While metal detecting on a construction site earlier this year, Stephen Kellar of Moncton, NB, found what may have been the find of his life. Buried 6 inches beneath the ground, he found the Silver Memorial Cross belonging to the youngest New Brunswick soldier killed on active duty in the First World War. Pte Clifford Robinson Oulton enlisted in 1916 when he was only 14 years old and was killed at the Battle of Passchendaele on November 1, 1917, aged 15 years 334 days.
It is with greatest sympathy to his family that we report the death of Howard Dixon. A Past President of the Society and was a director for numerous years. Howard was an avid genealogist and completed many family genealogies for Albert County families. He helped with the Quilt Show and his wife was very involved on the Quilt Committee until recent years. Their daughter Gwen Dixon Potts is still involved with the Museum quilt show and offers a workshop each year. You can read his obituary by clicking on the link.:
It seems fitting to talk about this interesting Albert County MLA and Premier of the Province from 1897 to 1900 on the day 91 years ago that Women were declared persons! On October 18, 1929, the British Privy Council ruled that the word “persons” in the Canadian Constitution referred to both men and women.
Henry Emmerson was first elected MLA for Albert in 1889. In 1891 he was appointed to the Legislative Council of the province and oversaw its abolition. He re-entered the House of Assembly and in October 1892 was appointed to the Executive Council, serving as Chief Commissioner of Public Works in the Liberal government of Premier Andrew George Blair.
As commissioner, Emmerson stopped the practice of building bridges out of wood and opted for more permanent, and more expensive, materials thus driving up the province's public debt. He also supported women's suffrage.
Emmerson became Premier in 1897. During his tenure, he briefly held the position of Attorney-General. His government tried to promote tourism and wheat farming and the development of natural gas and petroleum in the province. In 1899, he introduced legislation to grant women the right to vote but in a free vote, the bill was defeated.
Albert County is a place of wonder, from its beautiful scenery and our abundant natural wealth hosting such natural wonders like Cape Enrage, the Rocks Provincial Park and Fundy National Park that we often fail to celebrate the people who call Albert County home.
For Albert County has truly created trailblazers, pioneers and visionaries from such people as William Henry Steeves, a Father of Confederation; to Lt. Col Cyrus Peck, a Victoria Cross recipient; the Right Honorable Richard Bedford Bennett, 11th Prime Minster of Canada, the Honorable W.A.C. Bennett, the longest serving Premier of British Columbia and such notable people like Mary Majka, a historian and conservationist, Sir George Robert Parkin, founding secretary of the Rhodes Scholarship, and of course, Captain Molly Kool, the first female Ship’s Captain in North America.
There is another name we have been remiss in celebrating that needs to be added to that amazing list, New Brunswick’s first female MLA and Cabinet Minister, Brenda Mary Robertson, CM, ONB.
Brenda Robertson was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick representing Albert County in 1967 and was re-elected again in 1970. Then, the Albert District was split and Riverview district was created out of Albert, there Brenda was elected three more times (1974, 1978, and 1982) representing the district of Riverview. In 1970, she was appointed Youth Minister. She was also Minister of Social Welfare, Minister of Social Services, Minister of Health, and Minister for Social Program Reform. She remained a Member until her appointment to the Senate on December 21, 1984 representing the senatorial division of Riverview, New Brunswick. She sat as a Progressive Conservative and a Conservative until her retirement on her 75th birthday in 2004.
She was appointed to the Order of New Brunswick in 2004 in honour of "her tremendous work ethic and commitment to serve New Brunswickers and her country." and the Order of Canada in 2008 in recognition for being a "trailblazer and role model for women in politics".
Sadly, Brenda Robinson passed away on Wednesday, September 23, 2020. She was 91.
As a county we can be proud to have elected the first female MLA in New Brunswick history, especially during our 175th Anniversary year, and we, as a county, say a huge ” THANK YOU” to Brenda for her many years of service to Albert County and to Canada and for being such an inspiration to future generations.
A Special Guest is coming to Albert County in Honour of RB Bennett’s 150th Birthday! Born on July 3rd, 1870, RB was born in Hopewell and raised in Hopewell Cape. He went on in life to become a successful lawyer, business person and political leader. He was the 11th Prime Minister of Canada, from 1930 to 1935, the only Prime Minster born in New Brunswick! The Albert County Historical Society & Museum are proud and excited to tell his story as a part of Albert County 175, leading up to and including Canada Day on July 1st, and his Birthday July 3rd. Stay tuned for details on “RB Bennett Week” June 26th to July 3rd and the Museum & RB Bennett Centre Open House on Canada Day. We are getting ready!
The Albert County Historical Society and Museum are proud to announce the Re-Dedication Ceremony of the First World War Field Guns taking place on Saturday, 13 June at 1:00pm at the Albert County Museum.
The two field guns are hugely symbolic to Albert County and to Canada, with the first being captured at Vimy Ridge, France, and then being won by the citizens of Albert County in the 1919 Victory Loans Competition. The second was awarded to Albert County in recognition of those who served during the Great War from Albert County, as Albert County had one of the highest enlistments per capita in Canada. This year not only marks the 100th anniversary of their arrival in Hopewell Cape, but also the symbolic end to a 5 year restoration project on the guns by the museum. As part of the ceremony the cannons will be “fired” in salute to the citizens of Albert County who gave so much during the First World War.
The event takes place live at the Albert County Museum, and is being celebrated outside with social distancing and safety in mind. This event will be broadcast live on Facebook for those unable to attend.
PLEASE NOTE DUE TO HEALTH REGULATIONS ON SITE NUMBERS WILL BE LIMITED TO 50 (FIFTY) PEOPLE - WE HAVE ARRANGED OVERFLOW VIEWING ACROSS THE ROAD - LIMITED TO 50 (FIFTY) PEOPLE.
During the years of the First World War (1914 -1918) when the soldiers had to spend Christmas far from home, separated from their families and friends, Christmas cards were important reminders that there was life outside the trenches and outside of the war. Here are a few sent by Hugh Wright. Read more here.
This World War One letter was written by Hugh C. Wright of Shepody (Hopewell) Albert County on March 14, 1918 while he was in serving in the Canadian Garrison Artillery (CGA) in France. Hugh had enlisted in the 26th Battalion on November 17, 1914 when he was 19 years old. He sailed with the 26th Battalion from Saint John on June 13, 1915 aboard the steamship “Caledonia”. They arrived in England on June 24, 1915 where they underwent rigorous training in preparation for going to the battle front.
Hugh served in the 26th Bn, 5th Infantry Brigade in Belgium and France spending 17 months in the trenches. In February 1917, he transferred to the 4th Siege Battery, 2nd Brigade CGA and was a gunner for the remainder of the war. He was discharged on May 10, 1919...on his 24th birthday!
Hugh Wright was the youngest son of James and Jane Wright. Hugh's letters are addressed … “Dear Father” because his mother had died when he was only 7 years old.
Hugh's brother, Clarke Wright, of Hopewell (Shepody) enlisted on October 19, 1915 and went overseas with the C.E.F. Clarke also served in the 4th Siege Battery for the remainder of the war.
“I am very fortunate to have over 50 letters that my Great Uncle Hugh wrote to his family while serving in WWI”. Great Niece Dawne McLean
With many thanks to Hugh Wright's great niece, Dawne McLean who kindly submitted the letter.
"
France
March 14th 1918
Dear Father,
Well, I suppose you will think that I have forgotten you since I have not written for some time, but we have been working hard for this last couple of weeks and it has just slacked off.
Clarke and I had a parcel from Aunt Berta last night and believe me they came in fine.
I received your nice long letter a few days ago and we were awful glad to hear from you.
I saw a piece in the Telegraph that the gov't was going to take over the S & A railroad. It would be a good thing I should think if it did.
Well Father, Clarke and I will be going on leave together this time. I guess we will be going about the last of next month, but I am sorry to say that I have not much money coming to me as it has been such a short time since my last one, so I would like to have $75 if possible. I hate to ask you, but a fellow can't very well have a good time without money and everything costs so much now.
Will see Clarke and find out the best way to send the money,
will finish in the morning.
Well, will close with Love to all
Hugh
Get the Bank to cable the money to their agency in London, the same as Clarke's is being done. Don't delay it any longer than possible as we may get away in a month's time.
**************************
On February 1, 1916, Clifford Robinson Oulton from Bridgedale, New Brunswick (now Riverview) joined up with the 145th Battalion out of Moncton. He signed up for the duration of the war, which for him was all too short. The remarkable thing about Clifford Robinson Oulton was that he was only 14 years old when he enlisted.
