Photograph of Mayor Bob Prittie unveiling a plaque for New Vista Place. Harold Edward Winch (the son of Ernest Winch, founder of the Alta Vista Society) looks to be standing on his right, looking at the plaque. An unidentified man is standing on the far left, looking at the camera.
Photograph of Mayor Bob Prittie unveiling a plaque for New Vista Place. Harold Edward Winch (the son of Ernest Winch, founder of the Alta Vista Society) looks to be standing on his right, looking at the plaque. An unidentified man is standing on the far left, looking at the camera.
Photograph of a memorial tablet dedicated to Ernest E. Winch who is remembered on the plaque as "THE FOUNDER OF THE NEW VISTA SOCIETY", dedicated to providing care and support for seniors. The tablet is mounted on a stone resting on a cement foundation. Ernest Winch was also a reknowned labour acti…
Photograph of a memorial tablet dedicated to Ernest E. Winch who is remembered on the plaque as "THE FOUNDER OF THE NEW VISTA SOCIETY", dedicated to providing care and support for seniors. The tablet is mounted on a stone resting on a cement foundation. Ernest Winch was also a reknowned labour activist and Burnaby Member of the Legislative Assembly with the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation / New Democratic Party.
Memorial tablet reads: "ERNEST E. WINCH / 1879 - 1957 / THE FOUNDER OF THE NEW VISTA SOCIETY / 'NOT AS A LADDER FROM EARTH TO HEAVEN, / NOT AS A WITNESS TO ANY CREED, / BUT IN SIMPLE SERVICE, SIMPLY GIVEN / TO ALL MANKIND IN NEED'."
approx. 23 cm of textual records + approx. 600 photographs (b&w + col.)
Scope and Content
Collection consists of records relating to Harold Edward Winch's family life and political career. It includes photographs of Winch's parents, family, and wife Jessie, as well as photographs, correspondence and other textual records from Harold's political work and experiences, a travel diary, gues…
approx. 23 cm of textual records + approx. 600 photographs (b&w + col.)
Scope and Content
Collection consists of records relating to Harold Edward Winch's family life and political career. It includes photographs of Winch's parents, family, and wife Jessie, as well as photographs, correspondence and other textual records from Harold's political work and experiences, a travel diary, guest books, and certificates. The collection includes a number of Co-operative Commonwealth Federation and New Democratic Party newspapers. The collection also includes records relating to Winch's death, such as obituaries, memorials, articles, and a guest book. Finally, the collection includes a small number of records relating to Winch's father, Ernie Winch, and his own political career.
The collection has been arranged into five series:
1) Harold E. Winch biographical records (1933-2003)
2) Harold E. Winch photographs series (1914-[ca. 1990])
3) Harold E. Winch political photograph album and records series ([1937]-1993)
4) Harold E. Winch personal records series (1949-1993)
5) Harold E. Winch newspaper collection series (1936-1986)
History
Harold Edward Winch (June 18, 1907-February 1, 1993) was born in Loughton, Essex, England to Ernest “Ernie” Edward Winch (March 22, 1879-January 11, 1957) and his wife Linda Marian (nee Hendy). Harold was the eldest of six children; the others were Eileen, Charlie, Grace, Alan, and Eric. Ernest moved to BC in 1909, followed by Linda, Harold, and Eileen in 1910. The remaining children were born in BC. Ernie, a brick mason, built the family a series of homes in the Lower Mainland as the family moved around for a number of years, living in Burnaby, White Rock, Mission, and Vancouver before finally settling back in Burnaby.
Ernie Winch joined the Social Democratic Party of Canada in 1911 and became secretary of the party in 1913, and was heavily involved in trade unions and the labour and socialist movements. He helped re-establish the Socialist Party of Canada (BC) in 1932, which soon merged with the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF). Ernie was a CCF MLA in Burnaby from 1933 until his death in 1957, following which his son-in-law Cedric Cox (husband of Eileen) won the seat in a byelection. Ernie was particularly interested in institutions, including jails, mental hospitals, and industrial schools, and founded the New Vista Society in 1943 to provide a live-in rehabilitation program to women with psychiatric problems. The organization later expanded to focus on low-cost housing for seniors, and an apartment complex was built for this purpose in Burnaby. Both Ernie and Harold were lifelong members of the New Vista Society board of trustees.
Harold Winch trained as an electrician, but also followed his father into politics, serving as a CCF MLA in Vancouver East from 1933 to 1953 – Ernie and Harold were two of the first seven CCF MLAs. The Winches set a Guinness world record for the longest father-and-son parliamentary tenure. Like his father, Harold was also highly involved in the labour movement, and acted as a liaison between workers and government during the Depression, particularly during the relief camp strike in Vancouver in 1935 which precipitated the On to Ottawa trek. He was the leader of the BC CCF from 1938 to 1953, and Leader of the Opposition from 1941 to 1953.
In 1953, Harold stepped down from provincial politics to enter the federal arena, and served as a CCF MP for Vancouver East from 1953 to 1961, when the CCF became the New Democratic Party (NDP); Harold continued to serve as an NDP MP from 1961 to 1972, when he retired for health reasons. In federal office, Harold remained dedicated to the working class and humanitarian causes, issuing reports on subject such as unemployment, veterans’ rights, low-cost housing for seniors, animal welfare, drug addiction, and mental health concerns.
Harold earned honorary law degrees from both UBC (1973) and SFU (1974). He was involved in numerous humanitarian and other organizations and his roles included president and treasurer of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association; co-founder of the Immigrant Services Society of Vancouver; director of the Boag Foundation; and lifelong member of the Association for Protection of Fur Bearing Animals.
Harold married Dorothy Ada Hutchinson (December 1, 1907-October 24, 1974) on May 11, 1929. They had three children: Donald, Gerald ("Jerry"), and Shirley.
Following Dorothy’s death, Harold married Jessie Margaret Mendels (nee Sweezey) (June 29, 1913-May 9, 2006) on May 19, 1981. Jessie grew up in Grand Forks, BC, and her family moved to Vancouver when she was in high school. Her first husband was George Edward Mendels (November 2, 1905-September 2, 1978). She had no children. Jessie served as a St. John’s ambulance driver during World War II. She was also active in the CCF and NDP parties in BC, having been Provincial Secretary for the CCF in the 1940s, a vice-president of the party in the 1950s, and Provincial Secretary for the NDP in the 1960s. Like Harold, she later served as a director of the Boag Foundation. Jessie traveled widely throughout her life. The collection contains a small number of Jessie’s photographs.
Harold Winch died in White Rock, where he and Jessie had retired, on February 1, 1993.
Series consists of records relating to Harold Edward Winch and the process of writing his biography. Records include newspaper clippings, correspondence, cards, publications, and one photograph. Some correspondence, newspaper clippings, and other textual records deal with the potential biography sp…
Series consists of records relating to Harold Edward Winch and the process of writing his biography. Records include newspaper clippings, correspondence, cards, publications, and one photograph. Some correspondence, newspaper clippings, and other textual records deal with the potential biography specifically, including agreements between Jessie Winch and the Boag Foundation and financial records. It is unclear whether the biography was ever written.
Series consists of issues of the following Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) and New Democratic Party (NDP) newspapers: The Commonwealth (1936); The Federationist (1936, 1943); CCF News (1946-1947, 1954); CCF News - for British Columbia and Yukon (1954); The British Columbian (1960); The D…
Series consists of issues of the following Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) and New Democratic Party (NDP) newspapers: The Commonwealth (1936); The Federationist (1936, 1943); CCF News (1946-1947, 1954); CCF News - for British Columbia and Yukon (1954); The British Columbian (1960); The Democrat (1966-1969); and Democrat (1972-1986).
Series consists of records relating to Harold Winch's personal life, including a travel diary, correspondence, certificates marking his achievements, and a guest book from his memorial.
Series consists of records relating to Harold Winch's personal life, including a travel diary, correspondence, certificates marking his achievements, and a guest book from his memorial.
Series consists of photographs and photograph albums relating to Harold Winch's family and political career. Subjects include Winch's work in BC and Ottawa, CCF conventions, political travels and visits, family events, family vacations, and Winch's wedding to Jessie Winch. Also included in the albu…
Series consists of photographs and photograph albums relating to Harold Winch's family and political career. Subjects include Winch's work in BC and Ottawa, CCF conventions, political travels and visits, family events, family vacations, and Winch's wedding to Jessie Winch. Also included in the albums are numerous postcards and some newspaper clippings and ephemera.
3 files of textual records + ca. 100 photographs. - 2 prints
Scope and Content
Series consists of records relating to Winch's political career, including newspaper clippings, publications, a photograph album presented to Winch by the Israeli legislature, and an illustrated print of a J.S. Woodsworth grace.
3 files of textual records + ca. 100 photographs. - 2 prints
Scope and Content
Series consists of records relating to Winch's political career, including newspaper clippings, publications, a photograph album presented to Winch by the Israeli legislature, and an illustrated print of a J.S. Woodsworth grace.
File consists of records relating to the development of a biography of Harold Winch, including sympathy cards and correspondence from Winch's death, as well as newspaper clippings about Winch and his political career.
File consists of records relating to the development of a biography of Harold Winch, including sympathy cards and correspondence from Winch's death, as well as newspaper clippings about Winch and his political career.
Item is a photograph of Harold Winch receiving an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Chancellor Nathan Nemetz at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver.
Item is a photograph of Harold Winch receiving an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Chancellor Nathan Nemetz at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver.
Item is a photograph of Harold Winch receiving an honorary Doctor of Laws degree at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver. Pictured on the left is Chancellor Nathan Nemetz.
Item is a photograph of Harold Winch receiving an honorary Doctor of Laws degree at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver. Pictured on the left is Chancellor Nathan Nemetz.
File consists of records relating to the development of a biography of Harold Winch, including newspaper clippings, Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) publicity material, and a photograph of the dedication of MacInnis Park in Vancouver, including Glen Clark, MLA.
File consists of records relating to the development of a biography of Harold Winch, including newspaper clippings, Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) publicity material, and a photograph of the dedication of MacInnis Park in Vancouver, including Glen Clark, MLA.
Letter from Mr. Walter Weir Campbell which appeared on the Agenda for the 1978 September 25 Meeting of Council re: Condition of Lane at the Rear of 6350 Winch Street
Letter from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing re: Harold Winch Park Project, Burnaby 200 - Rezoning Reference # 45/75 and Subdivision Reference # 118/75
Item is a photograph of three men. Identified are "Maj. Gen. Pearkes" (Major General George Pearkes, former MP and Lieutenant-Governor of BC) and "Lord Henderson, UK." Pictured with them is Harold Winch. The photograph may have been taken at the Sixteenth Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, a me…
Item is a photograph of three men. Identified are "Maj. Gen. Pearkes" (Major General George Pearkes, former MP and Lieutenant-Governor of BC) and "Lord Henderson, UK." Pictured with them is Harold Winch. The photograph may have been taken at the Sixteenth Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, a meeting of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), held in Canberra, Australia.
Item is a photograph album containing ca. 85 photographs, including both personal and work-related subjects such as the Winch family and homes, and Winch's political work and travels. Also included are some textual records relating to Winch's political work.
Item is a photograph album containing ca. 85 photographs, including both personal and work-related subjects such as the Winch family and homes, and Winch's political work and travels. Also included are some textual records relating to Winch's political work.
This portion of the interview is about Burnaby going into receivership and as a stronghold for socialists. Bill Lewarne describes the contributions of Ernie and Harold Winch
This portion of the interview is about Burnaby going into receivership and as a stronghold for socialists. Bill Lewarne describes the contributions of Ernie and Harold Winch
Date Range
1930-1990
Photo Info
Burnaby Alderman, Bill (William) Lewarne, [1973]. Item no. 231-012
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.
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.
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.
Item is a photograph album containing ca. 100 photographs and ephemera, including both personal and work-related subjects such as cards from Harold and Jessie Winch's wedding, family vacations, newspaper clippings, and records relating to Winch's political career.
Item is a photograph album containing ca. 100 photographs and ephemera, including both personal and work-related subjects such as cards from Harold and Jessie Winch's wedding, family vacations, newspaper clippings, and records relating to Winch's political career.