Out of Africa

As kids, we were intrigued by a ferocious-looking tiger skin rug at Aunt Annie's house, and wondered how it made its way to Pilot Mound, Manitoba. Well, it seems it was sent by Bessie Lovell, Jessie (Fraser) Lovell's sister-in-law. Bessie Lovell graduated from Nursing School in 1897 and worked in Africa.

A 1953 newspaper reprint of a photo of the graduating nursing class of 1897.
Bessie Lovell is at the left.

Bessie Lovell in Africa

Bessie's note on the back of the photo above.

A letter home, dated Sept. 6, 1935 has the sad line "Sister Bessie's last letter" noted at the top.





An undated letter reports Bessie's sudden death in Nairobi:

The occasion was one of merriment. . .

The August 1982 edition (No. 17, Vol. 3) of Newsbriefs, Bristol Aerospace Limited's newsletter, included a column entitled "Retirements" with the following introduction: "Bristol employees recently honoured the retirement of four long-term employees of the Company at a farewell party in the Reserve Air Force Officers' Mess. The occasion was one of merriment and nostalgia as long time friends and colleagues bid farewell to the four retiring members." Among those honored was Murray Fraser, as noted in the article:

Murray Fraser of Dept. 623, after serving with the RCAF during the war and a brief period of farming in the Pilot Mound area, joined the Company on March 8, 1948 as a sheet metal fitter. In February 1952 he progressed to a tool and die maker and then to a chargehand position. He was promoted to an engineering assistant in August 1960 and transferred to the Planning Dept. Murray continued in this department as a planner until 1963 and as a senior manufacturing planner until his retirement in June 1982, accumulating 33 years' service. Although not yet a "par" golfer, Murray intends to lower his handicap as time permits between his travel and leisure living.

The accompanying photo in the newsletter featured Murray sharing a hearty laugh with Bristol President Robert H. May. Other photos taken at the reception follow.

Murray Fraser, left, with Bristol President Robert H. May

Bristol retirees (l-r) Walter Zager, Bert Butler, Murray Fraser,
and Nick Dawybida with Bristol President Robert H. May

An earlier Bristol newsletter photo. If you look closely, the "trophy" Dad received
at his retirement reception is one of the vanes from this engineering piece.
L to R: Bill Milne, Murray Fraser, Harry Szkwarek, Stewart Janke.

Welcome

Welcome to Recollections, Foof's new blog. Bear with me as I learn how to do all this.

My intention is to use this blog to collect and sort the many documents, photos, and other "trunk treasures" for the family. I hope this will be a good way to share the family lore and archives. Please email anything you'd like to see added.

Use the labels at right to move through the blog by timeframe, and avoid a lot of scrolling.

Just save the URL as a favorite if you want to check back often. Thanks very much.

Foof