This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's memories of constructing a mill for Simpson & Giberson and of working on homes for himself, Angus McLean and Percy Little in the Lochdale area. He discusses the strike at Barnet mill and reads an essay written by Grace E. Carpenter. Land clear…
This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's memories of constructing a mill for Simpson & Giberson and of working on homes for himself, Angus McLean and Percy Little in the Lochdale area. He discusses the strike at Barnet mill and reads an essay written by Grace E. Carpenter. Land clearing is described in detail. Alfred also relates a story from 1920 involving early settlers E. Powell and J. Amos.
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 two of recording of Alfred Bingham's writings
Track two of recording of Alfred Bingham's writings
40 photographs : b&w on 8 album pages : 22 cm x 30 cm
Scope and Content
George and Dorothy Easthope photograph album. Album includes photographs of the couple on holiday, with family and pets, and building their home at 6671 Halifax Street in Burnaby, BC.
40 photographs : b&w on 8 album pages : 22 cm x 30 cm
Description Level
File
Record No.
451-039
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
BHS2003-06
Scope and Content
George and Dorothy Easthope photograph album. Album includes photographs of the couple on holiday, with family and pets, and building their home at 6671 Halifax Street in Burnaby, BC.
Photograph of a snow-covered house with a picket fence around it. This is the first home of Alfred and Ade Bingham, located at Sherlock Avenue and Kitchener Street. An annotation at the top of the photo reads, "Sherlock and Kitchener / Burnaby North / 1920." An annotation at the bottom of the pho…
Photograph of a snow-covered house with a picket fence around it. This is the first home of Alfred and Ade Bingham, located at Sherlock Avenue and Kitchener Street. An annotation at the top of the photo reads, "Sherlock and Kitchener / Burnaby North / 1920." An annotation at the bottom of the photograph reads, "Our First Home Burnaby / Alf and Ade MJ. Bingham."
Photograph of George and Dorothy Easthope harvesting vegetables from their backyard garden at 6711 Halifax Street. Dorothy sits on a chair separating the greens from a wheelbarrow of carrots as George stands next to her, holding out a cabbage to the camera.
Photograph of George and Dorothy Easthope harvesting vegetables from their backyard garden at 6711 Halifax Street. Dorothy sits on a chair separating the greens from a wheelbarrow of carrots as George stands next to her, holding out a cabbage to the camera.
Note in black pen on verso reads: "Dorothy May (Parkes) Easthope (b.1903) and George Easthope (b. 1905). Back yard at residence, 6671 Halifax St., Burnaby B.C.
Polaroid photograph of George Easthope standing in front of the Easthope's house at 6671 Halifax Street. He wears a blue plaid shirt and green pants with suspenders. The lawn in the foreground is heavily shaded by trees.
Polaroid photograph of George Easthope standing in front of the Easthope's house at 6671 Halifax Street. He wears a blue plaid shirt and green pants with suspenders. The lawn in the foreground is heavily shaded by trees.
Photograph of George Easthope standing with an unidentified woman at the Easthope's property at 6671 Halifax Street. George wears a dress shirt and pants with suspenders; the woman wears a black fur coat and dress hat.
Photograph of George Easthope standing with an unidentified woman at the Easthope's property at 6671 Halifax Street. George wears a dress shirt and pants with suspenders; the woman wears a black fur coat and dress hat.
Photograph of George Easthope in the Easthope's garden at 6711 Halifax Street. George stands on top of a rose-covered arbour, smelling a flower, while a dog walks around the garden below.
Photograph of George Easthope in the Easthope's garden at 6711 Halifax Street. George stands on top of a rose-covered arbour, smelling a flower, while a dog walks around the garden below.
Photograph of George Easthope posing in the yard at 6671 Halifax Street. He is standing in front of a gazebo and arbour enclosed with chicken wire, holding a black animal in his arms.
Photograph of George Easthope posing in the yard at 6671 Halifax Street. He is standing in front of a gazebo and arbour enclosed with chicken wire, holding a black animal in his arms.
Note in black ink on verso of photograph reads: "George Easthope 6671 Halifax St. 1930"
Photographer's stamp on verso of photograph reads: "Come to Vancouver's Golden Jubilee 1936 / 50 Years of Progress / Vancouver Drug Co. Ltd / Nu-Gloss photo finish"
Photograph of George Easthope shovelling snow at at 6671 Halifax Street. George stands behind a large snow pile, with only his shoulders and head visible.
Photograph of George Easthope shovelling snow at at 6671 Halifax Street. George stands behind a large snow pile, with only his shoulders and head visible.