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Person / Organization
- Bossort, Kathy 1
- Brown, Donald N. "Don" 2
- Burnaby Police Department 1
- Corrigan, Derek 1
- Digney, Andy 4
- Digney, Ernest Frank "Dig" 1
- Elizabeth, Queen, consort of George VI, King of Great Britain, 1900-2002 1
- Fowler, Rod 4
- George VI, King of Great Britain, 1895-1952 1
- Lewarne, Ethel Leer 1
- Lewarne, William A. "Bill" 2
- Lorimer, James G "Jim" 1
![Burnaby, [between 1937 and 1938] thumbnail](/media/Hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-002-5.jpg?width=280)
Burnaby
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85235
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1937 and 1938]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (9 min., 26 sec.) : digital, b&w, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Item is a silent digitized film segment identified as Reel 5. The film segment opens with black and white footage of a Burnaby May Day Parade. Children are seen in costumes pushing carriages and bicycles along with pets as they come to gather at Central Park for judging. This event is followed with…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1937 and 1938]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (9 min., 26 sec.) : digital, b&w, col., si.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 562-003-5
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2014-04
- Scope and Content
- Item is a silent digitized film segment identified as Reel 5. The film segment opens with black and white footage of a Burnaby May Day Parade. Children are seen in costumes pushing carriages and bicycles along with pets as they come to gather at Central Park for judging. This event is followed with colour footage of a gymkhana event with people riding horses at the Lubbock farm in Burnaby and closes with Victory Bond fundraising outside the Oak Theatre, a parade on Kingsway and contrails from an airplane. Many of the men can be seen marching in the parade with their A.R.P. (Air Raid Precautions) uniforms and arm bands.
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Photographer
- Digney, Andy
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film
- Geographic Access
- Kingsway
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
![Burnaby, [between 1937 and 1938] thumbnail](/media/Hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-002-5.jpg)
Video
Burnaby, [between 1937 and 1938]
Burnaby, [between 1937 and 1938]
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-003-5.m4v![Burnaby Sports Day, [between 1936 and 1939] thumbnail](/media/Hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-002-3.jpg?width=280)
Burnaby Sports Day
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85204
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1936 and 1939]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (8 min., 37 sec.) : digital, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment with footage of the annual Sports Day events held at Burnaby Central Park. The film opens with an unidentified dedication ceremony and tree planting in an unknown location and switches to students marching into Central Park. Hundreds of child…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1936 and 1939]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (8 min., 37 sec.) : digital, col., si.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 562-002-3
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2012-15
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment with footage of the annual Sports Day events held at Burnaby Central Park. The film opens with an unidentified dedication ceremony and tree planting in an unknown location and switches to students marching into Central Park. Hundreds of children and Youth are showcased in sporting field events and competitions such as track and field sports, acrobatics, gymnastics, dancing, leap frog, skipping, rugby.
- Subjects
- Events - Parades
- Occupations
- Occupations - Labourers
- Organizations - Mens' Societies and Clubs
- Organizations - Womens' Societies and Clubs
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Photographer
- Digney, Andy
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film
- Film clip originates from digitized version of original 16 mm film footage (item 562-002). This segment was part of digitized portion titled 'May Day Events'
- Geographic Access
- Kingsway
- Central Park
- Street Address
- 3883 Imperial Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
![Burnaby Sports Day, [between 1936 and 1939] thumbnail](/media/Hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-002-3.jpg)
Video
Burnaby Sports Day, [between 1936 and 1939]
Burnaby Sports Day, [between 1936 and 1939]
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-002-3.m4v
Children's theatrical performance at the Oak Theatre
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85469
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1939
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (1 min., 36 sec.) : digital, b&w ; si.
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized copy of a black and white film segment of an unidentified theatrical production at the Oak Theatre with children as the performers. Children appear in costume with some dressed as mice or rats and cats dancing and performing on the stage while others are dressed as townsfolk. Th…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1939
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (1 min., 36 sec.) : digital, b&w ; si.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 562-002-5
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2012-15
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized copy of a black and white film segment of an unidentified theatrical production at the Oak Theatre with children as the performers. Children appear in costume with some dressed as mice or rats and cats dancing and performing on the stage while others are dressed as townsfolk. The play closely resembles the folk tale 'The Pied Piper of Hamelin' (also known as The Pan Piper, the Rat Catcher of Hamelin).
- Names
- Oak Theatre
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Photographer
- Digney, Andy
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film
- Film clip originates from digitized version of original 16 mm film footage (item 562-002). This segment was part of digitized portion titled 'Royal Visit'
- Storage location refers to location of DVD containing this clip. See 562-002 notes for more information. Additional copies of video file stored in Permanent drive accession folder.
- Geographic Access
- Kingsway
- Central Park
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
Video
Children's theatrical performance at the Oak Theatre, 1939
Children's theatrical performance at the Oak Theatre, 1939
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-002-5.m4v
Digney family home at Christmas
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85470
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1939
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (1min., 18 sec.) : digital, col. ; si.
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment of the Digney family at Christmas. Film opens with views of a rhododendrun bush and moves into footage showing the outside and inside their home at Christmas time.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1939
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (1min., 18 sec.) : digital, col. ; si.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 562-002-6
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2012-15
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment of the Digney family at Christmas. Film opens with views of a rhododendrun bush and moves into footage showing the outside and inside their home at Christmas time.
- Subjects
- Holidays - Christmas
- Names
- Digney, Andy
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Photographer
- Digney, Andy
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film
- Film clip originates from digitized version of original 16 mm film footage (item 562-002). This segment was part of digitized portion titled 'Royal Visit'
- Geographic Access
- Central Park
- Kingsway
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
Video
Digney family home at Christmas, 1939
Digney family home at Christmas, 1939
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-002-6.m4v
Interview with Don Brown by Rod Fowler February 26, 1990 - Track 1
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory502
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1947-1950
- Length
- 00:05:23
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Don Brown’s three years working for the BC Provincial Police in Burnaby. He describes the communication and transportation challenges that separated neighbourhoods in Burnaby, and what the area looked like around his first house on Portland Street.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Don Brown’s three years working for the BC Provincial Police in Burnaby. He describes the communication and transportation challenges that separated neighbourhoods in Burnaby, and what the area looked like around his first house on Portland Street.
- Date Range
- 1947-1950
- Photo Info
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sergeant Don Brown, November 2, 1997. Item no. 535-0979
- Length
- 00:05:23
- Subjects
- Public Services - Policing
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Sussex-Nelson Area
- Interviewer
- Fowler, Rod
- Interview Date
- February 26, 1990
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Don Brown, conducted by Rod Fowler. Don Brown was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about Don Brown’s description of the changes in Burnaby’s built and natural landscapes and socioeconomic conditions, especially between 1947 and 1975, the strong impression made on him by those changes evident in the interview. He talks about his work and career as a police officer with the Burnaby Provincial Police and RCMP. The interview also details his involvement in Burnaby politics and volunteer community groups. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
- Biographical Notes
- Donald Neil “Don” Brown was born in Birmingham, England May 4, 1919, and immigrated with his parents and siblings to Winnipeg in 1922. At the outbreak of WWII Don Brown left high school and enlisted in the 12th Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers, serving six years in the army. Before going overseas he married Helen Birch in 1939. In 1947 Don Brown joined the B.C. Provincial Police which was absorbed by the RCMP in 1950. He worked as a police officer in Burnaby from 1947 to 1954, and then was transferred to Ottawa (with a stop in Regina) for nine and a half years where he attended Carleton University to study forensics. In 1963 Don Brown was transferred back to Vancouver and bought and moved into a house on Watling Street in Burnaby where he still lived in 1990. Another transfer took him to Edmonton for five years, returning to Burnaby in 1975. Following retirement in 1980 with the rank of Supervisor and after 22 years in forensic laboratories, Don Brown started his own business as a private document examiner. Don Brown was active in Burnaby politics, serving as Alderman from 1979-1985. He was also involved in many community groups including the South Burnaby Men’s Club, which he helped found in 1952, as well as active in the Burnaby Historical Society, and served on the Burnaby School Board, Burnaby Centennial Committee, and the Community College for the Retired. Don and Helen Brown had six children: Donna, Don, Gina, Patricia, Christopher and Susan. Don Brown died May 16, 2009.
- Total Tracks
- 14
- Total Length
- 01:35:07
- Interviewee Name
- Brown, Donald N. "Don"
- Interviewer Bio
- Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
- Collection/Fonds
- SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
- Transcript Available
- Transcript available
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
Audio Tracks
Track one of interview with Don Brown
Track one of interview with Don Brown
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-016/MSS187-016_Track%201.mp3
Interview with Don Brown by Rod Fowler February 26, 1990 - Track 7
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory508
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1947-1954
- Length
- 00:09:03
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Don Brown’s memories about what his neighbourhood looked like in the early 1950’s, his salary as a policeman, housing costs, buying vegetables from the Chinese market gardens, and what he and his wife and friends did for entertainment. He talks about the night…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Don Brown’s memories about what his neighbourhood looked like in the early 1950’s, his salary as a policeman, housing costs, buying vegetables from the Chinese market gardens, and what he and his wife and friends did for entertainment. He talks about the nightclubs and liquor laws in Burnaby at that time
- Date Range
- 1947-1954
- Photo Info
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sergeant Don Brown, November 2, 1997. Item no. 535-0979
- Length
- 00:09:03
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Sussex-Nelson Area
- Interviewer
- Fowler, Rod
- Interview Date
- February 26, 1990
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Don Brown, conducted by Rod Fowler. Don Brown was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about Don Brown’s description of the changes in Burnaby’s built and natural landscapes and socioeconomic conditions, especially between 1947 and 1975, the strong impression made on him by those changes evident in the interview. He talks about his work and career as a police officer with the Burnaby Provincial Police and RCMP. The interview also details his involvement in Burnaby politics and volunteer community groups. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
- Biographical Notes
- Donald Neil “Don” Brown was born in Birmingham, England May 4, 1919, and immigrated with his parents and siblings to Winnipeg in 1922. At the outbreak of WWII Don Brown left high school and enlisted in the 12th Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers, serving six years in the army. Before going overseas he married Helen Birch in 1939. In 1947 Don Brown joined the B.C. Provincial Police which was absorbed by the RCMP in 1950. He worked as a police officer in Burnaby from 1947 to 1954, and then was transferred to Ottawa (with a stop in Regina) for nine and a half years where he attended Carleton University to study forensics. In 1963 Don Brown was transferred back to Vancouver and bought and moved into a house on Watling Street in Burnaby where he still lived in 1990. Another transfer took him to Edmonton for five years, returning to Burnaby in 1975. Following retirement in 1980 with the rank of Supervisor and after 22 years in forensic laboratories, Don Brown started his own business as a private document examiner. Don Brown was active in Burnaby politics, serving as Alderman from 1979-1985. He was also involved in many community groups including the South Burnaby Men’s Club, which he helped found in 1952, as well as active in the Burnaby Historical Society, and served on the Burnaby School Board, Burnaby Centennial Committee, and the Community College for the Retired. Don and Helen Brown had six children: Donna, Don, Gina, Patricia, Christopher and Susan. Don Brown died May 16, 2009.
- Total Tracks
- 14
- Total Length
- 01:35:07
- Interviewee Name
- Brown, Donald N. "Don"
- Interviewer Bio
- Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
- Collection/Fonds
- SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
- Transcript Available
- Transcript available
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
Audio Tracks
Track seven of interview with Don Brown
Track seven of interview with Don Brown
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-016/MSS187-016_Track%207.mp3Interview with Mayor Derek Corrigan by Kathy Bossort January 28, 2016 - Track 1
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory679
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1965-1980
- Length
- 0:09:07
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Mayor Corrigan talking about his education at UBC as an undergraduate majoring in philosophy and political science and later as a law student, and his early work experience as a prison guard at Oakalla Prison and later articling for Jim Lorimer. He tells about…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Mayor Corrigan talking about his education at UBC as an undergraduate majoring in philosophy and political science and later as a law student, and his early work experience as a prison guard at Oakalla Prison and later articling for Jim Lorimer. He tells about how these formative events impacted his life. He also talks about moving to Burnaby in 1977, originally to the Stoney Creek area and then to the South Slope area.
- Date Range
- 1965-1980
- Length
- 0:09:07
- Subjects
- Education
- Occupations
- Planning Study Area
- Lyndhurst Area
- Sussex-Nelson Area
- Interviewer
- Bossort, Kathy
- Interview Date
- January 28, 2016
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Mayor Derek Corrigan conducted by Kathy Bossort. Derek Corrigan was one of 23 participants interviewed as part of the Community Heritage Commission’s Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project. The interview is mainly about Mayor Corrigan talking about the history and value of protecting the environment and green space in Burnaby, and the different positions held by the City and SFU about land use and control on Burnaby Mountain between 1964 and 1995. He talks about the increasing awareness that a solution needed to be found that gave certainty to the protection of the conservation area on Burnaby Mountain. Mayor Corrigan also talks about what conservation means to him, the role that the Centennial Pavilion area plays on Burnaby Mountain, and the future for the urban forest on Burnaby Mountain. Other topics include his childhood, education, formative events in his life, and his career in politics.
- Biographical Notes
- Derek Corrigan was born and grew up in Vancouver. He attended a number of elementary schools in East Vancouver, Queen Elizabeth Elementary School (Gr. 4-7) and Sir Charles Tupper High School. He attended UBC, majoring in philosophy and political science, and after travel in Europe, successfully applied to enter law school without completing his bachelors degree. He graduated in 1977, articled with Jim Lorimer in Burnaby and was called to the bar in 1978. In 1977 Derek Corrigan and his wife Kathy moved to Burnaby, first to the Stoney Creek neighborhood and then to a home on the South Slope where they raised their family of four children. Derek Corrigan first ran for Burnaby Council in 1979 with the Burnaby Citizens Association, and after three more tries was elected to council in 1987. He has served Burnaby for 28 years, first as a councillor and then as mayor since 2002. During his career he has served on many committees at the local, regional and national levels.
- Total Tracks
- 9
- Total Length
- 1:31:24
- Interviewee Name
- Corrigan, Derek
- Interview Location
- Mayor’s office at Burnaby City Hall
- Interviewer Bio
- Kathy Bossort is a retired archivist living in Ladner, BC. She worked at the Delta Museum and Archives after graduating from SLAIS (UBC) in 2001 with Masters degrees in library science and archival studies. Kathy grew up in Calgary, Alberta, and, prior to this career change, she lived in the West Kootenays, earning her living as a cook for BC tourist lodges and work camps. She continues to be interested in oral histories as a way to fill the gaps in the written record and bring richer meaning to history.
- Collection/Fonds
- Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
Audio Tracks
Track one of interview with Mayor Derek Corrigan
Track one of interview with Mayor Derek Corrigan
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS196-018/MSS196-018_Track_1.mp3![Burnaby Alderman, Bill (William) Lewarne, [1973]. Item no. 231-012 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/205/231-012.jpg?width=280)
Interview with William A. Lewarne by Rod Fowler March 14, 1990 - Track 1
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory441
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1926-1989
- Length
- 00:10:22
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is mainly about the start of the Lewarne family ice cream business in the Depression and its history under three generations of the family. He also remembers the hard times of the Depression, the schools he attended in South Burnaby, and Mr. Seller’s shetland ponies.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is mainly about the start of the Lewarne family ice cream business in the Depression and its history under three generations of the family. He also remembers the hard times of the Depression, the schools he attended in South Burnaby, and Mr. Seller’s shetland ponies.
- Date Range
- 1926-1989
- Photo Info
- Burnaby Alderman, Bill (William) Lewarne, [1973]. Item no. 231-012
- Length
- 00:10:22
- Subjects
- Occupations - Entrepreneurs
- Business
- Geographic Access
- Nelson Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Sussex-Nelson Area
- Interviewer
- Fowler, Rod
- Interview Date
- March 14, 1990
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with former Mayor William “Bill” Lewarne, conducted by Rod Fowler. Bill Lewarne was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about Bill Lewarne’s business and political careers, and memories of growing up in South Burnaby in the 1930s. Bill Lewarne talks about his parent’s origins, his family and community struggles during the Depression, the interurban, his education, war service, and joining his father's business. He describes the start, operation and expansion of the family ice cream business, and how business life compared to political life. The interview explores the role of politics in community affairs, his political activities, the history of the BVA, and his involvement in various community organizations. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track, expand this description and see “Notes”.
- Biographical Notes
- William Alfred “Bill” Lewarne was born in Burnaby in 1926 to Ethel Cecilia Leer (1899- ) and Alfred Lewarne (1893-1962). The family, Ethel, Alfred and their three children Patricia, Beverley and William, moved to a house on Nelson Avenue in Alta Vista in 1931. Ethel still lived in the family home in 1990. Bill Lewarne attended Nelson Avenue School and South Burnaby High School (1932-1944). His father Alfred worked at Colony Farms as a dairy inspector and then for the Port of Vancouver Dairy before being laid off early in the Depression. The family struggled until in 1936 Alfred started his own ice cream business. After graduation Bill was in the army for two years, taking a refrigeration course under the veteran’s training benefit, before joining his father’s business. Three generations of the family operated the successful company, expanding from wholesale, retail and distribution of ice cream products into refrigerated warehouses and the wholesale ice business, until the business was sold to its competitor Dairyland in 1989. Bill Lewarne entered politics in 1965, first with the Nonpartisan Association (NPA) and then as a founder of the Burnaby Citizens Association (BCA). He served as an alderman on Burnaby Council 1973-1975 and 1977-1981 and as Mayor 1981-1987. In 1979 he ran for provincial office for the Social Credit Party against Rosemary Brown but lost. Bill Lewarne married June Lawrence and they had three children Robert, Leslie and Janice. He was active in many organizations: Burnaby/Willingdon Liberal Association, Seton Villa, Irish Fusileers of Canada, Lions Club, Rotary Club, Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion, and the Burnaby Hospital Foundation, and continued to be active on the Board of the BCA. Bill Lewarne died in 1995.
- Total Tracks
- 14
- Total Length
- 1:34:40
- Interviewee Name
- Lewarne, William A. "Bill"
- Interviewer Bio
- Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and business computerization in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
- Collection/Fonds
- SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
- Transcript Available
- Transcript available
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
![Burnaby Alderman, Bill (William) Lewarne, [1973]. Item no. 231-012 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/205/231-012.jpg)
Audio Tracks
Track one of interview with Bill Lewarne
Track one of interview with Bill Lewarne
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-019/MSS187-019_Track_1.mp3
Interview with William A. Lewarne by Rod Fowler March 14, 1990 - Track 2
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory442
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1893-1944
- Length
- 00:05:35
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Bill Lewarne’s parents’ history (Ethel Leer and Alfred Lewarne) and growing up in South Burnaby.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Bill Lewarne’s parents’ history (Ethel Leer and Alfred Lewarne) and growing up in South Burnaby.
- Date Range
- 1893-1944
- Photo Info
- Burnaby Alderman, Bill (William) Lewarne, [1973]. Item no. 231-012
- Length
- 00:05:35
- Names
- Lewarne, Ethel Leer
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Sussex-Nelson Area
- Interviewer
- Fowler, Rod
- Interview Date
- March 14, 1990
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with former Mayor William “Bill” Lewarne, conducted by Rod Fowler. Bill Lewarne was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about Bill Lewarne’s business and political careers, and memories of growing up in South Burnaby in the 1930s. Bill Lewarne talks about his parent’s origins, his family and community struggles during the Depression, the interurban, his education, war service, and joining his father's business. He describes the start, operation and expansion of the family ice cream business, and how business life compared to political life. The interview explores the role of politics in community affairs, his political activities, the history of the BVA, and his involvement in various community organizations. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track, expand this description and see “Notes”.
- Biographical Notes
- William Alfred “Bill” Lewarne was born in Burnaby in 1926 to Ethel Cecilia Leer (1899- ) and Alfred Lewarne (1893-1962). The family, Ethel, Alfred and their three children Patricia, Beverley and William, moved to a house on Nelson Avenue in Alta Vista in 1931. Ethel still lived in the family home in 1990. Bill Lewarne attended Nelson Avenue School and South Burnaby High School (1932-1944). His father Alfred worked at Colony Farms as a dairy inspector and then for the Port of Vancouver Dairy before being laid off early in the Depression. The family struggled until in 1936 Alfred started his own ice cream business. After graduation Bill was in the army for two years, taking a refrigeration course under the veteran’s training benefit, before joining his father’s business. Three generations of the family operated the successful company, expanding from wholesale, retail and distribution of ice cream products into refrigerated warehouses and the wholesale ice business, until the business was sold to its competitor Dairyland in 1989. Bill Lewarne entered politics in 1965, first with the Nonpartisan Association (NPA) and then as a founder of the Burnaby Citizens Association (BCA). He served as an alderman on Burnaby Council 1973-1975 and 1977-1981 and as Mayor 1981-1987. In 1979 he ran for provincial office for the Social Credit Party against Rosemary Brown but lost. Bill Lewarne married June Lawrence and they had three children Robert, Leslie and Janice. He was active in many organizations: Burnaby/Willingdon Liberal Association, Seton Villa, Irish Fusileers of Canada, Lions Club, Rotary Club, Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion, and the Burnaby Hospital Foundation, and continued to be active on the Board of the BCA. Bill Lewarne died in 1995.
- Total Tracks
- 14
- Total Length
- 1:34:40
- Interviewee Name
- Lewarne, William A. "Bill"
- Interviewer Bio
- Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and business computerization in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
- Collection/Fonds
- SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
- Transcript Available
- Transcript available
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
Audio Tracks
Track two of interview with Bill Lewarne
Track two of interview with Bill Lewarne
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-019/MSS187-019_Track_2.mp3![Oak Theatre, [between 1937 and 1936] thumbnail](/media/Hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-002-1.jpg?width=280)
Oak Theatre
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85202
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1937 and 1936]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (9 min., 26 sec.) : digital, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment with footage of the construction of the Oak Theatre in 1936, the opening of the theatre held on August 4, 1937, the theatre with snow in the winter and the Digney family home and neighborhood . Andy Digney moved with his family from Manitoba …
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1937 and 1936]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (9 min., 26 sec.) : digital, col., si.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 562-002-1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2012-15
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment with footage of the construction of the Oak Theatre in 1936, the opening of the theatre held on August 4, 1937, the theatre with snow in the winter and the Digney family home and neighborhood . Andy Digney moved with his family from Manitoba to Burnaby in 1936 and purchased 2 acres of land where he settled with his family and built the Oak Theatre which was located at 5000 Kingsway (Marlborough & Kingsway). The theatre was located on a 2 acre parcel of land and had a 350 seat capacity and offered valet parking. Construction crews with men and horses can be seen laying the foundation and erecting the walls of the theatre and crowds of people and cars are seen arriving outside the theatre on opening day.
- Subjects
- Events - Openings
- Buildings - Commercial - Theatres
- Recreational Activities - Theatre
- Animals - Horses
- Names
- Oak Theatre
- Digney, Andy
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Photographer
- Digney, Andy
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film
- Film clip originates from digitized version of original 16 mm film footage (item 562-002). This segment was part of digitized portion titled 'Oak Theatre'
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
![Oak Theatre, [between 1937 and 1936] thumbnail](/media/Hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-002-1.jpg)
Video
Oak Theatre, [between 1937 and 1936]
Oak Theatre, [between 1937 and 1936]
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-002-1.m4v
Ploughing snow at the Oak Theatre
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85471
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1939
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (45 sec.) : digital, col. ; si.
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment of a snow plough ploughing snow in the parking lot outside the Oak Theatre.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1939
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (45 sec.) : digital, col. ; si.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 562-002-7
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2012-15
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment of a snow plough ploughing snow in the parking lot outside the Oak Theatre.
- Subjects
- Natural Phenomena - Snow
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Photographer
- Digney, Andy
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film
- Film clip originates from digitized version of original 16 mm film footage (item 562-002). This segment was part of digitized portion titled 'Royal Visit'
- Geographic Access
- Central Park
- Kingsway
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
Video
Ploughing snow at the Oak Theatre, 1939
Ploughing snow at the Oak Theatre, 1939
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-002-7.m4v
Royal Visit
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85203
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1939
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (1 min., 52 sec.) : digital, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment with footage of the Royal Visit from King George VI and Queen consort, Elizabeth. Boy Scouts and members of the community can be seen preparing for a roadside view of the motorcade and Mr. Digney can be seen pacing in his gardens at the Oak T…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1939
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (1 min., 52 sec.) : digital, col., si.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 562-002-2
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2012-15
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment with footage of the Royal Visit from King George VI and Queen consort, Elizabeth. Boy Scouts and members of the community can be seen preparing for a roadside view of the motorcade and Mr. Digney can be seen pacing in his gardens at the Oak Theatre. As the royal couple (King George VI and Queen Elizabeth) drive by the crowd on Kingsway, they can be seen in a automobile identified as a McLaughlin model 45 Extra Special series, with Queen Elizabeth holding a white umbrella. RCMP officers are seen on a motorcycle with a side car, while dignitaries and officials in automobiles accompany the royal couple as the crowd waves red flags and looks on as the cars drive off.
- Subjects
- Events - May Day
- Events - Royal Visits
- Buildings - Commercial - Theatres
- Recreational Activities - Theatre
- Names
- Oak Theatre
- Digney, Andy
- Elizabeth, Queen, consort of George VI, King of Great Britain, 1900-2002
- George VI, King of Great Britain, 1895-1952
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Photographer
- Digney, Andy
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film
- Film clip originates from digitized version of original 16 mm film footage (item 562-002). This segment was part of digitized portion titled 'Royal Visit'
- Geographic Access
- Kingsway
- Central Park
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
Video
Royal Visit, 1939