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![Charles Boyer Brown, by photographer Nicholas Rossmo [1950]. Item no. 307-008 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/251/307-008.jpg?width=280)
Interview with Charles B. Brown May 21, 1975 - Track 6
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory32
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1923-1938
- Length
- 0:06:27
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Charles Boyer Brown's comparisons between working for a Council versus working for a Commissionership.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Charles Boyer Brown's comparisons between working for a Council versus working for a Commissionership.
- Date Range
- 1923-1938
- Photo Info
- Charles Boyer Brown, by photographer Nicholas Rossmo [1950]. Item no. 307-008
- Length
- 0:06:27
- Interviewer
- Bradbury, Dr. Bettina
- Interview Date
- May 21, 1975
- Scope and Content
- Recording is a taped interview with Charles B. Brown by SFU (Simon Fraser University) graduate student Bettina Bradbury May 21, 1975. Major themes discussed are: the Depression, the Commissioner and municipal politics in general. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
- Biographical Notes
- Charles Boyer Brown was born on June 16, 1894 in the town of Ongar, Essex, England. He came to Canada as a young child with his parents Jean and Percy Brown. In 1903, the family settled in New Westminster and by 1911, Charles had joined the Burnaby municipal staff working as an office boy. The outbreak of World War One interrupted Charlie’s career as he immediately enlisted with the Royal Engineers and served from 1915 to 1918. While overseas he met and married Lillian Bernice Bryan and they returned to Canada together after the war and Charles resumed his position in municipal administration. For a short time, Charles was appointed as the Municipal Assessor, but in 1927 he became the Assistant Municipal Clerk. In 1933, Charles was made Municipal Clerk, a post he held until he retired in 1959. Charles has also been credited with playing a significant role in administering the city while it was under the rule of the provincial commission from 1932-1942. Recognized for his expertise in civic affairs, Charles was appointed by the provincial government to a committee formed to review and revise the Municipal Act. He was also a member of the BC Municipal Officers’ Association from its formation in 1936 and was made its chair in 1953. While these civic duties occupied much of his time, Charles still managed to participate as a volunteer on many sport and youth clubs in the city and served as the secretary for the Kingsway Rotary Club. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to Burnaby, both paid and volunteer, Charles was presented with the Gold Key award in 1959, the same year he finally retired from municipal administration. During Charles’ lifetime, many changes took place in the Municipality that he loved. He saw Burnaby grow in population and progress and he could be proud of the significant part he played in that growth and development. Charles Brown died on August 11, 1981.
- Total Tracks
- 8
- Total Length
- 0:58:01
- Interviewee Name
- Brown, Charles B. "Charlie"
- Interview Location
- Walker Avenue
- Interviewer Bio
- Bettina Bradbury teaches history and women's studies at York University. She is the author of Wife to Widow. Lives, Laws and Politics in Nineteenth-century Montreal. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, June 2011), 520p; Working Families. Age, Gender and Daily Survival in Industrializing Montreal. (Toronto: Canadian Social History Series, McClelland and Stewart, 1993); (Republished Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1996) (3rd edition, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007). These interviews were undertaken after she completed her MA at Simon Fraser University in 1975 with the support of an LIP grant.
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Oral history subseries
- Transcript Available
- None
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
![Charles Boyer Brown, by photographer Nicholas Rossmo [1950]. Item no. 307-008 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/251/307-008.jpg)
Audio Tracks
Track six of interview with Charles B. Brown
Track six of interview with Charles B. Brown
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-06/100-13-06_Track_6.mp3
Ernest Winch
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription64702
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- February 1938
- Collection/Fonds
- Ernest Winch fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 13.5 x 8.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Ernest E. (Ernie) Winch wearing a three-piece suit and standing in the snow in Rossland, British Columbia.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- February 1938
- Collection/Fonds
- Ernest Winch fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 13.5 x 8.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 514-021
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2010-06
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Ernest E. (Ernie) Winch wearing a three-piece suit and standing in the snow in Rossland, British Columbia.
- Subjects
- Officials - Elected Officials
- Names
- Winch, Ernest "Ernie"
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Handwritten note in white ink on recto of photograph reads: "WHITE ROCK / B.C."
- Handwritten note in ink on verso of photograph reads: "Rossland, / February, 1938"
Images
![Ernest Winch, [1938] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/513/514-022.jpg?width=280)
Ernest Winch
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription64703
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1938]
- Collection/Fonds
- Ernest Winch fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 13.5 x 8.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Ernest E. (Ernie) Winch wearing a pinstriped suit outdoors at an unidentified location.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1938]
- Collection/Fonds
- Ernest Winch fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 13.5 x 8.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 514-022
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2010-06
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Ernest E. (Ernie) Winch wearing a pinstriped suit outdoors at an unidentified location.
- Subjects
- Officials - Elected Officials
- Names
- Winch, Ernest "Ernie"
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
![Ernest Winch, [1938] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/513/514-022.jpg)
Ernest Winch
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription64729
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- November 2, 1933
- Collection/Fonds
- Ernest Winch fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 14.5 x 9.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Ernest E. (Ernie) Winch in a suit and tie. This photograph was taken at the Campbell Studio in Vancouver.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- November 2, 1933
- Collection/Fonds
- Ernest Winch fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 14.5 x 9.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 514-027
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2010-06
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Ernest E. (Ernie) Winch in a suit and tie. This photograph was taken at the Campbell Studio in Vancouver.
- Subjects
- Officials - Elected Officials
- Names
- Winch, Ernest "Ernie"
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Campbell Studios Limited
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Photographer's mark embossed at border of photograph reads: "Campbell Studio / Vancouver B.C."
- Handwritten note below embossed lettering reads: "Nov. 2nd 1933 / Ernest"
Images
![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 7
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory447
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1937-1990
- Length
- 00:05:53
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Bill Lewarne’s discussion of the attitudes, energy and time commitment required for operating a seasonal business and needed for politics. He mentions the Nelson Avenue family home, still lived in by his mother
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Bill Lewarne’s discussion of the attitudes, energy and time commitment required for operating a seasonal business and needed for politics. He mentions the Nelson Avenue family home, still lived in by his mother
- Date Range
- 1937-1990
- Photo Info
- Burnaby Alderman, Bill (William) Lewarne, [1973]. Item no. 231-012
- Length
- 00:05:53
- Geographic Access
- Nelson Avenue
- 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 seven of interview with Bill Lewarne
Track seven of interview with Bill Lewarne
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-019/MSS187-019_Track_7.mp3![W.A. Pritchard, [1932] (date of original), copied [1995] thumbnail](/media/Hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/126/126-012.jpg?width=280)
W.A. Pritchard
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34738
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1932] (date of original), copied [1995]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 17.2 x 12.1 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph (mounted and titled) of William A. Pritchard, Reeve of Burnaby from 1930 to 1932 and member of Council from 1928 to 1930.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1932] (date of original), copied [1995]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Photographs subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 17.2 x 12.1 cm print
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 126-012
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS2007-04
- Scope and Content
- Photograph (mounted and titled) of William A. Pritchard, Reeve of Burnaby from 1930 to 1932 and member of Council from 1928 to 1930.
- Names
- Pritchard, William A.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
![W.A. Pritchard, [1932] (date of original), copied [1995] thumbnail](/media/Hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/126/126-012.jpg)
![William A. Pritchard, [1930] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/371/459-016.jpg?width=280)
William A. Pritchard
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38556
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1930]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 6.3 x 8.3 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of William A. Pritchard, Burnaby Reeve 1930-1932 and council member 1928-1930.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1930]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- New Westminster Public Library subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 6.3 x 8.3 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 459-016
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS2003-19
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of William A. Pritchard, Burnaby Reeve 1930-1932 and council member 1928-1930.
- Names
- Pritchard, William A.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
![William A. Pritchard, [1930] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/371/459-016.jpg)
Brown's guide to British Columbia
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary4891
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Textual Record
- Accession Code
- HV975.15.13
- Call Number
- 317.1 BRO
- Author
- Brown, Conway
- Place of Publication
- Ottawa
- Publisher
- Conway Brown
- Publication Date
- 1934
- Physical Description
- 112 p. : ill. (maps) : 17 cm.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Guidebooks
- Canada, Western
- British Columbia
- British Columbia--Maps
- British Columbia--Politics and government
- Subjects
- Documentary Artifacts
- Documentary Artifacts - Booklets
- Elections
- Geographic Features - Districts - Electoral Districts
- Notes
- Includes index.
- "This issue contains federal electoral map of B.C. showing boundaries of new ridings clearly, so that every riding is easily distinguished." -- Cover
Images
Campaign photo
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription3742
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1933
- Collection/Fonds
- Harold Edward Winch collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 25.3 x 20.3 cm
- Scope and Content
- Item is a photograph portrait of Harold Winch, taken for his election campaign for BC MLA in Vancouver East as a member of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF).
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Harold Edward Winch collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 25.3 x 20.3 cm
- Scope and Content
- Item is a photograph portrait of Harold Winch, taken for his election campaign for BC MLA in Vancouver East as a member of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF).
- Accession Code
- BV013.12.99
- Date
- 1933
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Photograph is a part of original scrapbook Item BV013.12.11
Images
Interview with Florence Hart Godwin by Bettina Bradbury July 2, 1975 - Track 7
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory16
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1930-1939
- Length
- 0:05:09
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Florence (Hart) Godwin's thoughts on Municipal politics of the time.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Florence (Hart) Godwin's thoughts on Municipal politics of the time.
- Date Range
- 1930-1939
- Photo Info
- Florence Hart Godwin on her wedding day, August 7, 1922. Item no. 477-601
- Length
- 0:05:09
- Names
- Pritchard, William A.
- Subjects
- Elections
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Interviewer
- Bradbury, Dr. Bettina
- Interview Date
- July 2, 1975
- Scope and Content
- Recording is a taped interview with Florence Hart Godwin by SFU (Simon Fraser University) graduate student Bettina Bradbury, July 2, 1975. Major themes discussed are: Victoria Order of Nurses (VON) and the Edmonds Historic Neighbourhood. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes."
- Biographical Notes
- Florence Hart was born in 1898 in New Westminster. Florence first saw Burnaby in April of 1905 on a trip made by horse and buggy from the family home in New Westminster where her father worked as a real estate agent. By 1911, he had built a permanent home for his family in Burnaby, building what is now known as the Hart house and is currently owned by the municipality. Frederick John “Fred” Hart married Alice Chapman in Yale BC on August 13, 1895. They had four children together; Kingsley Chapman born May 27, 1897, Florence Elizabeth born October 23, 1898, and ten years later, Edwyna and Jack. They followed their family nurse, Miss Maude Woodward to Burnaby and purchased thirteen acres of land at Deer Lake to build a summer cottage. Mrs Hill and the children spent the summer months there while Frederick continued working in New Westminster, joining his family on the weekends. Florence Hart attended Douglas Road School before boarding at Crofton House in Vancouver. Kingsley Hart had enlisted in the army on March 23, 1915 when he was only seventeen years old. He was killed in action on September 26, 1916. The Hart family then moved to Kerrisdale, Vancouver. Florence worked at the Carnegie Library. On August 7, 1922 Florence Hart married Harold “Hal” Godwin and moved back to Edmonds in Burnaby where they remained for their entire married lives. In 1929, Florence and Harold’s daughter, Elizabeth Godwin was born. Alice (Chapman) Hart died May 24, 1935 at the age of sixty-eight. Frederick John Hart died August 29, 1945 at the age of seventy-seven. Florence Hart Godwin was named Good Citizen of Burnaby in 1971 and received a life membership to the IODE (Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire) for her long tenure. Both Florence and her husband Harold were awarded life memberships from the VON (Victorian Order of Nurses) for more than half a century of service. Harold Ward Godwin died December 12, 1962 at the age of sixty-six.
- Total Tracks
- 8
- Total Length
- 0:47:57
- Interviewee Name
- Godwin, Florence Hart
- Interviewer Bio
- Bettina Bradbury teaches history and women's studies at York University. She is the author of Wife to Widow. Lives, Laws and Politics in Nineteenth-century Montreal. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, June 2011), 520p; Working Families. Age, Gender and Daily Survival in Industrializing Montreal. (Toronto: Canadian Social History Series, McClelland and Stewart, 1993); (Republished Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1996) (3rd edition, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007). These interviews were undertaken after she completed her MA at Simon Fraser University in 1975 with the support of an LIP grant.
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Oral history subseries
- Transcript Available
- None
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks
Track seven of interview with Florence Hart Godwin by Bettina Bradbury
Track seven of interview with Florence Hart Godwin by Bettina Bradbury
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-17/100-13-17_Track_7.mp3
Interview with Sev Morin by Rod Fowler April 4, 1990 - Track 7
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory543
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1930-1990
- Length
- 00:07:36
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Sev Morin’s involvement in the federal Liberal Party and in municipal politics with Alan Emmott; his mother Anne Marie Morin’s CCF work in Alberta and his brother Rudy Morin’s union activities and affiliation with Harvey Murphy; the political events held at “S…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Sev Morin’s involvement in the federal Liberal Party and in municipal politics with Alan Emmott; his mother Anne Marie Morin’s CCF work in Alberta and his brother Rudy Morin’s union activities and affiliation with Harvey Murphy; the political events held at “Severin’s”; and Sev Morin’s centrist political views
- Date Range
- 1930-1990
- Photo Info
- Sev Morin (left) of Severin's in Burnaby (formerly the Gai Paree) hosting a gala New Year's celebration, 1979. Item no. 480-712
- Length
- 00:07:36
- Names
- Liberal Party
- Emmott, Alan H
- Interviewer
- Fowler, Rod
- Interview Date
- April 4, 1990
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Severin "Sev" Morin, conducted by Rod Fowler. Sev Morin 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 Sev Morin’s banquet hall, restaurant and night club business on Kingsway, originally named the “Gai Paree Supper Club” (1947-1976) and later “Severin’s” (1976-1985) and “Diego’s” (1985-1994), its function as a Burnaby landmark, and the entertainment and political people he met through his business. He also describes his many volunteer activities in Burnaby, including member of the SFU Senate, Rotary Club, Variety Club and Telethon, fund raising for Burnaby Hospital, and tourism related groups, and his political work for the federal Liberal party. He talks about his parents’ origins, the lives of his brothers Rudy and Rene, and the family’s involvement in establishing the “Gai Paree”. He also shares his views about the business and cultural development of Burnaby. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
- Biographical Notes
- Severin “Sev” Rene Morin was born September 21, 1927, in Bonneville, Alberta, to Rene Pierre Morin (1878-1963) and Anne Marie (nee Lachiver) Morin (1886-1956). Mr. and Mrs. R. P. Morin and their son Rene Francois (1905-1954) immigrated to Edmonton, Alberta, from France in 1913, where Rene Pierre Morin worked for the C.N.R. and a second son Adolphe “Rudy” Ferdinand (1922-1969) was born, followed by their third son Severin. In 1943, after R.P. Morin retired, the family moved to Burnaby to a house on Sperling Avenue. Sometime earlier the two older Morin brothers found work in Trail at the smelter and developed musical careers. In 1946/47 the Morin family purchased property on Kingsway and built a banquet hall, the “Gai Paree Supper Club”. Sev and Rudy Morin managed the club and Rene F. Morin moved to Burnaby to join them with his band. The supper club, with its live music and dance floor, became a popular meeting place and wedding venue, eventually expanding into a restaurant and nightclub in the 1970s. The “Gai Paree” was renamed “Severin’s” in 1976 and “Diego’s” in 1985, closing finally in 1994. Sev Morin’s business life included three record stores which he owned with his friend Jack Cullen. Through these businesses Sev Morin was well known in the entertainment and hospitality industry. He and his restaurant also hosted political and social events that made the restaurant a community landmark. Sev Morin contributed many volunteer hours to community and charitable organizations, including an appointment to the SFU Senate, fundraising for the Burnaby Hospital, Director of the Variety Club and Rotary Club, and consultant for a variety of tourism related ventures. He also was active in the federal Liberal Party. Sev Morin and his wife Pauline married in 1950 and had three children. Sev Morin died at age 86 on March 28, 2014.
- Total Tracks
- 10
- Total Length
- 00:56:44
- Interviewee Name
- Morin, Severin "Sev"
- 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 Sev Morin
Track seven of interview with Sev Morin
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-021/MSS187-021_Track%207.mp3
Interview with W.H. O'Brien July / August 1975 - Track 9
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory26
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1933-1935
- Length
- 0:08:46
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to W.H. "Harry" O'Brien's involvement with the Cooperative Commonweath Federation (CCF) as well as his mother and father's involvement in politics.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to W.H. "Harry" O'Brien's involvement with the Cooperative Commonweath Federation (CCF) as well as his mother and father's involvement in politics.
- Date Range
- 1933-1935
- Photo Info
- Harry and Gertrude (Sutherland) O'Brien on their wedding day, October 12, 1940. Item no. 315-005
- Length
- 0:08:46
- Names
- Weaver, George
- Subjects
- Elections
- Organizations
- Interviewer
- Bradbury, Dr. Bettina
- Interview Date
- July / August 1975
- Scope and Content
- Recording is a taped interview with W.H. "Harry" O'Brien by SFU (Simon Fraser University) graduate student Bettina Bradbury. Major themes discussed are: the Army of the Common Good, the Union of the Unemployed and the Common Good Credit Union (now the South Burnaby Credit Union). To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
- Biographical Notes
- W.H. “Harry” O’Brien was born in the coal mining town of Nanaimo, British Columbia on October 20, 1914. He came to Burnaby with his parents and five siblings in 1927. Harry’s mother, a school teacher, wanted her children to live closer to school in order to obtain a better education, so the O’Brien family settled at Inman Avenue, Burnaby. Harry's mother, Mary Anne Crossan, was Gilmore Avenue School's first teacher. Harry left school in June of 1929. Harry’s father worked as the caretaker at Central Park around this time and Harry helped him to clear brush, plant trees and enforce the land clearing and wood cutting permit regulations held by men who were on script. Although too young to vote by just over a week, Harry O'Brien worked as a scrutineer for the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) during the 1935 Federal Election. On October 12, 1940 Harry O'Brien married Gertrude Sutherland at St. John the Divine in Burnaby. The Sutherland family came to Burnaby from Winnipeg in 1933 and settled at Nelson Avenue. Harry began his involvement with the Unemployment Organization in Burnaby by participating in an organised protest against the municipality for homeowner evictions brought on by unpaid taxes. The South Burnaby Union of the Unemployed organised in order to protest rules around receiving Relief. Harry became involved, eventually becoming one of the spearheads of the organization, taking over as secretary by 1936. Harry was an original member of the Army of the Common Good, helping to produce over one hundred and twenty-five tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed Burnaby citizens suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The members of the Army of the Common Good who cut wood for consumption or worked in the gardens were given credit for their work through LU (Labour Units) which they could then use to buy groceries and that at the Army's Cooperative stores, one of which was at McKay Avenue, where Harry began working as Manager of Groceries in 1937. The Credit Union movement of British Columbia was also organized by Harry O'Brien and his fellow Army of the Common Good members. W.H. "Harry" O'Brien died July 1, 1992.
- Total Tracks
- 9
- Total Length
- 1:17:56
- Interviewee Name
- O'Brien, Harry
- Interviewer Bio
- Bettina Bradbury teaches history and women's studies at York University. She is the author of Wife to Widow. Lives, Laws and Politics in Nineteenth-century Montreal. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, June 2011), 520p; Working Families. Age, Gender and Daily Survival in Industrializing Montreal. (Toronto: Canadian Social History Series, McClelland and Stewart, 1993); (Republished Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1996) (3rd edition, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007). These interviews were undertaken after she completed her MA at Simon Fraser University in 1975 with the support of an LIP grant.
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Oral history subseries
- Transcript Available
- None
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks
![Hugh M. Fraser, [1935] (date of original), copied [1995] thumbnail](/media/Hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/126/126-007.jpg?width=280)
Hugh M. Fraser
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34733
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1935] (date of original), copied [1995]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 17.0 x 11.9 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph (mounted and titled) of Hugh M. Fraser, Reeve of Burnaby from 1914 to 1918 and from 1934 to 1939 and Commissioner from 1934 to 1940.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1935] (date of original), copied [1995]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Photographs subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 17.0 x 11.9 cm print
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 126-007
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS2007-04
- Scope and Content
- Photograph (mounted and titled) of Hugh M. Fraser, Reeve of Burnaby from 1914 to 1918 and from 1934 to 1939 and Commissioner from 1934 to 1940.
- Names
- Fraser, Hugh M
- Media Type
- Photograph
Images
![Hugh M. Fraser, [1935] (date of original), copied [1995] thumbnail](/media/Hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/126/126-007.jpg)
![Hugh M. Fraser, [1935] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/371/459-011.jpg?width=280)
Hugh M. Fraser
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38551
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1935]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 8.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Hugh Murray Fraser, Burnaby Reeve from 1914 to 1918 and Commissioner from 1934 to 1940. A note on the back of the photograph reads: Commissioner Hugh Murray Fraser. 1934-1940, died Dec. 2, 1940. Followed by R. Bolton, Acting comm [sic]."
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1935]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- New Westminster Public Library subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 8.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 459-011
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS2003-19
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Hugh Murray Fraser, Burnaby Reeve from 1914 to 1918 and Commissioner from 1934 to 1940. A note on the back of the photograph reads: Commissioner Hugh Murray Fraser. 1934-1940, died Dec. 2, 1940. Followed by R. Bolton, Acting comm [sic]."
- Names
- Fraser, Hugh M
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
![Hugh M. Fraser, [1935] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/371/459-011.jpg)
![Commissioner John Bennett, [1932 or 1933] (date of original), photographed [ca. 1995] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/126/126-013.jpg?width=280)
Commissioner John Bennett
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34739
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1932 or 1933] (date of original), photographed [ca. 1995]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 17.1 x 12.1 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of John Bennett, Commissioner of Burnaby during part of 1932 and 1933.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1932 or 1933] (date of original), photographed [ca. 1995]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Photographs subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 17.1 x 12.1 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 126-013
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS2007-04
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of John Bennett, Commissioner of Burnaby during part of 1932 and 1933.
- Subjects
- Officials - Commissioners
- Names
- Bennett, John
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
![Commissioner John Bennett, [1932 or 1933] (date of original), photographed [ca. 1995] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/126/126-013.jpg)
![Commissioner John Mahony, [1933 or 1934] (date of original), photographed [ca. 1995] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/126/126-014.jpg?width=280)
Commissioner John Mahony
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34725
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1933 or 1934] (date of original), photographed [ca. 1995]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 17.1 x 12.0 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of John Mahony, Commissioner of Burnaby during part of 1933 and 1934.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1933 or 1934] (date of original), photographed [ca. 1995]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Photographs subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 17.1 x 12.0 cm print
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 126-014
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS2007-04
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of John Mahony, Commissioner of Burnaby during part of 1933 and 1934.
- Subjects
- Officials - Commissioners
- Names
- Mahony, John
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
![Commissioner John Mahony, [1933 or 1934] (date of original), photographed [ca. 1995] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/126/126-014.jpg)
East Burnaby Owls Lacrosse Team
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35356
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1937 (date of original), copied 1986
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the East Burnaby Owls lacrosse team which won the B.C. championship. Identified are: (centre, wearing glasses) George Leaf, team manager; (2nd row, at far right) Richard Bolton; (back row, wearing double-breasted suit) Byron "Boss" Johnson, one-time Liberal premier of B.C. and Victor…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1937 (date of original), copied 1986
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Pioneer Tales subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 204-213
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1988-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the East Burnaby Owls lacrosse team which won the B.C. championship. Identified are: (centre, wearing glasses) George Leaf, team manager; (2nd row, at far right) Richard Bolton; (back row, wearing double-breasted suit) Byron "Boss" Johnson, one-time Liberal premier of B.C. and Victoria lacrosse goalie.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Interview with Charles A. Purdon and May E. Purdon July 9, 1975 - Track 4
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory94
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1932-1943
- Length
- 0:07:55
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Charles and May Purdon's memories of the Burnaby government going into receivership. The Purdons discuss their neighbours' jobs and the employment situation at the time.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Charles and May Purdon's memories of the Burnaby government going into receivership. The Purdons discuss their neighbours' jobs and the employment situation at the time.
- Date Range
- 1932-1943
- Length
- 0:07:55
- Subjects
- Officials - Commissioners
- Geographic Access
- Edmonds Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Interviewer
- Bradbury, Dr. Bettina
- Interview Date
- July 9, 1975
- Scope and Content
- Recording is a taped interview with Charles A. Purdon and May E. Purdon by SFU graduate student Bettina Bradbury July 9, 1975. Major themes discussed are: the Depression and Canadian politics. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
- Biographical Notes
- May Eliza was born in London, England in 1907. She came out to Regina with her family when she was eleven. Charles A. Purdon was born February 28, 1904 in London, England. He came to Canada in 1925 from China where he had been working as an accountant for the previous three years. Charles first came to Vancouver and joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) but within a week he was sent to Regina. This is where he met May. May and Charles got married in 1926 and Charles began working as an accountant for the Saskatchewan Wheat Growers, then for the Canadian Wool Growers before being laid off. In October of 1930, Charles and May left Regina for Vancouver Island. Charles drove himself out and May rode the train with her children; twin boys and a daughter, only one year apart. They settled at May’s parent’s second house in Coombs. The Purdons arrived in Burnaby in December of 1932 and rented a house on Edmonds Street. Charles was unable to do road work and instead found work through the Liberal Party and also with the Municipal engineers indoors on a number of projects. In 1938 the Purdons were able to get into a reverted house built by Ernie Winch at Maple Avenue (then Jubilee) and Nelson Avenue that had nine bedrooms. They paid ten dollars a month to the municipality for use of this property. May Eliza Purdon died April 6, 1983 at the age of seventy-six.
- Total Length
- 1:40:03
- Interviewee Name
- Purdon, Charles A.
- Purdon, May Eliza
- Interviewer Bio
- Bettina Bradbury teaches history and women's studies at York University. She is the author of Wife to Widow. Lives, Laws and Politics in Nineteenth-century Montreal. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, June 2011), 520p; Working Families. Age, Gender and Daily Survival in Industrializing Montreal. (Toronto: Canadian Social History Series, McClelland and Stewart, 1993); (Republished Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1996) (3rd edition, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007). These interviews were undertaken after she completed her MA at Simon Fraser University in 1975 with the support of an LIP grant.
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Oral history subseries
- 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.
Audio Tracks
Track four of interview with Charles A. Purdon and May E. Purdon
Track four of interview with Charles A. Purdon and May E. Purdon
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-19/100-13-19_Track_4.mp3
Interview with Charles B. Brown May 21, 1975 - Track 3
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory29
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1930-1932
- Length
- 0:08:14
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Charles Boyer Brown's memories of working with Reeve William A. Pritchard.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Charles Boyer Brown's memories of working with Reeve William A. Pritchard.
- Date Range
- 1930-1932
- Photo Info
- Charles Boyer Brown, by photographer Nicholas Rossmo [1950]. Item no. 307-008
- Length
- 0:08:14
- Names
- Pritchard, William A.
- Interviewer
- Bradbury, Dr. Bettina
- Interview Date
- May 21, 1975
- Scope and Content
- Recording is a taped interview with Charles B. Brown by SFU (Simon Fraser University) graduate student Bettina Bradbury May 21, 1975. Major themes discussed are: the Depression, the Commissioner and municipal politics in general. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
- Biographical Notes
- Charles Boyer Brown was born on June 16, 1894 in the town of Ongar, Essex, England. He came to Canada as a young child with his parents Jean and Percy Brown. In 1903, the family settled in New Westminster and by 1911, Charles had joined the Burnaby municipal staff working as an office boy. The outbreak of World War One interrupted Charlie’s career as he immediately enlisted with the Royal Engineers and served from 1915 to 1918. While overseas he met and married Lillian Bernice Bryan and they returned to Canada together after the war and Charles resumed his position in municipal administration. For a short time, Charles was appointed as the Municipal Assessor, but in 1927 he became the Assistant Municipal Clerk. In 1933, Charles was made Municipal Clerk, a post he held until he retired in 1959. Charles has also been credited with playing a significant role in administering the city while it was under the rule of the provincial commission from 1932-1942. Recognized for his expertise in civic affairs, Charles was appointed by the provincial government to a committee formed to review and revise the Municipal Act. He was also a member of the BC Municipal Officers’ Association from its formation in 1936 and was made its chair in 1953. While these civic duties occupied much of his time, Charles still managed to participate as a volunteer on many sport and youth clubs in the city and served as the secretary for the Kingsway Rotary Club. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to Burnaby, both paid and volunteer, Charles was presented with the Gold Key award in 1959, the same year he finally retired from municipal administration. During Charles’ lifetime, many changes took place in the Municipality that he loved. He saw Burnaby grow in population and progress and he could be proud of the significant part he played in that growth and development. Charles Brown died on August 11, 1981.
- Total Tracks
- 8
- Total Length
- 0:58:01
- Interviewee Name
- Brown, Charles B. "Charlie"
- Interview Location
- Walker Avenue
- Interviewer Bio
- Bettina Bradbury teaches history and women's studies at York University. She is the author of Wife to Widow. Lives, Laws and Politics in Nineteenth-century Montreal. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, June 2011), 520p; Working Families. Age, Gender and Daily Survival in Industrializing Montreal. (Toronto: Canadian Social History Series, McClelland and Stewart, 1993); (Republished Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1996) (3rd edition, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007). These interviews were undertaken after she completed her MA at Simon Fraser University in 1975 with the support of an LIP grant.
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Oral history subseries
- Transcript Available
- None
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks
Track three of interview with Charles B. Brown
Track three of interview with Charles B. Brown
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-06/100-13-06_Track_3.mp3
Interview with Charles B. Brown May 21, 1975 - Track 7
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory33
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1933-1942
- Length
- 0:06:35
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Charles Boyer Brown's impressions of various Commissioners.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Charles Boyer Brown's impressions of various Commissioners.
- Date Range
- 1933-1942
- Photo Info
- Charles Boyer Brown, by photographer Nicholas Rossmo [1950]. Item no. 307-008
- Length
- 0:06:35
- Subjects
- Officials - Commissioners
- Interviewer
- Bradbury, Dr. Bettina
- Interview Date
- May 21, 1975
- Scope and Content
- Recording is a taped interview with Charles B. Brown by SFU (Simon Fraser University) graduate student Bettina Bradbury May 21, 1975. Major themes discussed are: the Depression, the Commissioner and municipal politics in general. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
- Biographical Notes
- Charles Boyer Brown was born on June 16, 1894 in the town of Ongar, Essex, England. He came to Canada as a young child with his parents Jean and Percy Brown. In 1903, the family settled in New Westminster and by 1911, Charles had joined the Burnaby municipal staff working as an office boy. The outbreak of World War One interrupted Charlie’s career as he immediately enlisted with the Royal Engineers and served from 1915 to 1918. While overseas he met and married Lillian Bernice Bryan and they returned to Canada together after the war and Charles resumed his position in municipal administration. For a short time, Charles was appointed as the Municipal Assessor, but in 1927 he became the Assistant Municipal Clerk. In 1933, Charles was made Municipal Clerk, a post he held until he retired in 1959. Charles has also been credited with playing a significant role in administering the city while it was under the rule of the provincial commission from 1932-1942. Recognized for his expertise in civic affairs, Charles was appointed by the provincial government to a committee formed to review and revise the Municipal Act. He was also a member of the BC Municipal Officers’ Association from its formation in 1936 and was made its chair in 1953. While these civic duties occupied much of his time, Charles still managed to participate as a volunteer on many sport and youth clubs in the city and served as the secretary for the Kingsway Rotary Club. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to Burnaby, both paid and volunteer, Charles was presented with the Gold Key award in 1959, the same year he finally retired from municipal administration. During Charles’ lifetime, many changes took place in the Municipality that he loved. He saw Burnaby grow in population and progress and he could be proud of the significant part he played in that growth and development. Charles Brown died on August 11, 1981.
- Total Tracks
- 8
- Total Length
- 0:58:01
- Interviewee Name
- Brown, Charles B. "Charlie"
- Interview Location
- Walker Avenue
- Interviewer Bio
- Bettina Bradbury teaches history and women's studies at York University. She is the author of Wife to Widow. Lives, Laws and Politics in Nineteenth-century Montreal. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, June 2011), 520p; Working Families. Age, Gender and Daily Survival in Industrializing Montreal. (Toronto: Canadian Social History Series, McClelland and Stewart, 1993); (Republished Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1996) (3rd edition, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007). These interviews were undertaken after she completed her MA at Simon Fraser University in 1975 with the support of an LIP grant.
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Oral history subseries
- Transcript Available
- None
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks
Track seven of interview with Charles B. Brown
Track seven of interview with Charles B. Brown
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-06/100-13-06_Track_7.mp3