Title and statement of responsibility area
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- Textual record
- Graphic material
- Object
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Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)
Dates of creation area
Date(s)
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1919-2000 (Creation)
- Creator
- Wood, Bertha
Physical description area
Physical description
- 50.5 cm of textual records
- 103 photographs
- 61 objects
Publisher's series area
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Archival description area
Name of creator
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
Availability of other formats
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.