Fonds 2004.12 - Bertha Wood fonds

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Title proper

Bertha Wood fonds

General material designation

  • Textual record
  • Graphic material
  • Object

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Level of description

Fonds

Reference code

2004.12

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Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)

Dates of creation area

Date(s)

  • 1919-2000 (Creation)
    Creator
    Wood, Bertha

Physical description area

Physical description

  • 50.5 cm of textual records
  • 103 photographs
  • 61 objects

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Archival description area

Name of creator

(4 June 1919 - 19 April 2000)

Biographical history

Bertha Wood was born Bertha Schenk on June 4th 1919 to parents William and Evelyn Schenk. Growing up, she was the 2nd eldest of 10 children.

In 1942, she enlisted in the Canadian Women's Army Corps (CWAC) and served until her discharge on September 27th, 1945. She was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and received two medals for her time in service. During her service, she drove injured soldiers in an ambulance in France.

After the war, Bertha joined the Shaw Business School in Toronto, where she was educated in secretarial work. After completing her education, Bertha married James Wood on June 1st, 1951. Bertha worked at several locations in South River, ON and Toronto as a secretary, including the Robert Duncan Printing Company and Williamson, Shiach, Sales, Gibson & Middleton Chartered Accountants. In 1977, James and Bertha opened up the Lucky Dollar Food Market in South River, Ontario, which has since closed. James and Bertha had no children; they lived together until James’ death in 1996. After the death of her husband, Bertha moved to Sechelt, B.C. where she lived with the Hughes family until her death on April 19th, 2000 at the age of 80.

Scope and content

This fonds illustrates the life of Bertha Wood (nee Schenk) before, during, and after the Second World War. Most of Bertha Wood's records were created in Ontario, where she lived most of her life. Later in life, Bertha Wood moved to Sechelt, B.C. and this is reflected in her personal records.

The fonds is divided into two series: the Personal Life series and the War Experience series. The Personal Life series includes the records of Bertha Wood that do not pertain directly to her military career. These files relate to her education, family, real estate, and daily activities, which include day books and family photographs. The War Experience Series explores Bertha’s time during World War II, with materials such as her enlistment papers, wartime photographs, newspaper clippings related to the war, and uniform objects.

Notes area

Arrangement

Arranged by the archivist.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

    Location of originals

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    Restrictions on access

    Some restrictions apply.

    Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication

    Personal or academic use of materials is welcomed under the standard fair dealing and educational use clauses of Canadian Copyright Law. Commercial use is, however, forbidden without the express permission of the copyright holder. For information on obtaining written permission from the copyright holder, please contact the Northern B.C. Archives and Special Collections.

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