WINGHAM – The April 13 meeting of the Wingham & Area Historical Society started with a reading by Valdeane Gedke and Brent Bowyer of Audrey McKague’s recollections of “Dating and Romance in the early 1950s in the Wingham area.” These included the importance of the Royal T as a gathering place for dances and dates. The times were sure different then – much more formal, with well-known expectations and rules about proper behaviour. There were knowing nods from the audience of almost 30 present and, afterward, some of those present mentioned that they had met their future spouses at the Royal T.
Next, Trina Huffman, head librarian at the Alice Munro Library, showed some of the local history books available at the library, including books by Campbell Cork, David Yates, Arnold Mathers, John Pattison’s Museum Musings, and the 100th Anniversary book of Wingham becoming a town published in 1979.
Brent Bowyer gave an overview of the moves toward incorporation and affiliation with the Ontario Historical Society, as well as the tasks of an executive/board. The many ways supporters could help out, from recording their own stories (or helping others do so), to helping identify people on the 1949 black and white silent movie, Stars of the Town were highlighted. Also mentioned was that Wingham’s 2024 Homecoming committee would like to co-operate with this group, and that the 150th anniversary of Wingham becoming as town is approaching fast in 2029.
It is very encouraging that the Facebook page for this society now has over 310 followers.
After a break for refreshments, Bill Farnell made a very interesting and moving presentation on the work of his grandmother, Alice Crowder, as a VAD (nurse’s aid) overseas during the First World War.
Farnell’s display of a large number of badges and pins given to his mother by grateful, wounded soldiers, along with many old photos, his grandmother’s nursing uniform, and his readings from her diary really gave all in the audience an appreciation for the dedication of the volunteers under horrendous conditions. Farnell related that many men died of the Spanish flu right at the end of the war. All present could agree with Farnell that his grandmother’s tendency to hoard everything was very valuable in the end.
Tragically, his grandmother’s younger brother was killed by runaway horses spooked by falling and exploding munitions fewer than 100 days before the Armistice of November 1918. Although women served alongside their male counterparts, when it came to pensions and support being offered after the war, women were excluded. His grandmother’s experience at the front and taking of many courses in England for nursing assistant work, was not recognized so she gave up on her dream of becoming a nurse back in Canada.
The next public meeting of the society will be on Wednesday, May 17 at the Alice Munro Library at 2:30 p.m. Virginia and John Newell make a presentation of a large postcard collection and some memorabilia. Those coming are invited to bring some of their own old photos, postcards and other memorabilia of Wingham and area.
At the June 14, Bevan Brown and Valdeane Gedke will do a presentation on the three railways that once were in Wingham, with many photos of the old trains from their in-depth research in the past few years. Tim Willis will also tell about the incredible large wooden model he has made of an early steam locomotive.
