This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's descriptions of road construction in Burnaby, including the names of the settlers and logging companies involved in their construction. Alfred discusses the changes that took place during World War I, along with municipal Relief work that he t…
This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's descriptions of road construction in Burnaby, including the names of the settlers and logging companies involved in their construction. Alfred discusses the changes that took place during World War I, along with municipal Relief work that he took part in at Burnaby Mountain. Alfred also discusses early schools and mentions his wife, Ada Bingham.
Recording is of Alfred Bingham's writings, as read by Alfred Bingham. Major themes discussed are: Pioneers, early days in Burnaby and the Co-op Movement. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
Biographical Notes
Alfred "Alf" Bingham was born in England in 1892 and moved to Canada in 1912. His first job in Canada was laying track for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) from Edmonton to McBride in 1912. His second was in Vancouver at the Rat Portage Mill on False Creek, working on the Resaw machine. He quit after one week due to poor working conditions.
After taking part in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike as a delegate of the Retail and Mailorder Union (A.F.L.) on the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council, Alfred moved to Burnaby where he and fellow Burnaby residents Aungus McLean and Percy Little worked ten hour days to build a Shingle Mill on the edge of Burnaby Lake for Simpson & Giberson. George Green, carpenter and millwright (author of “The History of Burnaby”) also helped in the construction of the mill. Alfred built his own home from lumber cut from the mill in the Lochdale area on Sherlock Street between Curtis Street and Kitchener Street.
On April 10, 1920 Alfred married Mary Jane “Ada” Reynolds. Alfred and Ada often took in foster children during their marriage. Due to her nursing experience, Ada was often called upon to deliver babies in the Burnaby area.
Alfred and Ada Bingham were instrumental members of the Army of the Common Good, collecting vegetables and grains from growers in the area and even producing over 125 tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed children and youth suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The army was in operation for ten years and during that time the members organised the Credit Union movement of British Columbia and drew up the Credit Union act thorough the Vancouver Co-operative Council. They also started Co-Op stores and the Co-Op Wholesale Society.
Alfred was also Secretary of the Burnaby Housing committee and in 1946 he became the Secretary of the North Burnaby Labour Progressive Party (LPP).
Mary Jane “Ada” (Reynolds) Bingham died on August 9, 1969. Her husband Alfred died on April 29, 1979.
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 recording of Alfred Bingham's writings
Track three of recording of Alfred Bingham's writings
Photograph of Charles Street where a man is using machine to dig a ditch; the side of the truck reads, "Alfred Horie Construction Co. Ltd." Houses under construction can be seen in the background. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.
Photograph of Charles Street where a man is using machine to dig a ditch; the side of the truck reads, "Alfred Horie Construction Co. Ltd." Houses under construction can be seen in the background. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.
Photograph of Gilmore Avenue and Douglas Road with a car parked at the side of the road and two men with surveying equipment. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.
Photograph of Gilmore Avenue and Douglas Road with a car parked at the side of the road and two men with surveying equipment. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.
Photograph of Gilmore Avenue and Douglas Road including a London mixer and contractors invovled in house construction. The man standing in the center has been identified as Mr. Marcowitz. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.
Photograph of Gilmore Avenue and Douglas Road including a London mixer and contractors invovled in house construction. The man standing in the center has been identified as Mr. Marcowitz. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.
Photograph of Napier Street and Willingdon Avenue with lumber scattered on a cleared area and houses in the background. There are vehicles on the road, including a truck whose side reads "Mother Hubbard Bread" and machinery reading "G.W. Ledingham, Contractors." This is part of the Willingdon Hei…
Photograph of Napier Street and Willingdon Avenue with lumber scattered on a cleared area and houses in the background. There are vehicles on the road, including a truck whose side reads "Mother Hubbard Bread" and machinery reading "G.W. Ledingham, Contractors." This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.
Photograph of Rosser Avenue and William Street with pipes being laid beside the road. Cleared land, houses and house construction are visible in the background. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.
Photograph of Rosser Avenue and William Street with pipes being laid beside the road. Cleared land, houses and house construction are visible in the background. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.
Photograph of two bulldozers, belonging to "Holmes & Wilson Trucking", clearing a lot beside a row of houses. Building materials (bricks and lumber) are piled nearby. This may be related to the construction of the Willingdon Heights subdivision. Stamp on back of photograph reads: "342x."
Photograph of two bulldozers, belonging to "Holmes & Wilson Trucking", clearing a lot beside a row of houses. Building materials (bricks and lumber) are piled nearby. This may be related to the construction of the Willingdon Heights subdivision. Stamp on back of photograph reads: "342x."
1 photograph : b&w ; 3.2 x 5.3 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of a mound of earth on the 202 Delta Avenue lot, with 142 Delta Avenue visible in the background. The photograph was taken facing northeast.
1 photograph : b&w ; 3.2 x 5.3 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
370-225
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1999-03
Scope and Content
Photograph of a mound of earth on the 202 Delta Avenue lot, with 142 Delta Avenue visible in the background. The photograph was taken facing northeast.
1 photograph : b&w ; 2.6 x 3.7 cm print on contact sheet 20.7 x 26.2 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the house of the Montague Moore family under construction at 5165 Sperling Avenue. Other houses on the street can be seen to the right, and the road can be seen in the foreground.
1 photograph : b&w ; 2.6 x 3.7 cm print on contact sheet 20.7 x 26.2 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
370-551
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1999-03
Scope and Content
Photograph of the house of the Montague Moore family under construction at 5165 Sperling Avenue. Other houses on the street can be seen to the right, and the road can be seen in the foreground.
1 photograph : b&w ; 2.8 x 5.0 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.4 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Anderson family home at 4151 McGill Street under construction, front view. Madelaine Anderson and Bob Anderson are seen in the window.
1 photograph : b&w ; 2.8 x 5.0 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.4 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
370-015
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1999-03
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Anderson family home at 4151 McGill Street under construction, front view. Madelaine Anderson and Bob Anderson are seen in the window.
Photograph of an unidentified man standing beside a small John Deere bulldozer described as the "supply machine" at the Willingdon Heights subdivision site. Piles of lumber can be seen in the background.
Photograph of an unidentified man standing beside a small John Deere bulldozer described as the "supply machine" at the Willingdon Heights subdivision site. Piles of lumber can be seen in the background.
Photograph of a man operating a bulldozer clearing a forested hill. There appears to be a backhoe on the other side of the hill of fallen and upturned trees. This may be the site of the Willingdon Heights subdivision. Stamped on back of photograph: "342X."
Photograph of a man operating a bulldozer clearing a forested hill. There appears to be a backhoe on the other side of the hill of fallen and upturned trees. This may be the site of the Willingdon Heights subdivision. Stamped on back of photograph: "342X."
Photograph of an unidentified man operating a bulldozer and clearing the lot. This may be the site of the Willingdon Heights subdivision. Stamped on back of photograph: "345L."
Photograph of an unidentified man operating a bulldozer and clearing the lot. This may be the site of the Willingdon Heights subdivision. Stamped on back of photograph: "345L."