november 2012 van-fraser news - vancouver heritage...
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V A N - F R A S E R H E R I T A G E C L U B
November 2012
Van-Fraser News Volume 4 Number 6
I N S I D E T H I S
I S S U E :
Wendover Bus Trip 2-3
Santa’s Helpers
4
Honouring Our Own 4
Robert Shaw
Heritage Information
5
Air Crash Letter 6
Stream Clean Up
7
Travel Information
And Updates
8
HONOURING OUR OWN On Friday, November 9th, members of the
Van-Fraser Heritage Club, Canada Post
employees, guests, and members of the
public gathered in the Retail Lobby of the
Vancouver MPP to honour the eighteen
Canada Post employees from Vancouver,
New Westminster, and Victoria who lost
their lives in WWI and WWII.
Guests this year included Lt. Colonel French
of the Vancouver Military Medical Museum,
Captain Dennis Haynes, Canadian Army
Medical Corps, and Lt. Colonel (Honourary)
Ted Hawthorne, BC Regiment Association.
A special visitor on the day was Jack Baird,
brother of Van-Fraser Member Irene Baird.
Jack served as a Medic with the Canadian
Parachute Battalion and one was one the
first Canadian Soldiers to parachute into
France on D-Day, June 6, 1944.
Also present was Van-Fraser Member Carol
Van Camp who, in Remembrance, read the
name of her Great Uncle, Vancouver Postal Clerk, Alexander F. Quinn.
This year’s ceremony focussed on the
contribution of the eleven Canada Post employees f
from the Vancouver and Victoria Post Offices
who volunteered for service in the Canadian Army
Medical Corps in WWI.
Captain Haynes, Canadian Army Medical Corps,
outlined the services and duties they would have
performed, the hazards they would have faced,
and where they were stationed.
Lt. Colonel French and the Military Medical
Museum presented a display on the role played
by members of the Medical Corps.
(continued on Page 4)
Honouring Our Own, November 9 (left to right) Fred Danells, John Yorke, Chris Ahern and Chris Burns of the BC Regiment and Jim Bain.
Captain Haynes addressing the attendees.
Page 2 November 2012
FUN FILLED FALL TRIP TO WENDOVER In mid-October a boisterous
and enthusiastic group of Van-
Fraser members and friends
embarked on an eight day Bus
Trip to Wendover, Nevada.
The first day was a drive from
Vancouver to La Grande OR
then on to Twin Falls Utah by
noon. The arrival time was
perfect for all the golfers who
were able to make their Tee
Times at the Canyon Springs
Golf Course. The course is
built along the Snake River
Canyon and is both challenging
for the golfer and provides
some of the finest and most
spectacular views anywhere.
The non-golfers took the
opportunity to do some shopping at the Magic Valley Mall, enjoy a leisurely lunch and a walk
along the Snake River Canyon. Included in the walk was a stop where daredevil Evel Kneival
made an ill-fated attempt to “jump” the canyon on September 8, 1974.
The hotel at this stop was the Shilo Inn which proved to be very comfortable with a huge lobby
seating area and a nice breakfast. The golfers were up at 7 am and on the way to another
spectacular day on the links while the non-golfers enjoyed a relaxing breakfast and a trip out to
Shoshone Falls. It was an wondrous sight with the water cascading over the falls all highlighted
by brilliant fall foliage.
Everyone there agreed this is a
“must stop” on any future trips.
The bus trip resumed in the
afternoon, with a stop to pick
up the golfers, then on to
Wendover with a short stop at
Cactus Pete’s Casino in Jackpot,
Nevada.
Upon arrival in Wendover the
group settled into the Nugget
Hotel, their home for the next
four nights. The hotel gave
each guest coupons for the
buffet, Starbucks, the bar, the
gift shop as well as seven
dollars for free play each day.
(continued on page 3)
Heritage Club members enjoying the view as Shoshone Falls (left to right) Doug McFeely, Ian Heath, Donna Hilton, Martha Bullion, Anita Folk, Terry Bullion, Stel-la Limo, Donna Whitty.
Spectacular Shoshone Falls.
November 2012 Page 3
WENDOVER (CONTINUED)
The following day the golfers (once
again) headed for the nearest golf
course, the Toana Vista Golf Club, just a
few minutes from the hotel. All the
others enjoyed time in the casino,
walking, shopping or enjoying the many
tourist attractions in the area, including
the Air Museum. Each evening everyone
would meet at the Sports Bar for some
pre dinner drinks, conversation, then
head out for dinner.
As in the past, one of the highlights was
a one day side trip to Salt Lake City.
After dropping off the golfers at the
Airport Golf Course the bus took the
group on a scenic drive through the
beautiful residential area at the top of the
hill then a photo stop at the newly
renovated State Capital Building.
Following this stop it was on to Temple
Square where everyone had four hours of free time. People scurried off in many directions with
some taking in an organ recital in the Tabernacle, some finding family history in the Genealogy
Museum, while others enjoyed to the food in the Lion House and Rooftop Garden. Others could
be found shopping in the newly renovated Mall, enjoying the food in many of the restaurants or
finding bargains in Nordstrom’s and Macy’s. The more hearty members of the group took the
walk to the Gateway Area and the historic railway station. As everyone returned to the bus the
recurrent comment was; “We need more time!”.
Back in Wendover for one day beginning with a super breakfast at the Red Garter and some
time in the casino. Rumour has it that there was some nice winnings that day!
On the way home the group once again participated in the Universal Horse Races, a fund raising
even that is always great fun. The winning horse was owned by Joanne and Daryl Whiting.
With the races and raffles on the tour a total of $500 was raised for the Van-Fraser Charity. The
driver, Ian, who won money on the Horse Races, kindly donated the money back for our charity.
On route to the final stop in La Grande OR, the bus took a scenic side trip along the Snake River
past the hot springs, waterfalls, and beautiful little towns decked out for Halloween. Several
members took advantage of the sales tax situation in Oregon (there isn’t one!) and purchased
new Ipads.
“Thanks to all the group for participating in all the activities, making it fun for everyone on the
tour. Also, thanks to all those who helped organize the events and helped make everything run
so smoothly. It was a great trip with a good time for one and all both on the bus and at the
many stops along the way.” - Fred Danells, President, Van-fraser Heritage Club.
The Universal Horse Race participants.(left tor right) Ken Cornish, Gerry Austin, Carol Ritnosik, Anita Folk, Anne Dobrilla, Doug McFeely, Joanne Whiting.
Page 4 November 2012
SANTA NEEDS YOUR HELP We expect more then 1.3 million letters to
Santa this year and they are arriving early
this year!
The children are very excited and are really
looking forward to Santa's special reply
letter. Come and join us one, two, three,
four or even five days of the week through
December as we respond to these letters.
What ever time you can share with our
members and employees helping Santa
answer all his many letters.
We have members meeting in the PO from
8am to 2pm daily at The Vancouver Plant,
Langley, Abbotsford, White Rock and Surrey
Depot 2 as well as some of our folks pick
up Santa Letters at Pitt Meadows,
Chilliwack, Coquitlam and Ladner P.O. and
take it home to answer. If your interested give one of co-ordinators a call in your area or call our
office at 604-482-4311. Thank you for volunteering and making a difference this special time of
the year.
HONOURING OUR OWN
(continued from Page 1)
One of the first Vancouver Post Employees to volunteer for
service in WWI during August 1914 was Vancouver Letter
Carrier, Matthew Henry Harlock. Known as Harry to his
friends he emigrated to Canada from Burton-on-Trent,
England, in 1908 and shortly after began work as a Letter
Carrier in Vancouver. Harlock was a member of the local
militia, Vancouver Field Hospital Unit, and was called into
service immediately following the outbreak of War. Also
called into service at the same time to other militia units
were Vancouver Postal Clerks, F.E. Carr, A.E. Doyle,
G.C. Hamilton, A.F. Quinn and Railway Mail Clerk, E. Hart.
Harry Harlock’s diary (loaned to Van-Fraser by his nephew
John Harlock) outlines his travels across Canada, his training
in Valcartier, Quebec, his reuniting with his parents and
family in England, and his arrival in France in 1915.
M.H. Harlock was lost at sea on June 27, 1918 while serving
aboard the Hospital Ship H.M.H.S. Llandovery Castle. The
ship was torpedoed by a U-Boat off the coast of Ireland.
Also lost with the sinking was Guelph Ontario Postal Clerk,
Wilfred H. Gemmel, who was also serving in the Canadian
Army Medical Corps. Vancouver Letter Carrier Matthew Henry “Harry” Harlock (1913)
Page 5 November 2012
HERITAGE CLUB LOSES STALWART MEMBER Robert “Bob” Shaw.
Bob will be a great loss to our Club and our members.
He was always thinking of his colleagues when he was
busy checking out restaurants and hotels for our
luncheons and banquets. During our Executive
Meetings Bob always contributed thoughtful ideas and
suggestions for the betterment of the Club.
Bob and Ollie hosted many of our regular meetings in
their home and their beautiful garden.
He was really committed to our Santa Letter Writing
Program and every year I could depend on Bob’s
help. Bob was always generous with his time and I
remember the many bus trips he and Ollie conducted
for members, friends and family. He always made
sure every detail was well take care of. I very much
appreciated all his helpful hints for our many club
excursions.
Bob Shaw was a great friend to our Club and its
members. Bob will be missed and well remembered.
Fred Danells
President, Van-Fraser Heritage Club
Late Robert “Bob” Shaw
SEEKING HERITAGE INFORMATION
Clerk Ted K. is conducting research for a Website that
will detail the history of Vancouver’s Postal Stations and
Letter Carrier Depots.
He’s looking for any relevant information or
documentation such as Vancouver Postal Directories,
Zone Maps, station related Bulletins, and old editions of
the Mail Bag. Also o the list are vintage photos of the
interior and exterior of former and current stations and
depots as well as employees.
All materials will be promptly returned after scanning or
you can provide your own scans and photocopies.
If you have anything you wish to contribute please email
[email protected] or call 778-985-2507.
Page 6 November 2012
AIR CRASH LETTER RECEIVED Recently, the Van-Fraser Heritage
Club was presented with a letter
from one of the most tragic air
disasters in Canadian Aviation
History.
On April 8, 1954 a Trans-Canada
Air (now Air Canada) North Star
Airliner was flying over Moose Jaw
on a flight ultimately destined for
Vancouver. On board was a crew of
four, 31 passengers, and cargo
including several bags of mail from
the Maritimes, Quebec, and Ontario.
As the T.C.A. Flight passed over
Moose Jaw an R.C.A.F. Harvard
Trainer aircraft piloted by a Royal
Air Force trainee under the supervision of an R.C.A.F. Trainer took off from the Moose Jaw
Airbase.
As the Harvard gained altitude it struck the T.C.A. North Star in the tail severing it the rest of
the plane. The fuselage crashed to ground a short distance from a school full of children.
Unfortunately it struck a home killing the housekeeper inside. The R.A.F. Trainee and his
supervisor were also killed.
Following the crash all the
mail was collected and any
items that could be
delivered were forwarded to
the recipients with a letter
of explanation.
The letter received by the
Heritage Club was mailed in
Ottawa and destined for a
boxholder in Quesnel. The
letter, which was burned is
still partly legible and
contains a personal note to
the recipient.
The letter from Canada Post
contains an instruction from
the District Director of BC
to deliver the items
Personally.
The largest collection of
items from the flight are on
display in the Moose Jaw
Museum.
One of the letters recovered from the wreckage.
Each piece of mail recovered from the flight wreckage was delivered with a letter of explanation.
Page 7
Van-Fraser News is published by the
Van-Fraser Heritage Club
Box 2110
Vancouver BC V6B 4Z3
The editor reserves the right
to edit
any/all submissions
in whole or part
for use in this publication
November 2012
WE NEED A VOLUNTEER The Van-Fraser Heritage
Club is looking for a
volunteer to help maintain
our Website.
The volunteer would load
new information into the
Web Site such as the
Van-Fraser Newsletter,
notices, and photos.
If you are interested
please contact Fred
Danells at 604 482-4311.
If you need some training
or assistance it will
provided.
Now’s the time to step
Forward and help out the Club.
VAN-FRASER MEMBER VOLUNTEERS FOR STREAM CLEAN UP Van-Fraser member Nick Kvenich is
working with a group of volunteers
dedicated to restoring, enhancing, and
protecting the fish and wildlife habitat of
Burnaby’s Eagle Creek.
The Eagle Creek Streamkeepers, of which
Nick is president, is a non-profit society
meets on Saturdays at the Burnaby
Mountain Golf Course and usually spends
two hours working to clean up the creek.
The work includes removing garbage
from the creek area, monitoring water
quality, releasing salmon into the creek
during the spring, and counting returning
salmon in the fall.
Eagle Creek begins on Burnaby Mountain where it is fed by a large watershed. It flows down
through the Burnaby Mountain Golf Course into Squint Lake. The course continues down the
mountain to Broadway, along the Lougheed Highway and into Burnaby Lake. From Burnaby
Lake the water flows into the Brunette River and then into the Fraser.
The Streamkeepers always welcome volunteers and if you wish to join them in their efforts
please contact Nick Kvenich at 604 420-5651 or Janice Froese at 604 420-0038.
Van-Fraser Member, Nick Kvenich, explaining to students the work of the Eagle Creek Streamkeepers.
Page 8 November 2012
TRAVEL OPPORTUNITES FOR 2012/2013
NOVEMBER 16-18, 2012 TULALIP CASINO SHOPPING TRIP
Pre Christmas shopping trip, casino and local sightseeing.
Vancouver return with two nights in the Tulalip
Casino Resort Hotel. Lots of time for shopping the
Premium Factory Outlets and a side trip to
downtown Seattle. This trip proved to be
very popular and we have added a
second bus which is also full. We can take
names for standby list in case of cancellations.
FEBRUARY 3, 2013 49 DAY SOUTH AMERICA CRUISE
49 day South America cruise from Los Angeles (Long Beach) to New York
cruising around the entire continent of South America on the Carnival
Splendor. Visits to multiple cities on route. Prices from $4600.00 pp USD
including taxes. If you are thinking about this trip of a lifetime call the
Heritage Club immediately and book your space!
FEBRUARY 20, 2013 14 DAY SOUTH AMERICA CRUISE
14 day cruise from Santiago, Chile to Buenos Aries, Argentina around Cape
Horn. Prices start at $1523.00 USD pp. Airfare to Chile and from Argentina is
extra.
MARCH 2, 2013 7 DAY MEXICAN CRUISE
Aboard the MS Zaandam 7 days return from San Diego visiting Peurto Vallarta
(2 nights) and Cabo San Lucas. Inside cabins start at $648 CAD and outside
cabins at $745 CAD pp. Contact the Heritage Club Office for best price.
MARCH 3, 2013 7 DAY CARIBBEAN CRUISE
Aboard the MS Westerdam 7 days return from Fort Lauderdale visiting
Halfmoon Cays, Cayman Islands, Cozumel, and Key West. Inside cabins start
at $735 CAD pp and outside cabins at $920 CAD pp.
MAY 1, 2013 ALASKA CRUISE
7 Day Alaska cruise, Vancouver return on the MS Volendam, visiting
Tracy Arm, Glacier Bay, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. Prices starting at
$969.00 CAD pp.
APRIL/MAY 2013 SPRING BUS TRIP
Plans are underway for this year’s Las Vegas bus trip. Based on feedback from
previous Vegas travellers, we will focus on the area from San Francisco to San
Diego, visiting places like San Simeon, Hearst Castle, Solvang, Monterey,
Carmel, Malibu, Santa Barbara, Capistrano and more before heading from San
Diego to Vegas. Watch future newsletters for more details and pricing.
MAY 5, 2013 ALASKA CRUISE
7 Day Alaska cruise, Vancouver return on the MS Statendam.
Inside Cabins start at $767 CAD pp and outside cabins starting at $869
CAD pp.
HERITAGE CLUB CONTACT INFORMATION
PHONE: 604 482 4311
WEB SITE: www.vancouverheritageclub.com
Sold out!
BE READY TO BOOK
EARLY NEXT YEAR
Contact Van-Fraser Office for
the best price!
Contact Van-Fraser Office for
the best price!