Father was born in England in 1894. As a young lad he came to Canada in the year 1908 with the household staff of a prominent family. He was chauffer for the members of this family for some time, and as he drove through the province of Ontario he got to know the province quite well. He often spoke of Barrie, Ontario.
Next he worked for the McLaughlin Company which built automobiles until World War I erupted. With the commencement of hostilities he enlisted in 1914 and went oveseas with the "Second Divisional Ammunition Supply"
While overseas he married Anne Eliza Clarke in England and arrived back in Quebec on August 19, 1919. He had heard that homestead land was available in western Canada, so the two came by train to Edmonton. On August 25, Father got a pass to go north to look for a homestead near Smith, Alberta. He did not care for that area, as it was so isolated, so my parents spent the winter of 1919-20 in Edmonton. The snow was very deep and it was the hard winter that everyone was to talk about.
In June, 1920 my parents came to Manly and bought a quarter of land from Mike Kryskow, the John Fuhr homestead. The old homestead house built in 1906 and the barn, built by Mike in 1916 are still standing. Some of the logs are still in good condition.
At first, business was done at Carvel, but later more services were offered at Duffield, so my parents went there.
Times were hard and many difficulties had to be met. Looking back, however, I believe that people were better able to face difficulties than young folks are today, as they were not accustomed to easier living.
While my brother, Ted, and I were growing up, there was always work to be done, but the monotony was lessened by the occasional humorous incident. One highlight we children enjoyed was when an aeroplane was used in surveying 16A highway. As it circled and swooped low, what a thrill to watch!
There was a lot more socializing and visiting than there is today. People exchanged ideas. Neighbours met in one another's homes, talked and exchanged books and papers. Then, of course there were Christmas concerts and school picnics which everyone enjoyed.
My brother and I attended Manly school riding horseback. My first teacher was Miss Hueston who boarded at Atemas. Miss Stearns, who lived in the teacherage was Ted's first teacher. I finished grade eight with her. Father was a school trustee for about three years while Mr. McLaughlin was chairman of the board.
We were members of the Anglican faith. Rev. Farnham from the mission at Wabamun sometimes held services in Duffield and we attended. At other times we attended church at Smithfield.
During the Second World War, Father served with the Veteran Guards of Canada 13th Company, from 1941 to August 15, 1945. He was stationed on Vancouver Island and at Fernie, British Columbia. The Medicine Hat Concentration Camp for prisoners was his last base. Ted left for the Air Force in 1941 as an aeromechanic. Later he was canteen manager at Fort St. John.
Mother was not a strong person, as she had had rheumatic fever when quite young, and this had left her with a weak heart. During the time Father and Ted were away, I looked after Mother and the farm. I bought more land and increased the farming operation.
Mother passed away in June 1959 after a heart attack and Father passed away in June 1961. Both are buried in the cemetery at Smithfield.
Ted went to the city, but I continued to farm, as I like the outdoor way of life.