EDITORIALThe success of the first edition of the Newsletterhas been overwhelming. We have receivedfavorable comments from B.C. pensioners whoare virtually spread across the continent. It isobvious the Newsletter fills a need, judging fromthe comments received from a variety of readers,including some Bankers who have yet to retire,others who retired recently and those who retiredsome years ago.
Those who initially received the first edition werequick to pass copies through cyberspace to otherswhom they thought would enjoy reading thestories. This is exactly what we had hoped wouldhappen.
We are in debt to those who provided stories. Thefuture success of this venture will depend on yousending in your stories and autobiographicalinformation to be included in future editions. Inshort “Thank You” for your flattering commentsand encouragement.
Kay Jiles has been elected President of The Lower Mainland
Pensioners’ Association for the thirteenth consecutive year.
Congratulations Kay- well done!!
BRITANNIA BEACH - By Leo Fornari
Years before there was ever a branch in Squamish, the Bank
had an office at Britannia Beach. The only reason for this
unit was to provide service to the employees of the mine
operated by Britannia Mining and Smelting Co. Ltd. Up
until 1956 the only access to Britannia Beach was by boat.
In 1956 the “outside world” was linked to Britannia when a
rail line operated by the Pacific Great Eastern Railway from
North Vancouver to Squamish was completed. Then in 1958
the Sea to Sky Highway was opened.
The Branch in Britannia consisted of a rather small building
which included two sleeping rooms at the back. These
rooms were “home” to Ken Moir, the Manager and Don
Gore, the Accountant/Teller/Junior Clerk, etc.etc. In April
1957 I was sent to Britannia Beach to relieve Don Gore who
was going on three weeks vacation.
In addition to operating the “main” Branch, there was also a
sub-branch at Mount Sheer. The picture showing the “cages”
illustrate the entire width of this office. Access was by way
of lifting the front counter, opening the gill/door followed by
lifting the back counter. Travel to this townsite was on a
narrow, twisting, gravel road several miles up the mountain
in Ken Moir’s Austin A40, except on pay days. On those
days we needed to take up a huge amount of cash and
therefor journeyed to Mount Sheer in a small bus operated
by the mining company. Incidentally, I believe all, or at least
part, of the Mount Sheer office is now located at the
RBC PENSIONERS’ NETWORK
BRITISH COLUMBIA CELL
email <[email protected]> VOLUME 1 ISSUE 2 - JULY 2006
Leo Fornari
Burnaby Village Museum. The cash was contained in a
metal box and sitting on top of the currency was a revolver.
Yikes! Fortunately, there was never a need to consider using
the pistol, which was good as I had no idea how to use one. I
was not certain of Ken’s prowess at using the revolver
either.
EDITOR’S NOTE
Fred J. Schwab was appointed Manager when Britannia
Beach became an independent branch in 1950. Previous
to that, and for 27 years, it operated as a sub of
Vancouver branch. It was a natural that Fred should be
appointed Manager for he, for many years, travelled
from Vancouver to Britannia on the Union Steamships
“Lady Cynthia” on mine pay days. Fred remained as
Manager until 1956 and was followed by Ken D. Moir
who Managed the unit until the branch became a sub to
Squamish in 1958.
It was rumored that Fred Schwab (a bachelor), being an
excellent poker player, was consistently able to
supplement his meager salary by engaging in the
ongoing poker game in Britannia.
BILL MACLEAN’S MEMORIAL SERVICE
Those who were unable to attend the service celebrating
Bill’s life will be pleased to note that a very fitting tribute
was given at the Richmond Presbyterian Church on May 17,
2006. Along with many others the following RBC
Pensioners were noted to be in attendance: Wally MacKay,
Stan Crookston, Alice Carfrae, Don Reed, Dennis Becker,
Don Steele, Charlie Merrick, Jim MacNaughton, Lillian
Pollock, Dave Lattimer, Phil Ford, Jack McDonald, Ralph
Zelmer, Jim Walker, Jack Nicolson, Lorene Vickberg.
Apologies to any we may have missed. Many of the
pensioners were accompanied by their wives.
Everyone has a gun story. Send them in to
Does anyone remember this signature?
PENSIONER IN DISTRESS
We have learned that Jack Duggan has suffered a stroke and
is being cared for in the UBC hospital. Jack retired
December 31, 1984 as Manager Security, Western Visa
Centre, Vancouver, B.C. His wife Deirdre has told us that
Jack has now only very limited verbal skills and the future is
not clear. Anyone who would like to inquire about Jack’s
progress or offer assistance can telephone Deirdre at
(604) 263-5372
JACK HOBBS - MEMORIAL SERVICE
A celebration of Jack=s life was held at the Quilchena Golf
and Country Club in Richmond on Thursday June 29, 2006.
Jack had been a long time member of Quilchena as well as
the River Club in Richmond.
Jack=s longtime friend Doug MacArthur was Master of
Ceremonies. Remembrances and anecdotes were given by
members of both clubs as well as from Terry Cable, Senior
Manager, RBFG Leasing for Western Canada.
Retired and past employees of the Bank in attendance were
Terry Watkins (Nanaimo), Ron Unger (Kelowna), Bruce
Jagger, Bill Lee, Sandy MacKay, Rand MacNeill, Jim
Ranta, Larry Slipec and Larry Tong.
That’s Leo in the cage - Mount Sheer
A typical “Ivor Johnson” Bank Revolver
D.A. (Dave) LattimerCompiled by C.W. Merrick
Dave was born and raised in Langley, B.C. and started at
the RBC Langley Prairie branch in July 1947. (Martin
Knudson was branch Manager). Also on staff were
stalwarts such as Bob Corlett, Len Larmon, “Verse” Martin,
and Harvey White.
After all these years, and many
adventures along the way, Dave still
recalls his “big” cash shortage
(remember those days…(?), where in
error he “gave out” a bundle of
quarters ($100) instead of a bundle
of nickels ($20). He then had to
“reimburse” the bank at $8.00 per
month/for ten months. (I’ll bet all of
us “ex-Tellers” still remember our
various “cash shortages” and how
we then had to reimburse the bank).
Dave’s first transfer was to
Chilliwack branch (Guy Kerwin was
the Manager); reported in Sept. 1949. (Staff included Bill
Frazer, Acct.; Don Morris and Cec Bartlett.) Dave paid $75
monthly room and board, but had to pay in two installments
each month, as one payday (13 or 28 ) didn’t cover it…th th
Next came Port Alberni (1951) with Alex Armstrong as
Manager. At this point in Dave’s relentless drive to become
RBC president, he and his long-time love, Leona Shaw,
decided to get married (Dave was 23 and Leona 19). In
those illustrious days, to get married you had to get the
Bank’s permission beforehand (true!!!) and at that time, had
to have an annual salary of at least $1,400 PA for the Bank
to “allow” you to get married. Unfortunately, Dave was
making (only) $1375 PA, so the Bank turned down his
request to get married!! (At this point, Leona was working
at Garvin Ice & Fuel in Langley…but to “help ease the
pain”, Lorne Jordan, Mayor or Port Alberni, gave Leona a
job as a bookkeeper in Port Alberni – so at least she got to
P.A.).
In 1952, Dave’s annual salary was increased to $1450 PA,
however, for whatever reason(s), before actually getting
married, Dave had to travel (from Port Alberni – via dog
team and then ferry etc.) to District Headquarters in
Vancouver (old Hastings & Granville location) and
present/discuss “his intentions” with (then) B.C. District
Staff Officer Mr. B.J. (Bev) McGill. “Approval granted”
and Dave and Leona got married in April 1952 (to this day
Leona will never forgive B.J.McGill for all the
“runaround”…).
After Port Alberni, Dave transferred to Victoria, Douglas
St. branch in Feb. 1953 as 1 Asst. Acct. (Reg Wilde,st
Manager; Don Darling, Acct; Graeme Gerrie, 2 Asst.nd
Acct.). At one point, to help make ends meet, one month
Dave and Graeme got together and acted jointly as branch
janitor(s) – and split the $150 PM bonanza!!
Then in 1955 came Dave’s transfer to Vernon, B.C. as Acct.
(replacing Reg Gilmour). Alf Howlett was Manager (Ross
Cantley also on staff). At that time Dave drove an open
Austin Healy and one day blew a tire/replacement cost a
whole $19…Tire shop owner told Dave he could “charge it”
and, so as luck would have it, Dave’s name then included on
company’s list of Accts. Receivable. A portion of
company’s credit line based
on percentage of receivables
etc., so Manager Alf Howlett
then saw Dave’s name on
month-end list, hit the roof
and made Dave pay off
outstanding balance, and then
had “revised” list of
receivables prepared (those
were tough days!!!…)
Then transferred to
Vancouver, Granville and
Davie branch (1975-1961),
replacing Ray Lougheed as
Acct. (Ernie Tierney, then
Ralph Burns as Mgr.). Dennis Becker was Asst. Acct.
In Feb. 1961, Dave transferred to Hazelton, B.C. as Mgr.
(replacing Don Steele). Dave was advised of his transfer
noon Friday – to report to Hazelton the following Monday.
Both Dave and Leona loved Hazelton (including all aspects
of “Northern” life) and they still have friends there. During
their Hazelton stay, Dave and Leona were introduced to
Northwest Coast Indian art, K’san traditions and culture etc.
In Feb. 1963, Dave transferred to Squamish as Manager
(replacing Larry Urquhart). Branch then located in The
Chieftain Hotel building. (Dave advises Squamish is “a real
party town”…).
On May 1966, Dave was transferred to Port Alberni as
Manager (2 stint in P.A.), replacing Jack Hilts.nd
Then transferred to Prince Rupert as Manager (replacing
Jack Dunsmore) in April 1970. At that time, Prince Rupert
branch operated a sub-branch at Kitsault, B.C. (top-end of
Alice Arm).
In March 1974, Dave was transferred to B.C. District Credit
Floor (replacing Frank Seisling) and worked with Don
Steele, B.C. Credit Supervisor. November 1974 saw Dave
transferred to B.C. District’s new “Market Development
Dept.” (with Bill McFaull as Supervisor). Dave then joined
the Vancouver East Region as Manager, Marketing
Services.
In Feb. 1980, Dave replaced Len Kozar as Manager,
Burnaby Main branch. During Dave’s tenure, Burnaby
branch re-located to its present location west of Willingdon.
Dave then retired from the Bank as Manager, Burnaby Main
on June 30, 1987.
L/R- Ken Bromley, Doug Bell, Len Huber & Don
Bradwell
GOLF TOURNAMENT
By Doug Bell
One of the events sponsored by “The Lower Mainland
Pensioners’ Association” is a golf tournament. These events
are played twice a year, usually in June and September. This
year the spring tournament was held on May 31 at thest
Grandview Golf Club near Custer, Washington.
These tournaments started in the 1990’s and since 1997 have
been played at the Grandview Golf Club. The American
venue allows the Association to keep the green fees at a
reasonable level.
The June tourney is played for the Jack Nicolson trophy and
in September it’s the Dave Lattimer trophy along with the
Barb Reynolds trophy and the Myrna Phillips trophy. The
Bank generously donates $500 in prizes, for each
tournament, from The Royal Rewards Catalogue.
Nigel Brewis ran the tournament for several years. In 2001
Doug Bell took over the responsibilities. There are several
other volunteers who help with the organization: they are
Len Huber, Bruce Waldref, Dave Jenks, Denis Fontaine and
Charlie Merrick (“the official photographer”).
A Charlie Merrick Special
Harold Henson’s Memorial Service
For those who knew Harold you will be pleased to note
that a celebration of his life was held at St. Philip’s
Anglican Church, in Dunbar, on Saturday June 17 .th
Harold’s son Michael gave the Eulogy and provided an
extraordinarily sensitive insight about the life of his
Father. Among many others, retired Bankers in attendance
included; Charlie Merrick, Don Steele, Margaret Cowan,
Marion Thurston, Walter Penner, Murray Williams and
Dave Christie.
The winners of the September 2005 event were:
Ken Bromley – Mens’ low gross.
Liz Waldref – Ladies’ low gross.
Marie Smith – Ladies’ low net.
The May 2006 winners were:
Ken Bromley – Mens’ low gross.
Don Bradwell – Mens’ low net.
Liz Waldref – Ladies’ low gross.
The next tournament will be held at the same location on
Wednesday September 13, 2006.
For more information please contact Doug Bell at 604-986-
1080 or Len Huber at <[email protected]>
L/R Dave Jenks and Bob Stitt misbehaving in Palm
Springs.