Remembering our roots ~Frank & Betty McKay

Times Contributor

 

In 1905, Lewis McKay, at the age of 19, travelled from Alford, Aberdeenshire to Glasgow where he boarded a ship bound for Halifax, N.S. From there, he travelled by train across Canada to Calgary. Here, he was lucky enough to land a job hauling firewood, and stayed for about a year, before moving to Trenville, Alta. which is close to Elnora. He then homesteaded on a quarter section of unimproved land. Frank McKay was born there in 1923, and attended school through Grade 9. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1941, at the age of 18, and served on the west coast until 1943 when he was posted to England. He met his future wife, Betty Ellson, at a dance at Wembley in May 1944. She served as a member of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF), for five years. They were married at Syston, Leicestershire on Dec. 15, 1945. At the end of the war, she played a Side Drum in Victory Parades across Britain, as well as in Norway, Denmark and Belgium.

Their marriage produced three daughters, who all graduated from Samuel Crowther High School in Strathmore. They now have five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Following the war, Frank returned to Halifax on the SS Normandy, which had been a troop ship. He then crossed Canada by train to Calgary. As a War Bride, Betty came separately on the SS Letitia, a converted wartime hospital ship. Now it was being used to transport war brides, some of whom were pregnant or already had children, but Betty didn’t fit into either category. When they were disembarking from the ship in Halifax, a band started playing “Here Comes The Bride” to welcome them to Canada. Betty also crossed Canada by train to Calgary, where there was a very joyful reunion with Frank. Within a week, they moved to the farm at Trenville, and this city girl became a farmer’s wife!

Returning Forces personnel were given the option of receiving a loan to start a business, or a loan to acquire a half section of land. Both loans would eventually have to be repaid. Frank and Betty chose the land at Trenville, and were given a small tractor and four cows, to help them get started.

They farmed this land for nine years, but following years of drought or getting hailed out, they eventually gave up farming. Frank became a grain buyer, initially with Alberta Pacific Grain, and eventually with Alberta Wheat Pool. A job he enjoyed for the rest of his working career.

They moved to Strathmore in 1959, when the population was around 800, and there was no Lambert Village or Parklane Place. When the Canadian Pacific Station House became available for sale, Frank purchased it, and, assisted by Gordon Webber, immediately started dismantling the building. The bricks from the chimney were used to build the fireplace at Frank and Betty’s house in Westmount. 

In the meantime, Betty started working at the Strathmore Post Office, initially as a Part Time Assistant. During her 16 year tenure she eventually became Acting Postmaster, when the Postmaster became ill.

Their community activities have mainly been their service to the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #10, in Strathmore. Frank has served in different positions with the executive, and served as President in 1978/79. Betty served on the executive for the Legion Ladies Auxiliary, and she also served here as President in 1978/79.

They have travelled extensively, including as snowbirds for 17 years. One year they spent six weeks in Indonesia, visiting their daughter and son-in-law.

When the railway line was moved to Carseland in 1981, and the grain elevator became the Agro Centre, Frank became the elevator manager at Midnapore, where he remained until he retired in 1985.

They live in their own house in Strathmore, enjoying their well-earned retirement.