Henry Littler & Ada Thomason

My grandfather, Henry LITTLER, was born July 6 1901 in Haydock Lancashire England,
the son of Matthew LITTLER and Alice FARRIMOND.
Matthew & Alice lived at 360 Millfield Lane at the time.

Henry circa 1912 ~ abt 11 yrs old

My grandmother, Ada THOMASON,
was born September 23 1906 in Astley Lancashire England,
the daughter of Noah THOMASON and Mary HADDOCK.
Noah & Mary lived at 8 Lesters Row at the time.

Ada (R) with her mother Mary Haddock THOMASON ~ circa 1950

Each of their families emigrated to Canada,
Henry's in 1907 and Ada's about 1920,
eventually settling in the area of Michel BC on the west coast,
continuing the family 'tradition' of coal mining.

Cominco Mine ~ Michel BC

Being only 6 years old when his family emigrated,
Henry grew to young manhood in his new homeland and worked in the mines
at Michel for 14 years and later worked for Cominco for 17 years.

Their first child, a son, was born while they lived in Michel.
Shortly after, they moved to Kimberley,
where three more children (another son and 2 daughters)
were added to the family.

Their Home in Kimberley

Both Henry and Ada were Past Chancellor and Past Chief respectively
of the Kimberley Lodge Knights of Pythias.

Henry (32 yrs) with his father Matthew (54 yrs) ~ c1933 in Kimberley BC

Once Henry and Ada were settled, with him working in the coal mine,
enjoying the life they had made for themselves and their little family in Kimberley,
Henry's parents, Matthew and Alice LITTLER asked them to take over
the running of the CPR Boarding House in Crowsnest BC.

They began this new chapter of their lives in 1945
and continued for 15 years,
with the help of Matthew and Alice,
who stayed on after all !

4 GENERATIONS (circa 1958)
(B) Alice Farrimond LITTLER & son Henry;
(F) my mother, myself & Ada Thomason LITTLER
on the steps of the CPR Boarding House in Crowsnest BC.

In 1960, they moved to Cranbrook
where he was employed as Steward of Cranbrook Golf Club until 1967.


Henry & Ada were dear and wonderful grandparents!
I enjoyed spending summers with them in their retirement home in Cranbrook BC.

My grandfather often took me with him golfing
and would talk by the hour, explaining things.
He nicknamed me 'Sputnik'
and often used the term 'by the same token', which I never quite understood
- - I do now!!

Henry & Ada LITTLER ~ circa 1967-68

My grandmother would let me bake shortbread with her
and 'help out' picking and shelling peas from Pat's garden next door ~
(although I often wonder just how much I actually 'increased' her workload :-)


My grandfather died Oct 27 1970 at age 69 in Cranbrook BC.

My grandmother then came to live with our family in Vancouver BC.
She died Oct 11 1973 at age 68.
I was 15 years old at the time and can remember the night vividly.


Neither one lived to a very old age, but they left their mark on the lives they touched.

My memories of them are truly treasured ...
memories of a time past ...
a time of wonder and warmth and laughter.

Matthew Littler & Alice Farrimond ~ Henry's parents
Noah Thomason & Mary Haddock ~ Ada's parents

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