118 records – page 5 of 6.

INTER-MUNICIPAL TRANSPORTATION NETWORK SERVICES (TNS) BUSINESS LICENCE PROGRAM - INCLUSION OF DISTRICT OF HOPE, DISTRICT OF KENT AND CITY OF MISSION

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport83907
Repository
Legislative Services
Report ID
94443
Meeting Date
24-Apr-2023
Format
Council - Manager's Report
Item No.
1
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Repository
Legislative Services
Report ID
94443
Meeting Date
24-Apr-2023
Format
Council - Manager's Report
Item No.
1
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
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Interview with Gordon Davis - November 21, 2002 - Tape 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription13083
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
November 21, 2002 (interview content), digitized in 2020
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Oral History collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 audio cassette (29 min., 8 sec.)
Scope and Content
Recording is the second part of an interview with (John) Gordon Davis conducted by Mabel F. Nichols with her husband Jack Nichols. In this segment of the interview, Gordon provides more background information about his wife Anne while, interviewer Mabel, explains to Gordon how she came about discov…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Oral History collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 audio cassette (29 min., 8 sec.)
Material Details
Side A of audio cassette
Scope and Content
Recording is the second part of an interview with (John) Gordon Davis conducted by Mabel F. Nichols with her husband Jack Nichols. In this segment of the interview, Gordon provides more background information about his wife Anne while, interviewer Mabel, explains to Gordon how she came about discovering Anne's trunk and old nursing uniform. She explains how the information that he provides will benefit the Burnaby Village Museum who are accepting the uniform into their collection. 00:00 - 4:55 Gordon shares information about serving in the Middle East during WWII and the Dresden bombing raids. He provides biographical information about Anne and her siblings. 4:46 - 06:41 Poor audio quality- hard to discern content from Interviewee- Gordon Davis. 06:42 - 08: Gordon talks more about Anne and how he was attracted to her. 08:37-22:26 Interviewer, Mabel Nichols explains how this interview with Gordon will assist in providing provenance to Anne's uniform that is being donated to the Burnaby Village Museum. Mabel describes how she discovered the uniform in a trunk that Anne shipped from England to Burnaby in 1946. The trunk was addressed to, "Mrs. A. Davis, 4212 Douglas Road, New Westminster". Years later, the trunk was discovered by a friend of hers with Mabel's uniform and hat inside. 22:27-29:08 Mabel shares her own life experiences living in the Fraser Canyon while Gordon recollects some of his own experiences during the war. Mabel reads from the notes that she has created from her interview with Gordon. Gordon provides more details as needed. Mabel shares information about her brother, Bill who was wounded in World War II.
History
Interviewee biography: John Gordon Davis was born to Elizabeth Ann Vert (nee Eyres) and Gilbert Davis on September 13, 1913 in North Cobalt, Ontario. Gordon was the second youngest of six children. After graduating from high school he attended Radio College in Toronto. He spent two years prior to World War II working in radio on British ships. In 1940, after retiring, his parents moved to British Columbia. They purchased the Flowerland Auto Court in 1941 at 4212 Douglas Road, Burnaby. During this time, Gordon moved to Ontario and sought employment in radio range stations that were dealing with new technology throughout Europe. He joined the RCAF in 1941. While in London, in May of 1941, he met his future wife Anne Williams. In World War II, Anne served as a nurse in Queen Alexandra's Imperial Army Nursing Corps. In November 1943, Anne survived the bombing of the Dutch passenger ship, SS Marnix while it sailed in a convoy from England to the Mediterranean. Gordon did many tours throughout the Middle East, Turkey, Egypt, Italy, the Battle of the Bulge, Sarnia before he was known as “surplus to requirement”. Since Anne was still in the nursing corps, Gordon signed on for another year and was sent north of London to a Repair Squadron where he worked on operational repairs of Mosquito bombers which were manufactured in Canada. Anne and Gordon continued their correspondence and eventually married in North Wales on January 23, 1945. Gordon was shipped back to Canada in October of 1945 and moved in with his parents at their auto court on Douglas Road in Burnaby. Anne joined Gordon in Burnaby in April 1946 when her mission was completed. Anne packed up her things in a large trunk that she addressed to Gordon’s parents on Douglas Road. Gordon moved around British Columbia in his work for BC Electric and eventually retired with HB Contracting Ltd. in Surrey working on the BC pipeline between 1953 and 1954. In the late 1950s, Gordon and Anne purchased a home in Burnaby at 1508 6th Street (now 7591 6th Street) which they lived in until 1984. In 1985, Anne and Gordon sold their house in Burnaby and moved to Hyack House in New Westminster. Anne Davis died in 1989 at the age of 76 years. Gordon's father, Gilbert died in 1957 and his mother Elizabeth Ann Verta died in 1968. Interviewer biography: Mabel F. Nichols (nee Lawrence) was one of six children born in Hope [ca.1932] to Elmer E. Lawrence and Louise (nee Pennier). Elmer and Louise married in Yale B.C. in 1916. Mabel’s mother, Louise Pennier was part of the Sts'ailes Nation (Chehalis First Nation). Elmer and Louise had three sons and three daughters. Both of Mabel’s parents died in Langley in 1960. Mabel married Jack (John) Nichols [between 1959 and 1960]. They lived at 6004 Wilson Street, Burnaby in 1959; 4910 Willingdon Avenue [between 1960 and 1962] and 4662 Hazel Street [between 1963 and 1987] before moving to Surrey. Jack Nichol's parents, George and Alma Nichols owned and operated Nichols Family Meat Market at 4018 Kingsway (later renumbered 4500 Kingsway). The family lived behind the butcher shop.
Subjects
Wars - World War, 1939-1945
Occupations - Nurses
Clothing - Uniforms
Names
Davis, John Gordon "Gordon"
Davis, Anne Williams
Davis, Gilbert
Nichols, Mabel F. Lawrence
Accession Code
BV005.37.2
Access Restriction
Restricted access
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
November 21, 2002 (interview content), digitized in 2020
Media Type
Sound Recording
Notes
Title based on contents of sound recording
Recording is closed due to poor sound quality
See also: Anne Davis' (nee Williams) WWII nursing uniform- BV003.15.10 & BV03.15.11 & BV003.15.12
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Interview with John Gordon Davis November 21, 2002 - Tape 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription13082
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1940-1989] (interview content), November 21, 2002 (interview date), digitized in 2020
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Oral History collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 audio cassette (50 min., 53 sec)
Scope and Content
Recording is an interview with (John) Gordon Davis conducted by Mabel F. Nichols with her husband Jack Nichols. Mabel is interviewing Gordon as part of a research project to provide background information to the Burnaby Village Museum who are accepting a donation of Gordon's wife Anne's World War I…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Oral History collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 audio cassette (50 min., 53 sec)
Material Details
Interviewer: Mabel F. Nichols and husband Jack Nichols Interviewee: John Gordon Davis Location of Interview: New Westminster Interview Date: November 21, 2002 Total Number of tracks: 2 (side A & B of audio cassette) Total Length of all Tracks: 50 min., 53 sec.
Scope and Content
Recording is an interview with (John) Gordon Davis conducted by Mabel F. Nichols with her husband Jack Nichols. Mabel is interviewing Gordon as part of a research project to provide background information to the Burnaby Village Museum who are accepting a donation of Gordon's wife Anne's World War II nursing uniform. Gordon provides background information on his family history and describes his experiences while serving overseas during World War II (WWII) including his experiences as a radar operator and working at a military air squadron repair depot. Gordon also provides biographical information about his wife Anne Davis (nee Williams) and her experiences serving as a military nurse during WWII and their life in Burnaby. Interviewer, Mabel and Jack Nichols also provide anecdotal stories about their own life in Burnaby during the interview. Track 1 - Side A (30:34) 00:00 - 30:34 Interview opens with discussion between interviewer Mabel F. Nichols and Gordon Davis about his wife, Anne Davis' experience working in the nursing corps. Mr. Davis provides background information about working in mining between 1933 and 1940 before training in Ontario to become a radar operator during World War II. Gordon also describes his parents origins and how they moved to Burnaby in 1940 while Gordon headed off to Nova Scotia to serve with the RCAF. Gordon also shares information about his sister Anne Davis who married George L. Davis from Kirkland Lake and how they lived with Gordon's parents in the auto court in Burnaby. He tells of how George L. Davis worked for Dominion Bridge Co. and later as a meat cutter for Safeway near 6th Avenue and Kingsway in Burnaby. Mabel shares her own husband Jack's experiences growing up in Burnaby as the son of butcher, George Nichols, his career as a deisel mechanic and later in the GVRD Engineering Department. Gordon shares that his father, Gilbert died in 1957 and his mother Elizabeth died in 1968 and his older sister Ruth died in 1990. Gordon recollects his wedding day and honeymoon in North Wales in 1945 with his wife Anne. Track 2 - Side B (29:19) 00:00 - 14:37 Gordon continues with his recollections about his wedding and honeymoon in North Wales in 1945. The interviewers, Mabel and Jack discuss the geography of the area sharing their own experiences travelling in 1981 and try to get an idea of where Gordon and his wife were married. They agree that the place was Llandudno. He tells of signing up for another year of Military Service since his wife was still serving in the nursing corps. and describes working North of London at a Military facility to repair aircraft including mosquito bombers. 14:38 - 21: 53 Gordon shares information about working in the Middle East in 1943 while his wife Anne survived the bombing of the Dutch passenger ship, the Marnix that she was travelling on. Gordon tells of how Anne couldn't swim but had a life jacket on and was picked up by a life boat. Anne corresponded with Gordon to let him know that she was alright but had to be cryptic since all letters were censored. Gordon tells of how Anne then travelled to India. Interviewer, Mabel, speaks of her own brother Bill who was picked up in Gibralter and taken to England. 21:54 - 26:18 Gordon recollects first meeting his wife Anne in London and the bombing that occurred during WWII. He tells of how Anne trained as a midwife at the Royal College of Midwives in Yorkshire and how he attended Radio college in Ontario. 26:19- 29:19 Gordon speaks about his experience travelling east on the Queen Mary in World War II and how full the ship was. He says that they were 30 days at sea from May to June in 1942.
History
Interviewee biography: John Gordon Davis was born to Elizabeth Ann Vert (nee Eyres) and Gilbert Davis on September 13, 1913 in North Cobalt, Ontario. Gordon was the second youngest of six children. After graduating from high school he attended Radio College in Toronto. He spent two years prior to World War II working in radio on British ships. In 1940, after retiring, his parents moved to British Columbia. They purchased the Flowerland Auto Court in 1941 at 4212 Douglas Road, Burnaby. During this time, Gordon moved to Ontario and sought employment in radio range stations that were dealing with new technology throughout Europe. He joined the RCAF in 1941. While in London, in May of 1941, he met his future wife Anne Williams. In World War II, Anne served as a nurse in Queen Alexandra's Imperial Army Nursing Corps. In November 1943, Anne survived the bombing of the Dutch passenger ship, SS Marnix while it sailed in a convoy from England to the Mediterranean. Gordon did many tours throughout the Middle East, Turkey, Egypt, Italy, the Battle of the Bulge, Sarnia before he was known as “surplus to requirement”. Since Anne was still in the nursing corps, Gordon signed on for another year and was sent north of London to a Repair Squadron where he worked on operational repairs of Mosquito bombers which were manufactured in Canada. Anne and Gordon continued their correspondence and eventually married in North Wales on January 23, 1945. Gordon was shipped back to Canada in October of 1945 and moved in with his parents at their auto court on Douglas Road in Burnaby. Anne joined Gordon in Burnaby in April 1946 when her mission was completed. Anne packed up her things in a large trunk that she addressed to Gordon’s parents on Douglas Road. Gordon moved around British Columbia in his work for BC Electric and eventually retired with HB Contracting Ltd. in Surrey working on the BC pipeline between 1953 and 1954. In the late 1950s, Gordon and Anne purchased a home in Burnaby at 1508 6th Street (now 7591 6th Street) which they lived in until 1984. In 1985, Anne and Gordon sold their house in Burnaby and moved to Hyack House in New Westminster. Anne Davis died in 1989 at the age of 76 years. Gordon's father, Gilbert died in 1957 and his mother Elizabeth Ann Verta died in 1968. Interviewer biography: Mabel F. Nichols (nee Lawrence) was one of six children born in Hope [ca.1932] to Elmer E. Lawrence and Louise (nee Pennier). Elmer and Louise married in Yale B.C. in 1916. Mabel’s mother, Louise Pennier was part of the Sts'ailes Nation (Chehalis First Nation). Elmer and Louise had three sons and three daughters. Both of Mabel’s parents died in Langley in 1960. Mabel married Jack (John) Nichols [between 1959 and 1960]. They lived at 6004 Wilson Street, Burnaby in 1959; 4910 Willingdon Avenue [between 1960 and 1962] and 4662 Hazel Street [between 1963 and 1987] before moving to Surrey. Jack Nichols' parents, George and Alma Nichols owned and operated Nichols Family Meat Market at 4018 Kingsway (later renumbered 4500 Kingsway). The family lived behind the butcher shop.
Subjects
Wars - World War, 1939-1945
Occupations - Nurses
Clothing - Uniforms
Names
Davis, John Gordon "Gordon"
Davis, Anne Williams
Davis, Gilbert
Nichols, Mabel F. Lawrence
Nichols Family Meat Market
Accession Code
BV005.37.1
Access Restriction
Restricted access
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
[1940-1989] (interview content), November 21, 2002 (interview date), digitized in 2020
Media Type
Sound Recording
Notes
Title based on contents of sound recording
Recording is closed due to poor sound quality
See also: Anne Davis' (nee Williams) WWII nursing uniform- BV003.15.10 & BV03.15.11 & BV003.15.12
Less detail

Interview with Ken Yip May 9, 2005 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4532
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1950s & 1960s (interview content), interviewed May 9, 2005
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 sound recording (mp3) (0:11:13 min)
Scope and Content
Track 2: This portion of the recording pertains to Ken’s university education and jobs, his activities as a youth with friends and in school, his parents’ backgrounds, and the family’s religious practices. Ken relates how his friends came to him, knowing how busy he was on the farm, and how he spen…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
Museum Oral Histories series
Subseries
Growing Up in Burnaby subseries
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 sound recording (mp3) (0:11:13 min)
Material Details
Interviewer: Tom Gooden Interviewee: Ken Yip Date of interview: May 9, 2005 Total Number of Tracks: 5 Total length of all Tracks: 0:62:00
Scope and Content
Track 2: This portion of the recording pertains to Ken’s university education and jobs, his activities as a youth with friends and in school, his parents’ backgrounds, and the family’s religious practices. Ken relates how his friends came to him, knowing how busy he was on the farm, and how he spent the spare time he had. He describes going as far as Washington State and Mission to watch car racing with friends when he was older. Ken speaks of his family as nominally Buddhist through his mother, who was from China. He recalls that, despite this, he and his brother were bused to Sunday school at a church near Joffre Ave. He talks of the activities and trips the church had for the children, whom, because of the distance, he didn’t see otherwise. He describes travelling with the school band, their fundraising, and their billeting arrangements.
History
Recording of an interview with Ken Yip recording by Tom Gooden on May 9, 2005. This recording was completed for an exhibit, Growing Up in Burnaby, for the Burnaby Village Museum. Major themes discussed are growing up in Burnaby in the 1950s and 60s.
Creator
Burnaby Village Museum
Subjects
Persons - Chinese Canadians
Names
Yip, Ken
Accession Code
BV017.45.5
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
1950s & 1960s (interview content), interviewed May 9, 2005
Media Type
Sound Recording
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Audio Tracks

Interview with Ken Yip May 9, 2005 - Track 2, 1950s & 1960s (interview content), interviewed May 9, 2005

Interview with Ken Yip May 9, 2005 - Track 2, 1950s & 1960s (interview content), interviewed May 9, 2005

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2017_0045_0005_002.mp3
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Interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19350
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1905-2022] (interview content), interviewed 6 Dec. 2022
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (75 min., 32 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (75 min., 32 sec.)
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar conducted by interviewer Anushay Malik. The interview is conducted in Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi. During the interview Surjeet Kaur Parmar provides information on; her ancestral background, family relations in India and…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
Museum Oral Histories series
Subseries
South Asian Canadian Interviews subseries
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (75 min., 32 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (75 min., 32 sec.)
Material Details
Interviewer: Anushay Malik Interviewee: Surjeet Kaur Parmar Language of Interview: Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi Location of Interview: home of Surjeet Kaur Parmar in Burnaby Interview Date: December 6, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of tracks: (1:15:32) Digital master recordings (wav) were edited into one recording and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar conducted by interviewer Anushay Malik. The interview is conducted in Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi. During the interview Surjeet Kaur Parmar provides information on; her ancestral background, family relations in India and Canada, her personal experiences and her ancestors’ stories as South Asian immigrants, reflections on and personal experiences of racial discrimination as a South Asian immigrant, her places of residence, her employment background, her cultural practices and traditions including food, clothing and craft. The interview begins with introductions from interviewer Anushay Mailik. Surjeet Kaur Parmar imparts her own family’s migration story beginning with her very first elders that immigrated to Canada from India. A relative (unnamed) immigrated to Canada first and a few years later (around 1905) returned to India and brought back three cousins that included; Ginaya Singh (Ghania Singh Manhas) and Doman Singh . Mayo Singh (Ghania Singh’s younger brother) came in 1906 on his own to join them. Surjeet’s grandfather (Shair/Sher Singh Manhas) also wanted to immigrate at this time, but he was too young and weak to manage such a long trip. Surjeet conveys that while living in British Columbia, Mayo and Ginaya Singh worked together at saw mills. With their knowledge and understanding of mill work they ended up owning and operating a mill in Paldi near Duncan on Vancouver Island. At this time, most of the men from Surjeet’s family region in Punjab were abroad and with no men living at home. Mayo Singh’s father (Bhulla Singh) looked after her father (Lashman Singh Manhas) and paternal uncle (Kashmir Singh Manhas) back in Punjab. When Mayo’s father died, Mayo Singh adopted her paternal uncle (Kashmir Singh) and brought him to Canada in 1926. Surjeet describes her ancestors’ immigration journey from India to Canada. They all travelled by ship and if someone ran out of money en route, they could work on the ship. Surjeet explains that both Mayo and Ginaya Singh are Surjeet’s grandfather’s first cousins and her father’s second cousins. Surjeet recollects her grandfather (Shair/Sher Singh Manhas) saying “now that you’ve arrived there, take one cousin from each side with you”. Surjeet explains that the cousins were all from the same village in Punjab and her great grandfather wanted someone to go abroad, so he sent a few and had them bring more as the years went on. Surjeet says that she’s uncertain as to why they chose Canada rather than America but thinks that they did some form of research and determined that it was a good place to come to. Surjeet admits that she doesn’t know the name of her paternal grandfather or other elders since she never met them. Surjeet shares that it was a traditional practice to mark pots and pans with family names and imparts that she discovered her father’s name “Lashman Singh” written on the bottom of a glass. Surjeet expresses that she’s marked her own pots and pans with her name to identify which ones are hers when she gets together with family or does catering. Surjeet refers to a kohl bottle that she has and how she’d like to offer it to the museum. She explains how the kohl bottle is no longer in use but was used by her mother (Budhan Kaur Manhas) and daughter and her grandchildren. Surjeet describes a blanket that she made called a “phulkari”, now on display in a small museum in Coquitlam, a wedding shawl, that her daughter now owns and a silk sari with embroidery. Surjeet and Anushay discuss the possibility of donating the kohl bottle and the sari to the museum. Surjeet explains how the kohl is used and how her mother used to make kohl. She describes how you rub the kohl with your hands, put cardamom in it, one or two other ingredients and fill the kohl bottle up with water. Surjeet says that she used kohl as eyeliner when living in India. The interviewer asks Surjeet more about Ginaya Singh. Surjeet conveys that Ginaya Singh ended up leaving the mill on Vancouver Island and moved to Vancouver. After Ginaya Singh died from a heart attack (in 1953) his family moved from Vancouver to Burnaby. Surjeet recalls that following the death of Ginaya Singh’s youngest son, her family didn’t celebrate “Lohri” (a winter festival celebrating newborns and newly married people) for three years. She shares that she was very young at this time but remembers there being beautiful photographs of young children all dressed up and displayed in her family home. She expresses that dressing up for photos has changed over time and adds that suits didn’t really come into fashion until after the 1970s or 1980s. Surjeet conveys that her uncle named Kashmira Singh first worked at the mill in Paldi near Duncan then moved to Vancouver and opened up his own mill in North Vancouver. Surjeet’s father, Lashman Singh Manhas arrived in 1953. Surjeet expresses that Kapoor Singh was educated and worked as a manager at the mill on Vancouver Island. Surjeet recollects meeting Mayo Singh, his wife and eldest son in 1952 when they travelled to India for a cousin’s wedding. Surjeet remembers that Mayo Singh’s family had a very large house in India. She describes the house as a very opulent two story house with indoor plumbing for a bathtub, a kitchen with a woodstove, coloured mirrors, bejeweled curtains, a motor room to park cars, a buffalo and more. Surjeet refers to Nand Singh, a younger brother of Mayo Singh, who travelled from India to San Franciso and spent a year wandering around before deciding to return to India. She describes him as living in Bombay with his wife Vishan Kaur and having a transport business. Nand had two kids that came to Canada. Surjeet recollects the tragic death of Ganda Singh (Ginaya Singh) who died of a heart attack on someone’s doorstep, they thought that he was drunk so didn’t open the door. Surjeet conveys that Mayo Singh’s wife, Mission Kaur (Saradani Bishan Kaur) died while visiting India (in 1952) and that some of Mayo’s sons were married in Canada and one in India. Surjeet expresses that it was hard for Mayo’s sons to have one of their parents die in India and one die in Canada (Mayo Singh died in B.C. in 1955). Surjeet describes the hospital that Mayo built in the village of Paldi. She mentions that there were festivals and functions that took place there, there were many nurses and doctors. She recalls there being a school where their land was. She recalls that if they got headaches they were treated with medicine and that it didn’t cost much, only a six pence. Surjeet talks about her arranged marriage to Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar. Surjeet explains that her father and brother immigrated to British Columbia first (1953) and after a few months they brought Surjeet and her mother (Budhan Kaur Manhas). She recollects that when she was in Grade 10 and around 17 years of age, her family made plans to travel to India to attend a family wedding. During this time, her father suggested that it would be a good opportunity to take Surjeet with them to find her a husband in India to marry. After meeting and marrying Nadeem Parmar in India, Surjeet and Nadeem moved to England. Surjeet recollects that in order to immigrate to Canada, each family member had to pass a medical exam and how difficult it was. Her two sisters, mother and brother all had to take the test in Delhi. Surjeet recalls living in England with Nadeem. While living in England, Nadeem worked during the day and studied engineering at college in the evening. Surjeet expresses that she liked living in England and was sad to leave. While living there, they enjoyed a close knit Punjabi community and they all lived in the same area. Surjeet states later in her interview that living in Canada was different from living in England. In England, family and friends lived closer together whereas in Canada places were further apart. Surjeet says that while living in England she could walk to do her shopping. While living in England, after her children were a bit older, she worked as a seamstress in a shirt factory for a few years before coming to Canada. Surjeet imparts that her father (Lashman Singh Manhas) died of a heart attack in 1970 and her mother (Budhan Kaur Manhas) died in 1998. Her father and her family first lived in North Vancouver and then her parents bought a house on Eton Street in Burnaby, near the Ocean. After her father died, her brother and mother bought a house and moved to the Capitol Hill neighbourhood in Burnaby. In 1973, Surjeet, Nadeem and their two children immigrated to Canada and moved in with her brother and mother. Surjeet includes that her paternal aunt (Koshali Kaur Manhas) and cousins also moved to Burnaby and that her aunt and some of her cousins were sponsored by her son who came earlier. Surjeet recalls that after arriving in Canada she got work sewing in a factory located on Water Street in Gastown. Surjeet recollects travelling to her job by bus. Surjeet shares that she brought saris and quilted blankets “rijai”, not household items, in her suitcase when she came to Canada from England. Surjeet explains that the “rijai” (quilted blankets) were made from cotton from her home village in India. The blankets were made by women and then brought back to her to quilt on her sewing machine. Surjeet recalls that when she returned to Canada (in 1973 with her husband and children) they first lived with her mother and brother on Capitol Hill in Burnaby before moving to a house on Fell Avenue and then to their current home in 1982. In 1981, she worked at “Canadian Window Covering” factory making window coverings. The factory was located in the Brentwood area of Burnaby. Surjeet recalls how the factory became unionized and of how she left the factory and found union work at the Labatt’s brewery (Winery and Distillery Workers Local 300). Surjeet describes the work that she did while working at Labatt’s brewery which was located next to the Royal Columbian Hospital in Burnaby. Around 1995, when the Labatt’s factory closed down in Burnaby, she got union work as a bottle sorter for BDL Brewers Distributor Limited, where bottles were gathered for distribution at Braid Station. Surjeet left this job in 2000. Surjeet talks about traditional foods like bindi, sabji, aam and karela and where she’s shopped to find traditional ingredients for South Asian cuisine. She recollects how at first she could only find traditional ingredients at stores in Gastown, Chinatown and on Main Street in Vancouver but now they are more readily available at major grocery stores. Surjeet expresses that traditional spices and dry goods have been hard to find, apart from stores like, Famous Foods and Patels when it was located on Commercial Drive. Surjeet talks about using ingredients such as green pea flour and Besan flour to make pakoras and kahdri. Surjeet states that many immigrants didn’t wear their traditional clothing until she came later. She expresses that many South Asian immigrants didn’t wear their clothes “because there were no rights, we had to try to become like them”. Surjeet conveys that even though some were able to purchase property (she provides an example of family members in Duncan who faced discrimination by the owner/seller of a piece of property they were purchasing) that they had very little rights and they were all living in fear. She expresses that she herself didn’t experience this but in the beginning when people settled here (in B.C.) that it was very difficult. Surjeet says that when she goes to the Gurdwara and to work, she wears a sari and conveys that while working at the factory, she was encouraged to wear a sari, it was accepted then. She brought printed saris to work and her co workers said that they’d wear them to parties. Surjeet reflects on her own experiences of racism and discrimination and expresses that her generation “has learned how to stand up in front, then they got scared of saying anything”. “The people who came here first were afraid because they were alone, they had to settle down here and make a home from scratch, but the ones who came after had everything already built and made”. She explains how they helped one another when they came (to British Columbia). She describes how the Gurdwara was located on 2nd Street and all of the ships went there (new immigrants?), people would gather, get water, help one another and there would be a place for all people. Surjeet shares a personal experience of helping members of her husband’s family to immigrate to Canada. She tells of the complications of some being left behind in India and that some came to Canada as refugees that she and her husband sponsored. Surjeet expresses their struggles with raising a family, working and trying to pay for their own house while also trying to assist and support family members. Surjeet describes in detail how her husband Nadeem went back to India after his mother died to help his father, sister and her family immigrate. She explains that the immigration process took about four years and his father had to apply as a refugee. Nadeem’s sister came with her children but had to return to India so Surjeet and her family had to look after Nadeem’s sister’s child/children. Surjeet expresses that during this time she continued to work at Canadian Window Coverings, working an afternoon shift and sometimes taking her son with her. She expresses that this as a very hectic time, working the whole day, making food for everyone, grocery shopping, looking after a her sister in law’s younger child at night and getting no rest. Surjeet describes the time when she was working and her children were attending the local school. She expresses the challenges of working long days and often arriving home after her children. She recollects a time when there was a snow storm and how she was worried about her children making it home and being alone while she was at work, there were no cell phones in those days but they had phone numbers of her brother and sister. Surjeet tells of how they tried to help the rest of the Nadeem’s family immigrate including his brother who was a soccer player in India. They were able to buy a house for the whole family to live but expresses after several months Nadeem’s brother decided to stay in India. Surjeet expresses the complications and frustrations of trying to bring all family members to Canada.
History
Interviewee biography: Surjeet Kaur Parmar was born in Punjab, India in 1942 to parents Lashman Singh Manhas (1913-1970) and Budhan Kaur Manhas (1906-1998). Surjeet’s ancestors, Ghania Singh Manhas, Doman Singh and Mayo Singh immigrated to British Columbia in 1905 and 1906. The group got work in saw mills and soon began owning and operating their own saw mills, first in Chilliwack and Rosedale districts and later in 1920 on Vancouver Island near Duncan (Paldi) (known as the Mayo Lumber Company). In 1927, Surjeet’s paternal uncle, Kashmir Singh Manhas left Paldi, Punjab at the age of 18 years with Mayo Singh Manhas and after months of travel they arrived at Paldi on Vancouver Island. In 1953, Surjeet’s father, Lashman Singh Manhas and her two brothers immigrated to Canada and soon after brought her and her mother, Budhan Kaur Manhas. After immigrating, her father began working at “Kashmir Lumber Company” in North Vancouver which was owned by his brother Kashmira Singh Manhas. Surjeet, her parents and two brothers first made their home in North Vancouver and the 1960s they moved to 3824 Eton Street in Burnaby. In 1959, Surjeet and her family returned to India for her brother’s wedding. During this time a marriage was arranged for Surjeet to marry Nadeem Parmar and they were married in 1960. Following their marriage, Surjeet and Nadeem moved to England where they began raising their two children. While living in England, Surjeet worked as seamstress at a factory. In 1973, following the death of Surjeet’s father who died in 1970, Surjeet and Nadeem decided to immigrate to British Columbia. For the first few years, Surjeet, Nadeem and their two children lived with her mother and brother in the Capitol Hill neighbourhood of Burnaby before purchasing their own home on Fell Avenue. While living in Burnaby Surjeet has worked as a seamstress for Canadian Window Covering, Labatt's Brewery and BDL Brewers Distributor Limited which she left in 2000. In 1982, Surjeet and her family moved into a new home that they had built on Woodsworth Street where they still live today. Interviewer biography: Anushay Malik is labor historian with a geographical focus on South Asia. Anushay studied at the University of London and was a research fellow at the International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In 2014, Anushay moved back to her native Pakistan and joined Lahore University of Management Services as an Assistant Professor. In 2023, Anushay is a visiting scholar at Simon Fraser University and lives in Burnaby with her family. Anushay was a co-curator of the Burnaby Village Museum exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.
Creator
Burnaby Village Museum
Subjects
Buildings - Industrial - Saw Mills
Clothing
Crafts
Employment
Migration
Social Issues
Social Issues - Racism
Occupations - Labourers
Occupations - Millworkers
Persons - South Asian Canadians
Names
Parmar, Surjeet Kaur
Parmar, Kalwant Singh "Nadeem"
Manhas, Ghania Singh
Singh, Mayo
Manhas, Kashmir Singh
Manhas, Sher Singh
Manhas, Budhan Kaur
Manhas, Lashman Singh
Accession Code
BV022.29.5
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1905-2022] (interview content), interviewed 6 Dec. 2022
Media Type
Sound Recording
Related Material
See also BV022.29.1 - interview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Transcription of interview translated to English from Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi to English created by Rajdeep
Transciption available on Heritage Burnaby
Spelling of "Ginaya Singh" found as "Ghania Singh Manhas" in obituary and death certificate
Documents
Audio Tracks

Interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar, [1905-2022] (interview content), interviewed 6 Dec. 2022

Interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar, [1905-2022] (interview content), interviewed 6 Dec. 2022

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0005_003.mp3
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Japanese Bath House

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription463
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1956] (date of original), copied 1978
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 17.3 x 24.1 cm print
Scope and Content
Photograph of a Japanese bath house built outdoors. There are stacks of wood beside the bath house, which is a small wooden structure with a few small windows. There is a plank board walk on the side of the bath house leading to a well. According to a letter sent by the donor, the bath house was …
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 17.3 x 24.1 cm print
Scope and Content
Photograph of a Japanese bath house built outdoors. There are stacks of wood beside the bath house, which is a small wooden structure with a few small windows. There is a plank board walk on the side of the bath house leading to a well. According to a letter sent by the donor, the bath house was built around 1945 - 1946 at Mission Flats, Kamloops, BC by the donor's father, Junzo Yamake (1895-1973). At the time of the letter, the site was part of the Weyerhaeuser Company's pulp mill complex. The bath house was constructed to complement the house the donor's family was living as there was no indoor bathroom. She writes that it was strange to live in a huge, comfortable English style house, and still have an outhouse, and the outdoor Japanese bath house that were situated around the house.
Subjects
Buildings - Residential
Accession Code
HV978.11.1
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
[1956] (date of original), copied 1978
Media Type
Photograph
Related Material
For another photograph of the same bath house, see HV978.11.2
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
2023-08-01
Photographer
Kakutani, James Kiyoshi "Jimmie"
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Less detail

Japanese Bath House

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription464
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1956] (date of original), copied 1978
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 20.2 x 25.3 cm print
Scope and Content
Photograph of a Japanese bath house built outdoors. There are stacks of wood beside the bath house, which is a small wooden structure with a few small windows.There is a plank board walk on the side of the bath house leading to a well. In the centre of the photograph is a man leaning over a stove.…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 20.2 x 25.3 cm print
Scope and Content
Photograph of a Japanese bath house built outdoors. There are stacks of wood beside the bath house, which is a small wooden structure with a few small windows.There is a plank board walk on the side of the bath house leading to a well. In the centre of the photograph is a man leaning over a stove. According to a letter sent by the donor, the bath house was built around 1945 - 1946 at Mission Flats, Kamloops, BC by the donor's father, Junzo Yamake (1895-1973). At the time of the letter, the site was part of the Weyerhauser Company's pulp mill complex. The bath house was constructed to complement the house the donor's family was living as there was no indoor bathroom. She writes that it was strange to live in a huge, comfortable English style house, and still have an outhouse, and the outdoor Japanese bath house that were situated around the house. Also, she indicates the man in the centre is her father, Junzo Yamake, boiling water to do spring cleaning.
Subjects
Persons - Japanese Canadians
Buildings - Residential
Names
Yamake, Junzo
Accession Code
HV978.11.2
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
[1956] (date of original), copied 1978
Media Type
Photograph
Related Material
For another photograph of the same bath house, see HV978.11.1
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
2023-08-01
Photographer
Kakutani, James Kiyoshi "Jimmie"
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
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Lease of Lot 5, SD 1-6, 9, 10, Blocks 9, 10, DL 80 N (BC Evangelical Mission)

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport53756
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
69841
Meeting Date
22-May-1944
Format
Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
69841
Meeting Date
22-May-1944
Format
Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
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Letter from Southview Property Management Inc. which appeared on the Agenda for the 1990 June 11 Meeting of Council re: Interim Recycling Depot and Garden Waste Disposal Site/Mission Avenue Parkway, Edmonds Town Centre South

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport11905
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
12258
Meeting Date
18-Jun-1990
Format
Council - Manager's Report
Manager's Report No.
42
Item No.
1
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
12258
Meeting Date
18-Jun-1990
Format
Council - Manager's Report
Manager's Report No.
42
Item No.
1
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
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Letter re Special Survey of District Lots 9, 55, 106 and 107

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription11144
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
December 1927
Collection/Fonds
Ronald G. Scobbie collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 p. of textual records
Scope and Content
Item consists of a letter dated 13th December 1927 with letterhead "McQuarrie, Whiteside & Duncan / Barristers & Solicitors", "New Westminster Office / Westminster Trust Building / Mission City Office / Catherwood Building / New Westminster, B.C.."; addressee "Messrs. Burnett & McGugan, Surveyors /…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Ronald G. Scobbie collection
Series
Subdivision and survey plans series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 p. of textual records
Scope and Content
Item consists of a letter dated 13th December 1927 with letterhead "McQuarrie, Whiteside & Duncan / Barristers & Solicitors", "New Westminster Office / Westminster Trust Building / Mission City Office / Catherwood Building / New Westminster, B.C.."; addressee "Messrs. Burnett & McGugan, Surveyors / 30 McKenzie Street, CITY" "ATTENTION MR. BURNETT."; "Re: Special Survey of District Lots 9, 55, 106 and 107. Group 1, New Westminster District, District of Coquitlam".
Accession Code
BV003.83.23
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
December 1927
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Title based on contents of item
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Mission Avenue and Weiser Lock Company of Canada

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport37175
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
33591
Meeting Date
24-Aug-1964
Format
Council - Manager's Report
Manager's Report No.
54
Item No.
6
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
33591
Meeting Date
24-Aug-1964
Format
Council - Manager's Report
Manager's Report No.
54
Item No.
6
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
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Mission furniture : how to make it

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary1351
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Author
Windsor, H. H. (Henry Haven), 1859-1924
Publication Date
c1999
Call Number
684.104 MIS
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Reference Collection
Material Type
Book
ISBN
0921335903
9780921335900
Call Number
684.104 MIS
Author
Windsor, H. H. (Henry Haven), 1859-1924
Place of Publication
Ottawa
Publisher
Algrove Pub.
Publication Date
c1999
Series
Classic reprint series (Ottawa, Ont.)
Physical Description
120 p. : ill. ; 21 cm.
Library Subject (LOC)
Furniture, Mission--Design and construction
Furniture making
Notes
Reprint of 3 part set published: Chicago : Popular Mechanics, 1909-1912.
Includes indexes.
"Over 150 projects"--Cover.
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The mission hymnal for use in evangelistic services etc.

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary2707
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Call Number
783.9 EDW
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Special Collection
Material Type
Book
Accession Code
HV974.63.3
Call Number
783.9 EDW
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Edwin Dalton
Physical Description
1 close score (ca. 154 p.) ; 22 cm.
Inscription
insignia stamped on front pastedown and title page
Library Subject (LOC)
Hymns, English
Methodist Church
Notes
Morgan & Scott (Office of the Christian)
Includes index.
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Municipal Participation in an Investment and Trade Mission to Hong Kong and Taipei

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport11134
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
7214
Meeting Date
17-Jun-1991
Format
Council - Manager's Report
Manager's Report No.
39
Item No.
23
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
7214
Meeting Date
17-Jun-1991
Format
Council - Manager's Report
Manager's Report No.
39
Item No.
23
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Less detail

Municipal Participation in a Trade Mission to Hong Kong during the Week of May 20, 1991

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport11307
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
7158
Meeting Date
8-Apr-1991
Format
Council - Manager's Report
Manager's Report No.
24
Item No.
2
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
7158
Meeting Date
8-Apr-1991
Format
Council - Manager's Report
Manager's Report No.
24
Item No.
2
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
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Municipal Trade Mission to the Orient

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport10415
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
3944
Meeting Date
19-May-1992
Format
Council - Manager's Report
Manager's Report No.
36
Item No.
8
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
3944
Meeting Date
19-May-1992
Format
Council - Manager's Report
Manager's Report No.
36
Item No.
8
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
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Out-of-doors

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5068
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Special Collection
Material Type
Book
Accession Code
BV007.21.23
Call Number
507.1 CRA
Author
Craig, Gerald S. (Gerald Spellman), 1893-1987
Baldwin, Sara E. (Sara Emily)
Contributor
Kay, Gertrude A. (Gertrude Alice), 1884-1939
Spencer, Hugh
Place of Publication
Boston
Publisher
Gin and Company
Publication Date
c1932
Series
Pathways in science ; 2.
Printer
Athenaeum Press
Physical Description
vii, 281 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 20 cm
Inscription
"Mission Creek School" [handwritten in black ink on front endpaper]
Library Subject (LOC)
Science
Juvenile literature
Subjects
Documentary Artifacts - Books
Notes
"Illustrated by Gertrude A. Kay and Hugh Spencer" --t.p.
Author's given name and dates: Craig, Gerald S. (Gerald Spellman), 1893-
Author's given name and dates: Baldwin, Sara E. (Sara Emily)
Illustrator's given name and dates: Kay, Gertrude A. (Gertrude Alice), 1884-1939
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Paving of Beresford Street between Mission Avenue and Gilley Avenue

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport43177
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
38976
Meeting Date
23-Apr-1957
Format
Council - Committee Report
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
38976
Meeting Date
23-Apr-1957
Format
Council - Committee Report
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
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Petition for Asphalt Paving of Beresford Street from Gilley Avenue to Mission Avenue

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport43273
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
38880
Meeting Date
18-Mar-1957
Format
Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
38880
Meeting Date
18-Mar-1957
Format
Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
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Planking a Canadian Pacific Railway bridge

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34431
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1925]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 12.1 cm on page 17.5 x 26.2 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of a group of workmen working on a Canadian Pacific Railway bridge in Mission. 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, so these may be…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1925]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Peers family subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 12.1 cm on page 17.5 x 26.2 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
020-138
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS2007-04
Scope and Content
Photograph of a group of workmen working on a Canadian Pacific Railway bridge in Mission. 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, so these may be members of a work crew taking a break alongside the road.
Subjects
Construction - Bridge Construction
Structures - Bridges
Transportation - Rail
Occupations - Labourers
Names
Canadian Pacific Railway Company
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Peers, Arthur Francis "Mike"
Notes
Title based on caption accompanying photograph
Images
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118 records – page 5 of 6.