Version 6.01

03 March 2021

David March © 2014

HARVEY BRYAN

Staff Sergeant
L41662

Photo from Our Harvest of Memories

My dad John Harvey Bryan was born in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, on May 20, 1898. My mom, Elsie May Burgess, was born in Boxmore, Hertfordshire on March 10, 1901.

Dad served in the British Army in the first world war and Mom worked in an ammunitions factory. When dad returned home, he found employment with the British Railway until 1929.

Mom and Dad were married December 20, 1919 and my sister Betty was born March 25, 1921.

The family decided to come to Canada. They left England April 17, 1931 and came to Rayside district to live with Dad’s aunt and uncle Mr and Mrs George Hornsby. This arrangement didn’t work out satisfactorily and being without a home, the Lewis Masons took them in for a few months, until arrangements were made for them to live and to keep house for a bachelor neighbour, Bill Wiles, who lived a mile south of the Masons. As Lewis Mason was in need of a hired man, Harvey agreed to help him during the summer months for $30 a month and he would help Bill Wiles with chores during the winter for board and lodging. During this time, I came along, being born on June 3, 1935, in Shellbrook. Harvey worked for the Masons until 1938 when Bert Mason completed his schooling and he took over the farming.

Dad continued to work for the neighbours until in 1940, he joined the army to serve in the Second World War. He was stationed in British Columbia at this time. Upon his return, he purchased the quarter south of Bill Wiles, along with a tractor and equipment.

Lance Earby persuaded the family to move in with him in the Foxdale district and to go into partnership farming. With a tractor and modern equipment they also farmed the Wiles quarter. He continued to work with Lance Earby until they retired to live in Shellbrook in 1960’.

From ’Our Harvest of Memories’ by Lawrence Bryan