Banner Ad

 

 

 

Kimberley Families

The Richmond Family


as told by son, John

Herb Richmond was born in Shiply, England and came to Kimberley in 1913. He worked at the Top Mine until the 1919 strike, when he went to Britannia Beach. He came back to Kimberley in 1920 and worked as Mine Surface Foreman until he retired in 1950. Mr. Richmond passed away in 1959.

The Richmonds had three children, two daughters and a son. Mary was the oldest and was born in Slaterville, Cranbrook. She went to school in Cranbrook and took her training for a nurse. She nursed in Cranbrook and Creston and was the Assistant Matron in the Fernie hospital. She married Dr. McRitchie of Fernie in 1943 and lived in Fernie until Dr. McRitchie retired in 1973. They have a son and a daughter.

Marion was born in Kootenay Orchards, Cranbrook, and after her schooling there she decided on teaching as her profession. She married Bill Beynon in 1941 and they had two daughters. Mr. Beynon died suddenly in 1951. Mrs. Beynon is presently living in Chapman Camp.

John was born in Cranbrook and after finishing school he moved around the country before coming to Kimberley in 1937. He also spent some time in Fort William and worked for the B.C. Spruce Mills at Lumberton. He started work with the Company in 1937 at the Mine and was later transferred to the Rock House for two years. He was then transferred to the Mine Machine Shop in 1944 and worked as a millwright until his retirement in 1975.

John married Betty Heuscher in 1942 and they have two sons, Dave and Jim. Dave was born in 1943, he went to school in Kimberley and served his apprenticeship with the Company as a pipe fitter-steam fitter. He is presently working at Elkford. David married Sheila Willicome and they have two boys. Jim was born in 1945, and also went to school in Kimberley and served his appren ticeship with the Company as a pipe fitter-steam fitter. He is presently working at the pulp mill at Skookumchuck. He married Karen McNiven and they have one daughter.

Up to his retirement John did a lot of big game hunting and knew the surrounding country like the back of his hand. He and Betty now enjoy gardening and the outdoors. Betty doesn't wait for summer to have tomatoes, but grows them all year round in a glassed-in porch at home.

John and Betty think that the Kimberley area is a great place in which to grow up and remain after retirement.

Twitter Facebook Google+

 

Banner Ad