thebravestcanadian

With all that he accomplished, it is hard to believe Capt. Kenneth Gilbert McBride of the Seaforth Highlander Regiment was only 24 when he was killed in action September 16, 1944 near Rimini in the Allied offensive towards northeastern Italy in the Second World War.

Ken was renowned as an athlete and sportsman, and cherished by his family as well as many friends across Canada.  Often described as the best golfer to ever come out of the Kootenay region, he was captain of the UBC Golf Team in 1940 and 1941 and won a raft of trophies as a junior and young adult before entering military service in 1942.

He was also a provincial badminton champion, star forward of the Nelson High School basketball team, and the best billiards and snooker player in Nelson. He was also exceedingly popular in his hometown of Nelson, as well as at UBC and in his regiment.  His nicknames included Wee Kenny, Romeo and The Golden-Haired Boy.

Born Jan. 20, 1920, Ken was the son of Roland Leigh McBride (1881-1959) and Winifred May Foote (1889-1960), and brother and only sibling of my father Leigh Morgan McBride 1917-1995). His father had been a founding director of the Nelson Golf and Country Club in 1919, and the whole family was extremely keen about golf.  He attended Central School, Trafalgar Junior High and the Nelson High School.  A common bond in the family was that he, Leigh, Leigh’s wife Dee Dee, and their children Ken E.L. McBride, Sam McBride and Eve McBride all had the same grade one teacher, Eileen McKenzie.

At UBC he studied Commerce in preparation for a business career. He completed his third year of university before enlisting in the Canadian Army in 1942.  He followed his brother Leigh in officer training for the Vancouver-based regiment, the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada.  They both trained at Currie Barracks in Calgary, as well as Gordon Head on Vancouver Island, before going to Britain for further training.

Leigh was on the beaches in the Allied invasion of Sicily on July 9, 1943, and Ken arrived in Sicily a couple of weeks later.  Both were in the forefront of heavy fighting in mainland Italy, including the famous battles of Cassino and Ortona.  Both were wounded and hospitalized on at least two occasions.  In the Liri River campaign on May 23, 1944, Leigh was seriously wounded and the only survivor of a near-direct hit by a large German shell.  He lost his left eye, and had shrapnel wounds throughout his body.  He was found unconscious by German soldiers, who took him as a prisoner for treatment at a hospital in Rome and then to POW camps in Germany.  No one on the Allied side knew what had happened to him, so he was listed as Missing for three months until word came back through the Red Cross that he was alive and recovering.  His parents heard the good news on Sept. 20, 1944, but just two days later, on Sept. 22, 1944, they were notified by telegram that Ken had died a week before when his vehicle hit a mine planted by the Germans.

The shock of Ken’s death resonated throughout Nelson, as well as UBC and in other communities in B.C. and other provinces where Ken was well-known and highly respected.  The golf club raised funds for an engraved sterling silver tray to be awarded each year to the winner of the Labour Day Open golf tournament, which was the club championship, and also recognized as the Kootenay Open championship.

His parents and then brother Leigh kept the family scrapbook through the years, as well as letters and other memorabilia.  The transcribed and annotated letters will be provided to local archives, as well as the Canadian Letters and Images Project and others interested.  The content of the letters reveals a lot about Ken and what made his special.  In addition to Ken’s letters, below are letters relating to Ken from Leigh, his friend Beattie, and his father R.L. McBride.  While some of the letters are undated, I have tried to arrange them chronologically based on content.  Also presented below is a list of the golfers who won the Ken McBride Memorial Trophy while it was offered in Labour Day Tournaments between 1945 and 1977.

LETTERS OF K.G. McBRIDE 1920-1944

#1 – Ken’s letter to parents August 1934

TEXT ON POSTCARD: Hotel Coeur D’Alene, Spokane Wash.  The hotel with a personality.  Rates $1.50 and up.  PHOTO OF HOTEL ON FRONT. Found in hotel envelope with stamp postmarked Aug. 23, 1934.  No date on enclosed card

Dear Dad:

Having a wonderful time.  Played Manitou¹ on Tues. afternoon. Played with Doc Morehouse and Ray Stimmel, a caddy at Down River².  He played awful and he still got 93.  He said it was the first time he went over 80 in 2 years.  Played rotten.  Played the mighty Country Club today.  Dr. Geo. Williams took us out.  Took an 8 on No. 8 the first time.  Drove into the lake!

You owe me 25 cents funny³.  Got a 48 and 45!  93 net.  It’s a wonderful course.  The boy I was playing with said it was over 200 yards.  Past the tree by about 50 yards.  Playing Down River tomorrow!  With that caddie (Ray).  Playing SHGCC on Friday.

Love

Little Mons⁴

1 – golf course in Spokane

2 – golf course in Spokane

3 – short form of Ken’s nickname for his dad, Funny Old Mons (Man).

4 –  Little Mons was a nickname (term of endearment, relating to the Little Man he was called in his childhood) for Ken between him and his father, along the lines of #3 above.  After Ken was killed in action in Italy in 1944 the War Graves authority gave his parents the opportunity of choosing a couple of words for his tombstone.  They chose “Little Mons”.  The parents never made it to Italy to visit Ken’s grave.  Leigh visited the grave in 1974 when he was in Italy for the 30^th anniversary of “Canadian Soldiers in Italy”.  His son Ken E.L. McBride visited his uncle’s grave in about 1971, and other son Sam visited the grave in 2005.

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#2 – Second postcard, Hotel Coeur D’Alene in hotel envelope with stamp postmarked Aug. 23, 1934, no date on enclosed card

Dear Dad

Yesterday Tues. afternoon went to Manitou – played terrible – got 42 on last 9.  Today at 8:15 Dr. George Williams took us out to C.C.¹ – he had arranged game for us with 2 juniors – introduced to Moe and Miller – both were awfully nice.  I played about 94 in the A.M.  – one of the kid’s father a 4man took us to lunch in afternoon.  We played last nine first and I had 43 for that nine.  On the first nine I took a 47 making 90.  I took a 7 on 4 because I hooked into woods – such hopeless place that I hit it and thought it out but it came right back under a tree.  I then fanned because I could not even get to the ball – so it really was an 88 because those 2 shots did not do anything except to make conditions worse.  Friday I think we are going out again.

Moe said I had a nice swing.  All the time I have yet to hit a wood shot off tee or fairway.  @ Manitou my irons were marvellous but my woods were too awful.  Ditto putting in the last 9 @ C.C.  I got my putting touch at last.  I wish I could take a lesson from Moe in driving.  I feel ashamed of them – they are so hopeless.  On 6 I carried over the tree on the corner – got easy pars on that hole both times – took pen to Grahins and the trouble was just (END OF CARD)

1 – the Spokane Country Club Golf Course, one of the best golf courses in Spokane

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#3 Ken’s Letter to parents dated Nov. 13, 1939, when he was attending University of B.C.

4413 W 9^th Ave.

Vancouver

Dearest Dad:

Thanks a million for your telegram – I got a big thrill out of getting it.  I didn’t know how you could know so soon, as I only played my match on Wed. and I received your wire on Thursday but from your letter I guess my name was on the radio – sure enough!  I also had another big thrill as Mayor N.C. Stibbs¹ sent me a telegram, which I am enclosing with yours.  It was swell of him to do such a thing, so I wish you would keep these two telegrams for me.  Thanks for the paper – I received quite a write-up in the Nelson paper and please cut out the write up in to-nite’s Province (Sat.) as it is quite good.  The heading is about the Varsity golfers going to California after exams next April.  I Hope we do make the trip and I think we will as everybody thinks it a great idea.

But I must tell you about the finals.  I started very poorly – missed three drives in a row and I couldn’t quite click the first nine so I found myself three down.  Swinton had a 38 (par 36) but birdied the tenth and we halved the 11^th, 12^th in pars and I was stymied on the 13^th so I was 3 down and on the 14^th Hans had a 3 and I had a birdie so I was four down.  15^th halved in one over par, 16^th I won with a one over par when he missed a short putt and the same thing happened on the 17^th and I won the 18^th with a beautiful approach that should have dropped so I was only one down at lunch but I thought for sure I would be more down. I was hitting long drives in the second nine but my putting wasn’t as good as it should have been.

We started at the 10^th after lunch because of the large crown on the 1^st tee.  We halved the 10^th, 11^th, 12^th w pars and I won the 13^th with a one over par 5 and we halved the par 5 14^th in birdies.  I won 15^th with a par 4 to go one up for the first time but I lost two holes in a row where I had easy chances for pars – just sloppy and we halved the 18^th in 3’s so I was still one down but I birdied the 1^st with a four and lost the 2^nd when I was very close to the green with my tee shot (par 4) and on the next 3 holes I was within 6 feet of the cup with my second shots and I didn’t can any of them – disgusting!  On the 4^th hole I was still one down so I gambled and played a tremendous shot over trees on a dog-leg.  I really smacked it a terrific wallop.  I won that hole and I won the 6^th with a 3 to go one up and then I muffed a short niblick but he 3 putted and I won the 35^th with a par to win the tournament.  I had a 75 in the afternoon and a 78 in the morning but I didn’t sink a putt over 3 feet – they just wouldn’t drop.  I was hitting the ball further than I had ever done before so you can realize how far they were going.  The kid that refereed said he couldn’t understand how I hit them so far – he weighs about 200.  He used to be (about 2 years ago) one of the very best in Vancouver, and he told me that he had never seen anyone ever hit drives any better than I did on Wednesday.  I was the man of the hour this last week out at Varsity, so I was very proud of myself.  I’m not going to play any more golf now until after Christmas as the exams are only 3 ½ weeks away and I’ve got to dig in harder than ever.

The tux is super!  It fits very well and I look like a handsome Romeo in it but I find that a tux isn’t the most comfortable thing in the world but I liked wearing it.  I took Marg. To the Arts-Aggie Formal last Thursday – sent her a corsage too!  It sure is wonderful feeling to wear a tux the first time in one’s life – I really felt dressed up.

I have seen a lot of Mother but not quite as much as I would have liked to but I’m going to spend all to-morrow afternoon with her – she’s leaving on Monday I believe, and she’s very pleased with her new teeth and is feeling fine².

It will be swell to get back home for Christmas and see the Funny Old Mons³ again.

Love

Ken

P.S.  I guess I have broken my 2 year jinx in golf so watch my smoke next year.

Ken

1 – Norman C. Stibbs, Mayor of Nelson, B.C. 1938-1946

2 – While getting dental work in Vancouver, Ken’s mother Winifred may have been staying with her sister Josie Rollins who lived in Vancouver.

3 – Ken’s childhood name for his father R.L. McBride

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#4 — K.G. McBride letter to parents

University of British Columbia

2594 Wallace Crescent

Vancouver, B.C.

Jan. 30, 1941

Dearest Dad and Mother

Gosh how can I ever thank you for such a wonderful 21^st birthday present!  If only I could talk to you and tell you how much I think of it – your taste is perfect as I knew it would be.  I think everyone in the University has seen it.  I had lectures all day yesterday and couldn’t get home until 6:00, but did I ever run home from the bus.  Golly, I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited or so nervous in all my life when I was unwrapping your parcel – then I saw the Big Ben Alarm Box, I think my face fell a foot but when I saw the watch!  Gosh I wish I could have been home with you.  Thanks a million times over.  I’ve never seen a finer watch in all my life, and it’s a Bulova too – oh boy.  I set it last nite with the radio and comes over the radio – “it is now 6:15 Bulova Watch Time”.  I certainly got a thrill when he said that.

But I’m telling you the truth – it has not gained or lost a second for 24 hours.  Oh it is a beautiful watch and never fear that I shall lose it ‘cause I won’t – it means far too much to me¹.  It represents the finest Father and Mother in the world and all I hope is that I can be worthy of both of you and make as much a success of my life as you have.  I really mean that!  I shall always have that watch.  I sure like the strap and the gold letters.  I’m sending you home the card that came with my watch – I want you to be sure and keep it for me or put it in the Scrap book.  Please don’t lose it.

I haven’t been able to write you for about 6 days because I had the German Measles and I was quarantined in the house and the Doctor told me to avoid allowing the germ to spread anywhere.  My internment lasted until Tuesday evening – the night before my birthday.  By the way, I did a great deal of studying while I had the measles.  The Doctor said it wouldn’t hurt my eyes as I had a very light case – my body only had a rash for 1 day.  I felt fine all the time – didn’t even have to go to bed.  I was awfully glad that I was out for my birthday.  I celebrated by drinking a few beers – very moderate though.  I saved 2.50 and bought beers with that for 5 of us (3 frat brothers and Jim).

Leigh² sent me a very nice letter and I appreciate it immensely.  I really think he is my best friend – we get along beautifully now.  I had 3 letters inside of a week from him.  All in all it was a very wonderful birthday.  If my finances hadn’t been so low I would have phoned home to you, but I didn’t, and I didn’t want to reverse the charges.  Never have I wanted to be with you more – it was super of you.  This letter must sound very disjointed but I’m very thrilled so I guess you’ll have to forgive the bad grammar in places.

Say I got my uniform to-day and I look O.K. in it – also my first stripe.  I’m going to get one of the fellows in the house to take my picture in it soon and send it home to you.  It will save my clothes and shoes a great deal.

I move into the Phi Delt³ House to-morrow nite – it should be swell.  I shall study harder and you will note the fact by my final marks – I promise you.

Well I must close now so thanks a million Dad and Mom.  I’ve never had such a thrill in all my life and I look at it every ten seconds.  Your taste couldn’t have been better.

Thanks

I love you both.

Lots of love

Ken

ATTACHED CARD:  PRINTED TEXT: A Gift for Your Birthday.  This little gift does not come alone – with it are a host of good wishes for your birthday.  HANDWRITING: Ken with lots of love Mother and daddy.

1 – After Ken died from a road mine explosion in September 1944, his parents received a list of his possessions from army authorities.  The list included a Bulova watch (damaged).  It is possible that he was wearing the watch when he was killed, and the force of the explosion damaged the watch.

2 – his brother and only sibling, Leigh Morgan McBride (1917-1995)

3 –  his UBC fraternity, Phi Delta Theda

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#5 – Ken letter to parents

K.G. McBride, UBC

2594 Wallace Crescent

Vancouver, B.C.

April 6, 1941

Dear Mom and Dad:

I’ve got the fear of God in me!  Can’t say that I am looking forward to my exams a great deal, but I’m right in there punching.  Only 2 more weeks of studying, then exams, then a few free days, then military camp in Nanaimo, then home to Nelson.  Gosh that does sound wonderful.

I’m very sorry to hear that Clara is leaving the household.  Say good-bye to her for me and give her my very best regards.  I won’t be able to call anyone “Butch” around home anymore – that was Clara’s pet name.

I was sorry to see Trail¹ lose after doing so well in the first three games against Lethbridge.  I was really pulling for Trail.  By the way, I was asked to speak on CJOR “Varsity Time” about badminton.  I declined; later I was asked to speak for golf – I declined.  I would have liked to have done it but it would mean a whole night of study gone.

Had a rather happy meeting last Thursday nite.  An R.C.A.F. flying officer phoned the Phi Delt house to say hello.  He was just in town until 7:15 and it was then 4:00 p.m.  He said he was a Phi Delt from U. of A².  Thereupon he and I got together.  One of the fellows volunteered to get him in his car and have him out to dinner and return him to C.N.R. R.R. Station by 7:15.  He accepted the dinner invitation very readily – as it turned out, he was a very close friend of Leigh’s and Blake’s³ and knew all the lads from Nelson who attend U. of A.  He told me he would phone Leigh up as soon as he reached Edmonton.  It was very fine of him.  Also for the past couple of days we have had a couple of rowers from Oregon State College staying at our House.  They were nice boys and sort of took our rowing team into camp, but our team is not so hot.

It sure is wonderful to hear that the course⁴ is almost in perfect condition.  I’m itching to play.  I got a report from an alum of ΦΔΘ, Fred Dietrich, a traveller⁵, that Ken Andrews is practising as hard as he can.  I hear also, that he might be moving.  I certainly hope not.

Well bye for now

All my love. Ken

1 – The McBrides would normally cheer for the hockey home team Maples Leafs, but they also had strong connections with the nearby City of Trail, whose Smoke Eaters team was exception in that era, regularly competing for national and international championships, including being world champions in 1939.

2 – University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta.

3 – His cousin Blake Allan (1916-2009), who was Leigh’s law partner after the war, and then a judge.

4 – The Nelson Golf Course, of which his father R.L. McBride was a founding director when it opened in July 1919.

5 – I believe the term “traveler” refers to him being someone whose work involves regularly travelling for commercial purposes, such as purchasing and sales.  R.L. McBride was listed as a “traveler” with the Wood Vallance Hardware Company early in his business career.

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#6 – Ken letter to mother

K.G. McBride

University of British Columbia

2594 Wallace Crescent

Vancouver, BC

Oct. 14, 1941

Dear Mother

Hello!  I have a clipping enclosed in this letter for your scrap book.  It is sort of humorous but I think Ormie¹ is just trying to throw a scare into me.

Guess what!  I went to a beautiful dinner party on Friday evening before the Kappa Cabaret.  John Carson invited Ted McBride² and myself.  I took a girl from Toronto who was very nice.  The dinner was all very formal – such as serving one’s own vegetables down at the main dining room of the Vancouver Hotel (Just a little too formal for me).  The party was very fine – I went with Ted. Wonder if they are related to us in any way at all – they vote same way we do, originate in the same place, same religional denomination etc, etc.  But speaking of voting – did you know that Pat Maitland – Conserv. Leader – is a Phi Delt.  I hope he gets in although I do realize that he’d be fortunate if he does win.

At noon on Saturday we had a rushing function – I had to figure out a meal for 65.  What a job.  I gave them tomato juice, meat pie, carrots and peas, ice cream and hot chocolate sauce with cake and coffee.  It all went very smoothly – we had 2 sittings and had everybody serving or washing dishes etc.  And believe it or not, I even had ordered the right amount of food including ice cream.  I was tired that night so I stayed home and read Romeo and Juliet.  And on Sunday I had my turkey dinner with Brother John Clement and his father Dean Clement of the Faculty of Agriculture (both Phi Delts).  It was a wonderful dinner and I certainly did appreciate it although I ate a horrible amount.

Well, this is just a note so, bye for now Mein darling.

All my love.

Ken

1 – his friend and fellow keen golfer Ormie Hall, who later wrote golf stories for the Vancouver Sun.

2 – Even today there is no indication that Ted McBride was a relative of the Nelson McBrides

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#7 – Ken letter to father

Phi Delta Theta letterhead

2594 Wallace Crescent

Vancouver, B.C.

Nov. 16, 1941

Dear Dad:

Hey Funny¹, look at the funny writing paper.  I think I’ll buy some for myself after Christmas.  It’s very little more expensive and it does look smart.  It’s our crest.

But any how, I really want to thank you for your two letters from the east.  I was really thrilled with your letter in which you attended the Maple Leaf hockey game with a Phi Delt from McGill.  I roared around and told all my Phi Delt pals what you did and they were very impressed.  They all thought it was wonderful of you.  Boy, was I ever proud when I told them about you and how you were given the tickets.  Thanks a million, Dad and I know that the boy you took to the game was very thankful and very happy to go.

This afternoon (Sunday) I went over to Ted McBride’s for dinner, after which I coached Ted’s young brother in accounting.  The McBrides were really very nice to me.  But, I have this course in wonderful.  So far I have had two exams in it and I’ve recorded an 83 and an 85 which pleased me a great deal.  I had an exam in Eng. 9 on Shakespearian dramas but the marks have not been turned back  as yet.  Econ. 4 (Money and Banking) is really a fine course and one I am interested in.

But to get to a very sad story!  Ouch, it’s about golf and I am damn disappointed but nevertheless I can’t get the breaks all the time.  But – to have an 86 and to lose 3-2 to an 82 is horrible. I couldn’t control my putter at all – also my chip shots were always short.  I really lost the game on the green.  Can you imagine I took 4 putts – half of my total score almost.  I lost the first two holes to a par and a birdie and try as I might I could never get them back.  Actually however, I did not practise my short game at all so it was all my fault.  (Sunday nite).

Monday afternoon Jimmy lost his match to Ormie³ down on the 18^th.  They were all square on the 18^th tee and Jim hit his on, 20 feet from the pin, whereas Ormie was to the left about 40 feet away with a bunker to pitch over.  Ormie made a beautiful shot and laid his dead and James 3-putted.  It was a tough break for Jim as he was fighting hard – he was 2 down at the 9^th, but was actually 1 up at the end of the 15^th.  All that is left is Swinton, Plommer, Hall and Ford.  By the way, when I won my first round match I had a 73 but should have been under par.  I got quite a splash in the U.B.C. or losing.  One thing made me happy – Plommer and Ormie both congratulated me by saying that I should actually have won the tournament with very little trouble.

Now about a serious matter.  With your permission I think I shall join up in the Army, Dad – after school is over next May.  I could go back to school next year without being conscripted but I think it would be detrimental to me – I owe my services, however small they may be, to Canada.  I should be able to obtain a commission in the army with not too much difficulty or some other service.  But anyhow, I have a lot of time to think about it and nothing will be decided until I come home for my holidays where we can discuss it thoroughly.

I’m very anxious to see the new offices etc.  It should look smart – wonder if the Funny Old Mons is going to have his own private office¹.  Well, Funny, I must get some work done now as there is a fraternity meeting to-nite.

Bye for now and loads of love

Ken

P.S.  As yet I haven’t received my 15^th of month money.

1 – abbreviation of his nickname for his father “Funny Old Mons”

2 – Ken’s cousin Jimmy Allan

 

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#8 – Ken letter to parents

Est. early fall 1942

Cadets’ Mess, Gordon Head, B.C.

Dear Mother and Dad,

Whew!  Work and more work – it’s amazing!  On Sunday I was blood-grouped and had a couple of blood tests.  I find my blood is A group and I’m a very healthy lad.  By the way, I gave away about a test tube of blood.  Same as a blood transfusion.  It didn’t bother me!  But it’s a good idea to be blood-grouped – I am glad I volunteered.

Here is some amazing news!  If all goes well I’ll be graduating on Oct. 9^th with Jim¹ and all my buddies.  It is not definite as yet but there is a very good indication that it will be.  I hope so.  The reason is that they want to expand the camp to accommodate more men – thus sending all third month men to their Advanced Training Centre 1 month ahead of time.  So I hope to be going to Currie Barracks for a 2 month spell instead of one as Leigh² is doing.  You see I’ll be taking the same amount of work and time except I’ll be going to Infantry Special Wing at Currie Barracks.  That means I must order my uniform now – and is it ever expensive – approx. $80 all told and then I need a pair of black shoes as Seaforths all wear black shoes.  I do hope we graduate this month.  In a General Current Events quiz I was 3^rd in a class of 30.  It was a tough baby too.

I have to work every night this week – only wish I had twice as much time to do things in.  On Wed. night I have to give a 10 minute lecture.  More fun!  This is all part of the training one gets here.

I never received the Daily News³ concerning the golf tourney.

I must do a large-scale map now, so ‘bye for now.

Love, Ken

P.S.  I’ll let you know about my graduation – hope you have real good time in Medicine Hat⁴.

Tell Leigh to write me!

Ken

1 – his cousin and best friend Jimmy Allan

2 – his brother Leigh Morgan McBride

3 – the Nelson (B.C.) Daily News

4 – his aunt Gladys Foote and her husband Colin Moir lived in Medicine Hat, Alberta, where they were often visited by the McBrides

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#9 – Ken letter to his mother

K.G. McBride, UBC

Postmark Calgary Jan. 26, 1943

Letterhead Officers’ Mess, Currie Barracks, Calgary Alberta

Monday p.m.

Dearest Mom,

Hello dear – still no news as regards my draft so we are 1 day closer to my 2 weeks leave.  I might phone you to-nite just to chat but if I do it won’t be because I am on my way east.

Here are the pictures I forgot to enclose in my last letter.  I’m crazy!   I’ve spent more money on stuff I have to take overseas – it’s amazing.  My resources are going downhill fast.  But anyhow, dear, just a note to tell you there’s nothing to worry about at all.  I’ve done very little real work since I returned so I’m in fine shape.

Well there’s a show on in the mess to-night so I guess I’ll go over and rest my weary bones.

All my love

Ken

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#10 – Ken letter to parents

Postmarked Feb. 1, 1943

Officers’ Mess

A16, C.J.T.C.

Currie Barracks, Calgary

Dearest Mom and Dad

Hello!  I had a letter from Leigh and it arrived on my birthday which was rather nice – also your nice card, money order and socks and hankies.  Gee, they are fine socks ‘cause it’s hard to get good black socks as they are usually made of cotton and are no good at all.  Thanks a million.  I received 6 letters that day and 2 on Saturday so I had a real field day.  I even had a birthday card from my old gal Audrey Emery¹ – it was nice of her to remember her old buddy.  I also heard from Jim, Ormie Hall, my new girl, and loads of other people.

Still no news on my draft and tomorrow is Feb. 1^st so if we hold out 5 or 6 more days I’m in the clear for a 2 week visit home –- however it isn’t a cinch yet by any means so just keep your fingers crossed and hope I make it.  By the way, Leigh told me to take him a cheap 1.00 watch and gloves and a flash light with batteries.  So I’ll bring them to Calgary – thanks for saving them for me anyway Dad.  I’ll enclose his letter.

On Friday I got my draft notice to join the army – quite a laugh!  Mother forwarded it to me.  I guess I had better answer it so they don’t think I’m evading the draft.  They’ll be a mite surprised when they see it signed Lieut. KG McBride – Seaforths of Canada.  On Saturday I went through the gas chambers through chlorine gas and DM gas.  The first one is lethal so we had our respirators on, but if we hadn’t one wouldn’t even have been able to walk 15 feet before this chlorine gas would overcome me.  Thank goodness I have a good respirator!  The DM gas is a choking gas and produces a sick and morbid feeling and makes one cough like mad.  I recovered from it in about an hour – we had to take it with our respirator off so that wasn’t so sweet.  I have been transferred from B Coy² to G Coy and I have a permanent militia man as C.O.³ and he is a heel – he is always spying on his fledgling officers which makes me furious.  I certainly hate that cad with all my might!  He does know his training however so I am learning fast by the trial and error method.

Well I have to prepare 4 lectures of 45 min. each  to give to my platoon  to-morrow so I must go now.

All my love,

Ken

P.S. I was down at Len Wright’s* on Wed nite.P.S.(2) I play basketball in the senior league here for A16 CITC on Wed nite and our team won 63-33.  I scored 5 points which surprised me after not having played for 3 or 4 years – so I guess I’m on the team now!

1 – later became Audrey Heustis, wife of Bob Heustis who was vice principal of LV Rogers High School in Nelson when I was a student there in the late 1960s.  Audrey and Bob were close friends of the Leigh McBride family for many years.

2 – Company

3 – Commanding Officer

4 – After the war, Len Wright was a founder of Wright Engineering, a prominent engineering company based in Vancouver.  My second cousin Michael Allan (son of Jimmy Allan, Ken`s best friend and cousin) worked at Wright Engineering in the 1970s.

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#11 – Ken letter to his father c/o Wood Vallance Store

Officers Mess, Currie Barracks, Calgary letterhead

Dearest Dad

Well I’ve put in my application for annual leave – did it today.  However, I am still no cinch for it.  I had my application pass through the Orderly Room at Currie Barracks.  From there it goes to District Depot – they can hold it back for 2 reasons. 1) we are on embarkation as we’ve had our leave; 2) there has been an order from district depot saying that no further furloughs would be granted as the railway traffic is so heavy but the K.V.¹ is very slow in traffic, especially 1^st class.  So my fingers are still crossed but I figure my chances are now with me 75-25.  If I do get it I figure I might go to Moscow Idaho for the 13^th of Feb as Pat Jacque has written to ask me to go to the Kappa Formal.  It would be nice.

The experience I am getting with my new major is excellent as it will help a lot when I get overseas.  I am getting swell training with my men and I’m learning more about man management all the time.  It is good training for future life in many ways.

The old Russian bear is really rolling these days isn’t it?  They are doing a marvelous job, especially as regards Stalingrad.²

I just read in the paper that one of the men who lived in the fraternity house with me was presumed killed after operations.  He was a Flying Officer in the Air Force.  But I am sure it is going to blow over in a year if things keep going as they are now.

Well, all for now, Fun.

Best ever, Ken

The Funny Little Mons

Keep your fingers crossed.  I hope I get my leave for the 10^th.

1 – the Kettle Valley Railroad, which operated between 1916 and 1959, connecting the BC Lower Mainland with the Okanagan and Kootenay regions.

2 – The mention of the Battle of Stalingrad would date the letter to sometime after February 1943 when the Germans at Stalingrad surrendered to the Russians.

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#12 – Ken letter from Britain to parents

Est. June 1943

Logo of Canadian YMCA.

On Active Service

Lieut. K.G. McBride

Seaforths of Can.

2^nd Bn, I.C.A.R.D.

1. Coy (C.A.O.)¹

Dearest Mother and Dad

Hello – one of Leigh’s letters came here yesterday so I read it and then sent it on to his address.  In it I was glad to note that by June 15^th you were receiving a fair amount of mail from me.  That’s good – then I know that you are receiving most, or all, of my mail.  I am writing as often as possible but news is fairly scarce over here as there is so much routine which is all very boring to write.  So if you find some of my letters dull and repetitive, please forgive.

Of late I have been receiving a fair amount of mail from the Funny Old Mons.  They have been very interesting and of good length.  You must have had a terrific time in Kimberley with the boys.  I was pleasantly surprised to hear that Alan Graham took the cup from Art Franks.  Nice of him to make a point of sending his regards to me — makes me feel good.  He’s a fine fellow.  Can’t understand what happened to J. Blackstone but guess he might have found the fairways just as narrow as last year.  Tell him to start practising up for next year.

Had a lot of fun yesterday with my platoon on sports.  We had a game with another platoon and believe me there was a lot of feeling in it.  Reminded me of some of those wild games we use to play in Nelson.  I bet 10 shillings on the outcome of the game with the other platoon officer and my team won 16-10.  I did O.K. – managed to get a couple of hits and a walk.  It was a lot of fun and the lads really went all out for a win.  I have a dandy platoon – a real bunch of fine men who are in good condition.

I was on a Quiz contest the other night.  It was a sports quiz.  I managed to tie for top place with another officer.  We were going to break the tie so the Master of Ceremonies asked the audience for one tough question to ask us.  First one was “who was the only man to make an unassisted triple play in a Worlds’ Series game.”  Neither of us could recall who it was – although I know Leigh and Mr. Sharp² will blush for my ignorance.  So, another question came – “Two teams played a game of ball, score was 1-0 yet not a man reached first base.”  How come?  The answer – “It was a ladies softball game”!  With that we decided we would split first prize which was some Canadian cigarettes.

Another nite we had a concert of local talent in the camp and it turned out we had a wonderful show.  We had a real swing band, juggling acts, singers and impersonators.  It all turned out to be a good show except for one brave lad who attempted to play a violin solo – and there can be nothing worse than a violin played badly.  It was gruesome!

Still have not received my first cigarettes from you – they have been very slow.  I have managed to get by far but hope they get here soon as I will be out soon.  Jack Moxon³ has had 4 parcels so far and I have had one but more should be right around the corner and no doubt they’ll be here in a week or so.  Mox and I share all our parcels so we have a lot of fun.  Dad, you want to look up Mr. Moxon sometime when you are in Vancouver – he’s a fine man and Jack and I have a lot of fun together.

I had a very nice letter from Ormie Hall who is in New Brunswick training to be a Navigator.  He’s had a lot of bad breaks in the Air Force and still has 3 more months to go before he graduates.  He really wishes he could get over here in a hurry – it will be good to see him again.  He was green with envy when I told him about St. Andrews, Braid Hills, and Royal Burgess⁴ etc.  Oh my, I’ve had an awful lot of fun with this Canadian Army.

Well, what do you know?  The proofs just arrived for me – reason they were so slow is the fact that this bloke addressed them to me as being in the Canadian Scottish.  I’ll send them up immediately – there is a dandy of me in my kilt.  I’ll send 2 lots home so you will receive one lot – otherwise write to C. Law, Vandyk Ltd., 69 Meadway, Hampstead, London, NW 11.

Well all for now.

All my love

Ken

1 – Canadian Army Overseas

2 – Roy Sharp of Nelson, who was a close colleague of R.L. McBride at Wood Vallance Hardware Co.

3 – the Moxons in Kelowna were good friends of the Leigh and Dee Dee McBride family for many years

4 – famous British golf courses

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#13 – Ken letter to parents

No date.  Est. August-Sept 1943

Dearest Dad and Mother:

Here I am in the other part of the world – the island of Sicily.  The crossing was once again very nice and happily very quiet.  Our meals on ship were good and we even had a bar which wasn’t disappointing to me.  Jack¹ and I are still together – no matter what happens they just can’t seem to bust in on our partnership.

It’s actually far hotter here than Africa as there is no breeze to cool us off and believe it or not, there are 5 times as many flies.  The dust isn’t as bad so far.  It didn’t break my heart to leave Africa.  We’ll be happy if we never see it again.

Seeing all these people in these old countries makes me realize what we are fighting against – extreme filth, ignorance and illiteracy and terrific class socialism.  Those things aren’t found in Canada and I hope they never will be.  I only hope that when the war is finished that it does provide for a better world for us to live in.  Here’s hope it does.

According to my guess Sicily hasn’t long until it comes into our hands – how long I can’t say but we seem to be mowing ‘em down.

Had a tough break – my mail (3 or 4) were sent here in error and they were sent out of this camp 1 hour before I left.  So this a.m. I went to the C.P.C. (Postal Corps) to catch it before it went out but bad luck beat me again – missed by 2 hours.  It might go to Leigh in error as they have no record of me here as yet.  I’ll find it somehow.

We had to march up to our camp when we landed but Jack and I missed our turn and marched miles away from our camp.  When we decided we were thoroughly lost we halted our little band and ate some of our __ rations (which tasted good).  We were right in a lemon grove so we picked ripe lemons and squeezed the juice into our water bottles and had lemonade.  Also bought grapes from the natives and found some nut trees – all told it wasn’t a bad mistake as we were so far away they sent trucks for us and we got a ride into camp.  For a while it looked like we would sleep there.

Had a swim at the shore last night and the water was perfect – not nearly as salty as North Africa.  It really takes away the sweat from one’s body anyhow.

The last nite I was in N.A. I received 15 letters which got me very excited – 2 were from Mother, 2 from Dad, 2 from Leigh and lots of others.  A lot of it was very old mail but am glad it did catch up with me.  Hope I get the watch soon.

Have now heard that Leigh is going strong – which will keep you happy.  Now and again we can hear the rumble of field artillery units and A/A guns.  They are really potent.

Well, news is very scarce now and Jack needs his pen.  So for now

All my love

Ken

P.S. Am sending you a cable to-day.

Address: Lieut, K.G. McBride

Seaforths of Can.

Can. Army Overseas

1 – Jack Moxon

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#14 – Ken letter to his mother

TO: Mrs. R.L. McBride.  Passed by censor.

Same address.  Jan. 1, 1944 (stamped, apparently by censor, Feb. 1 1944)

Dearest Mother

A very Happy New Year to you Mom dear and may it bring with it peace and a new era of world understanding.  As I sat trying to eat my Xmas dinner our Padre was playing a small hand organ and a few lads were singing he was playing Christmas hymns and Christmas carols.  I think everyone thought as I did – Christmas at home, peace and security etc.  It was actually beautiful and made one completely forget that ½ miles away was going on the battle for a town by hand to hand fighting.  However that is finished and all the lads are resting – and do they ever deserve it!  But Jerry can’t rest – he is being pushed back relentlessly – one of these days they are going to crack wide open.  I am sure of that, as is everyone else.  From all reports the bombing of Germany is being intensified – their effect must be terrific!

But enough of the war – that’s all you hear and that’s all I hear.  One of these days I am going to send the Phi Delts a cheque for $50 for our house building fund.  While we were at Univ. each Phi Delt pledged $100 to the house building fund (payable any time after graduation).  So, now that I am saving so much, I can afford to repay the fraternity for the friends and experiences they showed me.  I certainly did have my share of frat life while at B.C.

Guess that you and Dad spent the day pouring out drinks to all the people who dropped in to see you.  Did the liquor shortage improve any in the Christmas season?  I hope so as it was a little slim.  Have you bought a liquor license yet Mother?  I’ll bet you have!

Haven’t had any mail since Dec 1^st but have been up and down the line so often that I’m sure the postal authorities are dizzy.  It ruins one’s mail getting sick, but there is nought one can do about that!  I hope I can get some of your many parcels – will be good to get them.

There are 5 Seaforth officers here and a lot of men – almost the whole battalion is down around here.  We could almost start a Seaforth mess.

The M.O. tells me I may be discharged tomorrow to a Convalescence Depot for a week’s rest – I’ll take a rest this time.  I am feeling much better – haven’t got my zip back yet, but that will all come with rest.  From recent arrivals I know that the lads in the kilt are resting and L.M.¹ is okay.  It’s been by far the hardest fighting the Canadians have hit – old “Monty” was very pleased with his Canadian Division.

It is beautiful out to-day, so I intend to go out for a walk – might ever hustle around and take my night nurse for a walk late this afternoon.  Sounds like a very sound idea to me.  Before I go out this a.m. I am going to go thru the mail and extract all letters for any of the Seaforths – the boys will appreciate someone doing a bit for them (they are the boys who are winning the war for us all).

Well darling, give my love to everyone I know and lots and lots of love to you and Dad.

Ken

1 – Ken’s brother Leigh McBride

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#15 – Ken letter to father and mother – from Nelson Daily News, February 1944

Seaforths of Canada

C.A.O. – C.M.F.

Jan. 1^st, 1944

Dearest Dad and Mother – What do you know – back at the Cdn hospital again – jaundice, but a much easier dose this time.  I tried to stay with the rgt but no go.  So here I am for a week or two – reason I am here is that I didn’t take a rest after leaving the first time (thought I was tough as nails) so I will take a rest when I get out this time.

Well, I never will spend another Xmas like my 1943 one – what a nightmare.  You may have read about it in the papers by now, but Leigh and I were in the middle of it.  I’d call it Stalingrad No. 2.*

Only time I saw Leigh was on Xmas night – his platoon took over my platoon position so we could pull out and have Christmas dinner.  We wished each other a Merry Xmas – he gave me a cigar and I gave him the dope on the enemy so he’d know where to expect the Germans in the morning.  Leigh said he got a thrill when orders were issued from D Coy. H.Q.  “McBride to relieve McBride”.

I admit it was hard on the nerves – we’d be in one room of a house but slowly and surely we pushed them out of their sniping posts.  I’ve never seen such young lads in all my life – the victims of Nazism and the German idea that they are the super race.  They didn’t look like the super race on being taken prisoner.  One of them said to me “Canadian soldati too good!”  They all know who is winning too – so it won’t be too long now.

The Christmas dinner was very good – two bottles beer, roast pork, creamed potatoes, carrots and peas and Christmas pudding.  The boys ate until they couldn’t move (hadn’t eaten in three and a half days).  I, much to my disgust, was feeling so rotten that I didn’t eat a thing.  It wasn’t too happy a Christmas.

The nurses here are wonderful – all working like niggers, but always happy.  They are doing a wonderful job and deserve a great deal of credit.  This isn’t the nicest country in the world to be a woman.

And here’s wishing my Mother and Dad a wonderful New Year, and keep your chins up – Leigh and I will look after ourselves.

Ken

* This was right after Ken and Leigh were in the thick of the fighting in the Battle of Ortona, which was arguably the toughest battle of the war for the Canadian military.  The Christmas dinner Ken refers to became one of the great Canadian stories of the war..

Other Letters relating to Ken in the family archives

Letter from Leigh in England to Ken at Currie Barracks in Calgary, dated Jan. 13, 1943

Dear Harpo¹,

I hope this reaches you before you leave.  Be sure you bring heavy underwear, pajamas, flashlight and batteries, soap and gloves.  Bring me a $1 watch.  I expect to go to the field soon.  All the Seaforths are a fine bunch of fellows.  Had a short course in Norton Motorcycles.  I hope we can have a reunion in London when you get to Blighty.  This is the 7^th week of no mail.  Did you forward any from Currie?  This is one hell of a cold country.  It is so damned moist all the time.  Have you heard from Jas or the Seal lately?  Pratley told me you had a big party with he and Buie.  Haven’t seen Buie yet.  Write to me c/o C.I.D.I.U.  it will be good to see you over here some day.

Regards

Leigh

1 – Leigh, Jim and Ken were all big fans of the Marx Brothers movies.

2 – Currie Barracks where both Leigh and Ken trained.  Named after Sir Arthur Currie, top Canadian general of WW1.

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Letter from friend “Beattie” to RL and Win McBride

RCAF Officers’ Mess

Rockcliffe, Ont.

Sept. 27, 1944

My dear friends,

Mr. and Mrs. McBride

It is with heartsick misgivings and affectionate sympathy for you that I write this letter. Fred Dietrich has just written me a distressing letter that speaks of “the heart-breaking news of Brud Mathison, Doug Pedlow and Kenny McBride, the best of fraternity brothers.”

I do not exactly know what this means, but if it is the great sacrifice, I have no words to express the feelings I share with you.  In addition I am told that Leigh is reported missing.  I sincerely pray that by now you may have had good news.  I want you both to know that I am thinking of you and sending my sincerest sympathy in days that must seem completely bewildering.  God’s blessing and His comforting assurance to you both.

Your sincere friend,

Beattie

Forgive what seems an incoherent letter.  My thoughts are all confused, and I’m distressed beyond words at the possibility of the loss of one of my dearest and most respected and admired friends, Ken.

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Letter from R.L. McBride to Beattie

Oct. 12, 1944

Nelson, B.C.

Beattie:

You wrote us a lovely letter, Beattie.  It meant so much to us that it was as much as we could do, to read it.

We had two happy days.  On Sept. 20^th we received a cable from Ottawa saying that Leigh was a prisoner of war in Germany¹.  On Sept. 22^nd we received another wire from the Director of Records, saying that Dear Old Ken had been killed in action on Sept. 16^th.

The distressing news almost stunned us.  We had been worrying a great deal about both boys – Leigh being missing and Ken in the thick of the fighting around Rimini².  But during those two days we were so completely happy that we forgot, for the time being, the danger that might occur to Ken.

Two days ago we received a letter from the Padre saying that Ken was advancing near the front line in his “Carrier”³ when they struck a mine.  Ken and his driver made the Supreme Sacrifice.  The poor boys never had a chance, but the Padre told us they did not suffer.  We thank God for that.

Ken wrote us three lovely letters dated Sept. 4-6-10 which we received on the day we heard Leigh was safe.  He told us about being through two heavy weeks previously.  He was happy and told of going in swimming and the big yellow moon, and of the German night raider that kept circling overhead.  He sent us one more letter that arrived after we heard the very sad news.

Ken and Leigh never let us down.  How they wrote us as often as they did is more than we can figure out.  They were both good soldiers – and they did their part.

We received our first letter from Leigh on Sept. 23^rd (written June 15^th).  He was then in a German hospital but getting excellent care and was being treated by an eye specialist.  He told us his left eye was gone forever and he was wounded in both legs and left arm by shrapnel.  He wrote a very brave and cheerful letter – told us he wore a black patch over his eye – all same Lord Nelson and Long John Silver.

We received another letter from him yesterday, dated Aug. 17^th.  He had been transferred to a prisoner of war camp which he said was a great improvement on the hospital.  He said he had received shoes, clothes, shaving outfit etc. from the Red Cross.  There was not a single English book at the hospital, but at Stalag XVIII he had Law Books, Shakespeare, a tennis court and many other things to make the days pass more quickly.  He told us he would soon have his new glass eye.

Today, we received word from the Red Cross telling us that “it would appear, based on past cases, that his form of injury is one that takes precedence over all others in ‘repatriation’ considerations⁴.  How we hope they may be right.  They did not wish to bolster our hopes too high, but passed it on as general information.

We had always thought, judging what Leigh had gone through, that Ken might be wounded and he might have a real rest.  He deserved a rest as he had fought steadily from June 1943 to Sept 1944.   But it was not to be.

The McBride boys – everyone knew they were with the Seaforths – were known and respected and loved throughout the whole country.  When the Nelson people thought of the boys who were fighting overseas in the front line they thought of our boys.  No Mother or Dad could have been prouder of their sons than we were.

The letters and wires were coming in congratulating us about Leigh, and then they stopped – and the letters and wires offered deepest sympathy for Ken.

We also received many letters when Leigh was reported missing.  I intended to answer them when we got some happy news, but I never had a chance.  The day of great joy and the day of stark tragedy were too close together.

Forgive me for typing this letter but there was too much to write.  I know I have wandered here there and everywhere, but I have done the best I could.  Ken would like to know that.

Mrs. McBride and I send our kindest regards to one – you – who meant so much to Ken.

Yours very sincerely

(from R.L. McBride, but copy not signed)

1 – brother Leigh, who was Captain in the Seaforths at the time and would later rise to Acting Major, was the only survivor of a forward unit that received a direct hit by a German shell on May 23, 1944 in the heavy action of the Liri River campaign.  He was found unconscious on the ground by German soldiers, who roused him and said “for you the war is over”.  As there were no survivors to report to headquarters, Leigh was officially listed as Missing for three months until word arrived from the Red Cross that he was alive as a POW, and received treatment at a hospital in Rome and later other hospitals in Germany.

2 – Rimini is on the Adriatic coast, about two-thirds of the way up the Italian boot.

3 – – a mini-tank vehicle

4 – Leigh returned to Canada in a repatriation arrangement in January 1945.  He travelled to neutral Switzerland and then across the Atlantic in the Swedish repatriation ship Gripsholm.  His mother Winifred met him at the rail station in Vancouver, and they travelled from there to Nelson,

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2^nd Letter to the McBride parents from family friend “Beattie” after Ken’s death

Rockcliffe, Ont.

Oct. 17, 1944

Dear Mr. and Mrs. McBride,

Your letter has just arrived, and my heart is heavy and too full to write.  Even as I wrote the last time, I still held hope that the news of both Leigh and Ken would be reassuring.  One can’t help feeling that way about those we cherish with a strong affection.

I am so relieved to hear that Leigh is well.  I pray sincerely that soon he may be back with you.

I am sharing with you a great deal of the sorrow in the loss of a brother for whom I held the highest respect and admiration.  Kenny represented to me the highest ideals of our beloved fraternity¹, and he always shall in my fond memory of him.  Every other brother would join with me in the same tribute.  In this he can never die.  To me, he is not dead, he lives more fully as an example of clean, courageous manhood that I shall never forget.  To him, and therefore to you, his dear parents, I am forever indebted for having been privileged to know him.  I cannot write more.  I am thinking of you both, and Leigh and Jimmy² who were such pals and brothers.

Ever sincerely your friend,

Beattie

1 – Ken’s fraternity at UBC, the Phi Delta Theda

2 – Ken’s cousin and great friend Jimmy Allan (1920-2010)

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NEWS CLIPPINGS OF KEN`S DEATH IN ACTION

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          The Ken McBride Memorial Trophy

Ken’s death in action in Italy in September 1944 was devastating news in his beloved hometown of Nelson, B.C.  His parents and the executive of the Nelson Golf and Country Club raised funds for a large, engraved sterling silver tray to be awarded each year to the winner of the annual club championship held over the Labour Day Weekend.  It replaced the Alex Leith Trophy named after a prominent Nelson businessman who was still alive.  In 1944 Reg Stone of Trail won the Leith Cup, defeating his brother Roy Stone in match play.

The trophy was given out from 1945 until 1977, when the Nelson golf club executive decided to discontinue the Ken McBride trophy and replace it by a Labatt’s trophy which would come with sponsorship money for the golf club.  I remember talking with my dad Leigh McBride about the Nelson golf club’s decision, and he said he was not much bothered about it, because most people who knew Ken had left Nelson or died, so it was not a big deal to him.  In retrospect, the club made a bad decision, because the Labatt’s trophy only lasted a couple of years, and subsequently the Labour Day Tournament became just another run-of-the-mill tournament – much different from the days when the honour of capturing the Ken McBride Trophy attracted up to 150 top golfers from the Kootenays, the Okanagan, the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.

The actual trophy came to a sad end in 1979 when the out-building at the Nelson Golf Course where it was stored burned down.  While the all-metal silver trophy may or may not have been damaged by the fire, it was among the contents of the building which were sent off to the garbage dump for disposal.   No one in the McBride family – which had moved to Trail in 1969 – was advised of the fire or the junking of the trophy.

The Nelson golf course underwent extensive renovation and expansion in the early 1990s, and was re-named the Granite Pointe Golf Course.

Nelson golf club president Bernie Clarkson (left) presents the Ken McBride Memorial Trophy to Ed Clem in 1964.  Clem won the trophy 8 times over the span it was offered.  Leigh was often called upon to present the trophy.  I well remember him saying in the presentation ceremony “Well, Eddie, here we are again.”  Photo courtesy of Shawn Lamb Archives, Touchstones Nelson.

WINNERS OF THE KEN McBRIDE MEMORIAL TROPHY, LABOUR DAY GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS, NELSON GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB

1945 – Roy Stone of Nelson (formerly and in future from Trail) defeated W.C. Carlson of Vancouver to win the new Ken McBride Memorial Trophy.  Roy and his brother Reg Stone were nationally renowned for their success in curling as well as golf.  I knew Roy well when he was club pro at Birchbank Golf Course near Trail in the late 1970s.

1946 – Roy Stone defeated Elgin Hill of Trail 3 and 2 in the match play final.  Stone’s toughest test was against Leigh McBride in the second round.  Leigh was one up after nine holes, but Stone won on the 17th hole.  This was the closest that Leigh came to winning the trophy named in honour of his beloved brother Ken.  The injuries he suffered in the war,including the loss of an eye, were detrimental to his golf game for the rest of his life, but he continued to be an excellent putter, winning several events at the mini-golf tournaments at Balfour.

1947 – Harry Donaldson of Trail defeated Roy Stone 7-6

1948 – Art Donaldson, Kimberley pro won.

1949 – Art Donaldson, Kimberley beat brother Harry Donaldson to claim the Ken McBride Memorial Trophy.

1950 – Buzz McGibney of Trail

1951 – Charlie Swanson of Trail

1952 – Johnny Johnston of Vancouver

1953 – Johnny Leschuk of Nelson

1954 – Jimmy Allan of Nelson (later West Vancouver) won.  As a first cousin, Jim would be the closest relative of Ken to win the trophy.  He said there was no golf tournament he would rather win, because “Ken was my buddy”.  Jim, who had won the Leith Cup as a junior in 1939, was prominent in the executive of the Capilano Golf Club for many years, including serving as President.

1955 – Art Donaldson

1956 – Arnold Sherwood of Nelson.  Arnold worked as a caddie at the Nelson golf course in the late 1940s and early 1950s.  While Leigh was President of the golf club, Arnold organized a caddies’ strike to get more money for their service.  Leigh nicknamed his “John L. Lewis” after the famous U.S. labour leader.  They became great long-term friends, and Arnold served as MC at Leigh’s funeral in August 1995.

1957 – Doug Campbell of Vancouver (formerly Nelson)

1958 – Bill Wakeham of Victoria

1959 – Arnold Sherwood defeated Bill Wakeham, 17, of Victoria, in match plan 4 and 3.

1960 – Bill Wakeham of Victoria defeated Paul Faynor of Creston, Alex Koenig, Terry Panton and Vern Miller.

1961 – Arnold Sherwood of Nelson

1962 – Bill Wakeham defeated Ed Clem, with a three-round total of 209, 7 ahead of Clem.  Ray West was third.

1963 – Arnold Sherwood of Fernie

1964 – Ed Clem of Castlegar, 18, a senior at L.V. Rogers High School, won the Ken McBride Trophy for the first time.  At the presentation ceremony, he gave full credit to his older stepbrother Arnie Sherwood for encouraging and instructing him as a golfer.

1965 – Ed Clem

1966 – Ed Clem

1967 – Ray West of Nelson posted score of 138, two lower than his competition.  Prizes were worth $800, including a 30.30 rifle.

1968 – Garnet Lineker of Kamloops

1969 – Bernie Clarkson of Nelson posted a score of 135, three strokes better than Garnet Lineker.

1970 – Garnet Lineker of Kamloops

1971 – Ed Clem

1972 – Ed Clem defeated Garnet Lineker by 6 strokes, shooting rounds of 67 and 67.  Buzz MacDonald was low net winner.

1973 – Ed Clem defeated Miles Desharnais of Vancouver, posting a two-round total of 142 to top the field of 120 entrants.

1974 – Ed Clem

1975 – Garnet Lineker of Kamloops

1976 – no info on winner

1977 – Ed Clem wins his eighth Ken McBride Trophy