Anne Williams Davis in military nursing uniform
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 2002
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. ; 15 x 10 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a black and white photograph of Anne Williams Davis in a military nursing uniform. The black and white photograph, sitting on the cushion of a couch, was likely taken in 1942 (as that is the year that it was originally sent to her then fiancee John Gordon Davis).
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. ; 15 x 10 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a black and white photograph of Anne Williams Davis in a military nursing uniform. The black and white photograph, sitting on the cushion of a couch, was likely taken in 1942 (as that is the year that it was originally sent to her then fiancee John Gordon Davis).
- Subjects
- Clothing - Military Uniforms
- Occupations - Nurses
- Names
- Davis, Anne Williams
- Accession Code
- BV003.15.3
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 2002
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Related Material
- For another view of the photograph, see BV003.15.2
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 09-Jun-09
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Note in black ink on verso of photograph reads: "Anne (nee/ Williams) DAVIS", l.r. "Sent to/ her fiancee/ in Egypt in/ 1942"
Less detail
Annie Ellis in Burnaby Players costume
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1963 (date of original), copied 1991
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 2.6 x 4.0 cm print on contact sheet 20.3 x 26.2 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Annie Ellis, in a Burnaby Players costume, at the back of 6113 Silver Avenue, the Ellis family home.
Arthur W. Mawbey
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1959 and 1964]
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 25.5 x 13.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of World War I veteran Arthur W. Mawbey sitting in front of the Union Jack in uniform during a Remembrance Day observance ceremony. He is smoking a pipe, with one hand resting on his cane, and the other hand holding a white wooden cross with maple leaf resting on it.
Beauty workshop for cancer patients
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2000]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 10 photographs (tiff) : b&w and col.
- Scope and Content
- File contains photographs of a beauty workshop for cancer patients. Photographs depict the participants learning make-up techniques and trying on wigs. The participants and other attendees are unidentified except by some name tags with first names.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2000]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Physical Description
- 10 photographs (tiff) : b&w and col.
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- 535-2536
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2018-12
- Scope and Content
- File contains photographs of a beauty workshop for cancer patients. Photographs depict the participants learning make-up techniques and trying on wigs. The participants and other attendees are unidentified except by some name tags with first names.
- Subjects
- Events
- Clothing
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on original file name
- Collected by editorial for use in a July 2000 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
Less detail
BHS Tea June 17, 2006
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- June 17, 2006
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 58 photographs (jpgs) on 1 optical disc
- Scope and Content
- Files contains photographs from the Burnaby Historical Society tea held on June 17, 2006, which included a historical costume fashion show.
Bob Prittie with Cheryl Manning and Faure Girgrich
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1969, published February 21, 1969
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 20 x 14 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Mayor Bob Prittie visiting the rehearsal of "Man in the Moon" put on by the Burnaby players. Bob Prittie is sitting next to Cheryl Manning who is dressed as a Phoenix, and holding a "rejuvenation egg" up for him to look at. Faure Girgrich is at his shoulder, dressed as "Moon Tree."
Boots N Stuff
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2001]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Barb Harris, owner of Boots N Stuff, pulling on a pair of fire fighter's boots as an example of the clothing and accessories the store sells to emergency workers.
Bruce Northorp and Robert Prittie
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1969 and 1973]
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 19.5 x 24.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Royal Canadian Mounted Police staff-sergeant Bruce Northorp in uniform, shaking hands with Burnaby Mayor Robert Prittie, as the Mayor presents him with the RCMP's 20-year long-service metal at a ceremony at city hall.
Burnaby Bulldogs jersey
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2001]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of two unidentified people holding up a signed Burnaby Bulldogs jersey. They are standing in a hockey arena and referees and spectators are visible in the stands behind them.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2001]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 535-2225
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2018-12
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of two unidentified people holding up a signed Burnaby Bulldogs jersey. They are standing in a hockey arena and referees and spectators are visible in the stands behind them.
- Subjects
- Clothing - Uniforms
- Sports - Ice Hockey
- Names
- Burnaby Bulldogs
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Collected by editorial for use in an April 2001 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
Less detail
Burnaby-Hastings Rotary Club's Minor League Baseball team
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1967 or 1968]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 16.5 cm (sight), mounted in folder 19 x 45.5 cm, folded to 19 x 22.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Burnaby-Hastings Rotary Club's Minor League Baseball team sitting and standing in two rows with their coach.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 16.5 cm (sight), mounted in folder 19 x 45.5 cm, folded to 19 x 22.5 cm
- Material Details
- Window mat and folder are glued together
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Burnaby-Hastings Rotary Club's Minor League Baseball team sitting and standing in two rows with their coach.
- Subjects
- Sports - Baseball
- Sports - Team Sports
- Clothing - Uniforms
- Accession Code
- BV003.68.115
- Access Restriction
- Restricted access
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- [1967 or 1968]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 09-Jun-09
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Note on inside cover of folder (that houses photograph) reads: "Burnaby - Hastings Rotary/ 1967-68"
Less detail
Burnaby-Hastings Rotary Club's Minor League Baseball team
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- June 1965
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 16.5 cm (sight), mounted in folder 19 x 45.5 cm, folded to 19 x 22.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Burnaby-Hastings Rotary Club's Minor League Baseball team standing in two rows with their coach.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 16.5 cm (sight), mounted in folder 19 x 45.5 cm, folded to 19 x 22.5 cm
- Material Details
- Window mat and folder are glued together
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Burnaby-Hastings Rotary Club's Minor League Baseball team standing in two rows with their coach.
- Subjects
- Sports - Baseball
- Sports - Team Sports
- Clothing - Uniforms
- Accession Code
- BV003.68.116
- Access Restriction
- Restricted access
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- June 1965
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 09-Jun-09
- Scale
- 100
Less detail
Clothing Room at Edmonds Community School
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2001]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the principal of Edmonds Community School in a room filled with donated clothing. Shirts hang behind the woman and she is placing an item of clothing on labelled shelves.
Curtis Joe
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2001]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : col.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Curtis Joe, a Powwow dancer from Shishalh (Sechelt), preparing to perform at the Arrows to Freedom Cultural Healing Society Powwow at Stride Community School.
Diane Ouston
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1960 and 1979]
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Diane Ouston, Public Health Nurse, and head of the home care project at the Simon Fraser Health Unit.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1960 and 1979]
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-1086
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- 2003-02
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Diane Ouston, Public Health Nurse, and head of the home care project at the Simon Fraser Health Unit.
- Subjects
- Occupations - Nurses
- Clothing - Uniforms
- Names
- Ouston, Diane
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Note on verso of photograph reads: "Mrs. Diane Ouston,P.H.N., head, home care project, SFHU / SAVE PICTURE AND FILE!! / Mrs. Diane Oustin / 1 x 3" p.3 FRIDAY"
Less detail
Fire Chief William Menzies
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1954 and 1964]
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 11.5 x 7.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Burnaby Fire Chief William Menzies in uniform.
Firefighters Ken Gurr, Norman Brooke, Warren Evans and Fred Blake
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [196-] (date of original)
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. ; 10 x 15 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Firefighters Ken Gurr, Norman Brooke, Warren Evans and Chief Training Officer Fred Blake in uniform, standing in front of a fire truck, with a sign in the background that reads "Be Fire-Wise/ Save Lives/ Join The/ Channel 8 [illegible]."
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. ; 10 x 15 cm print
- Material Details
- Copy print is of poor quality
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Firefighters Ken Gurr, Norman Brooke, Warren Evans and Chief Training Officer Fred Blake in uniform, standing in front of a fire truck, with a sign in the background that reads "Be Fire-Wise/ Save Lives/ Join The/ Channel 8 [illegible]."
- Subjects
- Occupations - Fire Fighters
- Clothing - Uniforms
- Names
- Burnaby Fire Department
- Accession Code
- BV998.31.21
- Access Restriction
- Restricted access
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- [196-] (date of original)
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 02-Jun-09
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Typed sticker on verso of photograph reads: "(L to R)/ Ken Gurr, Norman Brooke,/ Warren Evans, Chief Train-/ ing Officer Fred Blake."
- Address sticker on verso of photograph reads: "MR & MRS F BLAKE 4165 Pandora Street Burnaby BC Canada V5C 2B2"
Less detail
Gordon Davis holding a photograph of himself and Anne Williams Davis
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 2002
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. ; 15 x 10 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of (John) Gordon Davis sitting on a couch, holding a black and white photograph of himself (as a young man) and his wife, Anne Williams Davis dressed in military uniforms. The black and white photograph was likely taken around the time of their marriage in January of 1945.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. ; 15 x 10 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of (John) Gordon Davis sitting on a couch, holding a black and white photograph of himself (as a young man) and his wife, Anne Williams Davis dressed in military uniforms. The black and white photograph was likely taken around the time of their marriage in January of 1945.
- Subjects
- Clothing - Military Uniforms
- Names
- Davis, Anne Williams
- Davis, John Gordon "Gordon"
- Accession Code
- BV003.15.4
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 2002
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Related Material
- For other photographs of John Gordon Davis holding up the same photograph, see BV003.15.4 - .6
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 09-Jun-09
- Scale
- 100
Less detail
Governor General presents the Silver Cross
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- December 3, 1968
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 20.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Governor General Roland Michener presenting the Silver Cross for Gallantry to Boy Scout Randall Annett of Burnaby for his attempt to save his younger brother from a fire earlier that year. In the background is the Governor General's Aid-de-camp Brigadier General E. G. Eakins in unifor…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- December 3, 1968
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 20.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-1196
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- 2003-02
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Governor General Roland Michener presenting the Silver Cross for Gallantry to Boy Scout Randall Annett of Burnaby for his attempt to save his younger brother from a fire earlier that year. In the background is the Governor General's Aid-de-camp Brigadier General E. G. Eakins in uniform.
- Subjects
- Ceremonies - Awards
- Officials - Governor Generals
- Clothing - Uniforms
- Names
- Michener, Daniel Roland "Roland"
- Annett, Randall
- Boy Scouts of Canada
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Newspaper clipping attached to verso of photograph reads: "Governor-General Roland Michener presents the silver cross for gallantry to Boy Scout Randall Annett of Burnaby for his attempt to save his younger brother from a fire earlier this year. Randall broke down a door, dragged his brother from the house and extinguished his burning clothes. The award is made to scouts who show considerable courage. In background is the governor-general's aid-de-camp Brig.-Gen. E. G. Eakins. The presentation was made during the governor-general's visit to Burnaby on Monday afternoon."
Less detail
Interview with Gordon Davis - November 21, 2002 - Tape 2
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- November 21, 2002 (interview content), digitized in 2020
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Oral History collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 audio cassette (29 min., 8 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Recording is the second part of an interview with (John) Gordon Davis conducted by Mabel F. Nichols with her husband Jack Nichols. In this segment of the interview, Gordon provides more background information about his wife Anne while, interviewer Mabel, explains to Gordon how she came about discov…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Oral History collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 audio cassette (29 min., 8 sec.)
- Material Details
- Side A of audio cassette
- Scope and Content
- Recording is the second part of an interview with (John) Gordon Davis conducted by Mabel F. Nichols with her husband Jack Nichols. In this segment of the interview, Gordon provides more background information about his wife Anne while, interviewer Mabel, explains to Gordon how she came about discovering Anne's trunk and old nursing uniform. She explains how the information that he provides will benefit the Burnaby Village Museum who are accepting the uniform into their collection.
00:00 - 4:55
Gordon shares information about serving in the Middle East during WWII and the Dresden bombing raids. He provides biographical information about Anne and her siblings.
4:46 - 06:41
Poor audio quality- hard to discern content from Interviewee- Gordon Davis.
06:42 - 08:
Gordon talks more about Anne and how he was attracted to her.
08:37-22:26
Interviewer, Mabel Nichols explains how this interview with Gordon will assist in providing provenance to Anne's uniform that is being donated to the Burnaby Village Museum. Mabel describes how she discovered the uniform in a trunk that Anne shipped from England to Burnaby in 1946. The trunk was addressed to, "Mrs. A. Davis, 4212 Douglas Road, New Westminster". Years later, the trunk was discovered by a friend of hers with Mabel's uniform and hat inside.
22:27-29:08
Mabel shares her own life experiences living in the Fraser Canyon while Gordon recollects some of his own experiences during the war. Mabel reads from the notes that she has created from her interview with Gordon. Gordon provides more details as needed. Mabel shares information about her brother, Bill who was wounded in World War II.
- History
- Interviewee biography: John Gordon Davis was born to Elizabeth Ann Vert (nee Eyres) and Gilbert Davis on September 13, 1913 in North Cobalt, Ontario. Gordon was the second youngest of six children. After graduating from high school he attended Radio College in Toronto. He spent two years prior to World War II working in radio on British ships. In 1940, after retiring, his parents moved to British Columbia. They purchased the Flowerland Auto Court in 1941 at 4212 Douglas Road, Burnaby. During this time, Gordon moved to Ontario and sought employment in radio range stations that were dealing with new technology throughout Europe. He joined the RCAF in 1941. While in London, in May of 1941, he met his future wife Anne Williams. In World War II, Anne served as a nurse in Queen Alexandra's Imperial Army Nursing Corps. In November 1943, Anne survived the bombing of the Dutch passenger ship, SS Marnix while it sailed in a convoy from England to the Mediterranean. Gordon did many tours throughout the Middle East, Turkey, Egypt, Italy, the Battle of the Bulge, Sarnia before he was known as “surplus to requirement”. Since Anne was still in the nursing corps, Gordon signed on for another year and was sent north of London to a Repair Squadron where he worked on operational repairs of Mosquito bombers which were manufactured in Canada. Anne and Gordon continued their correspondence and eventually married in North Wales on January 23, 1945. Gordon was shipped back to Canada in October of 1945 and moved in with his parents at their auto court on Douglas Road in Burnaby. Anne joined Gordon in Burnaby in April 1946 when her mission was completed. Anne packed up her things in a large trunk that she addressed to Gordon’s parents on Douglas Road. Gordon moved around British Columbia in his work for BC Electric and eventually retired with HB Contracting Ltd. in Surrey working on the BC pipeline between 1953 and 1954. In the late 1950s, Gordon and Anne purchased a home in Burnaby at 1508 6th Street (now 7591 6th Street) which they lived in until 1984. In 1985, Anne and Gordon sold their house in Burnaby and moved to Hyack House in New Westminster. Anne Davis died in 1989 at the age of 76 years. Gordon's father, Gilbert died in 1957 and his mother Elizabeth Ann Verta died in 1968.
Interviewer biography: Mabel F. Nichols (nee Lawrence) was one of six children born in Hope [ca.1932] to Elmer E. Lawrence and Louise (nee Pennier). Elmer and Louise married in Yale B.C. in 1916. Mabel’s mother, Louise Pennier was part of the Sts'ailes Nation (Chehalis First Nation). Elmer and Louise had three sons and three daughters. Both of Mabel’s parents died in Langley in 1960. Mabel married Jack (John) Nichols [between 1959 and 1960]. They lived at 6004 Wilson Street, Burnaby in 1959; 4910 Willingdon Avenue [between 1960 and 1962] and 4662 Hazel Street [between 1963 and 1987] before moving to Surrey. Jack Nichol's parents, George and Alma Nichols owned and operated Nichols Family Meat Market at 4018 Kingsway (later renumbered 4500 Kingsway). The family lived behind the butcher shop.
- Subjects
- Wars - World War, 1939-1945
- Occupations - Nurses
- Clothing - Uniforms
- Names
- Davis, John Gordon "Gordon"
- Davis, Anne Williams
- Davis, Gilbert
- Nichols, Mabel F. Lawrence
- Accession Code
- BV005.37.2
- Access Restriction
- Restricted access
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- November 21, 2002 (interview content), digitized in 2020
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Notes
- Title based on contents of sound recording
- Recording is closed due to poor sound quality
- See also: Anne Davis' (nee Williams) WWII nursing uniform- BV003.15.10 & BV03.15.11 & BV003.15.12
Less detail
Interview with John Gordon Davis November 21, 2002 - Tape 1
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1940-1989] (interview content), November 21, 2002 (interview date), digitized in 2020
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Oral History collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 audio cassette (50 min., 53 sec)
- Scope and Content
- Recording is an interview with (John) Gordon Davis conducted by Mabel F. Nichols with her husband Jack Nichols. Mabel is interviewing Gordon as part of a research project to provide background information to the Burnaby Village Museum who are accepting a donation of Gordon's wife Anne's World War I…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Oral History collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 audio cassette (50 min., 53 sec)
- Material Details
- Interviewer: Mabel F. Nichols and husband Jack Nichols
Interviewee: John Gordon Davis
Location of Interview: New Westminster
Interview Date: November 21, 2002
Total Number of tracks: 2 (side A & B of audio cassette)
Total Length of all Tracks: 50 min., 53 sec.
- Scope and Content
- Recording is an interview with (John) Gordon Davis conducted by Mabel F. Nichols with her husband Jack Nichols. Mabel is interviewing Gordon as part of a research project to provide background information to the Burnaby Village Museum who are accepting a donation of Gordon's wife Anne's World War II nursing uniform. Gordon provides background information on his family history and describes his experiences while serving overseas during World War II (WWII) including his experiences as a radar operator and working at a military air squadron repair depot. Gordon also provides biographical information about his wife Anne Davis (nee Williams) and her experiences serving as a military nurse during WWII and their life in Burnaby. Interviewer, Mabel and Jack Nichols also provide anecdotal stories about their own life in Burnaby during the interview.
Track 1 - Side A (30:34)
00:00 - 30:34 Interview opens with discussion between interviewer Mabel F. Nichols and Gordon Davis about his wife, Anne Davis' experience working in the nursing corps. Mr. Davis provides background information about working in mining between 1933 and 1940 before training in Ontario to become a radar operator during World War II. Gordon also describes his parents origins and how they moved to Burnaby in 1940 while Gordon headed off to Nova Scotia to serve with the RCAF. Gordon also shares information about his sister Anne Davis who married George L. Davis from Kirkland Lake and how they lived with Gordon's parents in the auto court in Burnaby. He tells of how George L. Davis worked for Dominion Bridge Co. and later as a meat cutter for Safeway near 6th Avenue and Kingsway in Burnaby. Mabel shares her own husband Jack's experiences growing up in Burnaby as the son of butcher, George Nichols, his career as a deisel mechanic and later in the GVRD Engineering Department. Gordon shares that his father, Gilbert died in 1957 and his mother Elizabeth died in 1968 and his older sister Ruth died in 1990. Gordon recollects his wedding day and honeymoon in North Wales in 1945 with his wife Anne.
Track 2 - Side B (29:19)
00:00 - 14:37 Gordon continues with his recollections about his wedding and honeymoon in North Wales in 1945. The interviewers, Mabel and Jack discuss the geography of the area sharing their own experiences travelling in 1981 and try to get an idea of where Gordon and his wife were married. They agree that the place was Llandudno. He tells of signing up for another year of Military Service since his wife was still serving in the nursing corps. and describes working North of London at a Military facility to repair aircraft including mosquito bombers.
14:38 - 21: 53 Gordon shares information about working in the Middle East in 1943 while his wife Anne survived the bombing of the Dutch passenger ship, the Marnix that she was travelling on. Gordon tells of how Anne couldn't swim but had a life jacket on and was picked up by a life boat. Anne corresponded with Gordon to let him know that she was alright but had to be cryptic since all letters were censored. Gordon tells of how Anne then travelled to India. Interviewer, Mabel, speaks of her own brother Bill who was picked up in Gibralter and taken to England.
21:54 - 26:18 Gordon recollects first meeting his wife Anne in London and the bombing that occurred during WWII. He tells of how Anne trained as a midwife at the Royal College of Midwives in Yorkshire and how he attended Radio college in Ontario.
26:19- 29:19 Gordon speaks about his experience travelling east on the Queen Mary in World War II and how full the ship was. He says that they were 30 days at sea from May to June in 1942.
- History
- Interviewee biography: John Gordon Davis was born to Elizabeth Ann Vert (nee Eyres) and Gilbert Davis on September 13, 1913 in North Cobalt, Ontario. Gordon was the second youngest of six children. After graduating from high school he attended Radio College in Toronto. He spent two years prior to World War II working in radio on British ships. In 1940, after retiring, his parents moved to British Columbia. They purchased the Flowerland Auto Court in 1941 at 4212 Douglas Road, Burnaby. During this time, Gordon moved to Ontario and sought employment in radio range stations that were dealing with new technology throughout Europe. He joined the RCAF in 1941. While in London, in May of 1941, he met his future wife Anne Williams. In World War II, Anne served as a nurse in Queen Alexandra's Imperial Army Nursing Corps. In November 1943, Anne survived the bombing of the Dutch passenger ship, SS Marnix while it sailed in a convoy from England to the Mediterranean. Gordon did many tours throughout the Middle East, Turkey, Egypt, Italy, the Battle of the Bulge, Sarnia before he was known as “surplus to requirement”. Since Anne was still in the nursing corps, Gordon signed on for another year and was sent north of London to a Repair Squadron where he worked on operational repairs of Mosquito bombers which were manufactured in Canada. Anne and Gordon continued their correspondence and eventually married in North Wales on January 23, 1945. Gordon was shipped back to Canada in October of 1945 and moved in with his parents at their auto court on Douglas Road in Burnaby. Anne joined Gordon in Burnaby in April 1946 when her mission was completed. Anne packed up her things in a large trunk that she addressed to Gordon’s parents on Douglas Road. Gordon moved around British Columbia in his work for BC Electric and eventually retired with HB Contracting Ltd. in Surrey working on the BC pipeline between 1953 and 1954. In the late 1950s, Gordon and Anne purchased a home in Burnaby at 1508 6th Street (now 7591 6th Street) which they lived in until 1984. In 1985, Anne and Gordon sold their house in Burnaby and moved to Hyack House in New Westminster. Anne Davis died in 1989 at the age of 76 years. Gordon's father, Gilbert died in 1957 and his mother Elizabeth Ann Verta died in 1968.
Interviewer biography: Mabel F. Nichols (nee Lawrence) was one of six children born in Hope [ca.1932] to Elmer E. Lawrence and Louise (nee Pennier). Elmer and Louise married in Yale B.C. in 1916. Mabel’s mother, Louise Pennier was part of the Sts'ailes Nation (Chehalis First Nation). Elmer and Louise had three sons and three daughters. Both of Mabel’s parents died in Langley in 1960. Mabel married Jack (John) Nichols [between 1959 and 1960]. They lived at 6004 Wilson Street, Burnaby in 1959; 4910 Willingdon Avenue [between 1960 and 1962] and 4662 Hazel Street [between 1963 and 1987] before moving to Surrey. Jack Nichols' parents, George and Alma Nichols owned and operated Nichols Family Meat Market at 4018 Kingsway (later renumbered 4500 Kingsway). The family lived behind the butcher shop.
- Subjects
- Wars - World War, 1939-1945
- Occupations - Nurses
- Clothing - Uniforms
- Names
- Davis, John Gordon "Gordon"
- Davis, Anne Williams
- Davis, Gilbert
- Nichols, Mabel F. Lawrence
- Nichols Family Meat Market
- Accession Code
- BV005.37.1
- Access Restriction
- Restricted access
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- [1940-1989] (interview content), November 21, 2002 (interview date), digitized in 2020
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Notes
- Title based on contents of sound recording
- Recording is closed due to poor sound quality
- See also: Anne Davis' (nee Williams) WWII nursing uniform- BV003.15.10 & BV03.15.11 & BV003.15.12
Less detail