From the time of my birth until I started school in grade one I was called “Junior” named after my dad, Alexander - as in Alex junior. That was what I answered to and I guess I thought it was my proper name, not just a family one. When my mother took me to register in grade one and she was asked for my full name she replied his name is Alexander Charles. Apparently I erupted into a melt down demanding to have my “own” name. So Charles Alexander made his appearance . My brothers called me “Chuck” and their kids do so to this day - “ Uncle Chuck”. Later in school I became Charlie.
In the 1930’s my dad was a keen supporter of the Calgary Stampede which was an Alberta yearly celebration attended by people far and wide. As kids we looked forward to all the events and especially the Cowboys and Indians. Groups of bulls and horses were herded to the site from various farms and ranches as participants. It was a fairly rowdy event. I think we went to the last one before the war in 1939 or 1940. I don’t think it was held during the war.
I remember there was a windshield sticker advertising the Stampede on the last trip. Churchill had just made his famous speech in forecasting the dark was days to come. He concluded “We are sure at the end all will be well”. Large numbers of windshield stickers were issued with this slogan to try and allay public anxiety. My dad put this sticker under the stampede one as a joke intimating that Churchill was referring to the rowdy stampede. There was a Royal visit by the King and Queen to Canada just before the war, I suppose to promote patriotism to prepare for the coming conflict. We were all bundled up and taken to Calgary to view them as they stopped on the train doing their cross country journey. The station platform was packed as the train rolled slowly by with the King standing alone on the back deck of the last car in view and holding what looked like a movie camera. Just as he was approaching us waving our little Union Jack flags he suddenly wheeled around and disappeared into the car. So we just saw where he used to stand. Hail Britannia.
Hi Charlie, What a great idea to start a blog during this "Stay home!" time. I was introduced to your blog when a friend from Switzerland sent me a CBC newspaper article. Small World! I'm sure many people will find your stories interesting. I'm part of a circle of writing friends and an elderly lady in this group always writes about the hard life when her family first came here from Europe, before she was born. Your stories remind me of hers. I blog myself, (hutt-writevoice.blogspot.com) so am always on the lookout for interesting blogs of other people. Keep blogging! I'm know it's a great pastime.
Thanks for sharing your memories. I found your blog through a news article and have thoroughly enjoyed reading your recollections.
Karla Ziegler, Calgary Ab
Thankyou for sharing these stories and part of our history , I am truly enjoying reading all of them, I look forward to more stories!
So enjoying reading these stories. I grew up on a farm and still live in Vauxhall area. My mother spoke often of the Brumwell family. She attended North Slope School. So interesting and I am so happy these stories and our history is being kept alive. Thank you.