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Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar conducted by interviewers, Anushay Malik and Rajdeep with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. During the interview Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar discusses and provides in…

1 audio

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) (111 min., 51 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (111 min., 51 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewers: Anushay Malik, Rajdeep Co Interviewer and technical support: Kate Petrusa Interviewee: Nadeem Parmar Location of Interview: Residence of Nadeem Parmar in Burnaby Interview Date: October 7, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:51:51 min Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar conducted by interviewers, Anushay Malik and Rajdeep with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. During the interview Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar discusses and provides information on; his ancestral background, his education, his employment background, his experiences of racial discrimmination as a South Asian immigrant, saw mills established by South Asian relations in Paldi (Vancouver Island), in North Vancouver and Burnaby, family relations in the South Asian Canadian community and in regions in Punjab, the caste system, his literary works, locations of family homes in Burnaby, the architectural design of his house, personal stories and anecdotal information as a South Asian Canadian living and working in Canada. 00:00 – 01:45 The framework and purpose of the interview is explained to interviewee Nadeem Parmar by interviewers Rajdeep and Anushay Malik. The interviewers explain how the information from this interview can be drawn on for Burnaby Village Museum’s future exhibits and also how researchers will learn more about the history of the South Asian community in Burnaby through residents’ stories. Interview begins with Nadeem providing his full name "Kulwant Singh Parmar". He clarifies that his name was given to him by his grandfather who was a civil engineer and that his father also worked as a civil engineer. Nadeem expresses that he was born with a “silver spoon in his mouth” as a descendent of his maternal grandfather who was a successful landlord. Nadeem explains that when the Partition of India came into effect, (1947) he was 11 years old. He and his family left the partitioned side, his native village was located in Punjab and his forefathers were located in Rajasthan. 3:20 – 4:57 Nadeem explains further about his forefathers who came from Rajasthan. He shares information about his ancestor on his father’s side, named Vijay Singh who was friends with Emperor Jahangir. When fighting began against Jahangir he left the area to head to the middle of central India, then to the Punjab area with small states. As a clan, as a Parmar, he conveys there were about eleven or twelve villages with the same name. Interviewer, Anushay helps Nadeem to clarify the time period of this information. Nadeem refers to the time period being similar to the epic historical film “Moghal-e-Azam” and Anushay confirms the time period being the 1600s when they left Rajasthan. 4:58 – 10:59 Interviewer Anushay asks Nadeem to about his migration to Canada. Nadeem conveys that his first ancestor on his in-laws side of the family migrated around 1889. Further discussion ensues about reading Punjabi and how interviewer Rajdeep can read Punjabi and that she comes from the village of "Lakhpur" in Punjab. Rajdeep notes that “Lakhpur” is near "Phagwara". Nadeem clarifies that his village is "Panchat" and this family used to live in "Phagwara". and Nadeem and Rajdeep compare their familiarity and memories of the area. Nadeem conveys some of his comments in Punjabi and then changes to English. Nadeem recollects when the Japanese bombarded Shillong, he was around seven years old and attended missionary school. The only languages that were taught were English and Persian. Nadeem conveys that his mother had hopes of Nadeem becoming an army officer and moving up the ranks but Nadeem wasn’t interested. Nadeem attended college, graduated with a Bachelor of Science, BSC with Physics and Chemistry, followed by another Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and finally a degree in his favourite subject in the language of Urdu. He completed these degrees in Punjab in Doaba College, Jalandher. Nadeem recollects how he started teaching but wasn’t getting paid very well. When he was at college, with encouragement from his professor, Veer Pankalia [sic] he began writing poetry and short plays. His professor also introduced him to a famous poet of Punjab, Mila Ram Offa [sic] and he gave him the name of Nadeem. Nadeem explains the meaning of the name “Nadeem” “…the one who know about it, inside out…” even though we generally think of the meaning being “friend” it’s not just about friend. 11:00 -24:48 Nadeem provides background information on how he ended up marrying his future wife who was born in India and immigrated to Canada with her family. Nadeem explains how the marriage was arranged through family relations that were already established in Punjab over a century ago. One of his wife’s ancestors, head of the family called “baniye” (traders) immigrated to Canada in [1899]. This relation returned to Punjab where he had nephews, the youngest of the nephews was Nadeem’s father (Lashman Singh Manhas) in law’s father (Sher Singh Manhas). He expresses that his wife’s ancestor couldn’t bring Nadeem’s father in law’s father since he was only 12 or 13 years old but he brought three of the nephews back to Canada with him. The nephews were named, Pola Singh, Ginaya Singh and Doman Singh (also named Dolmans). He describes how the group left India but it took them two to three years before they arrived in Canada. The group travelled to Burma, Indonesia and Hong Kong before landing in San Francisco. From San Francisco they walked and worked on the rail line before entering Canada and arriving in Grand Forks. The men got work on the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) and eventually made their way to the lower mainland. Nadeem conveys that the younger brother of Ginaya Singh, Maya Singh joined the others in Canada taking the same route, arriving in Bridal Falls where they were working at a saw mill and in CP rail construction. He describes Maya Singh as business minded and since he was too young to work in the mill, he began working as a cook and then began growing potatoes on land that he leased from a Dutch land owner. The local mill at Bridal Falls was facing bankruptcy and Maya Singh arranged to lease the mill, eventually buying it. From there the group moved their business to Strawberry Hill in Surrey and when the sale of logs declined, they moved over to Vancouver Island and established a sawmill with Doman Singh in the community of Paldi (originally known as Mayo Lumber) near Duncan. He explains further how the South Asian community helped each other like they did back home. He clarifies that his father in law’s father is the youngest cousin of Ginaya and Doman Singh and when he died, his father in law’s younger brother started Kashmir Lumber. Eventually his father in law (Lashman Singh Manhas) and the rest of the whole family including cousins and nephews were sponsored by their relations and immigrated to Canada. Nadeem explains how in 1959, his brother in law returned home to Punjab to get married, bringing his family with him. He tells of how during this time period, a marriage was arranged by his parents for him to marry his future wife. Nadeem recollects how this came to be. Nadeem and his wife Surjeet married in Punjab in December 1960, Nadeem was 24 years old and his wife was 18 years old. 24:49 – 39:42 Nadeem describes how he obtained his teaching degree from Ramgarhia College in Phagwara (located in the Kapurhtala district of Punjab) and after a disagreement with a teacher at home, he decided to go to England. He explains how he joined his brother who had moved to England and was working as a labourer. Nadeem tells of the difficulties he faced applying for a teaching job in England and how he had to go back to school to help with his English pronunciation. Nadeem explains that after taking this course, he got work teaching Grade two students which he felt was below his qualifications (he mentions that while living in Punjab, he was a Secondary School teacher) and the pay was very low. He discovered that his brother was making more money working as a labourer so Nadeem became discouraged and quit. When Nadeem couldn’t find work as a labourer, his brother advised him to shave off his beard. Nadeem conveys how difficult it was for him to shave off his beard and how once he was clean shaven he got work as a sweeper in a factory. He shares his experience of working in the factory and of how with his former education he got himself promoted to a more technical position. With encouragement from his employer, Nadeem enrolled in technical courses which lead to him obtaining an HNC Engineering Degree. He completed the course work in two years, obtaining skills in microwave communication becoming the senior test engineer at the factory. While working in this position, Nadeem shares how he suffered discrimination when he was passed over for a senior chief engineer position at the factory by a less educated and experienced employee. 39:43 – 53:38 Nadeem recollects how things changed for him in the 1970s. It began with his father in law (Lashman Singh Manhas) passing away in 1970 while he and his family were living on 18th Street in Burnaby. His father in law had been working at the saw mill, Kashmir Lumber Company in North Vancouver that was owned by his father in law’s younger brother (Kashmir Singh Manhas). The mill had burnt down and many of the workers lost everything. Nadeem confides that during this time, his wife was suffering from depression and wanted to be with her mother back in Canada now that her father had passed away. Nadeem emphasizes how his wife’s family (over 300 relatives) in Canada often get together every year on July 1st in Paldi near Duncan. In 1972, Nadeem arrived in Canada on his own to find work but was unsuccessful so he and his wife made plans to move to Uganda where he was offered a job. In 1973, when his visa didn’t come through for Uganda, Nadeem, his wife and two children decided to come to Canada. Nadeem describes that after several unsuccessful experiences to find skilled work in Canada, he eventually found work at Canadian National Telecommunications. During this time, Nadeem and his family lived with his father in law’s family at 5216 Pandora Street in Burnaby and in 1974, Nadeem purchased a house at 131 Fell Avenue in Burnaby. Nadeem provides further details of when the families lived at these different addresses and how in 1983 he had a house built on Woodsworth Street where he is still living now. He conveys some of the history of the lot where his current house resides including details on the lot subdivision, lot ownership and the cost of building his new house. Nadeem tells of how he designed his home with help from his son who was working as an apprentice with architect Arthur Erikson at the time. He describes the architectural interior as an open concept design, in an “L” shape in honour of his father “Lakhmir Singh”. Nadeem shares information on his mother’s name which was Jamna (prior to her marriage) and became Davinder Kaur after she was married. (Note: Jamna was her name before marriage. Traditionally after a woman is married, her husband’s family changes her first name because she is now considered a part of a new family). 53:39 – 58:56 Nadeem provides information on his career working as CNCP technician working with CPIC systems and how he was promoted to a new position. Nadeem inserts a quote from a Punjabi poem which he translates to English as “Somebody asked the blind people. What do you need? He said, do you need two eyes?, he said, what else do I need?”. Nadeem conveys how in 1986 his mother passed away so he went back home to the village of Lakhpur where his father and younger brother were living. His father and younger brother were on their own and in 1986 they decided to demolish the family home. He explains that there’s a college there now and that a library was built at this location in the name of his grandfather. 58:57 – 1:04:38 Nadeem shares how he suffered a heart attack in 1990 during the marriage ceremony of his son in Williams Lake. Nadeem talks about the complicated relations of the South Asian families and the saw mill owners in Paldi and comments on the problems with the caste system that provokes discrimination within the South Asian community. Nadeem refers to disputes that arose amongst mill owners and investors that included Kapoor Singh Siddoo, Mayo Singh, Gurdial Singh Teja and Ginaya Singh which caused problems amongst his family and also lead to Kapoor Singh selling his portion of the mill. Nadeem spells “Ginaya” Singh’s name and explains that this name is the nickname for “Krishna”. Nadeem provides his insight into the joint ownership of the saw mills located in Paldi and how the the joint ownership was dissolved in 1952. Nadeem clarifies that Ginaya Singh also left Paldi and that Ginaya Singh’s wife is his mother in law’s aunt and that he also moved to Burnaby. Nadeem explains the proper name spelling of mill owner “Mayo Singh” and that the correct spelling is actually “Mayan Singh” but he changed it to “Mayo” when it was mis-pronounced. Nadeem also comments on the problems that he encountered in 1970 on the pronunciation of his own name while living in England and at one point his employer referred to him as “Paul”. 1:04:39 – 1:18:50 Nadeem relays that when he emigrated from India and to Canada that he carried his personal possessions in a small suitcase made from cardboard since the weight limit on the airplane was just three pounds. He conveys that many of his relations have all suffered from heart problems including Ginaya Singh and his children. Nadeem shares that Ginaya Singh’s three sons all lived in Burnaby. Nadeem conveys that many South Asians lived in Burnaby and many worked at saw mills in North Vancouver and in the L&K sawmill near Pemberton. Nadeem explains further about the how the disagreements came to be between Mayo Singh and Kapoor Singh. He describes how each had a different business strategy in harvesting lumber and that there were feuds amongst the families. Nadeem provides further details on the root of the family feuds. Nadeem provides definitions for certain Punjabi terms that he’s using including “Mehta”(meaning lowest class of farmers, foreigner as well head as a title given to people of a clan living in the area) and ‘Panchat”, the name of his family village that was built and founded by five brothers and one nephew (Panj- meaning five and the sound “cht” meaning six). Nadeem explains that these terms were given to people from his own clan living in the area because it was small. Nadeem explains further about status that is based on money and the Punjabi terms “Parsu”, “Parsa” and “Pasaram” that are often used to describe a person. When you are poor the term “Parsu” is used and when you become rich the term “Pasaram” is used. Nadeem refers to Mayo Singh as a Pasaram as the second most successful millner in British Columbia, second to Frederick John Hart. Nadeem mentions that Ginaya Singh, elder brother to Mayo Singh helped provide the finances to start the mill and when there was a disagreement, Ginaya Singh left the mill business, moved his family to Burnaby and began working in insurance. Nadeem shares the sad story of Ginaya Singh’s sudden death (in 1953). Nadeem states that many of the people who left the mills at Paldi went to work at the Kapoor Mill in Burnaby and some relocated to the Interior of British Columbia. Nadeem mentions that his father in law (Lashman Singh Manhas) was able to purchase a house on 18th Street in along with other residences that he bought with his hard earned money working in the farms and mills, 16 hours per day, seven days a week. 1:18:51 – 1:32:04 Nadeem explains why he thinks that most South Asian people worked in the mills in the earlier days. Nadeem conveys that since Sikh men wore beards and turbans they encountered discrimination and were unable to get work in the business community. Nadeem shares his own personal experiences of wearing a turban and the discrimination he’s encountered while living in Scotland and Canada. Nadeem mentions that a defense committee was formed to protect the Gurdwaras and people’s homes from being vandalized due to racial discrimination. Nadeem describes some of the troubles that he’s encountered in his own neighbourhood when he had to call the police. Nadeem shares a personal experience just after 9/11 where he was the target of racial discrimination in the parking lot of Burnaby Lake. Nadeem emphasizes that he has experienced many incidents of racial discrimination, especially in the workplace and that this was not unusual for him. 1:32:05 – 1:36:19 Nadeem talks about his interest in writing and his many literary works including 12 novels that he’s written in Punjabi. Nadeem highlights a few books that he’s written including a book titled “Rape” and another one titled “Sponsorship” which conveys the complex nature of people immigrating to Canada. Nadeem mentions a particular book about AIDS, titled “Wide Net” that he’s been trying to get published. Nadeem speaks to the challenges and high costs of trying to get his works published. Nadeem provides a brief synopsis of his book “Wide Net”. Nadeem relays that this is a personal account of a gay couple that he knew where one of the partners died of AIDS and that the couple gave Nadeem permission to tell their tragic story. 1:36:20 – 1:51:51 Nadeem talks about his children and compares their experiences to his own as a South Asian immigrant. Nadeems talks about the accomplishments of his son, his daughter and grandchildren including their education and careers. Nadeem says that his children are well educated and well established in their careers. Nadeem’s children attended Capitol Hill Elementary School and North Burnaby High School in Burnaby. Nadeem shares specifics of his son’s career history. Nadeem expresses that he still considers Canada to be the best country for opportunities and that he prefers to live in Burnaby rather than Surrey and shares some personal anecdotes. Nadeem lists some local places that he’s shopped for South Asian groceries and spices rather than travelling to Surrey. He mentions shopping at Kelly Douglas, stores in Chinatown, small grocers on Capitol Hill, Patel’s on Commercial Drive and Main Street. As an aside Nadeem mentions that he worked as a security guard and the wages that he earned. Nadeem comments that he has been awarded various certificates and certifications from his education and career over the years, including a Bachelor of Science. The interviewers further express their interest in seeing the cardboard case that Nadeem brought with him when immigrating to Canada. In closing Nadeem states that his favourite food from back home was kheer (rice pudding).

History: Interviewee biography: Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar was born June 9, 1936, Chuck 138 in Lyalpur (India before 1947) to parents Lakhmir Singh Parmar and Davinder Kaur Jamana Parmar. Nadeem grew up in the village of Panchat in the northern region of Punjab, India. Nadeem married his wife Surjeet in Punjab in 1960. After marrying the couple immigrated to England where Nadeem was already working. While living in England, Nadeem and Surjeet had two children. After Surjeet's father died in Canada in 1972, Nadeem, Surjeet and their two children immgrated to Canada, joining Surjeet's family who were living in Burnaby. After Nadeem immigrated to Burnaby in 1973 he worked various jobs before working with CN/CP Telecommunications. Nadeem holds a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Teaching from Punjab University and a diploma from the London Board of Education (L.B.E.) and a P.Eng. from Lancaster. He has seven books published in Punjabi, three in Urdu and is published in eight anthologies. He is fluent in Punjabi, Urdu, and Hindi. Interviewers' biographies: 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”. Rajdeep was born and raised in the Lower Mainland and is of Punjabi (South Asian) descent. She has an Associate of Arts degree in Asian Studies from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia. She is a student in the Restoration of Natural Systems program at the University of Victoria. Rajdeep works at Simon Fraser University as a Program Assistant and as a researcher with the City of Burnaby. At Burnaby Village Museum, Rajdeep contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Grocery Stores; Buildings - Industrial - Saw Mills; Buildings - Industrial - Factories; Education; Employment; Industries - Logging/lumber; Migration; Occupations - Engineers; Occupations - Millworkers; Occupations - Teachers; Occupations - Writers; Persons - South Asian Canadians; Social Issues; Social Issues - Racism

Names: Parmar, Kalwant Singh "Nadeem"; Kapoor Sawmills Limited; Siddoo, Kapoor Singh; Teja, Gurdial Singh; Parmar, Surjeet Kaur; Manhas, Ghania Singh; Singh, Mayo; Manhas, Kashmir Singh; Manhas, Sher Singh; Manhas, Budhan Kaur; Manhas, Lashman Singh

Responsibility: Malik, Anushay; Rajdeep

Geographic Access: Woodsworth Street

Accession Code: BV022.29.1

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1600-2022] (interview content), interviewed 7 Oct. 2022

Media Type: Sound Recording

Historic Neighbourhood: Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Douglas-Gilpin Area; Capitol Hill Area

Related Material: See also BV022.29.5 - Interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Spelling of "Ginaya Singh" found as "Ghania Singh Manhas" in obituary and death certificate; Interview is conducted in English with various segments of discussion in Punjabi; Transcript of interview available upon request

Audio Tracks

Interview with Kalwant Singh

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0001_003.mp3

Interurban tram 1223 at the Edmonds Bus Loop

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34605

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: April 24, 1966 (date of original), copied [199-?]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.1 x 6.3 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Interurban tram no. 1223 restoration at the Edmonds bus loop at Edmonds Street and Kingsway. Men on a scaffold are working on the tram, and two buses are visible.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: April 24, 1966 (date of original), copied [199-?]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.1 x 6.3 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 066-009

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Interurban tram no. 1223 restoration at the Edmonds bus loop at Edmonds Street and Kingsway. Men on a scaffold are working on the tram, and two buses are visible.

Subjects: Transportation - Public Transit; Transportation - Electric Railroads

Media Type: Photograph

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

Geographic Access: Kingsway; Edmonds Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Stride Avenue Area

Images

Interurban tram 1223 at the Edmonds Bus Loop

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34607

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [April 24, 1966] (date of original), copied [199-]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.4 x 6.1 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Interurban tram no. 1223 on display at the Edmonds Bus Loop at Edmonds Street and Kingsway.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [April 24, 1966] (date of original), copied [199-]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.4 x 6.1 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 066-011

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of Interurban tram no. 1223 on display at the Edmonds Bus Loop at Edmonds Street and Kingsway.

Subjects: Transportation - Public Transit; Transportation - Electric Railroads

Media Type: Photograph

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

Geographic Access: Kingsway; Edmonds Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Stride Avenue Area

Images

Interview with William A. Lewarne by Rod Fowler March 14, 1990 - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory443

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1930-1990

Length: 00:07:58

Summary: This portion of the interview is about the interurban tram service in Burnaby, how it was used, the interurban routes, reasons for closing the interurban and later building Skytrain, and attempts to purchase an old tram car for Heritage Village

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about the interurban tram service in Burnaby, how it was used, the interurban routes, reasons for closing the interurban and later building Skytrain, and attempts to purchase an old tram car for Heritage Village

Date Range: 1930-1990

Photo Info: Burnaby Alderman, Bill (William) Lewarne, [1973]. Item no. 231-012

Length: 00:07:58

Subjects: Transportation - Electric Railroads; Transportation - Skytrain

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

Series: Centennial Oral History project series

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

Audio Tracks

Track three of interview with Bill Lewarne

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-019/MSS187-019_Track_3.mp3

The time of the trolley

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary796

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Author: Middleton, William D., 1928-2011

Publication Date: c1967

Call Number: 388.4 MID

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection: Reference Collection

Material Type: Book

Call Number: 388.4 MID

Author: Middleton, William D., 1928-2011

Place of Publication: Milwaukee, Wis.

Publisher: Kalmbach

Publication Date: c1967

Physical Description: 436 p. : ill.

Library Subject (LOC): Street-railroads; Electric railroads; Transportation

Subjects: Transportation; Transportation - Electric Railroads

Notes: Includes index.

Tram 1223

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37044

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [195-] (date of original), copied 1992

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.1 x 12.0 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of Central Park Interurban line, tram no. 1223.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [195-] (date of original), copied 1992

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Burnaby Centennial Anthology subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.1 x 12.0 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 315-507

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1994-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of Central Park Interurban line, tram no. 1223.

Subjects: Transportation - Electric Railroads; Transportation - Public Transit

Names: British Columbia Electric Railway Company

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Central Park Interurban line

Images

Tram 1223, [195-] (date of original), copied 1992 thumbnail

Tram 1223 at the Edmonds Bus Loop

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34599

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: July 15, 1966

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; negative ; 4.6 x 4.6 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Edmonds Bus Loop at Edmonds Street and Kingsway with Interurban tram no. 1223 (Central Park Line) on display under a covered area to the left. The side of a bus visible on the right. There is a bus stop sign for the 52 Nelson.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: July 15, 1966

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; negative ; 4.6 x 4.6 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 066-003

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Edmonds Bus Loop at Edmonds Street and Kingsway with Interurban tram no. 1223 (Central Park Line) on display under a covered area to the left. The side of a bus visible on the right. There is a bus stop sign for the 52 Nelson.

Subjects: Transportation - Public Transit; Transportation - Electric Railroads

Media Type: Photograph

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

Geographic Access: Kingsway; Edmonds Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Stride Avenue Area

Images

Tram 1223 at the Edmonds Bus Loop, July 15, 1966 thumbnail

Nicholas Savchencko

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription46224

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1965, published December 1, 1965

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 11.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of roads and sewer design engineer for the Burnaby municipal engineering department, Nicholas Savchencko.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1965, published December 1, 1965

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 16.5 x 11.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 480-1112

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2003-02

Scope and Content: Photograph of roads and sewer design engineer for the Burnaby municipal engineering department, Nicholas Savchencko.

Subjects: Occupations - Engineers; Occupations - Civic Workers

Names: Savchencko, Nicholas

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Nicholas Savchencko, 1965, published December 1, 1965 thumbnail

B.C. Electric Railway crew with tram on Central Park line

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription2909

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: May 1964

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 13.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a two man crew standing in front of a B.C. Electric Railway tram on Central Park line.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 13.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a two man crew standing in front of a B.C. Electric Railway tram on Central Park line.

Subjects: Transportation - Electric Railroads

Names: British Columbia Electric Railway Company

Accession Code: BV012.37.7

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: May 1964

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2022-07-26

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Stamp on border of photograph reads: "MAY 64"

Images

B.C. Electric Railway crew with tram on Central Park line
, May 1964 thumbnail

Burnaby Lk

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1000

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [before 1973]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.0 x 11.3 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a destination sign that reads "Burnaby Lk" on a British Columbia Electric Railway tram. Just below the sign is a label that reads, "BCER 1231-B48." An earlier catalogue record notes the nameplate would have been placed at the front or back of the tram that could have travelled betwe…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.0 x 11.3 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a destination sign that reads "Burnaby Lk" on a British Columbia Electric Railway tram. Just below the sign is a label that reads, "BCER 1231-B48." An earlier catalogue record notes the nameplate would have been placed at the front or back of the tram that could have travelled between Vancouver and Burnaby.

Subjects: Transportation - Electric Railroads

Names: British Columbia Electric Railway Company

Accession Code: HV973.41.9

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [before 1973]

Media Type: Photograph

Related Material: For an earlier donation made by the same donor in regards to BCER tram, see accession HV972.202.

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2023-05-16

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Interurban tram 1223

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34608

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [April 24, 1966] (date of original), copied [199-?]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.0 x 6.1 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the front of Interurban tram no. 1223 on display at the Edmonds Bus Loop at Edmonds Street and Kingsway. The paint on the tram is chipped, and a person seated by the door of the tram doing restoration work can be partially seen.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [April 24, 1966] (date of original), copied [199-?]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.0 x 6.1 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 066-012

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of the front of Interurban tram no. 1223 on display at the Edmonds Bus Loop at Edmonds Street and Kingsway. The paint on the tram is chipped, and a person seated by the door of the tram doing restoration work can be partially seen.

Subjects: Transportation - Electric Railroads

Media Type: Photograph

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

Geographic Access: Kingsway; Edmonds Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Stride Avenue Area

Images

Interurban tram 1223

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34610

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: April 24, 1966 (date of original), copied [199-?]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 5.9 x 6.1 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the entrance of Interurban tram no. 1223 on display at the Edmonds Bus Loop at Edmonds Street and Kingsway. The paint on the tram is heavily chipped.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: April 24, 1966 (date of original), copied [199-?]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 5.9 x 6.1 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 066-014

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of the entrance of Interurban tram no. 1223 on display at the Edmonds Bus Loop at Edmonds Street and Kingsway. The paint on the tram is heavily chipped.

Subjects: Transportation - Electric Railroads

Media Type: Photograph

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

Geographic Access: Kingsway; Edmonds Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Stride Avenue Area

Images

Interurban Tram #1223 at Edmonds Bus Loop

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34614

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: April 24, 1966 (date of original), copied [199-?]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative; 6.0 x 6.1 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Interurban tram no. 1223 on display at the Edmonds Bus Loop at Kingsway and Edmonds Street. Eight people are standing on scaffolding along side of tram doing restoration work. A man standing on the ground looks on.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: April 24, 1966 (date of original), copied [199-?]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative; 6.0 x 6.1 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 066-018

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of Interurban tram no. 1223 on display at the Edmonds Bus Loop at Kingsway and Edmonds Street. Eight people are standing on scaffolding along side of tram doing restoration work. A man standing on the ground looks on.

Subjects: Transportation - Electric Railroads

Media Type: Photograph

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

Geographic Access: Kingsway; Edmonds Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Stride Avenue Area

Images

Interurban Tram #1223 at Edmonds Bus Loop, April 24, 1966 (date of original), copied [199-?] thumbnail

Interurban tram 1223 dedication plaque

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34611

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: April 24, 1966 (date of original), copied [199-?]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.3 x 6.1 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the dedication plaque on Interurban tram no. 1223: "This interurban tram car was built in 1913 be the St. Louis Car Co. for The British Columbia Electric Railway Co. and operated over that company's three lines in Burnaby until abandonment, November 17th 1956. Throughout the nearly f…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: April 24, 1966 (date of original), copied [199-?]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.3 x 6.1 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 066-015

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of the dedication plaque on Interurban tram no. 1223: "This interurban tram car was built in 1913 be the St. Louis Car Co. for The British Columbia Electric Railway Co. and operated over that company's three lines in Burnaby until abandonment, November 17th 1956. Throughout the nearly fifty years of its existence this tram and seventy similar cars carried many thousands of settlers and commuters and helped to build Burnaby into a thriving community of over 80,000." / "Dedicated and placed here by Burnaby Historical Society, Nov. 30th 1958." The tram was displayed at the Edmonds Bus Loop at Edmonds Street and Kingsway.

Subjects: Transportation - Electric Railroads

Media Type: Photograph

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

Geographic Access: Kingsway; Edmonds Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Stride Avenue Area

Images

Interurban tram 1223 dedication plaque, April 24, 1966 (date of original), copied [199-?] thumbnail

Interurban tram no. 1223 at Edmonds Bus Loop

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34612

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: April 24, 1966 (date of original), copied [199-?]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.3 x 6.1 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Interurban tram no. 1223 on display at the Edmonds Bus Loop at Edmonds Street and Kingsway. Several people are on scaffolding doing restoration work on the tram.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: April 24, 1966 (date of original), copied [199-?]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.3 x 6.1 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 066-016

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of Interurban tram no. 1223 on display at the Edmonds Bus Loop at Edmonds Street and Kingsway. Several people are on scaffolding doing restoration work on the tram.

Subjects: Transportation - Electric Railroads

Media Type: Photograph

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

Geographic Access: Kingsway; Edmonds Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Stride Avenue Area

Images

Interurban tram no. 1223 at Edmonds Bus Loop, April 24, 1966 (date of original), copied [199-?] thumbnail

Interview with Ted Burnham by Eric Damer September 19, 2012 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory313

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1946-1986

Length: 0:10:42

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Edward Lewis "Ted" Burnham's memories of the interurban tram. He mentions getting his driver's license and goes on to discuss more of his work history; in the computer industry, then in the medical industry.

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Edward Lewis "Ted" Burnham's memories of the interurban tram. He mentions getting his driver's license and goes on to discuss more of his work history; in the computer industry, then in the medical industry.

Date Range: 1946-1986

Photo Info: Edward Lewis "Ted" Burnham, [195-]. Item no. 549-021.

Length: 0:10:42

Subjects: Transportation - Electric Railroads

Interviewer: Damer, Eric

Interview Date: September 19, 2012

Scope and Content: Recording is an interview with Edward Lewis "Ted" Burnham conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, September 19, 2012. Major theme discussed: the role of the municipal worker in the nineteen-fifties and nineteen-sixties.

Biographical Notes: E.L. "Ted" Burnham was born in 1930 and grew up in East Burnaby. He attended Armstrong Street and Edmonds Schools and then Trapp Technical High School before beginning work at a range of occupations in the late nineteen-forties. Ted studied business administration at the University of British Columbia and worked from 1953 to about 1958 for the municipality of Burnaby in the engineering and welfare departments, then briefly for Remington-Rand computers, and then at the Hannah Medical Clinic until 1973. After marrying in 1957, Ted and his wife moved from McKay Avenue to Kaymar Drive and raised two daughters. In the ninteen-seventies and later, Ted became involved in municipal politics, the Heritage Village, and in his own real estate and insurance business.

Total Tracks: 3

Total Length: 0:29:27

Interviewee Name: Burnham, Edward Lewis "Ted"

Interview Location: Burnaby Village Museum

Interviewer Bio: Eric Damer is a lifelong British Columbian born in Victoria, raised in Kamloops, and currently residing in Burnaby. After studying philosophy at the University of Victoria, he became interested in the educational forces that had shaped his own life. He completed master’s and doctoral degrees in educational studies at the University of British Columbia with a particular interest in the history of adult and higher education in the province. In 2012, Eric worked for the City of Burnaby as a field researcher and writer, conducting interviews for the City Archives and Museum Oral History Program.

Collection/Fonds: Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds

Series: Burna-Boom Oral History Project series

Transcript Available: None

Media Type: Sound Recording

Images

Audio Tracks

Track two of recording of interview with Ted Burnham

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS171-006/MSS171-006_Track_2.mp3

Notice

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription994

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [before 1973]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.6 x 25.4 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a notice sign that was posted inside a British Columbia Electric Railway tram. It reads; "The Government of the Province of British Columbia / NOTICE / Spitting in this car is contrary to law, and is punishable by fine or imprisonment. / By Order / Provincial Board of Health. / BCER 1…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.6 x 25.4 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a notice sign that was posted inside a British Columbia Electric Railway tram. It reads; "The Government of the Province of British Columbia / NOTICE / Spitting in this car is contrary to law, and is punishable by fine or imprisonment. / By Order / Provincial Board of Health. / BCER 1203-B42."

Subjects: Transportation - Electric Railroads

Names: British Columbia Electric Railway Company

Accession Code: HV973.41.3

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [before 1973]

Media Type: Photograph

Related Material: For an earlier donation made by the same donor in regards to BCER tram, see accession HV972.202.

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2023-05-09

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Vancouver

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription999

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [before 1973]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.0 x 11.4 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a destination sign that reads "Vancouver" on a British Columbia Electric Railway tram. Just below the sign is a label that reads, "BCER 1231-B48."

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.0 x 11.4 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a destination sign that reads "Vancouver" on a British Columbia Electric Railway tram. Just below the sign is a label that reads, "BCER 1231-B48."