Remembering Our Roots – Harold Gulliver

Times Contributor

 

Harold’s father had emigrated to Canada around 1904 or 1906, from Southampton, England as a young boy who wanted to see the world. His memory of Calgary was that it was very small, with maybe a livery barn, hotel, railway station and maybe a few stores. He was able to get work at a dairy farm, and here he met a Mr. Morton, who became a lifelong friend. 

Harold’s parents were married in February 1913 and farmed near Stettler. Around the same time, Dad’s brother Frank, came to Alberta, and farmed in the Killam Gallahad area. He remained a bachelor all his life, right up to his death in 1953. Harold’s brother Robert was born in 1915, and Harold was born almost four years later in 1919. Harold, his mother, and brother Robert, moved back to England in 1923, ostensibly to see the grandparents on Mum’s side as well as other relatives. But, the real reason was Mum wanted to live in England, not in Canada. 

By 1924, Mum had persuaded Dad to sell the farm and return to England. But in 1925, Dad returned to Canada to farm, as he didn’t like the way they farmed in England. 

“I remember going to different locations with Dad and a realtor, looking for a new farm, until he finally found what he was looking for, and purchased a 1/2 section of land six miles west of Airdrie. Robert and I started school here at Eagle School, along with 35 other students and one teacher – Mary Inglis, who became Mary Quinton after she got married. My brother Robert was a prized pupil, and he won the Governor General’s Award for the highest marks in Grade 8,” he said.

“Eagle School only provided classes from Grade 1 thru’ Grade 8, so we moved to the Didsbury area in 1929, so that Robert and I could complete our schooling.”

These were the days when Grade 12 exams were set in Edmonton. Robert continued to excel and for final exams he obtained 100 per cent in four subjects! After graduating he attended Normal School for a few years, before attending the University of Alberta where he attained his B.A. in 1950. 

He then worked for Shell Oil until he retired. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2002, and is survived by his wife Margaret (Hutchison) and two daughters Dorothy and Margaret. 

Harold was very involved with music both at school and after. He played the drums to march students to their classes, and trumpet in the school orchestra, and the town band. They played in four Calgary Stampede parades.

Harold joined The Royal Bank of Canada on July 13, 1937. His first paycheque was $3.47 paid to the 15th of the month. His annual salary was $400. At this time his brother Robert was attending university, so as Harold was still living at home, and had no room or board to pay, on receipt of his semi-monthly paycheque of $16.87 he sent Robert $16 every two weeks, and kept the remainder for spending money!!!

Harold served in the RCAF during WW2 as an Equipment Accounting clerk.

Whilst serving at Alford Bay, on what was then the Queen Charlotte Islands in 1945, a flight of Women’s Division of the RCAF arrived. Here he met his beloved wife-to-be Edna, and they were married in Bethune, Saskatchewan on August 10, 1946. In September, he rejoined the bank and was sent to Cardston, Alberta. Their daughter Linda was born while they were there. They moved to Spirit River in 1951, where they grasped the pioneer spirit by living in an unheated granary that had been converted into a so called house. He was instrumental in getting the bridge built over the Peace River at Dunvegan, replacing the ferry. Here he joined The Glee Club, and sang with the group that put on The Mikado. He enjoyed curling, and he and Edna started Square Dancing, which was the new fad. 

Their son Daryl was born here. In 1955, Harold was transferred to Big Valley as manager, and he moved the family to accommodation above the bank. From there, they moved to Dawson Creek B.C., then Alix, Alta. And finally to Strathmore in 1969 where he worked until he retired in October 1977. For the next 9.5 years he was the bookkeeper at what is now known as the Wheatland Hotel, and retired when computers became the new vogue.

His community activities included playing different instruments with all kinds of bands, from school bands to dance bands. He became a Free Mason while at Big Valley, and he and Edna joined The Fraternal Order of Eastern Star while they lived in Alix. In June 1972, he was elected Worthy Grand Patron of The Grand Chapter of Alberta, Order of Eastern Star.

Daryl and his wife Gerry, gave Harold and Edna two grandchildren – Tyler and Meghan. And, now a great-granddaughter Anabella has been added to the family. 

Their home on Third Street in Strathmore was purchased by the new Travelodge Hotel in 2006, and they moved to Parklane Place. Edna passed away on October 31, 2010 at the age of 95 years. Harold now lives in Wheatland Lodge, and celebrated his 93rd birthday last May.

The biggest changes Harold has seen in Strathmore are the population growth, which has caused the number of businesses to increase.