Canada Day 2013

The weather was cool, and breezy.By the late afternoon the rain came.
The crowds were fewer than I remember from last year. The exhibits were fewer.
But then again there was money available from the Federal Government for the
100th. Anniversary of the start of the War of 1812. Next year I expect that our government
will want to push programs to celebrate (bad choice of words here: however, I suspect that
would indeed describe the views of our government) the 100th. anniversary of the start of
World War 1. I however, was willing. I was wearing my Maple Leaf shirt (made in
Cambodia).

One of these days I will work out how to select the right date on my camera.

Canada Day 2012 In Harris Park

It seems traditional now that Canada Day is celebrated each year in Harris Park which is located along the Thames river just a stones throw from downtown. Sunday morning I thought that I would have a look before the big crowds started to show up to see the fireworks in the evening.

This year there seems to be more space left free in the center of the park. The Thames river is just behind the trees.

The military displays, vehicles, reinactors were located at the north end of the park.

War of 1812 reinactors' booth.

Promoting a book on the 15th. Battalion, a kilted Battalion largely recruited from Toronto.

1812 reinactors with a Bluebird (First World War nursing sisters). Well - there's a hundred years in one photo.

At 12 noon a pow-wow by members of the local reserves which include veterans from the Second World War, and the Korean War.

A display featuring the Museum of Ontario Archaeology. The museum is located in the north-west area of London. It is well worth a visit. Mind you I have a soft spot for the museum as I volunteered for the museum a few years ago.

London's 1931 City Council

"Border City Star". December 12, 1931

Mayor George Hayman is on the mayorial dias in the center. In front of him is Sam Baker, London's City Clerk. The aldermen standing are, from left to right, Frank Grey, James Donelly, Frank Curran, A.W. Morrison, Robert Carswell, John Ashton, Harry Rottrill and Timothy J. Donohue. Seated, from left to right, Frank McKay, F. B. Kilbourne, George Hayman, Allen M. Towe, Thomas Copp.

Canada Census 2011

The early returns for last year’s census have been released. Remember, any census is a snapshot in time. Also, the numbers are not exactly accurate. This is in spite of claims by Statistics Canada. I expect that considering the attitude of the Harper Government this will only get worse in the future. I always read population numbers as being plus or minus a thousand or so.

Let’s start with Middlesex County in which London is located.

Statistics Canada, 2011 Census of Population.

Middlesex County showed a population of  439,151 with an increase over 2006 of 4.0%.

There are two ways at looking at the City of London. First is at the Metropolitan Census District.

Statistics Canada, 2011 Census of Population.

The Metropolitan Census District includes some of Middlesex County, some of Elgin County, and the city of St. Thomas. It showed a population of 474,786  with a +3.7% increase in population from 2006.

Statistics Canada, 2011 Census of Population.

The city showed a population of  366,151  with an increase of +3.9% over 2006. I will not even start with the unemployment numbers. It appears that only the City of Windsor lost people over 2006 in Southwestern Ontario.

London In 1812 and 1912

I am not very good at looking ahead - so what was London like 200 and 100 years ago ? Here is where Daniel Brock’s book “Fragments From the Forks - London Ontario’s Legacy”, The Aylmer Expess Ltd., 2011 comes in handy. The following are highlights for the two years.
1812:
There are only two entries.

Mahlon Burwell is elected in June to represent the sixth Parliament of the Upper Canada for the riding of Oxford and Middlesex. The election apparently was rigged. Like that is not going to happen again !
Captain Peter Chambers of the 41^st. Regiment of Foot together with the flank companies of Oxford Militia march along the Commissioners Road to Delaware. This was to create a diversion on General William Hull’s flank.

London at that time consisted of trees, swamp, quicksand, and rock. There is no indication as to whether or not the squirrels, skunks, raccoons, and deer supported the British or the Americans. The mosquitoes, of course, went after both.

1912:
On January 23 the Young Hebrews’ Social Club is organized.

In March the first Ukrainian Mass is celebrated in St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church.

On May 25 Beckwith Havens , a staff member of the Glen Curtis Aeroplane Factory, conducts the first air flight over London. Apparently, it started at Carling Farm (to the east of London) flew over Tecumseh Park (at the forks of the Thames), and lasted a whole twenty minutes.

On May 29 the Governor-General the Duke of Connaught, the Duchess, and their daughter Princess Patricia, pay an official visit to London.

On June 7 the London Humane Society is formed. and Lt.-Col. William M. Gartshore is elected President.

William M. Gartshore,

Ivey Family London Room, London Public Library, London, Ontario, Canada

The London Fire Department receives its’ first motorized fire truck on September 9^th - “Kaiser Bill”. In 1913 the truck is hit by a train.

On December 21 Knollwood Park, Pottersburg, Ealing, and Chelsea Green are annexed to London. The annexations are apparently due to the need to boost London’s population to 50,000 so that the city can run street cars on Sundays.

Veteran's Day 2011

Veteran's Day the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. It was a very cold morning. The crowd out to watch the parade, and the ceremonies, was very large. I took what pictures I could while maneuvering for room in the crowd.

I really should learn how to reset the day on my camera. Ah - technology.

Charles Milton Richardson Graham, 1868-1932

C.M.R. Graham was born 15 March 1868 in London Ontario to William Graham, and Catherine Richardson. (1) He married Ida Wells Smyth 6 January 1892 in London. The 1901 Census lists him as a gentleman furrier. (2)

"The London Free Press", January 2, 1912.

He became mayor of London in January 1912 to 1914. The Free Press describes his terms in office as marked by aggressive policies. (3)

He had also been involved with the local militia, and in 1915 he was offered the command of the 142^nd. Battalion (London’s Own) then being organized in London. When overseas the battalion was broken up for re-enforcements. In 1918 he reverted to the rank of Major, and served with the 18^th. Battalion (4). Also in 1918 he was promoted to Lt.-Colonel, and awarded the D.S.O.

"The London Free Press", February 16, 1932.

He died in London on the 15^th  of February, 1932.


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(1) Ancestry.com, Ontario, Canada births and Ontario, Canada, deaths, 1869-1938 and deaths overseas, 1939-1947.
(2) “The London Free Press“, 16 February, 1932. obit. The Free Press described him as in the gent’s furnishing business up to 1916 when he sold his share of the business to his brother.
(3) A term at that time was one year. Elections were held every January. He was recognized as a Conservative in politics. With Sir Sam Hughes in charge that took precedence over any military experience. In spite of this he was an exception to the rule as he proved to be quite a good junior officer at the front.
(4) The 18^th. Battalion was the second battalion to be raised from Southwestern Ontario, and was in the trenches by the end of 1915.