Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

Labourers at the Barnet submarine works yard

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38604

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1917] (date of original), copied 2004

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20 x 28 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of a large number of labourers (all unidentified) seated outside a building at the submarine works yard at Barnet. During World War One, the Royal Russian Navy contracted with a Seattle-based company to build submarines for Russia, but American neutrality in the war prevented the subs fr…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1917] (date of original), copied 2004

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Jim Wolf subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20 x 28 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 466-003

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2004-9

Scope and Content: Photograph of a large number of labourers (all unidentified) seated outside a building at the submarine works yard at Barnet. During World War One, the Royal Russian Navy contracted with a Seattle-based company to build submarines for Russia, but American neutrality in the war prevented the subs from being built in the United States. Instead, the company operated a facility at Barnet to complete the contract.

Subjects: Buildings - Industrial; Transportation - Submarines; Wars - World War, 1914-1918; Occupations - Labourers

Names: Royal Russian Navy

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Barnet Village; Barnet Road

Street Address: 8774 Barnet Road

Historic Neighbourhood: Barnet (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Mountain Area

Images

Labourers at the Barnet submarine works yard, [1917] (date of original), copied 2004 thumbnail

Scaffolding for submarine construction

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38616

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1917] (date of original), copied 2004

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20 x 28 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of scaffolding set up for the manufacture of submarines at the submarine works yard at Barnet. Numerous labourers and two industrial buildings can be seen in the background. During World War One, the Royal Russian Navy contracted with a Seattle-based company to build submarines for Russi…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1917] (date of original), copied 2004

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Jim Wolf subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20 x 28 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 466-015

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2004-9

Scope and Content: Photograph of scaffolding set up for the manufacture of submarines at the submarine works yard at Barnet. Numerous labourers and two industrial buildings can be seen in the background. During World War One, the Royal Russian Navy contracted with a Seattle-based company to build submarines for Russia, but American neutrality in the war prevented the subs from being built in the United States. Instead, the company operated a facility at Barnet to complete the contract.

Subjects: Transportation - Submarines; Wars - World War, 1914-1918; Construction Tools and Equipment; Buildings - Industrial; Occupations - Labourers

Names: Royal Russian Navy

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph.

Geographic Access: Barnet Village; Barnet Road

Street Address: 8774 Barnet Road

Historic Neighbourhood: Barnet (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Mountain Area

Images

Scaffolding for submarine construction, [1917] (date of original), copied 2004 thumbnail

Shellburn Refinery employees

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37643

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

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

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.2 x 5.3 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Shellburn refinery employees lined up outside the main office.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

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

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Burnaby Image Bank subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.2 x 5.3 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 370-231

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1999-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of Shellburn refinery employees lined up outside the main office.

Subjects: Buildings - Industrial - Refineries; Occupations - Labourers

Names: Shell Oil Company

Media Type: Photograph

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

Images

Shellburn Refinery employees, [1935] (date of original), copied 1991 thumbnail

Submarine works yard at Barnet

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38606

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1917] (date of original), copied 2004

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20 x 28 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of the submarine works yard at Barnet in Burnaby. During World War One, the Royal Russian Navy contracted with a Seattle-based company to build submarines for Russia, but American neutrality in the war prevented the subs from being built in the United States. Instead, the company operat…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1917] (date of original), copied 2004

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Jim Wolf subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20 x 28 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 466-005

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2004-9

Scope and Content: Photograph of the submarine works yard at Barnet in Burnaby. During World War One, the Royal Russian Navy contracted with a Seattle-based company to build submarines for Russia, but American neutrality in the war prevented the subs from being built in the United States. Instead, the company operated a facility at Barnet to complete the contract.

Subjects: Buildings - Industrial; Transportation - Submarines; Wars - World War, 1914-1918; Occupations - Labourers; Construction Tools and Equipment

Names: Royal Russian Navy

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Barnet Road; Barnet Village

Street Address: 8774 Barnet Road

Historic Neighbourhood: Barnet (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Mountain Area

Images

Submarine works yard at Barnet, [1917] (date of original), copied 2004 thumbnail

Vancouver Engineering Works steam donkey

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription471

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [190-] (date of original), copied 1978

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.2 x 25.2 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of the interior of a large steel foundry. Tucked under the metal brace structures on the left of the photograph are steam donkeys. There is a man lowering a large gear in the centre on a pulley. In the foreground, to the right, is a wheelbarrow. An annotation on the back of the photo …

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.2 x 25.2 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of the interior of a large steel foundry. Tucked under the metal brace structures on the left of the photograph are steam donkeys. There is a man lowering a large gear in the centre on a pulley. In the foreground, to the right, is a wheelbarrow. An annotation on the back of the photo reads: "Vancouver Engineering Works - Steam Donkeys."

Subjects: Buildings - Industrial - Factories; Tools and Equipment; Occupations - Labourers

Names: Vancouver Engineering Works Limited

Geographic Access: Vancouver

Accession Code: HV978.14.7

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [190-] (date of original), copied 1978

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2023-08-01

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Vancouver Engineering Works steam donkey, [190-] (date of original), copied 1978 thumbnail

Working at the Dominion Bridge Co.'s Burnaby plant

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription45613

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: April 1966, published April 18, 1966

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 24 x 18.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of workmen at the Dominion Bridge Co.'s Burnaby plant. They are feeding a flat steel plate, more than three inches think inot a pyramind roll for fabrication in the making of a sulfinol vessel for the petroleum industry in Alberta. The workmen are wearing asbestos aluminum suits to withs…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: April 1966, published April 18, 1966

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 24 x 18.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 480-507

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2003-02

Scope and Content: Photograph of workmen at the Dominion Bridge Co.'s Burnaby plant. They are feeding a flat steel plate, more than three inches think inot a pyramind roll for fabrication in the making of a sulfinol vessel for the petroleum industry in Alberta. The workmen are wearing asbestos aluminum suits to withstand the intense heat reflected from the heated plate (the plate was heated in a furnace before being fed into the pyramid roll).

Subjects: Buildings - Industrial - Factories; Occupations - Labourers

Names: Dominion Bridge Company

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Henry Tregillas Photography Ltd.

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Boundary Road

Street Address: 2400 Boundary Road

Historic Neighbourhood: Broadview (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: West Central Valley Area

Images

Working at the Dominion Bridge Co.'s Burnaby plant, April 1966, published April 18, 1966 thumbnail

Charles Street

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34195

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: June 17, 1947

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.8 x 11.2 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the 4200 Block of Charles Street (south) with a house under construction and construction workers. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: June 17, 1947

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Alfred Bingham subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.8 x 11.2 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 010-111

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of the 4200 Block of Charles Street (south) with a house under construction and construction workers. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.

Subjects: Occupations - Labourers; Industries - Construction; Buildings - Residential - Houses

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bingham, Alfred "Alf"

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Charles Street

Images

Charles Street and Willingdon Avenue

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34230

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: August 1, 1947

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.8 x 11.7 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Charles Street and Willingdon Avenue with houses under construction and construction workers. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: August 1, 1947

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Alfred Bingham subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.8 x 11.7 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 010-142

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of Charles Street and Willingdon Avenue with houses under construction and construction workers. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.

Subjects: Occupations - Labourers; Industries - Construction; Buildings - Residential - Houses

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bingham, Alfred "Alf"

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Charles Street; Willingdon Avenue

Images

Charles Street and Willingdon Avenue, August 1, 1947 thumbnail

Kitchener Street and Gilmore Avenue

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34180

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: May 9, 1947

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.8 x 11.3 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Kitchener Street and Gilmore Avenue with houses under construction on the right side of the street. A man is standing on the roof of one of the houses. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: May 9, 1947

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Alfred Bingham subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.8 x 11.3 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 010-097

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of Kitchener Street and Gilmore Avenue with houses under construction on the right side of the street. A man is standing on the roof of one of the houses. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.

Subjects: Occupations - Labourers; Industries - Construction; Buildings - Residential - Houses; Geographic Features - Roads

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bingham, Alfred "Alf"

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Kitchener Street; Gilmore Avenue

Images

Kitchener Street and Gilmore Avenue, May 9, 1947 thumbnail

London mixer and contractors

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34138

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: April 16, 1947

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.8 x 11.8 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Gilmore Avenue and Douglas Road including a London mixer and contractors invovled in house construction. The man standing in the center has been identified as Mr. Marcowitz. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: April 16, 1947

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Alfred Bingham subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.8 x 11.8 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 010-054

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of Gilmore Avenue and Douglas Road including a London mixer and contractors invovled in house construction. The man standing in the center has been identified as Mr. Marcowitz. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.

Subjects: Occupations - Labourers; Industries - Construction; Construction Tools and Equipment; Buildings - Residential - Houses

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bingham, Alfred "Alf"

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Gilmore Avenue; Douglas Road

Images

London mixer and contractors, April 16, 1947 thumbnail

Napier Street and Rosser Avenue

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34189

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: June 4, 1947

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.8 x 11.8 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Napier Street and Rosser Avenue with construction workers working on houses. Completed houses can be seen in the background. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: June 4, 1947

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Alfred Bingham subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.8 x 11.8 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 010-105

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of Napier Street and Rosser Avenue with construction workers working on houses. Completed houses can be seen in the background. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.

Subjects: Occupations - Labourers; Industries - Construction; Buildings - Residential - Houses; Geographic Features - Roads

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bingham, Alfred "Alf"

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Napier Street; Rosser Avenue

Images

Napier Street and Rosser Avenue, June 4, 1947 thumbnail

Aftermath of Kapoor Sawmill fire

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1495

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: January 1947

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 5 x 7.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the aftermath of the fire at Kapoor Sawmill that took place January 14, 1947. A building frame remains standing on the left along with a large metal-roofed building on the right. In the foreground, a fire hose is visible.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 5 x 7.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the aftermath of the fire at Kapoor Sawmill that took place January 14, 1947. A building frame remains standing on the left along with a large metal-roofed building on the right. In the foreground, a fire hose is visible.

Subjects: Natural Phenomena - Fires; Buildings - Industrial - Mills

Names: Kapoor Sawmills Limited

Accession Code: BV999.55.44

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Date: January 1947

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Barnet (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Mountain Area

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 09-Jun-09

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Aftermath of Kapoor Sawmill fire, January 1947 thumbnail

Alfred Bingham's writings - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory252

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1919-1955

Length: 0:06:06

Summary: This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's memories of constructing a mill for Simpson & Giberson and of working on homes for himself, Angus McLean and Percy Little in the Lochdale area. He discusses the strike at Barnet mill and reads an essay written by Grace E. Carpenter. Land clear…

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's memories of constructing a mill for Simpson & Giberson and of working on homes for himself, Angus McLean and Percy Little in the Lochdale area. He discusses the strike at Barnet mill and reads an essay written by Grace E. Carpenter. Land clearing is described in detail. Alfred also relates a story from 1920 involving early settlers E. Powell and J. Amos.

Date Range: 1919-1955

Photo Info: Alfred Bingham, April 20, 1947. Item no. 010-066

Length: 0:06:06

Subjects: Land Clearing; Buildings - Industrial - Mills

Historic Neighbourhood: Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Lochdale Area

Scope and Content: Recording is of Alfred Bingham's writings, as read by Alfred Bingham. Major themes discussed are: Pioneers, early days in Burnaby and the Co-op Movement. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".

Biographical Notes: Alfred "Alf" Bingham was born in England in 1892 and moved to Canada in 1912. His first job in Canada was laying track for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) from Edmonton to McBride in 1912. His second was in Vancouver at the Rat Portage Mill on False Creek, working on the Resaw machine. He quit after one week due to poor working conditions. After taking part in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike as a delegate of the Retail and Mailorder Union (A.F.L.) on the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council, Alfred moved to Burnaby where he and fellow Burnaby residents Aungus McLean and Percy Little worked ten hour days to build a Shingle Mill on the edge of Burnaby Lake for Simpson & Giberson. George Green, carpenter and millwright (author of “The History of Burnaby”) also helped in the construction of the mill. Alfred built his own home from lumber cut from the mill in the Lochdale area on Sherlock Street between Curtis Street and Kitchener Street. On April 10, 1920 Alfred married Mary Jane “Ada” Reynolds. Alfred and Ada often took in foster children during their marriage. Due to her nursing experience, Ada was often called upon to deliver babies in the Burnaby area. Alfred and Ada Bingham were instrumental members of the Army of the Common Good, collecting vegetables and grains from growers in the area and even producing over 125 tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed children and youth suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The army was in operation for ten years and during that time the members organised the Credit Union movement of British Columbia and drew up the Credit Union act thorough the Vancouver Co-operative Council. They also started Co-Op stores and the Co-Op Wholesale Society. Alfred was also Secretary of the Burnaby Housing committee and in 1946 he became the Secretary of the North Burnaby Labour Progressive Party (LPP). Mary Jane “Ada” (Reynolds) Bingham died on August 9, 1969. Her husband Alfred died on April 29, 1979.

Total Tracks: 12

Total Length: 1:38:06

Interviewee Name: Bingham, Alfred "Alf"

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Oral history subseries

Transcript Available: MSS142-001 contains transcripts for each of the short stories

Media Type: Sound Recording

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

Images

Alfred Bingham, April 20, 1947. Item no. 010-066 thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track two of recording of Alfred Bingham's writings

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-20-2/100-13-20-2_Track_2.mp3

Alfred Bingham's writings - Track 6

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory256

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1919-1939

Length: 0:09:06

Summary: This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's description of Commissioner Fraser taking power in Burnaby. Alfred mentions the Burnaby Housing Committee and the Willingdon Heights Subdivision before beginning reading his series of short stories. He reads "I ARRIVE IN BURNABY AND WE BUILD A…

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's description of Commissioner Fraser taking power in Burnaby. Alfred mentions the Burnaby Housing Committee and the Willingdon Heights Subdivision before beginning reading his series of short stories. He reads "I ARRIVE IN BURNABY AND WE BUILD A SHINGLE MILL/ 1919/ Burnaby Lake" as well as "WE BUILD A HOME AND DIG A WELL. 1920", both written in 1963.

Date Range: 1919-1939

Photo Info: Alfred Bingham, April 20, 1947. Item no. 010-066

Length: 0:09:06

Subjects: Organizations; Buildings - Industrial - Mills

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood); Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)

Scope and Content: Recording is of Alfred Bingham's writings, as read by Alfred Bingham. Major themes discussed are: Pioneers, early days in Burnaby and the Co-op Movement. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".

Biographical Notes: Alfred "Alf" Bingham was born in England in 1892 and moved to Canada in 1912. His first job in Canada was laying track for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) from Edmonton to McBride in 1912. His second was in Vancouver at the Rat Portage Mill on False Creek, working on the Resaw machine. He quit after one week due to poor working conditions. After taking part in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike as a delegate of the Retail and Mailorder Union (A.F.L.) on the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council, Alfred moved to Burnaby where he and fellow Burnaby residents Aungus McLean and Percy Little worked ten hour days to build a Shingle Mill on the edge of Burnaby Lake for Simpson & Giberson. George Green, carpenter and millwright (author of “The History of Burnaby”) also helped in the construction of the mill. Alfred built his own home from lumber cut from the mill in the Lochdale area on Sherlock Street between Curtis Street and Kitchener Street. On April 10, 1920 Alfred married Mary Jane “Ada” Reynolds. Alfred and Ada often took in foster children during their marriage. Due to her nursing experience, Ada was often called upon to deliver babies in the Burnaby area. Alfred and Ada Bingham were instrumental members of the Army of the Common Good, collecting vegetables and grains from growers in the area and even producing over 125 tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed children and youth suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The army was in operation for ten years and during that time the members organised the Credit Union movement of British Columbia and drew up the Credit Union act thorough the Vancouver Co-operative Council. They also started Co-Op stores and the Co-Op Wholesale Society. Alfred was also Secretary of the Burnaby Housing committee and in 1946 he became the Secretary of the North Burnaby Labour Progressive Party (LPP). Mary Jane “Ada” (Reynolds) Bingham died on August 9, 1969. Her husband Alfred died on April 29, 1979.

Total Tracks: 12

Total Length: 1:38:06

Interviewee Name: Bingham, Alfred "Alf"

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Oral history subseries

Transcript Available: MSS142-001 contains transcripts for each of the short stories

Media Type: Sound Recording

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

Images

Audio Tracks

Track six of recording of Alfred Bingham's writings

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-20-2/100-13-20-2_Track_6.mp3

Barnet Mill being rebuilt

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37363

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1909] (date of original), copied [1998]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 10 x 15 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of lumber piled up and the skeleton of a building being framed during the rebuilding of the Barnet Mill after the fire of 1909. The Barnet Mill was called the North Pacific Lumber Company from 1889 to 1914.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1909] (date of original), copied [1998]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Jim Wolf subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 10 x 15 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 363-002

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1998-13

Scope and Content: Photograph of lumber piled up and the skeleton of a building being framed during the rebuilding of the Barnet Mill after the fire of 1909. The Barnet Mill was called the North Pacific Lumber Company from 1889 to 1914.

Subjects: Buildings - Industrial - Mills; Construction

Names: Barnet Mill

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Barnet Village; Texaco Drive

Street Address: 8059 Texaco Drive

Historic Neighbourhood: Barnet (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Mountain Area

Images

Barnet Mill being rebuilt, [1909] (date of original), copied [1998] thumbnail

Barnet Village

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35436

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1915] (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 6.4 x 11.4 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of the North Pacific Lumber Company mill at Barnet. The plume of smoke is from a Canadian Pacific Railroad steam locomotive.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1915] (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Pioneer Tales subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 6.4 x 11.4 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 204-294

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1988-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of the North Pacific Lumber Company mill at Barnet. The plume of smoke is from a Canadian Pacific Railroad steam locomotive.

Subjects: Buildings - Industrial - Mills; Transportation - Locomotives; Transportation - Rail

Names: Barnet Mill

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Eaton, Dr. Carl

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Photograph has been cropped

Geographic Access: Texaco Drive

Street Address: 8059 Texaco Drive

Historic Neighbourhood: Barnet (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Mountain Area

Images

Barnet Village, [1915] (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail

Kapoor Sawmill Fire

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37504

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: January 1947 (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 4.4 x 3.0 cm print on contact sheet 20.3 x 25.3 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the 1947 Kapoor Sawmill fire. Flames, smoke and a building frame are visible.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: January 1947 (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Burnaby Image Bank subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 4.4 x 3.0 cm print on contact sheet 20.3 x 25.3 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 370-092

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1999-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of the 1947 Kapoor Sawmill fire. Flames, smoke and a building frame are visible.

Subjects: Natural Phenomena - Fires; Buildings - Industrial - Mills

Names: Kapoor Sawmill

Media Type: Photograph

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

Historic Neighbourhood: Barnet (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Mountain Area

Images

Kapoor Sawmill Fire

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37505

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: January 1947 (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 2.8 x 4.2 cm print on contact sheet 20.3 x 25.3 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the 1947 Kapoor Sawmill fire. Smoke and building frames are visible. Two men are standing in the left foreground.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: January 1947 (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Burnaby Image Bank subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 2.8 x 4.2 cm print on contact sheet 20.3 x 25.3 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 370-093

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1999-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of the 1947 Kapoor Sawmill fire. Smoke and building frames are visible. Two men are standing in the left foreground.