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The series consists of 10 audio copy recordings containing interviews with Dr. Gordon Merritt Shrum about his life and career as a soldier, physicist and public administrator. The interviews were a joint effort of Simon Fraser University, the Public Archives of Canada, and the Parliamentary Library.

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1979-09-09 SUMMARY: Adelaide Treasure was born in 1896 in McGregor, Manitoba, the youngest of 10 children. She discusses the family's move to Kelowna when she was about 2 years old. Her eldest sister Gertrude had moved to Kelowna to work for the wealthy Stirling family there, and married a foreman named Henry Birch. Her father found work as a carpenter building homes in Kelowna. At about age 6 her family moved to Calgary in expectation of a economic boom. After a year of no gains and a cold winter the family returned to Peachland. She discusses the first Christmas tree the family had when she was about 8 or 9 years old, and hanging stocking over the fireplace. Wrapping a bone for a present for their terrier and putting it on the tree. Spending Christmas with other little girls on the Miller's ranch way up in the mountains. An appearance by Santa Claus with horses wearing antlers and a sleigh with bells. Her father's injuries and move near Penticton. Being married in Vancouver at age 18 in 1915. Her brother Frank leaving for the First World War, being wounded and living a long life. Her brother Arthur dying in WWI from a sniper shot to the spine. Spanish influenza infecting the family, her husband Peter almost succumbing to it, her son Dick having it at age three and neighbours who helped them survive. Separating from her husband about 1930, and moving to a big house and renting rooms so she could take care of her three children. Christmas during the Depression; always had a tree; Dick bringing home a puppy. Never going on relief. Finding ways to ensure her children never went without.

"Memoirs". Genealogical account of the Burkitt family and reminiscences of author's boyhood in London, England; account of author's apprenticeship at Salvation Army's Hadleigh training farm and of his emigration to Vancouver Island in 1911. Reminiscences of his career as farmer, dairyman, and horticulturist at Westholme (1911-1914), Saltspring Island (1919-1949), and Sooke (1950s). MS includes account of Burkitt's tenure as director of Saltspring and Gulf Islands Agricultural Association (1921-ca. 1938) and work with Canadian Corps of Commissionaires in Victoria (ca. 1960-1977). Also, reminiscences of author's military service (1914-1918) first as member of 67th Battalion (Western Scots) and later as pilot in the Royal Flying Corps. Xerox photos of author and family also included.

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Maitland Harrison RECORDED: Nelson (B.C.), 1979-01 SUMMARY: Maitland Harrison was born in India in 1890, and returned to England as a child when his parents died. Arranged to come to West Kootenay in 1908 and had a guardian appointed. Worked at a dairy for two years at Pilot Bay. Bought land at Shutty Bench, north of Kaslo, in 1909. Cleared property for orchard, but left for the First World War before the trees were planted. Served in France and India, returning to Shutty Bench in 1922. Things changed dramatically, so he headed for the Lardeau and joined T.J. Ainsworth in a logging venture. Detailed explanation of logging for cedar poles and pine and spruce for the mill in Nelson. Trapping up Glacier Creek. Hunting on the Upper Duncan. Haley's Landing. Prospecting on the Upper Duncan. Life in the lower Lardeau Valley-Lardeau-Argenta area. Lived at Howser.

The item is a photocopy of an essay by Walter Draycott titled "Christmas, 1914, with the P.P.C.L. Infantry and their first entry into the trenches in Flanders, Jan. 4, 1915."

"Canada made us; the story of a family, 1776-1969." Reminiscences of her family and of her own life. Violet Wilson grew up in Edmonton, was educated in Toronto, served as a VAD in World War I and worked as an immigration officer in Glasgow, a broadcaster in Victoria, and at Fort Norman Wells during World War II.

The file consists of the reminiscences of Arthur Shelford, a Wistaria farmer. Mr. Shelford emigrated to Canada in 1908 and settled at Ootsa Lake. He served overseas in World War I and then returned to his farm at Ootsa Lake where he remained until he retired to Victoria in 1966. Vol. 2 is a corrected and expanded version.

The item consists of a photocopy of "My first seventy-five years (1891-1966)"; reminiscences of Henry Forbes Angus, concerning his family life, education in Canada and at Oxford, military service, 1914-1918, and career at University of British Columbia, 1919-1956. Dean Angus served on the Royal Commission on Dominion-Provincial Relations, 1937-1940, and the Public Utilities Commission, 1955-1965.

Presented by H.F. Angus, Vancouver, 1977.

Manuscript biography of Geoffrey Murray Downton comprising Part I, birth to 1915 (author's narrative interposed with lengthy extracts from his diaries and letters); and Part III, reminiscences by Downton of period, 1918-1960. Essay describing Downton's life in Lillooet.

Biographical material, correspondence, unpublished memoirs (1960) which give an account of Munro's life and include his experiences as a customs and revenue officer in Revelstoke, WW 1 Army officer in Russia and furrier and big game guide who, after 1929, was based in Vancouver until his retirement to Emerson, Manitoba in 1956. Photographs of Munro, big game and other subjects have been transferred to Visual Records accession, 98404-1.

Presented by Mr. Munro, Penticton, 1970.

Reminiscences of Haegert's boyhood in Victoria, ca. 1910-1916, and of his experiences aboard whaling supply ships. Also contemporary accounts of his travels around the world as a wireless operator aboard freighters and trans-oceanic passenger ships, and accounts of his wartime experience aboard supply ships and troopships. Mr. Haegert's oral reminiscences on audio cassette tapes and a transcript of the tapes, made ca. 1985, transferred to SMID, as was a 1998 videotaped interview with Mr. Haegert recorded for Veteran's Affairs Canada.

Minutes of executive, general, regular monthly and annual meetings 25 May 1933 to 29 Nov 1946. The volumes also contain synopses of the meetings of the Victoria and District Council of the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League.

The item is a certificate of appreciation by the City of Victoria presented to Lieutenant-Colonel Dr. David Donald in recognition of his services with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces during the Great War.

Item consists of one World War I fund-raising poster depicting a solider in roiling waters attempting to keep an unconscious (or deceased) nurse afloat. He is shaking his left fist at a semi-emerged submarine in the background. In the foreground is a ship’s mast and lifesaver with the name “Llandovery Castle.” “W.P.2” is printed in the bottom left.

The propaganda poster depicts the sinking of the Canadian hospital ship HMHS Llandovery Castle by a German submarine on June 27, 1918. The attack killed 234 people, including 94 Canadian medical officers and nurses, and left only 24 survivors. Red Cross markings denoting the Llandovery Castle as a hospital ship should have guaranteed its safe passage. Depictions of such an attack were useful in raising Canadian outrage and funds for the war effort. B.C.’s 72nd Battalion (Seaforth Highlanders of Canada) took part in Llandovery Castle operations.

The item consists of two form letters signed by King George V thanking J. McKenzie for his services during World War I.

Item consists of one oversized, illustrated and hand-coloured First World War roll of honour for Wesley Methodist Church, Victoria. It lists 69 names and includes a depiction of the church exterior as well as additional memorial or architectural decorative details. It is signed by B.B. Temple.