Photos by Laurie Mustard / Winnipeg Free Press
Laurie Mustard’s great uncle, Lance Corporal James Baird, was a hero in the First World War.
Laurie Mustard has these framed portraits of Wilfred Barrette and Livonie Roch, if they are your relatives he’d be happy to reunite you with them.
The portrait of Mrs. Esther Bradshaw was found in a barn in Transcona.
Happy LEAP Saturday. On this rare day let’s talk about an increasingly rare picture frame you may have around your home — the antique oval convex glass variety, which is definitely worth holding onto.
Dollar value? On average they sell in the $50 to $250 range, but the keepsake value can go way beyond that.
For example, I grew up with one hanging on the wall of our home which depicted a soldier on a white horse. I really never thought anything about it until I was in my 40s and learned the rider was my Grandma Lyle’s brother, James, and then while leafing through an old Bible my Mom had in her "stuff," I discovered a newspaper clipping honouring him.
"Lance Corporal James Baird, Royal Scots Greys, has been awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field. A company had been held up by the enemy (First World War), and working ‘round their flank, by the use of his Hotchkiss gun, he was able to clear a way for our men. Lance-Corporal Baird has been in the army since the War began, and for three years has been on active service, coming through much heavy fighting without a scratch."
Prior to the war, he worked as a baker. Who knew?
Another oval frame tale arrived by email last week from Catherine Wilde, the daughter of well known former Winnipeg city councillor Bernie Wolfe and his wife, Sheila, who found this treasure in an old red barn that used to stand at the corner of Plessis and Dugald. The barn and land had been in the family (Catherine’s side) for decades, and the picture, which Catherine found in the barn loft is that of her great grandmother Esther Bradshaw, who in her Winnipeg Tribune obituary is described as, "one of the best known women in the province." Shortly after Esther’s arrival in Winnipeg from Ireland (1912), "she bought the old Bank Hotel. Making a success of this venture she purchased The Winnipeg Hotel in 1917. In 1928 she sold it and bought The Commercial Hotel, which she later transferred to her daughter, Mrs. H. Nunn." Esther also owned The La Salle Hotel which she gave to her daughter Mrs. Lloyd White.
"She loved her girls, wanted them well set in life," says Catherine.
These days, Esther keeps watch over the Wilde home and her company is much appreciated.
Let’s wrap with an oval frames mystery pics challenge for you to help solve. I somehow became the owner of two identical frame portraits, which I kept around just because they were nice. Last weekend, doing my homework prep for this column, I turned the pictures over and found beneath the protective wrapping, the names of both of the framed unsubs.
I did a bit of a search, but got nowhere. I would like to give these back to surviving family, so genealogy types, over to you.
They are, Wilfred Barrette and Livonie Roch who joined in Holy wedlock on Oct. 16, 1906, probably somewhere in Quebec. I believe they had at least three children, Carmen, Lily and Marcel. It appears Marcel had three children as well, Louise, Glen, and David.
I have too much information to include in this column, so if you’re interested in helping reunite the photos of Wilfred and Livonie with family, contact me.
Comments or feedback welcome!
lmustard1948@gmail.com
