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

info@bcpostal.com 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

email

vanfrasernews@gmail.com

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!