Victoria to Vimy First World War Collection
User Collection Public
Victoria to Vimy, sponsored by a World War Commemorations Community Fund grant from the Department of Canadian Heritage, is a digital collection of First World War materials held at the University of Victoria Libraries, Special Collections and Archives.
For this exhibit, the University of Victoria Libraries has selected a range of items that provide diverse perspectives on the lives of ordinary Canadians during the First World War. These materials tell the stories of soldiers—from enlisted men to high-ranking officers—as well as their friends and families. The site takes visitors on a journey from Victoria, where many young men enlisted and trained to sites across Canada, including, Vernon, British Columbia; Ottawa, Ontario; and Valcartier, Quebec—and then across the sea to England for training. Ultimately, many of these soldiers went to the Front in France and Belgium, where Canadians fought in several major battles, including the Battle for Vimy Ridge in April 1917.
The collection includes: letters, collections of letters, diaries, postcards, individual photographs, photograph albums, scrapbooks, war records, audio-oral histories, and artifacts.
Permalink: http://vault.library.uvic.ca/collections/45830aeb-b1dc-48fa-901e-3c05e70b04d5
Collection Details
- Items 170
- Last Updated 2025-02-21
Parent Collections (1)
Works (170)
61. Destrubé family - letter written by George Destrubé to his brothers Guy and Paul from Dover, England, on September 7, 1915.
- Title:
- Destrubé family - letter written by George Destrubé to his brothers Guy and Paul from Dover, England, on September 7, 1915.
- Description:
- A letter from Georges Destrubé in England to his brothers Guy and Paul at the front in France on Sept. 7, 1915. Letter was written during Georges' training at Duke of York School, Dover, England. In the letter he discusses his experience in England and details of family and friends. Destrubé Family Biography: The bulk of the material in the Destrubé family fonds, represented in this exhibit, concerns the children of Ernest Destrubé, and in particular, the siblings who immigrated to Canada in the early part of the twentieth century – Maurice, Georges, Guy, Paul and Sylvie. It includes their lives as homesteaders in Alberta, experiences on the Front of the three brothers (Georges, Guy and Paul) who signed up to fight in 1914, and life just after the war. Ernest Destrubé, “Pumps” to his family, was born in France in 1850. After being wounded in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71), Ernest began a career in banking. He eventually moved to England to be Assistant Manager of the Comptoir National d’Escompte de Paris, located at 52 Threadneedle Street in London. He lived with his wife Elizabeth (nee Farmery, 1856-1897) and their six children--Maurice, Georges, Dan, Paul, Guy, and Sylvie--on Adelaide Road in London. Following Elizabeth’s death, Ernest married Alice Bauche in 1900. They had a son, Andre, in 1901. After the War, Ernest moved back to France. He lived at Les Clematites, near Beaune, until his death in 1923. Dan Louis [1879-1940] was born in London and spent most of his life in France. Paul Maurice (nickname, Jack) was born in London in 1885. He followed his father into banking but decided soon after to take on the adventure and challenge of homesteading in Canada. He left England in 1906 for the US, where he learned farming from an uncle in Missouri, before traveling to Rife, Alberta to stake his claim. His first wife Margaret (Maggie, née Lebow) died in childbirth in 1918. After the war Maurice married Pevensey (Pem) Wheeler, former hospital headmistress and friend to Sylvie. Maurice eventually (1940s) sold the homestead and moved to Victoria, British Columbia. He married Eleanor Mary Ellis (née Sandeman) in 1950 and later built a cabin on Piers Island. Maurice died in 1978. Marguerite Sylvie (Sylvie, or Syl) was born in London in 1882. After the death of her mother in 1897, she took on the role of mother to her young brothers. Sylvie also made the journey to Canada to help her brothers in Rife. She returned to England during the First World War to work for the Red Cross, Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD). Sylvie was engaged to family friend, Arthur Fleming, who was killed in action in the War [1916?]. After returning to Canada, Sylvie married Bert Spencer. Together they ran a store in Alberta until, in their retirement, they moved west to Victoria, British Columbia. Leon Georges [b. 1888], Paul Jean [b. 1893] and Charles Guy [b. 1891] were born in London. Guy left England to join his brother in Canada in 1907, followed by Georges in 1908 and Paul in 1913. Georges was a talented sketch artist. He had some training in England but decided not to pursue art as a career. Soon after War was declared, the boys travelled to Edmonton (first Paul and later Georges and Guy) to sign on with the Alberta dragoons, however, the first battalion had already left for the east. Pumps sent them enough money to cover the trip to England, where the three brothers signed up with the Royal Fusiliers. After close to a year of training in England, Paul, Guy and Georges left for France to serve in the same company of the 22nd Royal Fusiliers. In spring of 1916, Georges was wounded at Souchez—shot through the lung. He was invalided to England and convalesced at Ebbwvale, Wales. Although he made it back to France in January 1917, his return to the Front was delayed by quarantine for Mumps. Due to this twist of fate, Georges missed joining his brothers in the Battle at Miraumont, where Paul and Guy were among the several -hundred soldiers killed, February 17, 2017. In the ensuing months, Georges applied for and was granted a transfer to the Royal Flying Corps. He returned to England for training and spent the rest of the War ferrying planes to and from France. After the War, Georges married Suzanne Fournier (nickname Mémé). They lived for a few years in Rife, Alberta but Georges found that he was no longer able to do the difficult physical labor required on the farm. He sold his share of the homestead and moved with Suzanne to Victoria, British Columbia. At some point Suzanne and Georges changed their last name to d’Estrubé, although, the rest of the family maintained the original spelling. In 1949 Georges and Maurice made a nostalgic return visit to Rife where Georges died suddenly at age 61. References: Hendrickson, James E., Ed. Pioneering in Alberta: Maurice Destrube’s Story, Historical Society of Alberta. 1981. Stone, Christopher, Ed. A History of the 22nd (Service) Battalion Royal Fusiliers (Kensington). 1923.
- Subject:
- Soldiers--Family relationships, World War (1914-1918), Destrube family, Soldiers, Soldiers--Training of, and Soldiers--Correspondence
- Creator:
- Destrubé, Georges
- Contributor:
- Destrubé, Paul and Destrubé Guy
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1915-09-07
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- This material may be protected by copyright. Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Extent:
- 2 pages
- Geographic Coverage:
- Western Front (World War (1914-1918)) and England--Dover
- Coordinates:
- 51.12598, 1.31257
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Victoria to Vimy First World War Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- correspondence and letters (correspondence)
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 1982-006
- Fonds Title:
- Destrubé family fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC033
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections fonds: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/destrube-family-fonds
- Technical Note:
- Metadata by M. Gerber. Migration metadata by KD.
62. Destrubé family - Letter to Maurice, Maggie and family, from George, October 23, 1915, Tidworth
- Title:
- Destrubé family - Letter to Maurice, Maggie and family, from George, October 23, 1915, Tidworth
- Description:
- A letter written by Georges Destrubé to his brother Maurice, sister-in-law Maggie and his family on October 23, 1915, from training camp at Tidworth, England in which he describes training manoeuvres, firing practice and other details of camp life. Destrubé Family Biography: The bulk of the material in the Destrubé family fonds, represented in this exhibit, concerns the children of Ernest Destrubé, and in particular, the siblings who immigrated to Canada in the early part of the twentieth century – Maurice, Georges, Guy, Paul and Sylvie. It includes their lives as homesteaders in Alberta, experiences on the Front of the three brothers (Georges, Guy and Paul) who signed up to fight in 1914, and life just after the war. Ernest Destrubé, “Pumps” to his family, was born in France in 1850. After being wounded in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71), Ernest began a career in banking. He eventually moved to England to be Assistant Manager of the Comptoir National d’Escompte de Paris, located at 52 Threadneedle Street in London. He lived with his wife Elizabeth (nee Farmery, 1856-1897) and their six children--Maurice, Georges, Dan, Paul, Guy, and Sylvie--on Adelaide Road in London. Following Elizabeth’s death, Ernest married Alice Bauche in 1900. They had a son, Andre, in 1901. After the War, Ernest moved back to France. He lived at Les Clematites, near Beaune, until his death in 1923. Dan Louis [1879-1940] was born in London and spent most of his life in France. Paul Maurice (nickname, Jack) was born in London in 1885. He followed his father into banking but decided soon after to take on the adventure and challenge of homesteading in Canada. He left England in 1906 for the US, where he learned farming from an uncle in Missouri, before traveling to Rife, Alberta to stake his claim. His first wife Margaret (Maggie, née Lebow) died in childbirth in 1918. After the war Maurice married Pevensey (Pem) Wheeler, former hospital headmistress and friend to Sylvie. Maurice eventually (1940s) sold the homestead and moved to Victoria, British Columbia. He married Eleanor Mary Ellis (née Sandeman) in 1950 and later built a cabin on Piers Island. Maurice died in 1978. Marguerite Sylvie (Sylvie, or Syl) was born in London in 1882. After the death of her mother in 1897, she took on the role of mother to her young brothers. Sylvie also made the journey to Canada to help her brothers in Rife. She returned to England during the First World War to work for the Red Cross, Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD). Sylvie was engaged to family friend, Arthur Fleming, who was killed in action in the War [1916?]. After returning to Canada, Sylvie married Bert Spencer. Together they ran a store in Alberta until, in their retirement, they moved west to Victoria, British Columbia. Leon Georges [b. 1888], Paul Jean [b. 1893] and Charles Guy [b. 1891] were born in London. Guy left England to join his brother in Canada in 1907, followed by Georges in 1908 and Paul in 1913. Georges was a talented sketch artist. He had some training in England but decided not to pursue art as a career. Soon after War was declared, the boys travelled to Edmonton (first Paul and later Georges and Guy) to sign on with the Alberta dragoons, however, the first battalion had already left for the east. Pumps sent them enough money to cover the trip to England, where the three brothers signed up with the Royal Fusiliers. After close to a year of training in England, Paul, Guy and Georges left for France to serve in the same company of the 22nd Royal Fusiliers. In spring of 1916, Georges was wounded at Souchez—shot through the lung. He was invalided to England and convalesced at Ebbwvale, Wales. Although he made it back to France in January 1917, his return to the Front was delayed by quarantine for Mumps. Due to this twist of fate, Georges missed joining his brothers in the Battle at Miraumont, where Paul and Guy were among the several -hundred soldiers killed, February 17, 2017. In the ensuing months, Georges applied for and was granted a transfer to the Royal Flying Corps. He returned to England for training and spent the rest of the War ferrying planes to and from France. After the War, Georges married Suzanne Fournier (nickname Mémé). They lived for a few years in Rife, Alberta but Georges found that he was no longer able to do the difficult physical labor required on the farm. He sold his share of the homestead and moved with Suzanne to Victoria, British Columbia. At some point Suzanne and Georges changed their last name to d’Estrubé, although, the rest of the family maintained the original spelling. In 1949 Georges and Maurice made a nostalgic return visit to Rife where Georges died suddenly at age 61. References: Hendrickson, James E., Ed. Pioneering in Alberta: Maurice Destrube’s Story, Historical Society of Alberta. 1981. Stone, Christopher, Ed. A History of the 22nd (Service) Battalion Royal Fusiliers (Kensington). 1923.
- Subject:
- World War (1914-1918), Soldiers--Training of, Soldiers, Soldiers--Correspondence, Destrube family, and Soldiers--Family relationships
- Creator:
- Destrubé, Georges
- Contributor:
- Destrube, Maurice, 1885-1978 and Destrubé, Maggie
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1915-10-23
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- This material may be protected by copyright. Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Extent:
- 17 pages
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--Tidworth
- Coordinates:
- 51.23744, -1.66108
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Victoria to Vimy First World War Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- correspondence and letters (correspondence)
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 1982-006
- Fonds Title:
- Destrubé family fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC033
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections fonds: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/destrube-family-fonds
- Technical Note:
- Metadata by M. Gerber and K. Bohlman. Migration metadata by KD.
63. Destrubé family - Letter from Georges to Dear Maurice & Maggie & family, November 5-6, 1915, Tidworth
- Title:
- Destrubé family - Letter from Georges to Dear Maurice & Maggie & family, November 5-6, 1915, Tidworth
- Description:
- A letter written by Georges while at training camp in Tidworth, England in which he expresses his hopes that he may go to the Front in Serbia rather than France. Destrubé Family Biography: The bulk of the material in the Destrubé family fonds, represented in this exhibit, concerns the children of Ernest Destrubé, and in particular, the siblings who immigrated to Canada in the early part of the twentieth century – Maurice, Georges, Guy, Paul and Sylvie. It includes their lives as homesteaders in Alberta, experiences on the Front of the three brothers (Georges, Guy and Paul) who signed up to fight in 1914, and life just after the war. Ernest Destrubé, “Pumps” to his family, was born in France in 1850. After being wounded in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71), Ernest began a career in banking. He eventually moved to England to be Assistant Manager of the Comptoir National d’Escompte de Paris, located at 52 Threadneedle Street in London. He lived with his wife Elizabeth (nee Farmery, 1856-1897) and their six children--Maurice, Georges, Dan, Paul, Guy, and Sylvie--on Adelaide Road in London. Following Elizabeth’s death, Ernest married Alice Bauche in 1900. They had a son, Andre, in 1901. After the War, Ernest moved back to France. He lived at Les Clematites, near Beaune, until his death in 1923. Dan Louis [1879-1940] was born in London and spent most of his life in France. Paul Maurice (nickname, Jack) was born in London in 1885. He followed his father into banking but decided soon after to take on the adventure and challenge of homesteading in Canada. He left England in 1906 for the US, where he learned farming from an uncle in Missouri, before traveling to Rife, Alberta to stake his claim. His first wife Margaret (Maggie, née Lebow) died in childbirth in 1918. After the war Maurice married Pevensey (Pem) Wheeler, former hospital headmistress and friend to Sylvie. Maurice eventually (1940s) sold the homestead and moved to Victoria, British Columbia. He married Eleanor Mary Ellis (née Sandeman) in 1950 and later built a cabin on Piers Island. Maurice died in 1978. Marguerite Sylvie (Sylvie, or Syl) was born in London in 1882. After the death of her mother in 1897, she took on the role of mother to her young brothers. Sylvie also made the journey to Canada to help her brothers in Rife. She returned to England during the First World War to work for the Red Cross, Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD). Sylvie was engaged to family friend, Arthur Fleming, who was killed in action in the War [1916?]. After returning to Canada, Sylvie married Bert Spencer. Together they ran a store in Alberta until, in their retirement, they moved west to Victoria, British Columbia. Leon Georges [b. 1888], Paul Jean [b. 1893] and Charles Guy [b. 1891] were born in London. Guy left England to join his brother in Canada in 1907, followed by Georges in 1908 and Paul in 1913. Georges was a talented sketch artist. He had some training in England but decided not to pursue art as a career. Soon after War was declared, the boys travelled to Edmonton (first Paul and later Georges and Guy) to sign on with the Alberta dragoons, however, the first battalion had already left for the east. Pumps sent them enough money to cover the trip to England, where the three brothers signed up with the Royal Fusiliers. After close to a year of training in England, Paul, Guy and Georges left for France to serve in the same company of the 22nd Royal Fusiliers. In spring of 1916, Georges was wounded at Souchez—shot through the lung. He was invalided to England and convalesced at Ebbwvale, Wales. Although he made it back to France in January 1917, his return to the Front was delayed by quarantine for Mumps. Due to this twist of fate, Georges missed joining his brothers in the Battle at Miraumont, where Paul and Guy were among the several -hundred soldiers killed, February 17, 2017. In the ensuing months, Georges applied for and was granted a transfer to the Royal Flying Corps. He returned to England for training and spent the rest of the War ferrying planes to and from France. After the War, Georges married Suzanne Fournier (nickname Mémé). They lived for a few years in Rife, Alberta but Georges found that he was no longer able to do the difficult physical labor required on the farm. He sold his share of the homestead and moved with Suzanne to Victoria, British Columbia. At some point Suzanne and Georges changed their last name to d’Estrubé, although, the rest of the family maintained the original spelling. In 1949 Georges and Maurice made a nostalgic return visit to Rife where Georges died suddenly at age 61. References: Hendrickson, James E., Ed. Pioneering in Alberta: Maurice Destrube’s Story, Historical Society of Alberta. 1981. Stone, Christopher, Ed. A History of the 22nd (Service) Battalion Royal Fusiliers (Kensington). 1923.
- Subject:
- Soldiers, Soldiers--Family relationships, Soldiers--Correspondence, Destrube family, and World War (1914-1918)
- Creator:
- Destrubé, Georges
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1915-11-05/1915-11-06
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- This material may be protected by copyright. Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Extent:
- 2 pages
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--Tidworth
- Coordinates:
- 51.23744, -1.66108
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Victoria to Vimy First World War Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- letters (correspondence) and correspondence
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2016-001
- Fonds Title:
- Destrubé family fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC033
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections fonds: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/destrube-family-fonds
- Technical Note:
- Metadata by M. Gerber and K. Bohlman. Migration metadata by KD.
64. Destrubé family - Letter written by Georges to Dear Maurice and Maggie
- Title:
- Destrubé family - Letter written by Georges to Dear Maurice and Maggie
- Description:
- In this letter Georges expresses his hopes to leave France shortly and to be stationed in Serbia. He describes how the hardships he endures only emphasizes his longing for his family. Destrubé Family Biography: The bulk of the material in the Destrubé family fonds, represented in this exhibit, concerns the children of Ernest Destrubé, and in particular, the siblings who immigrated to Canada in the early part of the twentieth century – Maurice, Georges, Guy, Paul and Sylvie. It includes their lives as homesteaders in Alberta, experiences on the Front of the three brothers (Georges, Guy and Paul) who signed up to fight in 1914, and life just after the war. Ernest Destrubé, “Pumps” to his family, was born in France in 1850. After being wounded in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71), Ernest began a career in banking. He eventually moved to England to be Assistant Manager of the Comptoir National d’Escompte de Paris, located at 52 Threadneedle Street in London. He lived with his wife Elizabeth (nee Farmery, 1856-1897) and their six children--Maurice, Georges, Dan, Paul, Guy, and Sylvie--on Adelaide Road in London. Following Elizabeth’s death, Ernest married Alice Bauche in 1900. They had a son, Andre, in 1901. After the War, Ernest moved back to France. He lived at Les Clematites, near Beaune, until his death in 1923. Dan Louis [1879-1940] was born in London and spent most of his life in France. Paul Maurice (nickname, Jack) was born in London in 1885. He followed his father into banking but decided soon after to take on the adventure and challenge of homesteading in Canada. He left England in 1906 for the US, where he learned farming from an uncle in Missouri, before traveling to Rife, Alberta to stake his claim. His first wife Margaret (Maggie, née Lebow) died in childbirth in 1918. After the war Maurice married Pevensey (Pem) Wheeler, former hospital headmistress and friend to Sylvie. Maurice eventually (1940s) sold the homestead and moved to Victoria, British Columbia. He married Eleanor Mary Ellis (née Sandeman) in 1950 and later built a cabin on Piers Island. Maurice died in 1978. Marguerite Sylvie (Sylvie, or Syl) was born in London in 1882. After the death of her mother in 1897, she took on the role of mother to her young brothers. Sylvie also made the journey to Canada to help her brothers in Rife. She returned to England during the First World War to work for the Red Cross, Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD). Sylvie was engaged to family friend, Arthur Fleming, who was killed in action in the War [1916?]. After returning to Canada, Sylvie married Bert Spencer. Together they ran a store in Alberta until, in their retirement, they moved west to Victoria, British Columbia. Leon Georges [b. 1888], Paul Jean [b. 1893] and Charles Guy [b. 1891] were born in London. Guy left England to join his brother in Canada in 1907, followed by Georges in 1908 and Paul in 1913. Georges was a talented sketch artist. He had some training in England but decided not to pursue art as a career. Soon after War was declared, the boys travelled to Edmonton (first Paul and later Georges and Guy) to sign on with the Alberta dragoons, however, the first battalion had already left for the east. Pumps sent them enough money to cover the trip to England, where the three brothers signed up with the Royal Fusiliers. After close to a year of training in England, Paul, Guy and Georges left for France to serve in the same company of the 22nd Royal Fusiliers. In spring of 1916, Georges was wounded at Souchez—shot through the lung. He was invalided to England and convalesced at Ebbwvale, Wales. Although he made it back to France in January 1917, his return to the Front was delayed by quarantine for Mumps. Due to this twist of fate, Georges missed joining his brothers in the Battle at Miraumont, where Paul and Guy were among the several -hundred soldiers killed, February 17, 2017. In the ensuing months, Georges applied for and was granted a transfer to the Royal Flying Corps. He returned to England for training and spent the rest of the War ferrying planes to and from France. After the War, Georges married Suzanne Fournier (nickname Mémé). They lived for a few years in Rife, Alberta but Georges found that he was no longer able to do the difficult physical labor required on the farm. He sold his share of the homestead and moved with Suzanne to Victoria, British Columbia. At some point Suzanne and Georges changed their last name to d’Estrubé, although, the rest of the family maintained the original spelling. In 1949 Georges and Maurice made a nostalgic return visit to Rife where Georges died suddenly at age 61. References: Hendrickson, James E., Ed. Pioneering in Alberta: Maurice Destrube’s Story, Historical Society of Alberta. 1981. Stone, Christopher, Ed. A History of the 22nd (Service) Battalion Royal Fusiliers (Kensington). 1923.
- Subject:
- Soldiers--Conduct of life, Destrube family, World War (1914-1918), Soldiers--Correspondence, and Soldiers--Family relationships
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1915-11-05
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- This material may be protected by copyright. Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Geographic Coverage:
- France
- Coordinates:
- 46, 2
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Victoria to Vimy First World War Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- correspondence and letters (correspondence)
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2016-001
- Fonds Title:
- Destrubé family fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC033
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections fonds: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/destrube-family-fonds
- Technical Note:
- Metadata by K. Bohlman. Migration metadata by KD.
65. Destrubé family - letter written by Georges Destrubé to Dear Folk on December 31, 1915, Rest Camp.
- Title:
- Destrubé family - letter written by Georges Destrubé to Dear Folk on December 31, 1915, Rest Camp.
- Description:
- A letter written by Georges Destrubé to his family on December 31, 1915. The location is indicated as "Rest Camp". In the letter Georges writes about spending Christmas at the front in France, and witnessing the death of a fellow soldier. Destrubé Family Biography: The bulk of the material in the Destrubé family fonds, represented in this exhibit, concerns the children of Ernest Destrubé, and in particular, the siblings who immigrated to Canada in the early part of the twentieth century – Maurice, Georges, Guy, Paul and Sylvie. It includes their lives as homesteaders in Alberta, experiences on the Front of the three brothers (Georges, Guy and Paul) who signed up to fight in 1914, and life just after the war. Ernest Destrubé, “Pumps” to his family, was born in France in 1850. After being wounded in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71), Ernest began a career in banking. He eventually moved to England to be Assistant Manager of the Comptoir National d’Escompte de Paris, located at 52 Threadneedle Street in London. He lived with his wife Elizabeth (nee Farmery, 1856-1897) and their six children--Maurice, Georges, Dan, Paul, Guy, and Sylvie--on Adelaide Road in London. Following Elizabeth’s death, Ernest married Alice Bauche in 1900. They had a son, Andre, in 1901. After the War, Ernest moved back to France. He lived at Les Clematites, near Beaune, until his death in 1923. Dan Louis [1879-1940] was born in London and spent most of his life in France. Paul Maurice (nickname, Jack) was born in London in 1885. He followed his father into banking but decided soon after to take on the adventure and challenge of homesteading in Canada. He left England in 1906 for the US, where he learned farming from an uncle in Missouri, before traveling to Rife, Alberta to stake his claim. His first wife Margaret (Maggie, née Lebow) died in childbirth in 1918. After the war Maurice married Pevensey (Pem) Wheeler, former hospital headmistress and friend to Sylvie. Maurice eventually (1940s) sold the homestead and moved to Victoria, British Columbia. He married Eleanor Mary Ellis (née Sandeman) in 1950 and later built a cabin on Piers Island. Maurice died in 1978. Marguerite Sylvie (Sylvie, or Syl) was born in London in 1882. After the death of her mother in 1897, she took on the role of mother to her young brothers. Sylvie also made the journey to Canada to help her brothers in Rife. She returned to England during the First World War to work for the Red Cross, Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD). Sylvie was engaged to family friend, Arthur Fleming, who was killed in action in the War [1916?]. After returning to Canada, Sylvie married Bert Spencer. Together they ran a store in Alberta until, in their retirement, they moved west to Victoria, British Columbia. Leon Georges [b. 1888], Paul Jean [b. 1893] and Charles Guy [b. 1891] were born in London. Guy left England to join his brother in Canada in 1907, followed by Georges in 1908 and Paul in 1913. Georges was a talented sketch artist. He had some training in England but decided not to pursue art as a career. Soon after War was declared, the boys travelled to Edmonton (first Paul and later Georges and Guy) to sign on with the Alberta dragoons, however, the first battalion had already left for the east. Pumps sent them enough money to cover the trip to England, where the three brothers signed up with the Royal Fusiliers. After close to a year of training in England, Paul, Guy and Georges left for France to serve in the same company of the 22nd Royal Fusiliers. In spring of 1916, Georges was wounded at Souchez—shot through the lung. He was invalided to England and convalesced at Ebbwvale, Wales. Although he made it back to France in January 1917, his return to the Front was delayed by quarantine for Mumps. Due to this twist of fate, Georges missed joining his brothers in the Battle at Miraumont, where Paul and Guy were among the several -hundred soldiers killed, February 17, 2017. In the ensuing months, Georges applied for and was granted a transfer to the Royal Flying Corps. He returned to England for training and spent the rest of the War ferrying planes to and from France. After the War, Georges married Suzanne Fournier (nickname Mémé). They lived for a few years in Rife, Alberta but Georges found that he was no longer able to do the difficult physical labor required on the farm. He sold his share of the homestead and moved with Suzanne to Victoria, British Columbia. At some point Suzanne and Georges changed their last name to d’Estrubé, although, the rest of the family maintained the original spelling. In 1949 Georges and Maurice made a nostalgic return visit to Rife where Georges died suddenly at age 61. References: Hendrickson, James E., Ed. Pioneering in Alberta: Maurice Destrube’s Story, Historical Society of Alberta. 1981. Stone, Christopher, Ed. A History of the 22nd (Service) Battalion Royal Fusiliers (Kensington). 1923.
- Subject:
- Soldiers--Family relationships, Soldiers, Destrube family, World War (1914-1918), Soldiers--Correspondence, and Battlefields
- Creator:
- Destrubé, Georges
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1915-12-31
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- This material may be protected by copyright. Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Extent:
- 4 pages
- Geographic Coverage:
- France and Western Front (World War (1914-1918))
- Coordinates:
- 46, 2
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Victoria to Vimy First World War Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- correspondence and letters (correspondence)
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 1982-006
- Fonds Title:
- Destrubé family fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC033
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections fonds: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/destrube-family-fonds
- Technical Note:
- Metadata by M. Gerber. Migration metadata by KD.
66. Archie Wills - First World War Canadian 62nd Battery cap badge
- Title:
- Archie Wills - First World War Canadian 62nd Battery cap badge
- Description:
- Brass cap badge of the 62nd Battery C. F. A. Includes the Royal Regiment of Artillery motto, "quo fas et gloria ducunt" (where right and glory lead). The design is similar to that of the Royal Regiment of Artillery with the addition of a wreath of maple leaves. Biography: Archie H. Wills (Henry Archibald Wills) was born in Victoria, British Columbia on 11 September 1892. His parents, Frank Henry Wills (1864-1953) and Sarah Ann Porter (1861-1946) were born in England and emigrated to Canada in 1887 and 1890, respectively. Frank Wills was a carpenter and built many houses in Victoria, including his own family’s which was located in the Spring Ridge area of the Fernwood neighbourhood. Archie attended Spring Ridge School and Victoria High School. Upon seeing an advertisement for an editorial room office boy at the Victoria Daily Times, Archie immediately decided he wanted to be a newspaperman, and left school to do so at age fifteen. Within a few months he had begun to write short pieces for the Times. In 1910 he was made Marine Editor for the paper, a position he held for five years until he enlisted for World War I. Archie embarked upon a round-the-world trip in 1913 but only went as far as Toronto, where he met Lydia Mary Knapp, a successful amateur singer. He returned for a visit in 1914 and they were engaged. Unable to join an aerial corps (he had a life-long interest in aviation), Archie joined the 62nd Battery, Canadian Forces Artillery, the right section of which was absorbed by the 58th Howitzer Battery in 1917. He trained at Fort Macaulay, Petawawa, and Witley (England) and then saw sixteen months of action in France, rising through the ranks from Gunner to Bombardier, Corporal and Sergeant. During the war, Archie established “The O-Pip” (The Observation Post) paper with Gordon A. Cameron and J. M. Mitch Inglis. Lydia and Archie married on 3 September 1919. They had three children, Kenneth (b. 1922), Eileen (b. 1924), and Dorothy (b. 1928). When he returned to Victoria and the Times in 1919 Archie was assigned the police beat. Other assignments followed: he was Sports Editor from 1920-27, City Editor from 1928 to 1936, and Managing Editor from 1936 until his retirement from the Times in 1951. During his career at the Times he also served Victoria in a number of public offices: as police commissioner for two years, Chairman of Fire Wardens for seven years, a Director of the Chamber of Commerce for twelve years, a member of the War Board for the duration of WWII, and an alderman on City Council for ten years (1934-44), the last three of which he was Acting Mayor of Victoria. Archie was a charter member of the Victoria Gyro Club, a member of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, and a member of the Royal Canadian Legion. He was connected with the YM-YWCA throughout his life and was a lifelong member of the congregation of the Metropolitan United Church (earlier the Metropolitan Methodist Church). After 1951 Archie continued to sell stories and act as Victoria correspondent of the Seattle Times. He continued to write for the Victoria Times and the Daily Colonist until the early 1980s. In 1951 on retirement from the Times he began a career in public relations, including work for the Victoria Milk Distributors Association. He assisted with local labour adjudications, and, along with Lester Patrick, revived the Victoria Cougars hockey franchise. Archie was Managing Secretary of the Victoria Downtown Business Association when it formed in 1953, and he worked with the Association until 1969. He retired from public relations in 1969, the year of his and Lydia’s golden wedding anniversary. He continued to write, travel, and spend time with his by then extensive family. Lydia died in 1985. Archie died 5 April 1988 in Victoria, aged 95.
- Subject:
- World War (1914-1918), Military paraphernalia, and Wills, Archie H. (Archibald Henry), 1892-1988
- Language:
- lat and eng
- Date Created:
- 1916
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- This material may be protected by copyright. Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage
- Extent:
- 1 military cap badge ; 6.5 x 5 cm
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Brass.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Victoria to Vimy First World War Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- cap badges (military badges), badges, and cultural artifacts
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2005-036
- Fonds Title:
- Archie H. Wills fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- AR394
- Is_referenced_by:
- Archival Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/archie-h-wills-fonds
- Technical Note:
- Metadata by K. Bohlman. Migration metadata by KD.
67. Archie Wills - Petawawa Camp, horse lines, showers, and tents postcard
- Title:
- Archie Wills - Petawawa Camp, horse lines, showers, and tents postcard
- Description:
- A photograph depicting Petawawa Camp near Ottawa Ontario during the First World War. Wills caption on the reverse describes the scene: "this is a view of our lines. The big marquee on the right is the Quartermaster store. Next are our shower baths and then the open kitchen where we eat. You can see the mail box just over the top of the shower bath. You can also see our lines with the horses." Biography: Archie H. Wills (Henry Archibald Wills) was born in Victoria, British Columbia on 11 September 1892. His parents, Frank Henry Wills (1864-1953) and Sarah Ann Porter (1861-1946) were born in England and emigrated to Canada in 1887 and 1890, respectively. Frank Wills was a carpenter and built many houses in Victoria, including his own family’s which was located in the Spring Ridge area of the Fernwood neighbourhood. Archie attended Spring Ridge School and Victoria High School. Upon seeing an advertisement for an editorial room office boy at the Victoria Daily Times, Archie immediately decided he wanted to be a newspaperman, and left school to do so at age fifteen. Within a few months he had begun to write short pieces for the Times. In 1910 he was made Marine Editor for the paper, a position he held for five years until he enlisted for World War I. Archie embarked upon a round-the-world trip in 1913 but only went as far as Toronto, where he met Lydia Mary Knapp, a successful amateur singer. He returned for a visit in 1914 and they were engaged. Unable to join an aerial corps (he had a life-long interest in aviation), Archie joined the 62nd Battery, Canadian Forces Artillery, the right section of which was absorbed by the 58th Howitzer Battery in 1917. He trained at Fort Macaulay, Petawawa, and Witley (England) and then saw sixteen months of action in France, rising through the ranks from Gunner to Bombardier, Corporal and Sergeant. During the war, Archie established “The O-Pip” (The Observation Post) paper with Gordon A. Cameron and J. M. Mitch Inglis. Lydia and Archie married on 3 September 1919. They had three children, Kenneth (b. 1922), Eileen (b. 1924), and Dorothy (b. 1928). When he returned to Victoria and the Times in 1919 Archie was assigned the police beat. Other assignments followed: he was Sports Editor from 1920-27, City Editor from 1928 to 1936, and Managing Editor from 1936 until his retirement from the Times in 1951. During his career at the Times he also served Victoria in a number of public offices: as police commissioner for two years, Chairman of Fire Wardens for seven years, a Director of the Chamber of Commerce for twelve years, a member of the War Board for the duration of WWII, and an alderman on City Council for ten years (1934-44), the last three of which he was Acting Mayor of Victoria. Archie was a charter member of the Victoria Gyro Club, a member of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, and a member of the Royal Canadian Legion. He was connected with the YM-YWCA throughout his life and was a lifelong member of the congregation of the Metropolitan United Church (earlier the Metropolitan Methodist Church). After 1951 Archie continued to sell stories and act as Victoria correspondent of the Seattle Times. He continued to write for the Victoria Times and the Daily Colonist until the early 1980s. In 1951 on retirement from the Times he began a career in public relations, including work for the Victoria Milk Distributors Association. He assisted with local labour adjudications, and, along with Lester Patrick, revived the Victoria Cougars hockey franchise. Archie was Managing Secretary of the Victoria Downtown Business Association when it formed in 1953, and he worked with the Association until 1969. He retired from public relations in 1969, the year of his and Lydia’s golden wedding anniversary. He continued to write, travel, and spend time with his by then extensive family. Lydia died in 1985. Archie died 5 April 1988 in Victoria, aged 95.
- Subject:
- Soldiers--Correspondence, Military training camps, World War (1914-1918), and Wills, Archie H. (Archibald Henry), 1892-1988
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1916
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- This material may be protected by copyright. Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage
- Extent:
- 1 postcard
- Geographic Coverage:
- Ontario--Petawawa
- Coordinates:
- 45.89452, -77.28007
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Black and white photograph.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Victoria to Vimy First World War Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- black-and-white photographs, postcards, photographs, and correspondence
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2005-036, File: 4.10
- Fonds Title:
- Archie H. Wills fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- AR394
- Is_referenced_by:
- Archival Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/archie-h-wills-fonds
- Technical Note:
- Metadata by K. Bohlman. Migration metadata by KD.
68. Archie Wills - Soldiers on a boat postcard
- Title:
- Archie Wills - Soldiers on a boat postcard
- Description:
- A postcard with a photograph showing dozens of soldiers on a ship. Biography: Archie H. Wills (Henry Archibald Wills) was born in Victoria, British Columbia on 11 September 1892. His parents, Frank Henry Wills (1864-1953) and Sarah Ann Porter (1861-1946) were born in England and emigrated to Canada in 1887 and 1890, respectively. Frank Wills was a carpenter and built many houses in Victoria, including his own family’s which was located in the Spring Ridge area of the Fernwood neighbourhood. Archie attended Spring Ridge School and Victoria High School. Upon seeing an advertisement for an editorial room office boy at the Victoria Daily Times, Archie immediately decided he wanted to be a newspaperman, and left school to do so at age fifteen. Within a few months he had begun to write short pieces for the Times. In 1910 he was made Marine Editor for the paper, a position he held for five years until he enlisted for World War I. Archie embarked upon a round-the-world trip in 1913 but only went as far as Toronto, where he met Lydia Mary Knapp, a successful amateur singer. He returned for a visit in 1914 and they were engaged. Unable to join an aerial corps (he had a life-long interest in aviation), Archie joined the 62nd Battery, Canadian Forces Artillery, the right section of which was absorbed by the 58th Howitzer Battery in 1917. He trained at Fort Macaulay, Petawawa, and Witley (England) and then saw sixteen months of action in France, rising through the ranks from Gunner to Bombardier, Corporal and Sergeant. During the war, Archie established “The O-Pip” (The Observation Post) paper with Gordon A. Cameron and J. M. Mitch Inglis. Lydia and Archie married on 3 September 1919. They had three children, Kenneth (b. 1922), Eileen (b. 1924), and Dorothy (b. 1928). When he returned to Victoria and the Times in 1919 Archie was assigned the police beat. Other assignments followed: he was Sports Editor from 1920-27, City Editor from 1928 to 1936, and Managing Editor from 1936 until his retirement from the Times in 1951. During his career at the Times he also served Victoria in a number of public offices: as police commissioner for two years, Chairman of Fire Wardens for seven years, a Director of the Chamber of Commerce for twelve years, a member of the War Board for the duration of WWII, and an alderman on City Council for ten years (1934-44), the last three of which he was Acting Mayor of Victoria. Archie was a charter member of the Victoria Gyro Club, a member of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, and a member of the Royal Canadian Legion. He was connected with the YM-YWCA throughout his life and was a lifelong member of the congregation of the Metropolitan United Church (earlier the Metropolitan Methodist Church). After 1951 Archie continued to sell stories and act as Victoria correspondent of the Seattle Times. He continued to write for the Victoria Times and the Daily Colonist until the early 1980s. In 1951 on retirement from the Times he began a career in public relations, including work for the Victoria Milk Distributors Association. He assisted with local labour adjudications, and, along with Lester Patrick, revived the Victoria Cougars hockey franchise. Archie was Managing Secretary of the Victoria Downtown Business Association when it formed in 1953, and he worked with the Association until 1969. He retired from public relations in 1969, the year of his and Lydia’s golden wedding anniversary. He continued to write, travel, and spend time with his by then extensive family. Lydia died in 1985. Archie died 5 April 1988 in Victoria, aged 95.
- Subject:
- Soldiers, Soldiers--Correspondence, Ships, and World War (1914-1918)
- Contributor:
- Wills, Archie H. (Archibald Henry), 1892-1988
- Publisher:
- Victoria Book & Stationary Co., Ltd.
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1916/1918
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- This material may be protected by copyright. Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Victoria
- Coordinates:
- 48.4359, -123.35155
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Victoria to Vimy First World War Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- postcards, photographs, correspondence, and black-and-white photographs
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2005-036, File: 4.10
- Fonds Title:
- Archie H. Wills fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- AR394
- Is_referenced_by:
- Archival Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/archie-h-wills-fonds
- Technical Note:
- Metadata by K. Bohlman. Migration metadata by KD.
69. Archie Wills - Soldiers on a ship in a harbour postcard
- Title:
- Archie Wills - Soldiers on a ship in a harbour postcard
- Description:
- A ship in a harbour covered in soldiers. Biography: Archie H. Wills (Henry Archibald Wills) was born in Victoria, British Columbia on 11 September 1892. His parents, Frank Henry Wills (1864-1953) and Sarah Ann Porter (1861-1946) were born in England and emigrated to Canada in 1887 and 1890, respectively. Frank Wills was a carpenter and built many houses in Victoria, including his own family’s which was located in the Spring Ridge area of the Fernwood neighbourhood. Archie attended Spring Ridge School and Victoria High School. Upon seeing an advertisement for an editorial room office boy at the Victoria Daily Times, Archie immediately decided he wanted to be a newspaperman, and left school to do so at age fifteen. Within a few months he had begun to write short pieces for the Times. In 1910 he was made Marine Editor for the paper, a position he held for five years until he enlisted for World War I. Archie embarked upon a round-the-world trip in 1913 but only went as far as Toronto, where he met Lydia Mary Knapp, a successful amateur singer. He returned for a visit in 1914 and they were engaged. Unable to join an aerial corps (he had a life-long interest in aviation), Archie joined the 62nd Battery, Canadian Forces Artillery, the right section of which was absorbed by the 58th Howitzer Battery in 1917. He trained at Fort Macaulay, Petawawa, and Witley (England) and then saw sixteen months of action in France, rising through the ranks from Gunner to Bombardier, Corporal and Sergeant. During the war, Archie established “The O-Pip” (The Observation Post) paper with Gordon A. Cameron and J. M. Mitch Inglis. Lydia and Archie married on 3 September 1919. They had three children, Kenneth (b. 1922), Eileen (b. 1924), and Dorothy (b. 1928). When he returned to Victoria and the Times in 1919 Archie was assigned the police beat. Other assignments followed: he was Sports Editor from 1920-27, City Editor from 1928 to 1936, and Managing Editor from 1936 until his retirement from the Times in 1951. During his career at the Times he also served Victoria in a number of public offices: as police commissioner for two years, Chairman of Fire Wardens for seven years, a Director of the Chamber of Commerce for twelve years, a member of the War Board for the duration of WWII, and an alderman on City Council for ten years (1934-44), the last three of which he was Acting Mayor of Victoria. Archie was a charter member of the Victoria Gyro Club, a member of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, and a member of the Royal Canadian Legion. He was connected with the YM-YWCA throughout his life and was a lifelong member of the congregation of the Metropolitan United Church (earlier the Metropolitan Methodist Church). After 1951 Archie continued to sell stories and act as Victoria correspondent of the Seattle Times. He continued to write for the Victoria Times and the Daily Colonist until the early 1980s. In 1951 on retirement from the Times he began a career in public relations, including work for the Victoria Milk Distributors Association. He assisted with local labour adjudications, and, along with Lester Patrick, revived the Victoria Cougars hockey franchise. Archie was Managing Secretary of the Victoria Downtown Business Association when it formed in 1953, and he worked with the Association until 1969. He retired from public relations in 1969, the year of his and Lydia’s golden wedding anniversary. He continued to write, travel, and spend time with his by then extensive family. Lydia died in 1985. Archie died 5 April 1988 in Victoria, aged 95.
- Subject:
- World War (1914-1918), Soldiers--Correspondence, Soldiers, and Ships
- Contributor:
- Wills, Archie H. (Archibald Henry), 1892-1988
- Publisher:
- Victoria Book & Stationary Co., Ltd.
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1916/1918
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- This material may be protected by copyright. Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Victoria to Vimy First World War Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- postcards, correspondence, black-and-white photographs, and photographs
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2005-036, File: 4.10
- Fonds Title:
- Archie H. Wills fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- AR394
- Is_referenced_by:
- Archival Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/archie-h-wills-fonds
- Technical Note:
- Metadata by K. Bohlman. Migration metadata by KD.
70. Archie Wills - Soldiers training with horses at Petawawa Camp, Ontario photograph
- Title:
- Archie Wills - Soldiers training with horses at Petawawa Camp, Ontario photograph
- Description:
- A photograph depicting soldiers training with horses at Petawawa Camp, near Ottawa Ontario. Biography: Archie H. Wills (Henry Archibald Wills) was born in Victoria, British Columbia on 11 September 1892. His parents, Frank Henry Wills (1864-1953) and Sarah Ann Porter (1861-1946) were born in England and emigrated to Canada in 1887 and 1890, respectively. Frank Wills was a carpenter and built many houses in Victoria, including his own family’s which was located in the Spring Ridge area of the Fernwood neighbourhood. Archie attended Spring Ridge School and Victoria High School. Upon seeing an advertisement for an editorial room office boy at the Victoria Daily Times, Archie immediately decided he wanted to be a newspaperman, and left school to do so at age fifteen. Within a few months he had begun to write short pieces for the Times. In 1910 he was made Marine Editor for the paper, a position he held for five years until he enlisted for World War I. Archie embarked upon a round-the-world trip in 1913 but only went as far as Toronto, where he met Lydia Mary Knapp, a successful amateur singer. He returned for a visit in 1914 and they were engaged. Unable to join an aerial corps (he had a life-long interest in aviation), Archie joined the 62nd Battery, Canadian Forces Artillery, the right section of which was absorbed by the 58th Howitzer Battery in 1917. He trained at Fort Macaulay, Petawawa, and Witley (England) and then saw sixteen months of action in France, rising through the ranks from Gunner to Bombardier, Corporal and Sergeant. During the war, Archie established “The O-Pip” (The Observation Post) paper with Gordon A. Cameron and J. M. Mitch Inglis. Lydia and Archie married on 3 September 1919. They had three children, Kenneth (b. 1922), Eileen (b. 1924), and Dorothy (b. 1928). When he returned to Victoria and the Times in 1919 Archie was assigned the police beat. Other assignments followed: he was Sports Editor from 1920-27, City Editor from 1928 to 1936, and Managing Editor from 1936 until his retirement from the Times in 1951. During his career at the Times he also served Victoria in a number of public offices: as police commissioner for two years, Chairman of Fire Wardens for seven years, a Director of the Chamber of Commerce for twelve years, a member of the War Board for the duration of WWII, and an alderman on City Council for ten years (1934-44), the last three of which he was Acting Mayor of Victoria. Archie was a charter member of the Victoria Gyro Club, a member of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, and a member of the Royal Canadian Legion. He was connected with the YM-YWCA throughout his life and was a lifelong member of the congregation of the Metropolitan United Church (earlier the Metropolitan Methodist Church). After 1951 Archie continued to sell stories and act as Victoria correspondent of the Seattle Times. He continued to write for the Victoria Times and the Daily Colonist until the early 1980s. In 1951 on retirement from the Times he began a career in public relations, including work for the Victoria Milk Distributors Association. He assisted with local labour adjudications, and, along with Lester Patrick, revived the Victoria Cougars hockey franchise. Archie was Managing Secretary of the Victoria Downtown Business Association when it formed in 1953, and he worked with the Association until 1969. He retired from public relations in 1969, the year of his and Lydia’s golden wedding anniversary. He continued to write, travel, and spend time with his by then extensive family. Lydia died in 1985. Archie died 5 April 1988 in Victoria, aged 95.
- Subject:
- Soldiers--Training of, War horses, World War (1914-1918), Soldiers, and Military training camps
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1916
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- This material may be protected by copyright. Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage
- Extent:
- 1 black and white photograph
- Geographic Coverage:
- Ontario--Petawawa
- Coordinates:
- 45.89452, -77.28007
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Caption in blue ink on back: In the box jump, Petawawa, 1916.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Victoria to Vimy First World War Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- photographs and black-and-white photographs
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2005-036, File: 4.10
- Fonds Title:
- Archie H. Wills fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- AR394
- Is_referenced_by:
- Archival Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/archie-h-wills-fonds
- Technical Note:
- Metadata by K. Bohlman. Migration metadata by KD.