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Interview with W.H. O'Brien July / August 1975 - Track 4
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory21
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1935-1938
- Length
- 0:07:04
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to W.H. "Harry" O'Brien's memories on the reaction of the community to the Union of the Unemployed. Harry mentions other Unemployed organizations throughout Metro Vancouver as well as the Workers Unity League and the Vancouver Trades and Labour Council and the…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to W.H. "Harry" O'Brien's memories on the reaction of the community to the Union of the Unemployed. Harry mentions other Unemployed organizations throughout Metro Vancouver as well as the Workers Unity League and the Vancouver Trades and Labour Council and their purpose.
- Date Range
- 1935-1938
- Photo Info
- Harry and Gertrude (Sutherland) O'Brien on their wedding day, October 12, 1940. Item no. 315-005
- Length
- 0:07:04
- Subjects
- Organizations
- 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
- 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
Audio Tracks
Track four of interview with W.H.
Track four of interview with W.H.
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-25/100-13-25_Track_4.mp3Interview with W.H. O'Brien July / August 1975 - Track 5
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory22
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1932
- Length
- 0:06:39
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to W.H. "Harry" O'Brien's thoughts on the practices and philosophies of Army of the Common Good.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to W.H. "Harry" O'Brien's thoughts on the practices and philosophies of Army of the Common Good.
- Date Range
- 1932
- Photo Info
- Harry and Gertrude (Sutherland) O'Brien on their wedding day, October 12, 1940. Item no. 315-005
- Length
- 0:06:39
- Subjects
- Organizations
- Persons - Volunteers
- 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
- 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
Audio Tracks
Track five of interview with W.H.
Track five of interview with W.H.
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-25/100-13-25_Track_5.mp3Interview with W.H. O'Brien July / August 1975 - Track 6
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory23
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1932-1938
- Length
- 0:09:14
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to W.H. "Harry" O'Brien's involvement with the Army of the Common Good Cooperative stores and their beginnings. Harry mentions the Credit Union.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to W.H. "Harry" O'Brien's involvement with the Army of the Common Good Cooperative stores and their beginnings. Harry mentions the Credit Union.
- Date Range
- 1932-1938
- Photo Info
- Harry and Gertrude (Sutherland) O'Brien on their wedding day, October 12, 1940. Item no. 315-005
- Length
- 0:09:14
- Subjects
- Organizations
- Persons - Volunteers
- Geographic Access
- McKay Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (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
- 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
Audio Tracks
Track six of interview with W.H.
Track six of interview with W.H.
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-25/100-13-25_Track_6.mp3Interview with W.H. O'Brien July / August 1975 - Track 7
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory24
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1938
- Length
- 0:08:23
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to W.H. "Harry" O'Brien's thoughts on the reasons for the closing of the Army of the Common Good Cooperative stores. Harry mentions other Cooperative stores throughout Metro Vancouver.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to W.H. "Harry" O'Brien's thoughts on the reasons for the closing of the Army of the Common Good Cooperative stores. Harry mentions other Cooperative stores throughout Metro Vancouver.
- Date Range
- 1938
- Photo Info
- Harry and Gertrude (Sutherland) O'Brien on their wedding day, October 12, 1940. Item no. 315-005
- Length
- 0:08:23
- Subjects
- Organizations
- Persons - Volunteers
- 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
- 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
Audio Tracks
Track seven of interview with W.H.
Track seven of interview with W.H.
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-25/100-13-25_Track_7.mp3Interview with W.H. O'Brien July / August 1975 - Track 8
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory25
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- [1932]-1936
- Length
- 0:11:12
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to W.H. "Harry" O'Brien's involvement with the formation of the Army of the Common Good Credit Union (now the South Burnaby Credit Union).
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to W.H. "Harry" O'Brien's involvement with the formation of the Army of the Common Good Credit Union (now the South Burnaby Credit Union).
- Date Range
- [1932]-1936
- Photo Info
- Harry and Gertrude (Sutherland) O'Brien on their wedding day, October 12, 1940. Item no. 315-005
- Length
- 0:11:12
- Subjects
- Organizations
- 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
- 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
Audio Tracks
Track eight of interview with W.H.
Track eight of interview with W.H.
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-25/100-13-25_Track_8.mp3Interview with W.H. O'Brien July / August 1975 - Track 9
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory26
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1933-1935
- Length
- 0:08:46
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to W.H. "Harry" O'Brien's involvement with the Cooperative Commonweath Federation (CCF) as well as his mother and father's involvement in politics.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to W.H. "Harry" O'Brien's involvement with the Cooperative Commonweath Federation (CCF) as well as his mother and father's involvement in politics.
- Date Range
- 1933-1935
- Photo Info
- Harry and Gertrude (Sutherland) O'Brien on their wedding day, October 12, 1940. Item no. 315-005
- Length
- 0:08:46
- Names
- Weaver, George
- Subjects
- Elections
- Organizations
- 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
- 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
Audio Tracks
Jack and Betty Dwyer at the lot
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37633
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1946 or 1947] (date of original), copied 1991
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 4.2 x 2.8 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Jack and Betty Dwyer at the lot of 202 Delta Avenue prior to construction of the house.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1946 or 1947] (date of original), copied 1991
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Burnaby Image Bank subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 4.2 x 2.8 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 370-221
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1999-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Jack and Betty Dwyer at the lot of 202 Delta Avenue prior to construction of the house.
- Subjects
- Land Clearing
- Names
- Dwyer, Betty
- Dwyer, Jack
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- 1 b&w copy negative accompanying
- Geographic Access
- Delta Avenue
- Street Address
- 202 Delta Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Capitol Hill Area
Images
Jim Phillips
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription65897
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1910 or 1911]
- Collection/Fonds
- J.W. Phillips fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w glass negative ; 15.5 x 11 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of James William "Jim" Phillips clearing land near the Phillips home on Ellsemere Avenue. Holding a fuse in his hands with dynamite resting in front of him, Jim is crouched in front of a large stump, setting the blast.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1910 or 1911]
- Collection/Fonds
- J.W. Phillips fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w glass negative ; 15.5 x 11 cm
- Material Details
- Emulsion measures 15.5 x 11 cm on the glass; entire glass plate measures 16 x 12 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 487-035
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2008-18
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of James William "Jim" Phillips clearing land near the Phillips home on Ellsemere Avenue. Holding a fuse in his hands with dynamite resting in front of him, Jim is crouched in front of a large stump, setting the blast.
- Subjects
- Land Clearing
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Phillips, James William "Jim"
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Ellesmere Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Capitol Hill Area
Images
Jim Phillips
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription65917
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1910 or 1911]
- Collection/Fonds
- J.W. Phillips fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w glass negative ; 11 x 15.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of James William "Jim" Phillips clearing land near the Phillips home on Ellsemere Avenue. He is standing in front of the stump that he will later blast apart.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1910 or 1911]
- Collection/Fonds
- J.W. Phillips fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w glass negative ; 11 x 15.5 cm
- Material Details
- Emulsion measures 11 x 15.5 cm on the glass; entire glass plate measures 12 x 16 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 487-040
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2008-18
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of James William "Jim" Phillips clearing land near the Phillips home on Ellsemere Avenue. He is standing in front of the stump that he will later blast apart.
- Subjects
- Land Clearing
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Phillips, James William "Jim"
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Ellesmere Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Capitol Hill Area
Images
Jim Phillips
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription65918
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1910 or 1911]
- Collection/Fonds
- J.W. Phillips fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w glass negative ; 11 x 15.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of James William "Jim" Phillips clearing land near the Phillips home on Ellsemere Avenue. He is standing in front of a stump that he just blasted, resting an axe at his side. The stump is in pieces and still smoldering.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1910 or 1911]
- Collection/Fonds
- J.W. Phillips fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w glass negative ; 11 x 15.5 cm
- Material Details
- Emulsion measures 11 x 15.5 cm on the glass; entire glass plate measures 12 x 16 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 487-041
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2008-18
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of James William "Jim" Phillips clearing land near the Phillips home on Ellsemere Avenue. He is standing in front of a stump that he just blasted, resting an axe at his side. The stump is in pieces and still smoldering.
- Subjects
- Land Clearing
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Phillips, James William "Jim"
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Ellesmere Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Capitol Hill Area
Images
Kask Camp
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37413
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- May 14, 1924 (date of original), copied 1991
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.4 x 5.6 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.4 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the plot for the first house built at Kask Camp. The electricity lines shown are from Buntzen Power Plant. Barnet Road is seen on the right.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- May 14, 1924 (date of original), copied 1991
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Burnaby Image Bank subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.4 x 5.6 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.4 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 370-001
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1999-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the plot for the first house built at Kask Camp. The electricity lines shown are from Buntzen Power Plant. Barnet Road is seen on the right.
- Names
- Kask Camp
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Kask, William Sr.
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- 1 b&w copy negative accompanying
- Geographic Access
- Barnet Road
- Street Address
- 7501 Barnet Road
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Barnet (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Mountain Area
Images
Kinnunen's Creek
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34381
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1926
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 12.4 cm on page 17.5 x 26.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph taken looking down Kinnunen's Creek with fallen trees and branches along the banks. This photograph appears to have been taken by Arthur Peers, who travelled through the Fraser River Valley and worked on the construction of the Trans-Provincial Highway during the later 1920s.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1926
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Peers family subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 12.4 cm on page 17.5 x 26.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 020-088
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS2007-04
- Scope and Content
- Photograph taken looking down Kinnunen's Creek with fallen trees and branches along the banks. This photograph appears to have been taken by Arthur Peers, who travelled through the Fraser River Valley and worked on the construction of the Trans-Provincial Highway during the later 1920s.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Peers, Arthur Francis "Mike"
- Notes
- Title based on caption accompanying photograph
Images
Kitchener Street
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34154
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- April 20, 1947
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.8 x 11.4 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the 4200 block of Kitchener Street as cleared land. House construction can be seen in the background on the left. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- April 20, 1947
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Alfred Bingham subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.8 x 11.4 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 010-071
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS2007-04
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the 4200 block of Kitchener Street as cleared land. House construction can be seen in the background on the left. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Bingham, Alfred "Alf"
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Kitchener Street
Images
Kitchener Street and Charles Street
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34153
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- April 23, 1947
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.8 x 11.3 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a fire that is part of land clearing on the 4200 blocks of Kitchener Street and Charles Street. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- April 23, 1947
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Alfred Bingham subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.8 x 11.3 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 010-070
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS2007-04
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a fire that is part of land clearing on the 4200 blocks of Kitchener Street and Charles Street. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.
- Subjects
- Natural Phenomena - Fires
- Land Clearing
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Bingham, Alfred "Alf"
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Kitchener Street
Images
Kitchener Street and Madison Avenue
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34228
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- July 10, 1947
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.8 x 11.4 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Kitchener Street and Madison Avenue including cleared land. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- July 10, 1947
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Alfred Bingham subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.8 x 11.4 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 010-141-1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS2007-04
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Kitchener Street and Madison Avenue including cleared land. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.
- Subjects
- Land Clearing
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Bingham, Alfred "Alf"
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Kitchener Street
- Madison Avenue
Images
Kitchener Street and William Avenue
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34237
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- August 12, 1947
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.8 x 12.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of brush and cleared land at Kitchener Street and William Street with houses visible in background. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- August 12, 1947
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Alfred Bingham subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.8 x 12.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 010-149
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS2007-04
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of brush and cleared land at Kitchener Street and William Street with houses visible in background. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.
- Subjects
- Land Clearing
- Geographic Features - Roads
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Bingham, Alfred "Alf"
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Kitchener Street
- William Street
Images
Kitchener Street and Willingdon Avenue
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34115
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- March 22, 1947
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.8 x 11.2 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Kitchener Street and Willingdon Avenue with empty land in the foreground and houses visible in the distance. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- March 22, 1947
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Alfred Bingham subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.8 x 11.2 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 010-031
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS2007-04
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Kitchener Street and Willingdon Avenue with empty land in the foreground and houses visible in the distance. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.
- Subjects
- Land Clearing
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Bingham, Alfred "Alf"
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Kitchener Street
- Willingdon Avenue
Images
Lake
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38816
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1905]
- Collection/Fonds
- Peers Family and Hill Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 5.5 x 5.5 cm on page 11.5 x 14 cm (pasted in album)
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a lake (either Deer Lake or Burnaby Lake) with cleared land in the background.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1905]
- Collection/Fonds
- Peers Family and Hill Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 5.5 x 5.5 cm on page 11.5 x 14 cm (pasted in album)
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 477-135
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2007-12
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a lake (either Deer Lake or Burnaby Lake) with cleared land in the background.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Images
Land being cleared for Saint Theresa's Roman Catholic Church
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription902
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1929
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 6.7 x 11.4 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of three unidentified men standing on Douglas Road (later renamed in part Canada Way) with Laurel Street in the background on the left and the site of Saint Theresa's Roman Catholic Church as a lot with blackened stumps. The church was located at the southeast corner of Canada Way and L…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 6.7 x 11.4 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of three unidentified men standing on Douglas Road (later renamed in part Canada Way) with Laurel Street in the background on the left and the site of Saint Theresa's Roman Catholic Church as a lot with blackened stumps. The church was located at the southeast corner of Canada Way and Laurel Street. According to an accompanying note located with the photograph, the first church building burned to the ground the night before it was to be blessed. Insurance for the church had been arranged for by Colonel Dorrell only hours before it was burned and even though signatures had not been affixed to the policy, the insurance company honoured the claim. The second building was smaller and had no basement. Father Trainer was the first priest. This church was torn down in 1974 and a new church building was erected across the road on Canada Way.
- Subjects
- Land Clearing
- Geographic Access
- Douglas Road
- Canada Way
- Laurel Street
- Accession Code
- HV975.105.1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 1929
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Douglas-Gilpin Area
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2023-06-06
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Information on the scope and content of the photograph is taken from an acquisition record from the time of the accession
Images
Land Clearing
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35369
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1913] (date of original), copied 1986
- 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 land clearing by a crew contracted by the municipality to clear the area between Colborne Avenue, Brantford Avenue and Imperial Street in South Burnaby. William Walker was a member of this crew. The land was cleared by blasting.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1913] (date of original), copied 1986
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Pioneer Tales subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 204-226
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1988-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of land clearing by a crew contracted by the municipality to clear the area between Colborne Avenue, Brantford Avenue and Imperial Street in South Burnaby. William Walker was a member of this crew. The land was cleared by blasting.
- Subjects
- Land Clearing
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Kingsway-Beresford Area