Edwin (Ted) & Gertie Bowles

Charles Edwin Bowles:

Edwin was born in London, England, December 29, 1890.    He was always known by his middle name, Edwin, and later nicknamed Ted.    Edwin attended St. Mary's School in London until the age of twelve.   At that time, 1902, his parents, Charles and Alice with four sons and one daughter, emigrated to Canada.

Edwin, being the oldest child, often helped care for the younger children.    The family settled in Quebec and the school-aged children continued their education till 1904 when they homesteaded in Manitoba.   Schooling was not available, but Edwin was able, with the help of his mother, to pass on some of his knowledge to the younger ones until such time as a school was built in their district.

From an early age Edwin showed artistic talent, drawing, painting, and working with wood.   He was also very inventive and produced small items for use around the farm and the home to make life easier.    As a young man he helped to build the Swan River School.

In 1912 Edwin married Harriette Oliver, and they had two children, Grace and William (Bill).   On August 20, 1915 Edwin joined the Army, taking his basic training in Winnipeg while living with his wife and children on Hallet St.   He was posted overseas Sept. 18, 1916 serving as a medical aide in Belgium and France.   He was wounded and suffered rheumatic fever.   He returned to Canada May 13, 1919.

In 1919 and 1920 Edwin spent much of his time in Toronto receiving treatment at the veterans' hospital on an out-patient basis, while driving a streetcar for a living.   For a time he also drove streetcars in Winnipeg, and presumably was receiving medical attention there also.   In the meantime his marriage had faltered and be began divorce proceedings in 1920.   He finally moved back to Swan River in 1921 to begin operating the family farm at Big Woody.   During slack seasons he was hired as desk clerk at the Vimy Hotel in town.   The divorce became final in October 1921, and in April 1922 he married Gertrude Biddlecomb.



Gertrude Mabel Biddlecomb:

Eliza Hayward, nee Kempson, a widow with three young daughters; Annie, Nellie and Flo married Ambrose Henry Biddlecomb about 1888.   They had six children; Fred, Frank, Sydney, Arthur, Gertrude and Margaret.   Gertrude was born at 111 Hurst Street, Cowley St. John, Oxford, England on July 26, 1895.   They attended the Anglican Church of Saints Mary and John and also the church school.

One of Gertrude's earliest recollections of her father was his return from the Army.   He had seen action in the Boer War and also served in India at Agra, near Calcutta.   Harry Biddlecomb was a stone mason by trade and on his return to England resumed work at Cristchurch Cathedral where Gertrude remembered watching proudly as passersby commented on the beautiful stone angels her dad was carving.

In 1905 Eliza Biddlecomb took ill and was hospitalized for several months.   On the day set for her return home Harry, knowing that it would delight her, hired a carriage with four grey horses, and planned to make it a memorable homecoming.   Unfortunately Eliza took suddenly ill again, possibly a heart attack, and died only moments after Harry's arrival at the hospital.

The family carried on for a short time, but the older girls were now employed and it was decided that the two younger children, Gertie and Maggie should be cared for by Harry's sister and her husband, Harriet and George Chaundy.   George was a photographer and also a gardener raising new strains of carnations.   Harriet raised and sold canaries and budgies.   The children continued to attend the same school and Gertie's keepsakes included recognitions for various activities.

At age thirteen Gertie was considered capable of employment and left home to work as a housemaid in the Rectory at Ham, a small village near Oxford.   Rev. Arkell and his wife appreciated Gertie's abilities and her pleasant attitude and she remained there for several years, returning to her aunt's home for weekends and holidays.   A collection of postcards indicates Gertie maintained regular correspondences with Aunt Harriet, sister Maggie, brothers Frank and Syd, and half-sisters Annie and Nellie.

In 1917, at age 22, Gertie joined the QMAAC, The women's army corps, serving until 1919 as personal aide to Sylvia Shaw.   It was customary for officers and enlisted personell to maintain an impersonal relationship, but Sylvia and Gertie developed a strong friendship.   Late in 1918 Gertie became severely ill during the great influenza epidemic.   She was given a compassionate discharge from the Army in 1919 and Sylvia Shaw sent her to Scotland to recuperate.   After recovery, plans were made for Gertie to join her brother Syd and his family in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.   Gertie boarded the "Melita" at Liverpool August 15, 1919 carrying Sylvia Shaw's suitcase.   They maintained a lifelong correspondence and the Bowles children new Sylvia as "auntie Sylvia" and her sister as "auntie Betty".   Gertie named her first daughter Sylvia after Sylvia Shaw.   When Gertie passed away that old suitcase, still bearing the monogram "S. M. S." was given to her daughter Sylvia who has kept it ever since.

Arriving in Montreal on August 22 to what she thought would be an eternally cold climate, Gertie was wearing a wool skirt and a heavy winter coat.   By the time she reached Toronto by train her only thought was to shop for more suitable clothing.

Syd had already arranged employment for Gertie at York Knitting Mills, and she was welcomed into their home by his wife Amy and their two little daughters, Doris and Margaret.   Also there to welcome her was a young soldier named Edwin Bowles, recently returned from overseas and boarding with the Biddlecombs while receiving treatment at Sunnybrook Hospital.

Edwin eventually returned to his home in Swan River, Manitoba to operate the family farm.   In 1921 Edwin sent for Gertie to join him.   They were married April 29, 1922.   Gertie and Edwin would have four chidren: Roy, Sylvia, Edwin and Margaret.

They left the farm in about 1926 and Edwin found work as a laborer with the Canadian National Railways.   In his spare time, and when steady employment was scarce during the 1930's, he made use of his artistic ability by doing sign-painting for local merchants and interior decorating.    He also made numerous interesting sketches for his children.   He was very supportive of his children and encouraged their artistic attempts as well. Edwin was active in the community, being a faithful member of the Orange Lodge, The Royal Canadian Legion and the Swan River Development Board.

In 1943 they moved with daughter Margaret, the youngest child, to Fort William, Ont. (now part of Thunder Bay) where he worked at the Canada Car Co. aircraft assembly plant.   In 1945 he won a Merit Award for his outstanding contributions as an employee.   With the end of wartime manufacturing Edwin opened his own company, Peerless Decorating, which supported them into the 1960's.

Edwin and Gertie were married more than fifty years till her death in 1973.    He remained active until his death in January 1980, following an appendectomy.

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