1924

Alan Eastwood Sheard Born Nov. 7 1924 to parents; Florrie (Nee Eastwood) and Roland Sheard at West Lillands - Brighouse South Yorkshire, England.

1925

1926

Margaret’s parents Florence (Nee Fish) and Arthur Howitt moved into their own house at #19 Manor Road, Swinton, Mexborough, Yorkshire, England.

1927

Margaret Howitt Hemingway was born Sept. 17, 1927 to parents; Florence Mary Hemingway (nee Fish) and Arthur Thomas Howitt. At the time she already had 4 siblings; sister Edie (7), brothers George (5) and Arthur (3), and sister Doreen (1 year).

I was known Peggy to my family. We lived at 19 Manor Road, Swinton, Mexborough, Yorkshire, England. (I was the first child to be born in the brand new house.)

1928

My parents had twins but they died. After that times were hard and I was sent to live with my Aunt Eliza and Uncle Bill in Dinnington for about a year. They looked after me very good, along with their own children; Arnold, Leonard, George, and Derek. (Sheila was born later)

1929

Alan had his first girl friend ‘Mary Forster’ in his second year of school. She would walk home with him at lunchtime from Longroyd School in Rastrick and have lunch with him.

1930

Alan’s Dad got a job at the Leeds Guardian Newspaper as plant manager so he and his Mom and Dad moved to Headingly School at Colton, and went to the Anglican church at Whitkirk (both small villages.)

1931

I started Kindergarten with teacher Miss Lane at Fitzwilliam County Council School in Swinton.

The depression hit hard in the early ‘dirty 30’s’ and the paper Alan’s father Roland worked at went bankrupt. He managed to get work with the Scarborough Mercury’ paper as a linotype operator.

1932

 1933

1934

I started Standard 2 class with teacher Miss Vickers. Our Neighbours were the Hills, Burtons, Turners, Sharply, Hawkins, Needham, and Goss families.

1935

1936

I Started Standard 4 class with teacher Miss Gillot. My school friends and playmates were Brenda Barker, Betty Cooper, Edna Gauwood, Vilma Wegstaff, and Gwen Lines.

1937

1938

Alan finished school (Mandatory) and began work in a hardware store. He then got on as a Trainee Mechanic at the Bus Garage.

1939

I started Standard 7 with teacher Miss Yates again. There was a shortage of teachers as they as had to go fight the war.

Alan and his parents moved to Cayton Bay. His Dad Roland, now working for the Scarborough Mercury Newspaper, set up Alan to train for a newspaper reporter as a trainee from the bottom up, as was usual in the 30’s. World War II started and Roland Sheard kept his job and also did volunteer work in the home guard; a service that protected and helped civilians in their local areas. As he had some engineering knowledge he was an artificer and an armorer. He lined up gun sights and could fix rifles. He used to take bullets apart and burn the cordite and use them as blanks.

1940

It was the 2^nd year of World War II and food was scarce. We needed ration books to get it and identity cards to get the ration books. My Identity card was Number KOVG 727.

1941

This was my last school year. After school I worked as a maid locally. Then at Hooten Roberts in a manor there.

Alan’s Dad was killed by a land mine in an air raid as he was on his way home from the Volunteer Defence Force. It was a tragic time for Alan and his Mom.

1942

I moved to Barnsley where I worked as a parlour maid on an estate. A farm was close by and I loved to spend time there.

The war brought an end to Alan’s training as a newspaper reporter and he left home to go to the Marine Academy in South Shields in Durham on the Tyneside. After completing his courses he became a Radio Officer in the Merchant Navy.

Alan served on the following ships as Radio Officer with the Merchant Marine (from 1941 to 1947) :

M.V. S.S. BADGESTON

In the course of his duty he plied the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, and South China Seas.

His unique travels took him to the following interesting places: Laurence Marques, East Africa, India, Karachi, Gibraltar, Oran, Algiers, Bournes, Tripoli, Tunis, Heifa, Part Said, Bunberry/Newcastle Australia, Seattle Washington, Manzanilla Cuba, St. John New Brunswick, St. Johns Newfoundland, New York N.Y., and Philadelphia P.A., Halifax N. S. and Vancouver B.C.

1943

I joined my sister Doreen and went to work in a nursing home as a nurse’s aid. Called the "Yorkshire Home" in Harrogate, a very picturesque city in Yorkshire. I Lived in residence. I quickly found that I wasn’t suited to nursing and instead sought work as a waitress where I could meet people in a happier environment.

I moved back home and worked in the "White House Cafe" at Mexborough. It was there that I made 2 lifelong friends - Alma & Muriel. I was Sweet 16.

1944

I was still living at home and working at the White House Cafe when my sister Edie married Wilf Lilburn on August 5^th. Doreen and I were her bridesmaids.

1945

V.J. (Victory in Japan) Day was June 8^th.

Alan docked in Miiko Japan within a week of V.J. Day and he said conditions were very bad. General McArthur had just taken over. Alan and his shipmates took the train into Tokyo and found the city mostly in rubble.

During the week they were in Port and a British naval battleship, the H.M.S. Tyne, came in with Admiral Archer on board. One evening they sent a message inviting all officers and crew on board Alan’s ship the M.V. Tyne. It was a naval full dress affair. The Admiral’s barge was sent to ferry them over and they were all wined and dined royally. Where did the Chief of Police’s personal boat and truck get to Alan?

I left home and went to Scarborough Yorkshire to work in my Aunt VI’s sister Maggie and hubby Vin’s Cafe. I didn’t work there for long though as I got work as a waitress at the Odeon Cinema Cafe. I lived with a nice family there, Peggy & Doug Dawson (and their baby Sheila.)

1946

I was still working at the Odeon Cafe (attached to the Odeon Theatre. My best friend there was Sheila Spence. Other friends I remember were Maureen Parks, Marie Atkinson, Kath Makey, her sister.

1947

This was after the war and Alan sailed on his last ship; the M.V. Empire Glory. After he was demobilised in London he came back to live in Scarborough, Yorkshire with his mother. He was 23 years old.

Alan started a small residential decorating business with his friend Roy Parker. They called it "Super Service" and did painting and decorating, interior mostly, for 2 years.

I met Alan at the Olympia Ballroom where we used to go ballroom dancing on a Saturday night. I was with Sheila Spence at the time. Alan was with his friends Colin Nicholson, Roy Parker, and John Rodgers.

1948

Happy courting days; carefree days. Dancing at the Olympia Ballroom on a Saturday night to the music of the "Squadronaires" playing the Big Band music of Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey, Les Brown, etc. Our very favourite - Glen Miller and his Moonlight Serenade; To the Odeon Theatre to see a film on a Sunday evening; or to the Futurist Theatre to see a film and listen to Leslie Sturdy play music on the organ which rose out of the floor for each performance. The sing song always included his signature tune he wrote "Now is the hour".

1949

On May 28^th at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Anglican Church in Scarborough, Yorkshire Alan and I were married. The Odeon Cafe gave me a party with gifts for the wedding. We had 50 people at the reception at the Albion Cafe.

We went to Bridlington for our honeymoon. There in Sewerby Park we saw peacocks with their tails fanned and where ever we saw peacocks there after they had a special meaning to us.

Places to live were hard to find after the war so we lived with Alan’s Mom for the first 5 years at #13 Pavilion Square.

1950

Alan started to work at Gray’s Photographic store and was a projectionist showing movies in the Hotels.

We had a holiday in London. Met up with my friend Kath Mackey & hubby A.J. and they took us to Hampton Court. George took us to the Joe Louis bar. We saw the stage show Oklahoma and visited the Tower of London and tourist areas. Later we bought a motorcycle, an Ambassador, and had a trip to Spain (see black book.....)

1951

We bought a trailer to live in at Cayton Bay. Alan and his Mom came full circle as this was close to their first house here. It was a beautiful spot on top of the cliff looking out over the North Sea. Alan and I both found work, me in Rowntrees Restaurant and Alan at Gray’s Photographic.

1952

I left Rowntrees to work at Marshall & Snellgrove’s Restaurant which was quite an elegant place. It was mostly just a part-time job as in evenings we worked at Conferences.

1953

Alan left Grays photographic to work for Corrigans. Alan’s Mum opened her own cafe at Peasholm park and I left Marshall Snelgroves to help her.

1954

By March 10^th we had sold our trailer to Mr. Otway who owned the site and we emigrated to Canada. We sailed on the SS Empress of Australia, arriving in Toronto (Ontario) on March 20^th.

I worked for Picken Chicken where you could watch the chickens BBQ right in the window. Alan worked for Addison who made refrigerators and radios.

We moved to Hamilton where Alan got a job in May with CHCH T.V. Channel 11 as a Telecine Operator. The station was run by Kenneth Sabel. Alan was revered by management and often would get memos congratulating him on a job well done, especially on election nights or notable occasions. He always had a hankering to be in business for himself but nonetheless worked there for 14 years.

We had a room at Florence and Charles Meyers who became lifelong friends. We also met Lou and Howard Atkinson there.

I worked at the White Grill where I met Doris and Bill McAleese, and Mary and Rene Perron. Doris and Bill McAleese became Michael’s Godparents two years later when he was born. Bill liked to play country tunes on the guitar and sing for his friends.

1955

We bought our first house at 167 Queen Street S. Hamilton. A large one and we had room for tenants. Our old friends Doris and Bill McAleese and Mary and Rene Perron moved in.

1956

Feb. 25 at 2:11 p.m. we were blessed with a son: Michael weighing 7lb. 2oz. What a great joy he brought us and made us the proudest parents.

1957

We had a holiday in Sudbury to stay with Aline and Alvie in their cottage with Lou and Howard. They had a large family of brothers and sisters and we met and enjoyed them all. Aline’s baby Danny was cute and all was well until Michael bit Danny’s toe.

1958

Michael and I were guests of Lou and Howard and went back to Sudbury to their cottage. Danny and Michael were best friends. On our way home we stayed with Lou’s friend’s on an island in Algonquin Park.

On Alan’s holiday we went camping through the White Mountains in New York and the Green Mountains in Vermont, through New Hampshire to Maine, and the Atlantic Ocean to Yarmouth. Colleen was conceived on this trip.

1959

July 3^rd at 10:20 p.m. we were blessed with a beautiful daughter weighing 7lb 1½oz., our joy and pride doubled with Colleen.

We sold 167 Queen Street and moved to #4 Mareve Avenue on the Hamilton beach. Our good neighbours were the Kitchens, Angus’, and the McGIlligans.

1960

Alan’s Mom came to visit. It was a long trip for her as it was before the jet age of planes. It was a propeller type plane and they had to refuel at Gander (Newfoundland.)

Colleen was an infant toddler. When asked how old he was by his Grandma Michael said; "I am 4 but I can’t help it."

1961

Michael, age 5, started Kindergarten on Sept. 5^th at Bell Cairn Memorial School on the Beach Boulevard in Hamilton. He loved school and did very well Completing 5 grades in 4 years. He brought home 4 scholarships. Both Colleen and Michael had the measles.

1962

Our holiday was spent in Fort William and Port Arthur (renamed Thunder Bay) as guests of Helga and Murray Wilkinson. They treated us great, even putting out toys and games for Colleen and Michael. It was my first time to see the Aurora Borealis - wonderful.

1963

We sold the Austin car and bought a Pontiac Safari station wagon. It was so big a car that Alan and I slept in the back while on holiday, with enough room for the children to sleep in the front.

1964

We went to Atikokan to visit Helga and Murray, for our holidays and had a great time.

Michael completed grades ¾ and Colleen started Kindergarten at Bell Cairn School.

1965

I started work again as a waitress at a local Chinese restaurant; Foo Foo’s on the Beach Boulevard, nearly across from Mareve Avenue where we lived.

1966

We made our first trip back to England and had a wonderful 5 weeks with Alan’s Mom & Grandma & both of our families.

We left Mareve Avenue and moved to the Rosedale Fish and Chip store. Alan worked there in the evenings and on weekends and Margaret manned the counter the rest of the time.

Michael went to grade 6 at Rosedale school. Colleen also went to Rosedale school where she joined the Pioneer Girls in grade 2.

1967

It was Canada’s Centennial year (1867-1967.) Edie and Alan’s Mom Florrie came to visit and we had a happy time.

Alan began experimenting in the new science of radio-wave cooking (after burning hundreds of meat pies in the fish and chip shop.) We bought one of the first micro-wave ovens ever made (a huge dangerous-looking contraption made by Litton - the military weapons company.)

1968

We moved from Rosedale to Marv’s Drive In Beamsville. It was very interesting there was we had lots of wonderful people help us cope with the very long hours. We were there for 15 years.

Grandma Florrie Sheard had always treated me, her daughter-in-law, as a well loved daughter and we all enjoyed sharing in our lives; even more so when the children and grandchildren came along. She was the best Grandma and adored both Colleen and Michael. This year she sold her home and everything and emigrated to Canada to join the rest of the family. Alan’s Mom Florence ("Florrie" or more usually "Tot" to us) worked very hard in both the restaurant and our home, helping out as she had done all her life.

Moving to Beamsville Michael entered Lower Thirty school in Beamsville at half term in Grade 7 while Colleen entered Lakeshore Elementary School into Grade 3.

By the end of the year Michael was in grade 8 at Lower Thirty School and Colleen in grade 4 at Lakeshore School.

1969

Edie, Wilf, and Carole came to Canada for a visit. It was here that they celebrated their 25^th Anniversary.

Alan and I had a special surprise 20^th Anniversary given us by the local teenagers. After that Alan and I had 4 days holidays on Manitoulin Island.

We bought a new car - a 1968 Dodge Polara 500, black. (Michael later "inherited" this car several years later for $400.")

Michael was at Lower Thirty School in grade 8 (again,) and Colleen was at Lakeshore School in grade 5.

1970

Mom (Florrie Sheard) tripped and broke her hip in an fall in Beamsville. She went through a painful hip-replacement operation but it was worth it in the end as she regained her independence and mobility and went on to walk around for many years.

Michael won the school bicycle rodeo at Lower Thirty school and then started grade 9 at Beamsville High School.

Colleen in grade 5 at Senator Gibson school in Beamsville. She joined the girl guides.

1971

For Carole Lilburn’s wedding Colleen was in the wedding party as a bridesmaid. Just Colleen and I went on this trip to England. Colleen (11 years old) travelled to England alone, then we came back together and had plane trouble necessitating a temporary landing at Montreal.

Michael a Cadet with the Lincoln and Welland Highlanders spent the summer at Camp Ipperwash army camp. After the summer he entered Grade 10 at Beamsville High School.

Things with Grandma (Florrie Sheard) just weren’t working out by this time. Since coming to Canada she tried so hard to be involved in every aspect of managing the family that it was becoming difficult all ‘round. She recognised that it wasn’t working out and so she moved back to England. She got a position as Companion to Mrs. Lloyd Jones in Binfield, Berkshire at the ‘White Cottage’. She enjoyed the large garden and the six corgi dogs. Her favourite was Bini.

1972

Edie and Wilf came here on holiday. My sister Jean also came over for a holiday with her daughter Christine and baby Stewart.

Michael joined the Challenger Army Cadet Corps started by Bruce Cowan. That summer spent 6 weeks at Camp Ipperwash. Colleen entered grade 7 at Jacob Beam School. Both in the Santa Claus parade; Michael with the cadets and Colleen with the Nancy Olfield dance school.

1973

Michael was made a Cadet Leader while he was at Army Camp Ipperwash for the summer again. In school Michael was with the Beamsville High School band under the tutelage of conductor Mr. Horace Beard. The band went on a exchange to Auburn N.Y. playing "The Instant Concert" and "St. Bath’s Symphony".

Colleen graduated from Jacob Beam grade 8

We bought a new car; a 1973 Dodge Monaco, blue. Michael bought our old black 1968 Dodge Polara - his first car.

1974

We went on holiday to Vancouver where we saw Betty and met Mark Jensen and their daughter Lisa for the first time.

Colleen and Michael and Cheryl Romagnoli arranged a surprise 25^th anniversary party for us, with all our dear friends.

Michael was Cadet Lieutenant at Ipperwash Army Cadet camp for the summer. At the end of camp he went on a trip to England alone to see his relatives.

1975

Edie and Wilf Lilburn and Alan’s Mom Florrie Sheard came here for a visit. Carole Lilburn later married Peter Sinclair.

Michael finished off High School in Grade 12 at Smithville Secondary School in January.

In February we took him to a british pub in Toronto to celebrate his coming of age (18). Guests along to his birthday included Cheryl Romagnoli and his future wife Susan Gagnon (whom Michael had been dating while she was completing her Diploma in Broadcast Journalism at Mohawk College.)

Susan Gagnon worked for the summer for the Southampton Police Department. Chief of police was Bruce Cowan.

Michael went to British Columbia to take the Outward Bound Mountain Survival Course in May. When he returned he worked for the summer for Mark Cowan (Bruce Cowan’s brother,) out of Chatham Ontario. Michael drove trucks, bulldozers, and did manual labour in a small town as they installed the city’s sewer system.

Susan Gagnon moved to London Ontario and got an apartment with Joan Romagnoli (Cheryl’s sister.) Susan got a job in a new restaurant - Boston Pizza.

Michael moved to London Ontario at the end of the summer and got a job first in a chinese restaurant, then later in the same

Boston Pizza restaurant as Susan.

1976

We had a beautiful holiday to the Hawaiian Islands, Oahu, Kauai, and Maui, along with Charlotte and Bill Romagnoli, Dora and Ray Erhart.

Michael got a job with the London Police Department. Susan went to Vancouver to visit her friend from college Nancy.

I went alone to England. From there Edie, Wilf, and Mom and I went to Belgium and Luxembourg.

Colleen was in Grade 11 at BDSS. She did solo baton twirling with the fire baton that year.

1977

Our Betty’s Jeffrey died. I went to spend Christmas in England to spend time with Betty and Ian. It was a sad time.

Colleen graduated from BDSS and Grade 12 then celebrate with a trip to ‘sweet life’ in the Barbados

We went on vacation to Jamaica along with Louise and George, Lois and Ivan, Audrey and Carl to the Seawind resort.

Grandma Florrie Sheard moved to an apartment in Burnstin’s Hotel in Folkestone where she loved to watch the activities on the sea and had many friends.

1978

Susan and Michael returned to be married at St. Albans’s church in Beamsville on May 6^th. Edie and Wilf Lilburn and Mom Florrie were here for the wedding.

Colleen got work at Prudential Insurance and left home to live in her own apartment in St. Catherines.

1979

We went to England. From Folkestone we visited Germany, going to Koblenz, then down the Rhine to Bonn, then on to Koln and finally Aachen. We were accompanied by Alan’s mom Florrie, Edie and WIlf Lilburn.

Michael and Sue went to England for their honeymoon trip later in September of this year.

1980

Alan’s Mom Florrie Died June 16 - three days after her 76^th birthday. She was taken to Ashford Hospital and died there after a heart attack. Alan and I spent time in England, and were helped over this sad time by Edie, Wilf and Carol.

1981

Bill McAleese, Michael and Colleen’s Godfather, died March 20^th, leaving behind wife Doris and daughter Sandra.

Michael was hired on at the Delta Police Department April 27^th and went into the Justice Institute of British Columbia Police College. He graduated in October winning the highest marks in Applied Social Sciences (admittedly not the highest regarded faculty in a school more know for it’s shooting, physical fitness, and close order drill marching.)

Edie and WIlf Lilburn came to Canada for a holiday and we all went to Vancouver to stay with Michael and Susan. There we went to Vancouver Island and around the city of Vancouver. Memories of hilarious laughter as Margaret and Wilf slurped down fresh oysters in the English Bay Cafe as the summer sun set over English Bay.

1982

WIlf became ill with lung disease (from ingesting coal dust after his lifelong career as a miner.)

1983

WIlf Lilburn died August 18. In October we closed up Marv’s Drive In and made the trip to England to see Edie.

Back home Sandra McAleese married George Fleishacker; Alan gave her away, and Colleen was her bridesmaid.

1984

Colleen and Michael got married June 2^nd at St. Alban’s church in Beamsville. For the wedding Sue and Michael came from Vancouver, Jim and Cynthia O’Grady, and Edie and Carol (with 3 month old Jill) all came from England.

Adam was born to Sue and Michael August 3^rd. He was Christened at St. Albans in Beamsville.

1985

We sold Marv’s Drive In and moved to 86 Manley Crescent in Thorold on April 1^st. Our new neighbours are Pam and Scott Stockwell and their three boys Eric (5), Michael (3), and Ryan (1).

Sandra Fleishacker had baby David March 23^rd. Grandmother Doris McAleese very happy.

1986

Edie Lilburn came to Canada and the three of us were joined by Muriel Lemon for a holiday. Together we went to Bancroft, Ottawa, Montreal, and Kingston where we stayed at an antique store. Together we had lots of laughs as we stayed at various Bed & Breakfast places.

1987

We drove out to B.C. stopping along the way in Sudbury to visit Lou Atkinson. We saw the RCMP Depot in Regina, West Edmonton Mall, and Roger’s Pass. We did Bed and Breakfasts along the way. The biggest thrill was to spend time with Sue and Michael and baby Adam. We came back through the States.

1988

We had a spring holiday in England and found Edie very Ill. We spent time with Jim and Cynthia O’Grady in Woking Reading. Edie and Joe Hemingway came with us to Stratford. Edie and Carol (with Jill) came with us to Blackpool where we met sister Mary Edias.

1989

We drove out to B.C. in our Toyota van (specially equipped with a bed courtesy of Alan and Bill Potter’s carpentry skills.) We spent time in Oregon and had a great time visiting Sue, Michael and Adam before driving back via Crow’s Nest Pass met the Nancy and Ken Howes.

We celebrated our 40^th Wedding Anniversary with a big celebration with family and friends. Michael and Sue coming from Vancouver was a big surprise.

1990

Carol and Jill came here for a holiday. We all drove out to Kingston and along the way we stopped in Peterborough to visit Ron Meyer who is now catholic ‘Father’ Ron Meyer. We stayed at the Holiday Inn in Ottawa.

Still with Carol and Jill we went out to Owen Sound to the wedding reception of Paul and Ritz Meyer.

1991

Colleen and Michael had twins Ryan Andrew and Megan Theresa October 12^th - Thanksgiving Day.

We bought a recreation vehicle (a camperized Dodge Van) and went on a holiday through the Eastern States to New Brunswick and P.E.I. where we saw Sandra and George Fleishacker with babies David and Amanda.

1992

Doreen and Tony came from England for a holiday. They got a surprise when their own Ann and Tony ( with sons Michael and Andrew) boarded the plane in England to visit with them in Canada for their Anniversary.

We had Adam Sheard here for a summer holiday by himself for 2 weeks. Carol and Jill were here at the same time. Jill and Adam hit it off and became friends.

New Years Eve found us at Mary and Rene’s where we met Mike and Shirley Kowalik.

1993

There we also met up with Margaret’s cousin Ruby after not having seen each other for 55 years. We met her husband Jim and children in Sherman Texas.

We sold the R.V. and bought a new patio door, dining room set, new siding, paved driveway, and a new bay window.

We went to British Columbia to spend Christmas in Delta with Sue, Michael, and Adam. There we met up with the Howes again. We also met up with Helga at their niece Donna Marie’s place.

1994

Lots of visitors this year; Carol and Jill and Graham and Kathy (with children Michelle and Michael.)

We bought new bedroom windows and a new front door to complete the home improvements.

In September Michael O’Grady became very ill with a virus.

Brother Joe Hemingway came in December for a visit. 

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Last Revised: October 20, 1997