MCLENNAN
Parents
Winford Roderick MCLENNAN = Winifred VINE
Winford Roderick:
Born 26 Oct 1896, Dunara, Manitoba
Died 21 Feb 1953, Deer Lodge Hospital
Buried 27 Feb 1953, Military Plot, Brookside Cemetery, Winnipeg
farmer (from sons marriage cert)
In 1935 lived at Bissett MB
At time of death lived at 556 Balmoral St Winnipeg
Winifred:
Met scottish canadian in war married and emigrated to canada in 1918. Found he lived on an Indian reservation with scot/canadian father and Indian mother.
Escaped on horseback with son in papoose on back, having pleaded with english family for money for return.
COPY OF LETTERS
West Selkirk, Manitoba, Canada.
My dearest sister,
Just a few hurried lines to let you know that I am pleased that you wont be coming to Canada so don't come to me because I am having a wicked in trying to get my baby and you know what it is when a mother has her baby taken they would not do it but they know that I am alone and that is the reason why I would love for Dad to come out here. I am here and just worrying myself to Death wondering what is coming next but I am seeing the magistrate this afternoon and I am going to ask him if my people can send my fare which will only cost about £20 whether he will let me have baby and come home as soon as I can so Im asking you to help if I do write home and help to send my fare Alice I am sure you will do this to get your Sister and her only pleasure out of misery I know my Dear Mum will fight for her daughter as I am fighting for my son. So Will close to worried to write any more am writing to Mum same time.
So Will close
I remain
your Broken hearted
Sister
Winnie
xxx xxx x
West Selkirk
My Dearest Mum and Dad
Just a few of heart breaking lines to let you that I am going from worse to worse and I am asking you to do something that I am afraid of never returning but will do my best to do so. I know my brothers and sisters wouldn't hear of their Sister being in such misery if they could all club together and send my fare you see I have g get difficulty in getting baby because I have no home for him so I am going to speak to the head one again this afternoon and say if he thinks I can get the baby if I send home for my fare and he says yes I am going to ask you all if you could do that for me and if I am spared to get home with my little love I will work as hard as ever as I can to keep him and help to do my duty towards you all for doing such a good turn if things turn out as I say I will cable to you which will only take 24hours and then I will book my ticket on the first boat that is leaving.
Well Mum Dear I cannot tell you anymore until later on and I will do as I say don't keep me without an answer a day write straight away and let me know
I Remain
Your Broken hearted
Daughter
Win
Give my best love to dear Gran and GranDad and my Brother and Sisters
c/o Joe McLennan
Box 50 Riverton Manitoba April 6th
My Dear Sister
Just a few lines to let you know that we are well
Now Alice, I have just had another letter from poor Mother well I will tell you how it is you know the money was detained which we all thought was lost well it was at the Bank (not at the P.O.) all the time well I got it and put it into the Bank again while I settled a few things and then of course I did not have my baby and I don't intend to return without him well I waited two weeks for WInford to come home and he left us a whole month without a penny and I was not going to touch that money although my baby was as sick as could be and he did not have anything in the way of Medecine and not even food in the house so you can guess how I was, Well I borrowed 8 dollars off my Brother in Law and went to see what was the meaning of it so I took baby with me they was not going to let me have him but I said I am going to take him his father cant keep us so I will go and let him see how we are so I gets my clothes ready and I gets away with my baby so that is how I secured him
Well now I am still at the same place and that is at Winford brothers and he decides with me and he tells me that if I want to get back to England with the boy the best thing you had better write home to see if they can give you the rest of the fare and we will see you safe with your baby so that is what I have done and they are boarding and lodging me for nothing and they feel so sorry for me when I did not have enough money he said he would willing get the money for me only he is so much in debt just now and he has a family of small ones, you see Alice what makes the fare so large is that I have to pay half fare for baby and I have 2 and a half days traveling in the train and that is half again of what you sent so I do hope one way or the other because I am not scared in going to work for the rest only in the meantime Winford may come along and demand baby from them and that is the reason why I am helpless I don't want to go to work for fear of him so I hope you will come to some understanding and let me know xxx one way or the other
Well Alice I have filled my passport out and getting everything ready so if I am lucky enough to get my fare I will get on the boat as quickly as I know how it wont take me long when I get the money.
Well Alice you can send this letter to Mother if you wish to let her understand and tell her it is impossible to go to work this side but I will as soon as I get that side as there will be no more worry over the boy. I hope youll understand this letter
So Goodbye still living in hopes to see you all if luck comes my way
I Remain yours longing to see
Sister Win
Kisses from us to you all
xxxxxx
Baby and I
Children
Winford William Wilbert = Violet Ivy MATHEWS > Family
Married 25 Apr 1945, Plymouth, Church of Emmanuel Compton Gifford, Devon UK
Winford William Wilbert:
Born 27 Jul 1919
Died 1961
Violet Ivy:
Born 1 Feb 1921, Romford, Barking