Canadian Northern Society
P.O.
Box 142, Big Valley, Alberta T0J 0G0
Dominion of Canada
Telephone: +1 403 876 2242
|
Canadian Northern Society
P.O.
Box 142, Big Valley, Alberta T0J 0G0
Dominion of Canada
Telephone: +1 403 876 2242
|
We welcome the following new members to the society:
Joe Gillanders, C.A. for his invaluable assistance in the audit process for 2002 by preparing the financial statements.
Society wishes to thank Paul Penner for his work again in 2002.
Thank you sincerely to Museums Alberta for a 2002 Museums Operations Grant of $3778. This funding will be used towards defraying utility and insurance costs for our society in 2002. We also thank our MLAs Judy Gordon and LeRoy Johnson for their continued assistance with accessing these funds.
Lorrie Tiegs for the design work for the new colour brochure promoting the village of Big Valley. The brochure has been well received and is an excellent tool in promotion of the village and all of its heritage attractions. Lorrie also designed a colour membership application which we hope will help attract new members and volunteers to our society.
Les Kozma for his dedicated work in continuing to chair the Canadian Railway Hall of Fame project — especially for arranging for a donation of a design drawing worth $1500 for the project. The society also recognizes the significant contribution of the Railway Association of Canada (Roger Cameron and Gerald Gauthier), Brent Cheek, Shawn I. Smith, Cec Atkinson, Joe Gillanders, Harry Stuber, Peter Didrichsen, Ron Bailey, Canadian Pacific Railway (Jonathan Hanna), Canadian National Railways (Graham Wood), and the National Museum of Science and Technology (David Monaghan) on the recent positive developments of the Hall of Fame project.
In addition the society recognizes the significant contribution of Lorrie and Dean Tiegs for the design work and development of the Hall of Fame Web site, along with a striking logo they designed that is now being refined for use on the project. Visit the Hall of Fame Web site.
Thank you also to Lorrie and Dean Tiegs for the donation of a outside swing. It sits in front of the southwest garden at the Camrose railway park and is enjoyed on days when it is not too hot.
Don Gillespie for constructing a screen window for the waiting room door at Big Valley.
Karen Sledz, Harry Stuber, Shawn I. Smith, and Peter Didrichsen for “spring cleaning” the Big Valley station basement in April.
Thank you to H. Keith for his donation of copies of research photographs for the archives, notably CN Train 25 at Big Valley in 1951.
Also thank you to Mrs. Bertha F. Smith and Glenys and Bruce Smith for donations towards the purchase of a new dishwasher for the Camrose station tea room kitchen. Thank you also to Mrs. Bertha F. Smith for the excellent black and white photograph of the Bawlf elevator at Wimborne, Alberta, for the grain elevator display. (Mr. George E. Smith, grandfather of Canadian Northern Treasurer Shawn I. Smith was the elevator agent for Bawlf Grain at Wimborne during the early 1930s.)
The society thanks Sheila Morgan for the antique high-chair for use at the station tea room in Camrose.
Thanks to Jack Shuttleworth for the cash donation towards the Camrose toolhouse restoration and the museum-quality manikin at the station.
Sincere thanks to Tim and Nancy Mugford for the donation of a hose roller that has made work easier for maintaining the Camrose station grounds. Tim and Nancy also donated a pesticide sprayer.
Thank you to Hugh Campbell for the donation of an original blueprint of the Viewpoint Ferlow Junction Section and posters for Rules 40, 41, 42, 43, and 44. His son donated a buzz box and belt for the newly restored speeder at Camrose.
Thanks to Harry Stuber and Shawn Smith for the volunteer labour to carry out repairs on the Big Valley station platform and for the clean-up of the artifact display at the roundhouse. Thanks to Harry Stuber and Andy Connor for their work in erecting the replacement interpretive signs, sponsored by Atco Electric, at the roundhouse and elsewhere.
Thanks to Peter Didrichsen and Karen Sledz for the assistance in lettering the Canadian Northern caboose and for general assistance in keeping the Big Valley site clean.
Thank you to Len Waters and Allan Johnston for the assistance in organizing the Big Valley summer staff (shared by the Big Valley Historical Society and the Canadian Northern Society) and ensuring the many tasks around the village are completed to the benefit of the community and its visitors. Thank you to Alberta Prairie Railway Excursions for the cash contribution towards this year’s staffing of the facilities, and for the summer student support of the East Central Alberta Heritage Society.
Thank you to Peter Didrichsen, Karen Sledz, Bruce Smith, Laureen Bergstrom, Shawn Smith, Don Gillespie and Jerry Bergstrom for their volunteer assistance in maintaining Meeting Creek Station to date in 2002.
Alberta Prairie Railway Excursions train runs from Stettler to Big Valley and return. Various themed specials are featured throughout the season. The season runs through until October 19.
To receive a copy of this year’s schedule contact Alberta Prairie Railway
Excursions, P.O. Box 1600, Stettler, AB T0C 2L0. Telephone: +1 403 742 2811, fax
+1 403 742 2844, e-mail <info@absteamtrain.com>.
Proceeds assist in development, maintenance, and programs for the Historic Camrose Railway Station. To order or for more information contact the station at +1 780 672-3099. Cost is $80 per unit.
This summer marks the 10th Anniversary of the Camrose railway station being moved to its present site. Please show your support and visit the station and the many activities ongoing throughout the summer.
Big Valley’s postal endorsement stamp commemorating the Canadian Railway Hall of Fame has become a hit with collectors. According to Marion Annable, Postmaster in Big Valley, Alberta, as many as 20 people a week have requested a copy of the endorsement since August 2001. Collector requests have predominantly been from Canada, followed by enthusiasts from Australia and the United States.
Many of the respondents have mentioned they became aware of Big Valley’s endorsement stamp in Details, a publication of Canada Post. At present there are about three communities in Alberta with special postal endorsement stamps.
There are different variations of this hobby. Many of the letters the post office receives contain envelopes that are already addressed and stamped, and they desire the postal endorsement on the envelope. Some of the collectors enclose envelopes that are addressed but they only want the endorsement stamp. These letters are then sent back in a larger envelope.
The stamp may also generate some tourist visitations, as a number of the letters have sought more information on the Canadian Railway Hall of Fame.
Society makes a donation to the Jubilee Appeal for Commonwealth Veterans in honour of the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Appeal is to help those Commonwealth veterans who served the Crown and are now suffering hardship and distress. We feel that supporting this cause will help provide basic food and shelter to these noble former soldiers.
On Saturday, September 14, the Canadian Northern Society will dedicate a memorial at the Morgan Railway Garden in Camrose honouring Sergeant Flight Engineer Gwynfryn Morgan, RCAF, and the countless other Canadians who fought in overseas service during the First and Second World Wars. The ceremony will include local members of the Royal Canadian Legion and will begin at 15:00. A lunch will be served following the ceremony.
The society’s recognition of these valiant Canadians is also being held as part of the celebration of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee as Queen of Canada. All members and friends of the Canadian Northern Society are welcome.
Gwynfryn Morgan was born on December 9, 1921 in the village of Abercynon, Wales, son of Job and Elizabeth Morgan.
Gwynfryn (Gwyn) was not yet five years old when his parents together with older brothers Roy and Ieuan and sister Marian made the decision to immigrate to Canada in 1926. After arriving in Halifax, the Morgans travelled by Canadian Pacific Railway aboard a colonist car to Carstairs, Alberta where they settled on a homestead west of this prairie community with the assistance of The Soldier Settlement Board of Canada.
Soon after the family’s arrival in Canada came tragic news from overseas. On January 3, 1928, Matthew Morgan, Gwyn’s oldest brother who was serving as an Apprentice Sailor aboard the S.S. Dumphries of the Anglo-Celtic Shipping Company Ltd. was killed instantly when he accidentally was caught in the steering gear of the ship. This was understandably difficult news for the Morgan family, but it was extremely hard on Gwyn’s mother Elizabeth as she had also lost an infant son, John Philip, in Wales in 1912.
Gwyn attended school and grew to maturity in the Carstairs area. He worked hard with brothers Ieuan and Roy and the rest of the family to develop a family farm despite very trying conditions and assisted his father in a bakeshop on Main Street in Carstairs. Job was a baker by trade and brought this skill with him from Abercynon where he had previously owned and operated a bakery. The Great Depression was at its height and the young family worked hard for their very survival. This was indeed a contrast to the modestly affluent lifestyle that they had been used to in Wales where electricity and other such comforts were available to them. They persevered, the children attended school and Church, and they made new friends — some of these new friends being other Welsh settlers in the Carstairs area.
After attending school in Carstairs from 1928 to 1936, Gwyn continued to work on the farm for his father Job until 1939, and from 1939 to 1940 he drove gravel trucks for his brother Ieuan who had started up a partnership in the gravel trucking and crushing business.
Gwyn enjoyed farming and mechanics. He played hockey in the winter and enjoyed playing softball in the summer time. His photographs from this time of his life depict him and friends enjoying youthful enthusiasm! They also depict him working on the family farm at springtime and during the annual fall threshing bees. He was a good-natured and handsome young Canadian of Welsh descent, with a strong resemblance as a youth to his brother Ieuan.
In 1940, Gwyn enrolled in the Dominion Youth Training Program in Edmonton and specialized in sheet metal work. He left Carstairs and took up residence at 10022 112 Street in the Alberta capital. The Depression was over and the Second World War had begun.
On November 14, 1940, Gwyn enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force. His mother Elizabeth was evidently not happy with this decision, as I am sure was the case for many wartime mothers who had their sons enlisting for service. His enlistment was for the “duration of war” and he was assigned the rank of Air Cadet 2 with a trade classification of Standard Air Frame Mechanic (Metal). It is interesting that although the Dominion Government at the time would show his citizenship as “British,” Gwyn’s own handwriting on his attestation paper indicates “Canadian.”
Gwyn was given Air Force serial Number R.76725 and was immediately posted in the Special Reserve to No. 2 Manning Depot, Brandon, Manitoba.
He arrived in Brandon on December 6, 1940. His service records indicate that immediately upon reporting in Brandon, he was given orders on December 7, 1940, to report to the RCAF Technical Training School at St. Thomas, Ontario. He arrived in St. Thomas on December 14.
At about the same time, on December 2, Gwyn’s brother Ieuan also enlisted in the RCAF at Edmonton as an Aircraft Mechanic. Ieuan also was sent to Brandon, and although he spent a longer period of time there, he too was soon ordered to St. Thomas for enrolment in the RCAF Technical Training School. In 1941, Gwyn’s oldest brother Roy also enlisted for active duty in the RCAF and ended up spending the duration of the war in Britain, returning home to Carstairs at the end of the war.
While in St. Thomas, Gwyn was promoted to the rank of Air Cadet 1 on May 10, 1941. On May 14 he completed Technical Training in St. Thomas and the following day was given orders to report to No. 2 B & G School at Mossbank, Saskatchewan, for what appears to be formal combat flight training. Gwyn’s service record indicates a character assessment of “Very Good” with respect to his conduct while at St. Thomas. His record of service indicates high scores in his trade course examinations required completing the Air Frame Mechanic Program as well.
After a brief stay at Mossbank, he was ordered to the No. 7 B & G School at Paulson, Manitoba arriving on September 6, 1941. On October 8, Gwyn was promoted to the final level of cadet training at Paulson. Snapshots taken by Gwyn during his time at Paulson show flight training utilizing Cessna, Harvard, and Avro Anson aircraft. There are a few poignant photos showing young cadets reading the mail received from home, and views taken of nearby Clear Lake, Manitoba, presumably while Gwyn had some free time with friends on leave.
On December 1, 1942, Gwyn was promoted to corporal after completing a final trade “A” examination in Air Frame Mechanics at Paulson. He also completed and passed his Fitter 11 examination on the same day.
On March 11, 1943, Gwyn was transferred to No. 1 Y Depot Halifax for travel by ship for overseas wartime action. On March 27 he arrived in Halifax and reported to the Royal Air Force Flight Training Pool for embarkation, arriving in England on April 4. He was initially assigned to 431 Squadron of the RCAF on April 16 and served in this squadron until being re-assigned to the 9431 Echelon on December 13, 1943.
While en route from Halifax, Gwyn’s mother Elizabeth, who was only 58 years of age, died at the Morgan home near Carstairs on Friday, April 2, 1943. Both Gwyn and his brother Roy were given the sad news in England. Brother Ieuan, in RCAF service as part of the Commonwealth Air Training Program as an Aircraft Mechanic, was given an honorary discharge for the duration of the war on May 25, 1943 “on compassionate grounds.” His conduct assessment upon discharge was reported as “Very Good.” He returned home to his family in Carstairs to assist his father Job along with his wife Margaret, and the rest of his family, until Job passed away at the age of 76 on August 30, 1958.
During his time in Britain, Gwyn returned to his home town of Abercynon, Wales, while on leave. He was able to visit family that he might have never known at this time. Photographs show Gwyn standing proud with his Aunt Annie, Uncle Tommy (his father Job’s brother), and other Welsh cousins.
On March 8, 1944, Gwyn was assigned to the No. 4 Squadron of technical training. He completed this training on July 14, 1944, was awarded his Flight Engineer badge, and was promoted to the rank of sergeant. He was then assigned to 61 Base and to the 1664 Conversion Unit.
On August 7, 1944, No. 1664 Conversion Unit reported that while on a training flight, Halifax aircraft D.G. 363, with a crew of seven, crashed into the North Sea at approximately 1500 hours. The crash occurred after making a steep turn to starboard in order to formate on a Martinet aircraft. The Halifax aircraft appeared to turn too steeply and went into a spiral dive into the sea approximately one mile north of Scarborough, Yorkshire (about one half of a mile from shore). The wreckage of the plane appeared soon after and although the body of Flying Officer A. S. McTavish was recovered, nothing could be seen of the remaining members of the flight crew. In view of this, the six remaining members of the crew, Flying Officer L. A. Green, Flight Sergeant V. E. Clark, Flying Officer A. T. Gorman, Sergeant J. W. Ellis, Sergeant W. L. Southwick, and Sergeant G. Morgan (all Canadians) were classified as “Missing Believed Killed on Active Service.”
Gwyn was only 22 years old. — Another young Canadian life cut far too short by war, and tragically, as a result of a training exercise for further action.
In late August 1944, a telegraph message arrived at the CPR station in Carstairs for Job Morgan. “I have learned with deep regret that Sergeant Flight Engineer Gwynfryn Morgan, RCAF has been reported missing believed killed. The Government and the people of Canada join with me in expressing deepest sympathy in your great anxiety. Charles L. Power, Minister of National Defence for Air.”
The Morgan family at the Carstairs Cemetery placed a stone memorial to Gwyn. He is also honoured on the War Cenotaph in his home town of Abercynon, Wales, as “Gwyn Morgan, Royal Canadian Air Force.” His official place of burial is deemed to be at the Commonwealth Air Force Runnymede Memorial in Surrey, England. The Air Forces Memorial at Runnymede commemorates by name over 20 000 airmen who were lost in the Second World War during operations from bases in the United Kingdom and North and Western Europe who have no known graves. They came from all parts of the Commonwealth and some were from countries from continental Europe that had been over-run but their airmen continued to fight in the ranks of the Royal Air Force.
A grateful nation of Canada publicly recognizes Gwyn’s sacrifice each year on August 26. On this day, the Canadian Book of Remembrance, located in the Peace Tower of the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa is opened to Page 398 bearing the name of Sergeant Gwynfryn Morgan, RCAF.
Upon these pages are written in proud and everlasting memory the names of the women and men of our Navy, Army, and Air Force, and of those Canadians in the armed services of other nations and allies of the British Commonwealth who, in the Second World War, gave their lives for Canada in the defence of the sacred liberties of mankind.
Lay with all that is most living in Light transcendent. In the ageless aisles of silence, With the Immortals that saved the world.
Gwynfryn Morgan was my great uncle. My grandfather was Ieuan Morgan, his brother. I have always been interested in family history, and as far back as I can remember I knew bits and pieces about “Uncle Gwyn” and his service in the RCAF through pictures and stories my grandfather and my mother, Glenys Morgan (Smith) passed on to me.
My grandparents, Ieuan and Margaret Morgan, raised a family of four. First three girls — Sheila, Elizabeth (Betty), and Glenys, my mother. In 1945, they finally had a son which I am sure was a relief to my grandfather after being outnumbered in the house by four women for many years. They named him Gwyn after Gwynfryn, as my grandfather always was close to his younger brother.
I was also quite close to my maternal grandparents, first in my early years living across the street from them in Carstairs and later through letters and visits when our family moved to Stettler and they retired to Vancouver Island. My grandmother passed away in July 1987. My grandfather, Ieuan Morgan, passed away in July 26, 1992. His older brothers and sisters have now all passed away as well, Roy in 1995 and his sister Marian in 1996. Looking back, I wish I would have had more time with them but I am grateful for the experience I did have.
Prior to my grandfather’s passing, he prepared a photo album of Gwynfryn’s photographs from his childhood and his days in the RCAF. He left this photo album, together with three of Gwyn’s service decorations to me as he thought that I would be the most appreciative of these family heirlooms. The decorations include Gwyn’s Volunteer Service Medal, his War Medal for Service between 1939 and 1945, and his HM King George VI Memorial Cross which was sent posthumously to his mother Elizabeth in late 1944 bearing his name and the following certificate:
“To Mr. & Mrs. Job Morgan — This commemorates the gratitude of the Government and People of Canada for the life of a brave man freely given in the service of his country — Sergeant Flight Engineer Gwynfryn Morgan, RCAF — His name will ever be held in remembrance. Signed — Minister of National Defense for Air, dated August 7, 1944.”
Had my great-grandmother lived beyond 1943, she would have been a silver-cross mother in addition to having two other sons bravely serve their country. I was very proud to have been given these items and hold them with great honour. Over the years I have also become very interested in ensuring that the wartime service (like that of my grandfather and Great Uncle Roy) and in many cases the sacrifice (like Gwyn’s) of our Canadians who fought for the very freedoms we enjoy each day is not forgotten. I am inspired by the memory of people such as my Grandmother, Margaret Morgan, who believed that wartime sacrifices and horrors should never be forgotten. I am proud when I look back at her active role over the years as a dedicated member and officer of the Royal Canadian Legion Women’s Auxiliary. In 1995 I also joined the Big Valley Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion to show at least in part my support for the efforts of our veterans and to keep Remembrance alive.
I also wanted to learn more about “Uncle Gwyn” and his wartime service. Our family details were sketchy. My grandfather had always believed, and it was subsequently passed down to my mother and her family, that Gwynfryn was killed in action over the English Channel while engaged in combat. With the co-operation of the National Archives and the Royal Canadian Legion I researched his service records and found that this “family belief” has been incorrect all of these years. It would appear that our family either never received the “Official Royal Canadian Air Force Casualty Notification” dated March 16, 1945 with an attachment providing the details of the training flight accident, or perhaps my great-grandfather hid this fact from the family for one reason or another. I guess in this earthly life we will never know!
While I am proud of the service and sacrifice of Uncle Gwyn, the truth of the matter is that the whole story I have presented above is tragic. Like the thousands of others who went and fell, Gwyn had an entire life ahead of him that was cut short because of a need for us to defend freedoms due to greed, tyranny, and the mistaken belief that one man is better than another. While I am not sure that every serviceman believed the patriotic rhetoric such as “we are fighting for our freedom” (I believe many were simply looking for adventure and a steady income after years of Depression) I do hope that history will look kindly on their service and that the meaning of their sacrifice is not lost with time. There was a need to defend our nation. Many Canadians today cannot even imagine what it must have been like for those individuals in foreign countries that were forced to leave their homes and families due to political oppression and wartime destruction, let alone the millions who died from racial persecution at the hand of the Nazis. These realities ,however, did not make it any easier for me when I first reviewed Gwyn’s records and attempted to put his story into perspective. I asked the questions that many would when a vibrant life is taken at such a young age — What were his hopes? What were his dreams? Would he and his girlfriend have re-united in Canada and been married? Would he have grown and matured in life like his brother Ieuan who had a quiet and gentle love for his wife and family, and the respect of his children, grandchildren, and community?
Through the co-operation of Veterans Affairs Canada, I have set up a special memorial for Gwyn as part of the Canadian Virtual War Memorial on the Internet. Photographs and mementos relating to Gwyn’s service will be available at this site in his memory. In addition, my fiancée Karen and I have decided to honour Gwyn and other Canadians like him with a memorial plaque to be placed this fall at the Canadian Northern Society’s Morgan Railway Gardens in Camrose, Alberta.
The Morgan Railway Gardens is part of the historic Camrose Railway Station Park and has been a project supported by the Morgan family in the community of Camrose where I have resided since 1993. We hope that this memorial plaque will remind visitors to the Camrose Railway Station Park that their freedom to enjoy their visit to this community heritage site has been made possible by the Grace of God, and in part due to the service of our veterans.
Thank you for letting me share Gwyn’s story with you.
Shawn I. Smith March 27, 2002
The summer is a busy one for the Camrose Station. The annual garage sale which was held on June 28 and 29 was a great success related to the hard work of a handful of volunteers under the coordination of Robbie O’Riordan. Gladys Taranger, Helen Kitchen, and Doreen Faye did most of the marking. The days of the sale we were assisted by Carolyn Fleury, Fred Murray, Dorothy Lysons and Bruce Smith as well as the ladies who marked. The sale took in $1300. Thank you to all members who donated.
The Old-Fashioned Garden Party turned out very well this year. Many thanks to the bands co-ordinated by Morley Riske. The Swing Band, Brass Band, and Gospilaries played the afternoon away. Murray Roy built the dance floor, a wonderful addition to the celebration.
The volunteers willingly gave of their time to assist us. Carol Roy, Kathy Murray, Doreen Faye, and Dorothy Lysons assisted in baking the goodies. Co-op generously donated the baking ingredients, juice granules, and disposable cups for the event. Atco Gas donated the food tent, Roger Rentals the coffee pot and Messiah Lutheran Church the use of their large juice container. Tables were loaned by Frank Kupka, Mary Doerkson, and Alma Falk. Ross Collett loaned the sun shelters for the party and the yard sale. Volunteers at the event were Sheila Morgan, Leo Girard, Bruce Smith, Doreen Faye, Carol and Murray Roy, Shawn Smith, Frank, Carolyn, Rebecca and Dominique Fleury, Fred Murray, and Cheryl and Norm Prestage. A special thank you to Ken Morrison for co-ordinating the Battle River Model Railway Club to assist with the running of the train in the Morgan Garden Railway. Our student, Kim Thorburn, was a great support in planning and assisting with the preparation of the event.
The Garden Party cleared around $1000, but most of all we met our mandate to make history come alive and build community as people of all ages attended the event including many children this year.
Murray Roy has agreed to assist us in the preservation of the bunkhouse. He is donating his time and expertise in preservation. We are looking for old granaries to take good wood off to match the original siding. We received $1000 promise of matched donation from historic resources. This is a third of our requested amount so we still have a lot of work ourselves.
Shirley McIntosh donated her time to bake desserts for the Scandinavian Smorg held on June 22. She also loaned us her decorations and sold her Hardanger embroidery and hand painted rocks in the gift shop.
On July 9, 13 children from the Camrose Art Centre attended a camp day at the station. We had a great time and Lucy the Clown made a visit in the afternoon.
The station hosts pioneer lunches Saturdays at the tea room. They have been a wonderful success and are keeping the staff very busy. They are so thankful for their dishwasher.
Big Valley Railway Day was again successful. Approximately 400 visitors enjoyed the annual Big Valley Railway Day held Saturday, July 13. 300 passengers arrived on the Alberta Prairie Railway Excursions’ Railfan’s Special and the remainder of the interested on-lookers drove into the village prior to the arrival of the excursion train. Famous Canadian steam locomotive CN 6060, together with engine service crew Harry R. J. Home and W. E. (Ernie) Ottewell was again a star attraction, together with three vintage diesel locomotives from the Canadian Railserve fleet. A General Motors diesel model GP-9 (Locomotive 1759), a Montreal Locomotive Works — designed diesel (Locomotive 8013), and a tiny industrial diesel (Locomotive 1501 or Twinky) were special guests at this year’s event thanks to Railserve President Mr. John Watton. Interested visitors were treated to rides on Twinky and on the maintenance of way track motor car courtesy of Canadian Northern volunteers and Alberta Prairie staff. Central Western Railway’s classic 1957 GM built GP-9, a regular visitor at Railway Day, rounded out the display of motive power. An impressive run-by featuring the Alberta Prairie passenger train led by Steam Locomotive 41 and guided by the skill of veteran locomotive engineers Gus Annas and E. J. “Red” Robinson, was a highlight of the afternoon.
Special thanks to Harry Stuber, Len Waters, Shawn Smith, Karen Sledz, Allan Johnston, and our Big Valley Historical Society summer staff for the preparations for Railway Day.
Thanks to Alberta Prairie Railway Excursions, Central Western Railway, Canadian Railserve, and the Rocky Mountain Railway Society for their invaluable contribution of equipment that makes the day special each year.
The Canadian Northern Society has reached a new agreement with Neil and Vivian Hulley with respect to their continued occupancy of the second floor living quarters apartment of the Big Valley station. While the Hulleys will no longer be responsible for direct caretaking duties, they will assist with site security and have agreed to a monthly occupancy agreement based on standard rental terms effective July 1. The society acknowledges the efforts of Neil and Vivian while they performed the role of station caretaker over the past several years.
The society is seeking a person interested in receiving a
monthly retainer in exchange for official “caretaking” duties at
the station effective September 1. Any interested party should
contact Harry Stuber at
+1 403 876 2349, +1 403 740 9356, or
<hstuber@telusplanet.net>.
1877-08 (125 years ago) — First use of the telephone to dispatch trains. This was at the Caledonia Mine at Glace Bay on the Sydney Mines Railway. One of the owners was Gardiner G. Hubbard, who was the father-in-law of Alexander Graham Bell, who installed two telephones to control train movements.
We continue to have difficulty with senseless thefts of flags at our Meeting Creek heritage site. As a result we have removed all but three flag poles. The last flag stolen was a Royal Union flag worth $70. It is unfortunate that the actions of small-minded individuals who have no respect for others’ property results in the society being unable to show its respect for the country’s colours as we would truly like to.