycles

Names: Cary, Doug

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; 1 b&w copy negative accompanying

Geographic Access: Confederation Park; Willingdon Avenue

Street Address: 250 Willingdon Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Capitol Hill Area

Images

Doug Cary, [1935] (date of original), copied 1991 thumbnail

Jim Ellis on Bicycle

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37741

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [ca. 1933] (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 4.1 x 2.3 cm print on contact sheet 20.3 x 26.6 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Jim Ellis, on a bicycle, at the side of 6926 Nelson Avenue.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [ca. 1933] (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Burnaby Image Bank subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 4.1 x 2.3 cm print on contact sheet 20.3 x 26.6 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 370-329

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1999-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of Jim Ellis, on a bicycle, at the side of 6926 Nelson Avenue.

Subjects: Transportation - Bicycles

Names: Ellis, Jim

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; 1 b&w copy negative accompanying; Negative has a pink cast

Geographic Access: Nelson Avenue

Street Address: 6926 Nelson Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Sussex-Nelson Area

Images

Jim Ellis on Bicycle, [ca. 1933] (date of original), copied 1991 thumbnail

Martin children with a bicycle

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription66697

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1933 and 1940] (date of original), copied 2011

Collection/Fonds: William Martin family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (jpeg)

Scope and Content: Photograph of Bill Martin, holding a large bike, with one foot resting on the pedal, his brother Jackie Martin standing behind and their older sister Margaret Martin (later Greenall) (later Andrusiak) sitting on what appears to be a stump, in front.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1933 and 1940] (date of original), copied 2011

Collection/Fonds: William Martin family fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph (jpeg)

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 525-003

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2011-11

Scope and Content: Photograph of Bill Martin, holding a large bike, with one foot resting on the pedal, his brother Jackie Martin standing behind and their older sister Margaret Martin (later Greenall) (later Andrusiak) sitting on what appears to be a stump, in front.

Subjects: Transportation - Bicycles

Names: Martin, Dr. Bill; Martin, Dr. Jackie; Andrusiak, Margaret Martin Greenall

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Martin, William

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Douglas-Gilpin Area

Images

Martin children with a bicycle, [between 1933 and 1940] (date of original), copied 2011 thumbnail

Robert on a tricycle

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription39030

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1930]

Collection/Fonds: Peers Family and Hill Family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 8.5 cm on page 13.5 x 18.5 cm (pasted in album)

Scope and Content: Photograph of Robert Peers riding a tricycle on the grass.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1930]

Collection/Fonds: Peers Family and Hill Family fonds

Series: Kitty Hill Peers family photograph series

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 8.5 cm on page 13.5 x 18.5 cm (pasted in album)

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 477-349

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: 2007-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of Robert Peers riding a tricycle on the grass.

Subjects: Transportation - Bicycles

Names: Peers, Robert C.K.

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Robert riding a tricycle

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription39028

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1930]

Collection/Fonds: Peers Family and Hill Family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 6.8 x 9.5 cm on page 13.5 x 18.5 cm (pasted in album)

Scope and Content: Photograph of Robert Peers riding a tricycle.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1930]

Collection/Fonds: Peers Family and Hill Family fonds

Series: Kitty Hill Peers family photograph series

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 6.8 x 9.5 cm on page 13.5 x 18.5 cm (pasted in album)

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 477-347

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: 2007-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of Robert Peers riding a tricycle.

Subjects: Transportation - Bicycles

Names: Peers, Robert C.K.

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Robert riding a tricycle

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription39078

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1930]

Collection/Fonds: Peers Family and Hill Family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 7 x 9.8 cm on pager 17 x 24.5 cm (pasted in album)

Scope and Content: Photograph of Robert Peers riding on a tricycle.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1930]

Collection/Fonds: Peers Family and Hill Family fonds

Series: Kitty Hill Peers family photograph series

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 7 x 9.8 cm on pager 17 x 24.5 cm (pasted in album)

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 477-397

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: 2007-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of Robert Peers riding on a tricycle.

Subjects: Transportation - Bicycles

Names: Peers, Robert C.K.

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Robert riding a tricycle

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription39084

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1930]

Collection/Fonds: Peers Family and Hill Family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 5.8 x 10.3 cm on page 17 x 24.5 cm (pasted in album)

Scope and Content: Photograph of Robert Peers riding on a tricycle in the garden of an unidentified home.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1930]

Collection/Fonds: Peers Family and Hill Family fonds

Series: Kitty Hill Peers family photograph series

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 5.8 x 10.3 cm on page 17 x 24.5 cm (pasted in album)

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 477-403

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: 2007-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of Robert Peers riding on a tricycle in the garden of an unidentified home.

Subjects: Transportation - Bicycles

Names: Peers Family; Peers, Robert C.K.

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Ruby Johnson on her bicycle

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36074

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1939

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 5.5 x 8 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Ruby Johnson riding her bicycle at Confederation Park. A note on the back of the photograph reads: "North Burnaby High School Sports Day / Confederation Pk. with B.N.H.S. and Willingdon (unpaved) Ave. in background. Ruby Johnson on her bicycle. (1939)."

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1939

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 5.5 x 8 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 218-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1989-07

Scope and Content: Photograph of Ruby Johnson riding her bicycle at Confederation Park. A note on the back of the photograph reads: "North Burnaby High School Sports Day / Confederation Pk. with B.N.H.S. and Willingdon (unpaved) Ave. in background. Ruby Johnson on her bicycle. (1939)."

Subjects: Geographic Features - Parks; Transportation - Bicycles

Names: Johnson, Ruby

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; 1 print: b&w ; 12.5 x 19.5 cm accompanying

Geographic Access: Confederation Park; Willingdon Avenue

Street Address: 250 Willingdon Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Capitol Hill Area

Images

Ruby Johnson on her bicycle, 1939 thumbnail

Sally Martin on a bicycle

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription66709

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1933 and 1940] (date of original), copied 2011

Collection/Fonds: William Martin family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (jpeg)

Scope and Content: Photograph of Sally (later Forbes) Martin on a bicycle.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1933 and 1940] (date of original), copied 2011

Collection/Fonds: William Martin family fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph (jpeg)

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 525-015

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2011-11

Scope and Content: Photograph of Sally (later Forbes) Martin on a bicycle.

Subjects: Transportation - Bicycles

Names: Forbes, Sally Martin

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Martin, William

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Douglas-Gilpin Area

Images

Sally Martin on a bicycle, [between 1933 and 1940] (date of original), copied 2011 thumbnail

Burnaby Sports Day

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85204

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1936 and 1939]

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 film clip (8 min., 37 sec.) : digital, col., si.

Scope and Content: Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment with footage of the annual Sports Day events held at Burnaby Central Park. The film opens with an unidentified dedication ceremony and tree planting in an unknown location and switches to students marching into Central Park. Hundreds of child…

1 image 1 video

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1936 and 1939]

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Physical Description: 1 film clip (8 min., 37 sec.) : digital, col., si.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 562-002-3

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Accession Number: 2012-15

Scope and Content: Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment with footage of the annual Sports Day events held at Burnaby Central Park. The film opens with an unidentified dedication ceremony and tree planting in an unknown location and switches to students marching into Central Park. Hundreds of children and Youth are showcased in sporting field events and competitions such as track and field sports, acrobatics, gymnastics, dancing, leap frog, skipping, rugby.

Subjects: Events - Parades; Occupations; Occupations - Labourers; Organizations - Mens' Societies and Clubs; Organizations - Womens' Societies and Clubs

Media Type: Moving Images

Photographer: Digney, Andy

Creator: Digney, Andy

Notes: Title based on contents of film; Film clip originates from digitized version of original 16 mm film footage (item 562-002). This segment was part of digitized portion titled 'May Day Events'

Geographic Access: Kingsway; Central Park

Street Address: 3883 Imperial Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Sussex-Nelson Area

Images

Video

Burnaby Sports Day, [between 1936 and 1939]

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-002-3.m4v

Labour parade

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85205

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1936 and 1939]

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 film clip (4 min, 23 sec.) : digital, col., si.

Scope and Content: Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment with footage of a May Day labour parade for International Worker's Day. Men, women and children are seen marching with banners held high interspersed with a marching band with bagpipes. Some of the banners are identified as; The Communist Pa…

1 image 1 video

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1936 and 1939]

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Physical Description: 1 film clip (4 min, 23 sec.) : digital, col., si.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 562-002-4

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Accession Number: 2012-15

Scope and Content: Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment with footage of a May Day labour parade for International Worker's Day. Men, women and children are seen marching with banners held high interspersed with a marching band with bagpipes. Some of the banners are identified as; The Communist Party of Canada, the Scandinavian Worker's Club, Lumber and Sawmill Workers Union, Ex-Servicemen's League, Canadian League Against War and Fascism, Fishermen's Legislative Program, Sailor's Union, B.C. Maritime Workers, Amalgamated Building Workers Union, Bakery and Confectionary Workers International Union of America and The Women's Labour League. Some of the banners in the parade read as follows; 'Support the White Lunch Strike', 'Abolish Deferred Pay', 'Builders of British Columbia- Bill Bennett', 'Communist Party of Canada', 'Free Grange and Molland'.

Subjects: Events - Parades; Occupations; Occupations - Labourers; Organizations - Mens' Societies and Clubs; Organizations - Womens' Societies and Clubs

Media Type: Moving Images

Photographer: Digney, Andy

Creator: Digney, Andy

Notes: Title based on contents of film; Film clip originates from digitized version of original 16 mm film footage (item 562-002). This segment was part of digitized portion titled 'Labour Parade'

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Images

Video

Labour parade, [between 1936 and 1939]

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-002-4.m4v

Interview with W.H. O'Brien July / August 1975 - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory20

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1935-1936

Length: 0:08:41

Summary: This portion of the interview pertains to W.H. "Harry" O'Brien's thoughts on how the Union of the Unemployed was organized and what its main focus was. Harry discusses the Union of the Unemployed's dealings with the Commissioner.

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview pertains to W.H. "Harry" O'Brien's thoughts on how the Union of the Unemployed was organized and what its main focus was. Harry discusses the Union of the Unemployed's dealings with the Commissioner.

Date Range: 1935-1936

Photo Info: Harry and Gertrude (Sutherland) O'Brien on their wedding day, October 12, 1940. Item no. 315-005

Length: 0:08:41

Subjects: Organizations; Protests and Demonstrations; Officials - Commissioners

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Interviewer: Bradbury, Dr. Bettina

Interview Date: July / August 1975

Scope and Content: Recording is a taped interview with W.H. "Harry" O'Brien by SFU (Simon Fraser University) graduate student Bettina Bradbury. Major themes discussed are: the Army of the Common Good, the Union of the Unemployed and the Common Good Credit Union (now the South Burnaby Credit Union). To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".

Biographical Notes: W.H. “Harry” O’Brien was born in the coal mining town of Nanaimo, British Columbia on October 20, 1914. He came to Burnaby with his parents and five siblings in 1927. Harry’s mother, a school teacher, wanted her children to live closer to school in order to obtain a better education, so the O’Brien family settled at Inman Avenue, Burnaby. Harry's mother, Mary Anne Crossan, was Gilmore Avenue School's first teacher. Harry left school in June of 1929. Harry’s father worked as the caretaker at Central Park around this time and Harry helped him to clear brush, plant trees and enforce the land clearing and wood cutting permit regulations held by men who were on script. Although too young to vote by just over a week, Harry O'Brien worked as a scrutineer for the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) during the 1935 Federal Election. On October 12, 1940 Harry O'Brien married Gertrude Sutherland at St. John the Divine in Burnaby. The Sutherland family came to Burnaby from Winnipeg in 1933 and settled at Nelson Avenue. Harry began his involvement with the Unemployment Organization in Burnaby by participating in an organised protest against the municipality for homeowner evictions brought on by unpaid taxes. The South Burnaby Union of the Unemployed organised in order to protest rules around receiving Relief. Harry became involved, eventually becoming one of the spearheads of the organization, taking over as secretary by 1936. Harry was an original member of the Army of the Common Good, helping to produce over one hundred and twenty-five tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed Burnaby citizens suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The members of the Army of the Common Good who cut wood for consumption or worked in the gardens were given credit for their work through LU (Labour Units) which they could then use to buy groceries and that at the Army's Cooperative stores, one of which was at McKay Avenue, where Harry began working as Manager of Groceries in 1937. The Credit Union movement of British Columbia was also organized by Harry O'Brien and his fellow Army of the Common Good members. W.H. "Harry" O'Brien died July 1, 1992.

Total Tracks: 9

Total Length: 1:17:56

Interviewee Name: O'Brien, Harry

Interviewer Bio: Bettina Bradbury teaches history and women's studies at York University. She is the author of Wife to Widow. Lives, Laws and Politics in Nineteenth-century Montreal. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, June 2011), 520p; Working Families. Age, Gender and Daily Survival in Industrializing Montreal. (Toronto: Canadian Social History Series, McClelland and Stewart, 1993); (Republished Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1996) (3rd edition, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007). These interviews were undertaken after she completed her MA at Simon Fraser University in 1975 with the support of an LIP grant.

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Oral history subseries

Transcript Available: None

Media Type: Sound Recording

Web Notes: Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.

Images

Harry and Gertrude (Sutherland) O'Brien on their wedding day, October 12, 1940. Item no. 315-005 thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track three of interview with W.H.

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-25/100-13-25_Track_3.mp3

Opening of the Vancouver Heights Presbyterian Church

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35556

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1931

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of the official opening of the Vancouver Heights Presbyterian Church at 140 Esmond Avenue at Pandora Street during the Great Depression. The opening followed years of financial difficulty and a breakaway from the Presbytery. The church was dedicated by the Lieutenant Governor of British …

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1931

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Pioneer Tales subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 204-414

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1988-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of the official opening of the Vancouver Heights Presbyterian Church at 140 Esmond Avenue at Pandora Street during the Great Depression. The opening followed years of financial difficulty and a breakaway from the Presbytery. The church was dedicated by the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia (in top hat).

Subjects: Officials - Lieutenant Governors; Events - Openings

Names: Vancouver Heights Presbyterian Church

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Esmond Avenue

Street Address: 140 Esmond Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Heights Area

Images

Opening of the Vancouver Heights Presbyterian Church, 1931 thumbnail

Burnaby May Day

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35140

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: May 26, 1934

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.1 x 17.4 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby May Day activities at Central Park. Children are dancing around three Maypoles on a field. A crowd is watching, and a band is seated beside the Maypole on the right side of the photograph.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: May 26, 1934

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Anderson family subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.1 x 17.4 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 203-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1988-01

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby May Day activities at Central Park. Children are dancing around three Maypoles on a field. A crowd is watching, and a band is seated beside the Maypole on the right side of the photograph.

Subjects: Organizations - Bands; Persons - Crowds; Recreational Activities - Dancing; Events - May Day

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Stride, Charles Edgar

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; An "8" is printed at the left side of the photo

Geographic Access: Central Park; Imperial Street

Street Address: 3883 Imperial Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Maywood Area

Images

Burnaby May Day

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35141

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: May 26, 1934

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.2 x 17.4 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby May Day celebrations in Central Park. There are two Maypoles visible with children around them. A crowd is watching, and a band is seated beside the Maypole at the left side of the photograph. The girls at the right Maypole are standing and looking at the top of the Maypole …

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: May 26, 1934

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Anderson family subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.2 x 17.4 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 203-002

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1988-01

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby May Day celebrations in Central Park. There are two Maypoles visible with children around them. A crowd is watching, and a band is seated beside the Maypole at the left side of the photograph. The girls at the right Maypole are standing and looking at the top of the Maypole where their ribbons may be tangled.

Subjects: Organizations - Bands; Persons - Crowds; Recreational Activities - Dancing; Events - May Day

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Stride, Charles Edgar

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; An annotation at the bottom of the photo reads; "May Day Celebrations / Burnaby, B.C., May 26th, 1934 / Stride Studio Photo."; A "10" is printed at the left side of the photograph