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Interview with W.H. O'Brien July / August 1975 - Track 8
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory25
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- [1932]-1936
- Length
- 0:11:12
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to W.H. "Harry" O'Brien's involvement with the formation of the Army of the Common Good Credit Union (now the South Burnaby Credit Union).
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to W.H. "Harry" O'Brien's involvement with the formation of the Army of the Common Good Credit Union (now the South Burnaby Credit Union).
- Date Range
- [1932]-1936
- Photo Info
- Harry and Gertrude (Sutherland) O'Brien on their wedding day, October 12, 1940. Item no. 315-005
- Length
- 0:11:12
- Subjects
- 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
Track eight of interview with W.H.
Track eight of interview with W.H.
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-25/100-13-25_Track_8.mp3
Boy Scouts - Darryl Chan; Robin Hickman and Adrian Chow
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription58900
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- ca.1965
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 18 x 16 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of two Boy Scouts and a Scout leader. The leader is explaining something and gesturing; eggs and an egg carton are in front of the two Boy Scouts. The photograph is from Burnaby Today.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- ca.1965
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 18 x 16 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-1357
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- 2009-01
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of two Boy Scouts and a Scout leader. The leader is explaining something and gesturing; eggs and an egg carton are in front of the two Boy Scouts. The photograph is from Burnaby Today.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Note on recto reads: "Darryl Chow / Robin Hickman / Adrian Chow"
Images
Haida Speed Skaters Club - President Agatha Van Der Starre and Ellen Brabander
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription59167
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- ca.1982
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 25.5 x 19 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a child and the Haida Speed Skater Club President Agatha Van Der Starre lacing up their skates.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- ca.1982
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 25.5 x 19 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-1496
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- 2009-01
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a child and the Haida Speed Skater Club President Agatha Van Der Starre lacing up their skates.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Battistoni, Peter
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Note on recto reads: "Ellen Brabander, 10 + Club Pres. Agatha Van Der Starre / Suit Up"
- Photographer's stamp on verso
- Note on verso reads: "PMT 61% / page 1 / Burnaby / Today"
Images
North Burnaby OORP
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription59196
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- ca.1982
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of members of the North Burnaby chapter of the Order of Royal Purple, the female auxiliary of the Elks of Canada. The three women in front are holding a book open in front of them.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- ca.1982
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-1513
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- 2009-01
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of members of the North Burnaby chapter of the Order of Royal Purple, the female auxiliary of the Elks of Canada. The three women in front are holding a book open in front of them.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Note on recto reads: "Rear - Rebecca Delaferaude - Loyal Lady / Mary Levesque - Lecturing Lady / Eleanor Holvick - Pianist / Peg Spencer - Member / Nell MacLellan - Conductress / Front - / Carrie Hertner - Honoured Royal Lady / Mary Davie - Supreme Honoured Royal Lady / Betty Rowell - Secretary"
- Note on verso reads: "C-1 Friday reduce 62% / special guest / PMT 80% / page 7 / Burnaby Today"
Images
![A group of girl scouts, [1982] thumbnail](/media/Hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/480/480-1531.jpg?width=280)
A group of girl scouts
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription59216
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1982]
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 11.3 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph is of a group of Girl Scouts posing for the camera.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1982]
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 11.3 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-1531
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- 2009-01
- Scope and Content
- Photograph is of a group of Girl Scouts posing for the camera.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Note on verso reads: "PMT 138% / page 17 / Burnaby"
Images
![A group of girl scouts, [1982] thumbnail](/media/Hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/480/480-1531.jpg)
![Bill Boyd, [195-] thumbnail](/media/Hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/480/480-1579.jpg?width=280)
Bill Boyd
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription64852
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [195-]
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 6.5 x 5.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of YMCA 'Summer Fun' Director Bill Boyd.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [195-]
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 6.5 x 5.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-1579
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- 2003-02
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of YMCA 'Summer Fun' Director Bill Boyd.
- Subjects
- Organizations - Societies and Clubs
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Photographer's stamp on verso (partial) identifies photographer as "Campbell"
- Note on verso reads: "BUrnaby / Bill Boyd / YMCA / Summer 'Fun' Director"
Images
![Bill Boyd, [195-] thumbnail](/media/Hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/480/480-1579.jpg)
Personal material
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82732
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1910-1978]
- Collection/Fonds
- Hazel Simnett collection
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 9 paintings : colour print, 2 photographs : b&w, and 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of application for a driver's license, Kingsway Driving School report card, driver's examination receipt and a letter addressed to Hazel Simnett from the Victorian Order of Nurses for Canada. Also included is an immigration inspection card of Fred Simnett aboard the S.S. Lake Champlai…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1910-1978]
- Collection/Fonds
- Hazel Simnett collection
- Physical Description
- 9 paintings : colour print, 2 photographs : b&w, and 1 folder of textual records
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- MSS167-008
- Accession Number
- 2013-22
- Scope and Content
- File consists of application for a driver's license, Kingsway Driving School report card, driver's examination receipt and a letter addressed to Hazel Simnett from the Victorian Order of Nurses for Canada. Also included is an immigration inspection card of Fred Simnett aboard the S.S. Lake Champlain from Liverpool and a letter from the Office of the Mayor addressed to Mary Ann Simnett for her ninetieth birthday. Also included is a photograph (see item 559-001). Also included are newsclippings regarding Robert Burnaby and the "Bygones of Burnaby" book, a programme of the Robert Burnaby Commemorative Dinner, a photocopy of "The Argus" (Burnaby South High School's newspaper) from 1938, a programme from Madys Pridmore Brown's Variety Programme, "The Buzzer" Volume 40 Issue 16 advertising Vancouver street cars, New Vista Society certificate addressed to Hazel Simnett, an envelope of Fenwick Lansdowne bird prints from 1957 and a print of the Royal Family found in a cardboard envelope postmarked 1972.
- Subjects
- Arts - Paintings
- Documentary Artifacts - Newspapers
- Documentary Artifacts - Photographs
- Performances - Concerts
- Organizations - Societies and Clubs
- Personal Symbols - Certificates
- Transportation
- Persons - Royalty
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Photograph
- Graphic Material
- Notes
- Title based on note accompanying file on folder ; The Argue was stapled together
- Simnett personal papers series
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Clinton-Glenwood Area
East Burnaby Lacrosse Club Clubhouse
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35358
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1912 (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 Lacrosse Club clubhouse building bee on the grounds of Edmonds Street School. Sitting on the scaffolding against the pole is George Leaf, manager of the club. The East Burnaby Lacrosse Club members scrounged materials and built the clubhouse in one day.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1912 (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.
- 204-215
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1988-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the East Burnaby Lacrosse Club clubhouse building bee on the grounds of Edmonds Street School. Sitting on the scaffolding against the pole is George Leaf, manager of the club. The East Burnaby Lacrosse Club members scrounged materials and built the clubhouse in one day.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Recreational
- Organizations
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Annotation at top of photograph reads, "East Burnaby Lacrosse Club / Good Friday 1912"
- Geographic Access
- Edmonds Street
- Street Address
- 7355 Canada Way
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Edmonds Area
Images
![Gordon Presbyterian Church ladies group, [1914] (date of original), copied 1987 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/126/193-006.jpg?width=280)
Gordon Presbyterian Church ladies group
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35105
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1914] (date of original), copied 1987
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.8 x 12.7 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a Gordon Presbyterian Church ladies group, possibly outside the church manse. Many of the women appear to be holding pieces of material. They are all unidentified.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1914] (date of original), copied 1987
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Gordon Presbyterian Church subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.8 x 12.7 cm print
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 193-006
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1987-02
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a Gordon Presbyterian Church ladies group, possibly outside the church manse. Many of the women appear to be holding pieces of material. They are all unidentified.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Edmonds Street
- Street Address
- 7457 Edmonds Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Richmond Park Area
Images
![Gordon Presbyterian Church ladies group, [1914] (date of original), copied 1987 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/126/193-006.jpg)
![Ladies Organization at the Chilliwack City Hall, [between 1914 and 1918] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/205/209-009.jpg?width=280)
Ladies Organization at the Chilliwack City Hall
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36010
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1914 and 1918]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 6.5 x 11.5 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a Ladies Organization at the Chilliwack City Hall.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1914 and 1918]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Gavin family subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 6.5 x 11.5 cm print
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 209-009
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1988-09
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a Ladies Organization at the Chilliwack City Hall.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
![Ladies Organization at the Chilliwack City Hall, [between 1914 and 1918] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/205/209-009.jpg)
![Ladies Organization at the Vancouver Armouries, [between 1914 and 1918] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/205/209-010.jpg?width=280)
Ladies Organization at the Vancouver Armouries
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36011
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1914 and 1918]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 10.5 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a Ladies Organization at the Vancouver Armouries.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1914 and 1918]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Gavin family subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 10.5 cm print
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 209-010
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1988-09
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a Ladies Organization at the Vancouver Armouries.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
![Ladies Organization at the Vancouver Armouries, [between 1914 and 1918] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/205/209-010.jpg)
![Women's group, [between 1914 and 1918] (date of original), copied 1991 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/370/370-764.jpg?width=280)
Women's group
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38177
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1914 and 1918] (date of original), copied 1991
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 2.8 x 4.0 cm print on contact sheet 20.6 x 26.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of members of a women's group gathered for a lunch. They are seated on the veranda of 3900 Union Street, the home of the Spraggon family.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1914 and 1918] (date of original), copied 1991
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Burnaby Image Bank subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 2.8 x 4.0 cm print on contact sheet 20.6 x 26.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 370-764
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1999-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of members of a women's group gathered for a lunch. They are seated on the veranda of 3900 Union Street, the home of the Spraggon family.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- 1 b&w copy negative accompanying
- Negative has a pink cast
- Geographic Access
- Union Street
- Street Address
- 3900 Union Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Willingdon Heights Area
Images
![Women's group, [between 1914 and 1918] (date of original), copied 1991 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/370/370-764.jpg)
Interview with W.H. O'Brien July / August 1975 - Track 1
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory18
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1914-1932
- Length
- 0:08:44
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to W.H. "Harry" O'Brien's early childhood including the reasons why his family first moved to Burnaby, his first experiences of unemployment and what initially drew him to the Working Organization in Burnaby and their protest against evictions.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to W.H. "Harry" O'Brien's early childhood including the reasons why his family first moved to Burnaby, his first experiences of unemployment and what initially drew him to the Working Organization in Burnaby and their protest against evictions.
- Date Range
- 1914-1932
- Photo Info
- Harry and Gertrude (Sutherland) O'Brien on their wedding day, October 12, 1940. Item no. 315-005
- Length
- 0:08:44
- Subjects
- Organizations
- Protests and Demonstrations
- Geographic Access
- Inman Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- 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
Track one of interview with W.H.
Track one of interview with W.H.
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-25/100-13-25_Track_1.mp3
Henderson Presbyterian Church Choir and Orchestra
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35174
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- December 16, 1915 (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 choir and orchestra at Henderson Presbyterian Church, West Burnaby. Thomas Shankie is in front of the organ.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- December 16, 1915 (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.
- 204-031
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1988-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the choir and orchestra at Henderson Presbyterian Church, West Burnaby. Thomas Shankie is in front of the organ.
- Subjects
- Organizations - Choirs
- Performances - Concerts
- Musical Instruments
- Occupations - Musicians
- Organizations - Orchestras
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Sussex Avenue
- Street Address
- 6050 Sussex Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Marlborough Area
Images
![Ladies Organization, [1915] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/205/209-006.jpg?width=280)
Ladies Organization
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36007
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1915]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 10 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a Ladies Organization that ran from 1914 to 1918.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1915]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Gavin family subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 10 cm print
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 209-006
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1988-09
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a Ladies Organization that ran from 1914 to 1918.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
![Ladies Organization, [1915] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/205/209-006.jpg)
Gordon Presbyterian Church Ladies Aid
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35103
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1916 (date of original), copied 1987
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.7 x 12.6 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Gordon Presbyterian Church Ladies Aid. A group of women and a few children are outside the church, 7457 Edmonds Street. The woman seated at the far right in dark clothes is identified on the photograph as the first president. Identified (in accession file), back row: Mrs. Watt, Mr…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1916 (date of original), copied 1987
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Gordon Presbyterian Church subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.7 x 12.6 cm print
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 193-004
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1987-02
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Gordon Presbyterian Church Ladies Aid. A group of women and a few children are outside the church, 7457 Edmonds Street. The woman seated at the far right in dark clothes is identified on the photograph as the first president. Identified (in accession file), back row: Mrs. Watt, Mrs. Stevens and Bert, Mrs. Fraser, and Mrs. Stevens, Sr. Second row: Mrs. K. McLeod, Mrs. Mavis, Mrs. Philps, Mrs. Fraser, Mrs. Fletcher, Mrs. Armstrong, Mrs. Moodie, Mrs. Webster, and Mrs. O'Brien. 3rd row: Mrs. D. McDonald, Mrs. Corder, Mrs. O'Donnell, and Mrs. H. Madill. 4th row: Borden McLeod, Wilfred McLeod, W. Fletcher, and Mary O'Donnell.
- Names
- Fletcher, W.
- Gordon Presbyterian Church
- McLeod, Borden
- McLeod, Wilfred
- O'Donnell, Mary
- Stevens, Bert
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Edmonds Street
- Street Address
- 7457 Edmonds Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Richmond Park Area
Images
Gordon Presbyterian Church Ladies Aid
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35104
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1916 (date of original), copied
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.8 x 12.5 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Gordon Presbyterian Church Ladies Aid women and a few children standing outside the church, at 7457 Edmonds Street. They are all unidentified.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1916 (date of original), copied
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Gordon Presbyterian Church subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.8 x 12.5 cm print
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 193-005
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1987-02
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Gordon Presbyterian Church Ladies Aid women and a few children standing outside the church, at 7457 Edmonds Street. They are all unidentified.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Edmonds Street
- Street Address
- 7457 Edmonds Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Richmond Park Area
Images
Girl Guides
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36008
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1917
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 10 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Girl Guides sitting on the grounds of the Municipal Hall.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1917
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Gavin family subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 10 cm print
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 209-007
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1988-09
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Girl Guides sitting on the grounds of the Municipal Hall.
- Names
- Girl Guides of Canada
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Kingsway
- Street Address
- 7282 Kingsway
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Stride Avenue Area
Images
Girl Guides standing at attention
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36009
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1917
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 10 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Girl Guides standing at attention on the grounds of the Municipal Hall.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1917
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Gavin family subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 10 cm print
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 209-008
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1988-09
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Girl Guides standing at attention on the grounds of the Municipal Hall.
- Names
- Girl Guides of Canada
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Kingsway
- Street Address
- 7282 Kingsway
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Stride Avenue Area
Images
![Girl Guides in Central Park, [1917] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/251/292-002.jpg?width=280)
Girl Guides in Central Park
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36539
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1917]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.5 x 14 cm + 1 p.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Burnaby Girl Guides in Central Park seated and standing in rows. This was the first year of this group of Girl Guides. Gwen Pitman is in the front row, third from the right. In the second row, are; Grace Strong, McKenzie, and Ivy Brett sitting third, fourth, and fifth from the lef…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1917]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Pitman family subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.5 x 14 cm + 1 p.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 292-002
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1992-29
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Burnaby Girl Guides in Central Park seated and standing in rows. This was the first year of this group of Girl Guides. Gwen Pitman is in the front row, third from the right. In the second row, are; Grace Strong, McKenzie, and Ivy Brett sitting third, fourth, and fifth from the left. Amy Leigh was the leader of the troop.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Page accompanying identifies four members of the group, and lists: "...other names in this group: M.Thompson/ Pullinger/ Mrs. Greenwood (Miss?)/ Elsie Warden & Edmonds Group/ Elise Russell/ Rose Adams/ Ruth Dean/ Ethel Lewis, or Clark./ Munday/ Ruby Ayles/ Nessie Abbey/ Joy Mennie/ Margie Dingman/ Abbie Nelson/ A.D.Ladner/ Pauline Capelle"
- Geographic Access
- Central Park
- Imperial Street
- Street Address
- 3883 Imperial Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Maywood Area
Images
![Girl Guides in Central Park, [1917] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/251/292-002.jpg)