25th Anniversary of Tillsonburg’s Town Flag
Jen Gibson is the Collection & Exhibit Specialist with Annandale National Historical Site, the home of the Tillsonburg’s Community Museum, located at 30 Tillson Avenue in Tillsonburg, Ontario. In honour of our Canadian Flag celebrating its 50th Anniversary, Jen decided to display Tillsonburg’s prominent flags from the museum’s permanent collection in the exhibit “Celebrate Our Flags” in the Pratt Gallery (named after Bill and Marion Pratt) from May 1st to August 30th. In keeping with the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games, she has a podium set up, with exact dimensions as the Olympics with second and third place on the same level, showcasing the Olympic Flag from 1952 that the “Livvies” Basketball Team brought home.

While conducting research for the exhibit, Jen found that this is the “25th Anniversary of the Tillsonburg’s Town Flag.” The flag consist of the word “Tillsonburg” in blue lettering in between twigs of Maple Leaf branches; an Otter, Tillsonburg’s symbol, with Edwin Delevan (E.D.) Tillson’s motto “Forward” underneath it with the date 1872 signifying when Tillsonburg was incorporated from a village into a Town.  That date also marked when E.D. Tillson was elected as Tillsonburg’s first Mayor. George Tillson, E.D. Tillson’s father, settled the area in 1825 who is known as the founder father of Tillsonburg.

Twenty-five years ago DDM Plastics wanted to fly a town flag at the entrance of their offices. As a result, Tillsonburg Town Council held a contest to design Tillsonburg’s town flag.  Local resident Eric Crifts designed the flag while local art teacher Ches Sulkowski “tweaked” the design. On October 3, 1990 Mayor at that time Jean Ferrie flew the flag over the library. All municipal buildings including DDM Plastics flew the Tillsonbug flag. As part of a fundraising, local residents paid $2.00 to sign their names on the Tillonburg Town flag. In 1995 when Tillsonburg celebrated its 125th Anniversary, members of the 125th Anniversary Committee signed their names on that flag. 

The Union Jack
Also as part of the museum’s collection are a few British flags that were once flown in Tillsonburg. Before Canada was a country, prior to Confederate, the Royal Union flag or more commonly known as the Union Jack, was flown. Tillsonburg’s Royal Union flag was owned by one of the two Imperial Only Daughters of the Empire (IODE) Chapters in town. IODE started a chapter in Tillsonburg in 1922 called the James H. Wilson chapter, named after a patriot Principal from Tillsonburg Public School. Another chapter started in 1939 called the HMS Courageous Chapter, named after a British Royal Navy aircraft carrier shot down during WW II. This latter chapter had the Union Jack flag. IODE was founded in 1900 by Margaret Polson Murray of Montreal who wanted women to demonstrate their love of Canada by providing comforts to the soldiers in the Boer War. Both Tillonsburg chapters ended due to low membership but IODE chapters throughout Canada continue today.

With England’s long and illustrious history, many, many flags were flown over her shores. During the 1270s the patron saint of England, the cross of St. George was a red cross on a white ground. In 1606 after King James I succeeded the throne; it was combined with the cross of St. Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland, which was depicted as a diagonal white cross on a blue background. This flag would eventually form one of the two Union Jacks. The first Union Jack was from 1707 to 1801. It was originally the Royal flag.

On January 1st 1801, The Act of Union was legislation uniting Ireland with England (and Wales) and Scotland - the second Union Jack was born. From 1801 to 1965 this Royal Union “flag was flown across British North America and in Canada even after Confederation from 1867 until 1965. The Royal Union Jack was the only official National Flag of Canada.“ (Historical Flags in Canada.) This flag consists of the diagonal red cross of St. Patrick, patron saint of Ireland being incorporated with the other two crosses. The Union Jack represents three countries under one Sovereign. It continues to be Britain’s national flag that is flown above Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and Sandringham Estate (country retreat of Her Majesty The Queen) when The Queen is not in residence.

(Photos courtesy of/& used with permission by Government of Canada)  

Diagram showing the making of the Union Jack using the 3 crosses 

(Picture from the Internet)

The Red Ensign - Canada’s Unofficial Flag
Another flag that had various designs over the years was the Red Ensign. Used by the British Merchant Marine in 1707, the Red Ensign consisted of a red flag with the Union Jack in the upper left corner.

(Photo courtesy of/& used with permission by Government of Canada) 

The term “ensign” means a flag used to indicate the nationality of a ship or aircraft. The Red Ensign was never adopted as Canada’s national flag nor was the three versions the Canadian Red Ensign flags: 1868, 1921 and 1957.  From 1868 until 1965 when it was replaced by the Maple Leaf Flag, the Red Ensign consisted of the Union Jack in the corner with the coats of arms of Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick as they were part of the Confederate.

(Photos courtesy of/& used with permission by Government of Canada) 

In 1921 the Red Ensign consisted of the coat of arms of the nine provinces in the Confederate. That same year the coat of arms was replaced by the Canadian Coat of Arms and approval was granted to fly this flag on Canadian government buildings abroad. Authorized by an Order in Council in 1945, this flag was also used on federal buildings in Canada until our national flag was adopted.  When Canada's coat of arms was revised in 1957, the maple leaves on the Canadian Red Ensign was updated from green to red.

Tillsonburg never had the latest version of the Red Ensign with the red leafs. This flag flew over the Town Hall until 1965 when Canada’s own flag was adopted. Due to the red colour in the flags, the exhibit is a bit dark. Jen Gibson explained that “red is susceptible to fading and the marker used on the signed flags.” Jen also pointed out that the crests on the flags were hand drawn.

Our National Flag – The Maple Leaf

At high-noon in the capital of Canada, Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on February 15, 1965, then Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson raised the first official National Flag of Canada - the Maple Leaf Flag. Also in attendance was then Major-Governor General Georges-Philéas Vanier, other members of the Cabinet and thousands of Canadians. Our national flag was born, making February 2015 the 50th Anniversary of the Canadian flag. Great debates occurred whether to make the Union Jack or the Canadian Red Ensign our national flag. Strong opinions have always occurred about Canada having our own flag. During his reign, Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King tried twice, in 1925 and 1945, to establish a committee to address this issue but both times he was forced to abandon the idea due to staunch outcry that it was an attack against the Union Jack.

During the 1963 federal election campaign, the Liberal Party Candidate Lester B. Pearson, promised to introduce a national flag for Canada. However, his opponent, Progressive Conservative leader and former Prime Minister John Diefenbaker opposed the idea. Similar to the sentiments of many veterans who fought under its banner, former Prime Minister John Diefenbaker opted in keeping the Canadian Red Ensign flag. Nevertheless, Lester B. Pearson kept his promise. In 1964 as Prime Minister he set up a committee. After many debates and designs, the final design of our new Canadian flag consisted of an 11-pointed red maple leaf on a white square background in between two red bands. George Stanley, Dean of Arts at the Royal Military College of Canada was the major player in the design.  Although not a statuary holiday, National Flag of Canada Day held on February 15th was established in 1996.   

At 11:56 a.m. on February 15, 1965 in Tillsonburg, Canada’s new official National Flag was raised at Annadale High School accompanied by a 21-gun salute by the Anndale High School Cadets Corps. Anndale High School had two flags, one on their flag pole and another on the roof. An hour later the National Flag of Canada was raised at the Tillsonburg Town Hall. A programme for this celebration is displayed in the “Celebrate Our Flags” exhibit. The Maple Leaf flag in the exhibit was the last flag to fly over the Federal Building that stood at the corners of Ridout and Broadway Streets and housed the Post Office, Customs and National Employment offices.  The Federal Building was demolished in 1994.

‘Brownies in Tillsonburg’
Another flag in the Tillsonburg’s collection is from the first Brownies in Tillsonburg. In the exhibit, Jen writes that the Girl Guides of Canada started a chapter in Tillsonburg in October 1923. Seven years later the Brownies formed their first pack in Tillsonburg. “Brownies are a division of the Girl Guides of Canada that is currently for seven and eight year olds. Brownies gain skills and learn about the world around them. One of the skills learned at Brownies is the significance of flags in their unit and in Canada. Girls have the opportunity to take part in coloured parties and march in parades with flags.” The First Tillsonburg Brownies flag featured an elf. 

Cadet Flags
There were two Cadet Corps in Tillsonburg. In 1910 No. 240 Cadet Corps of Canada from Annandale High School was formed and in 1960 the No. 2655 Cadet Corps from Glendale High School started.  In May 1960, Tillsonburg held a Dedication and Presentation of Flags to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Glendale High School Cadet Corps and it also marked the newly formed Glendale High School Cadet Corps. Over 400 Cadets participated in the parade for this ceremony. Glendale High School Cadet Corps disbanded in 1967, a year later so did Annandale High School Cadet Corps.

Unbeknownst to many I’m sure, is that Tillsonburg had a basketball team that went to the Olympics not once but twice in 1952 and in 1960. As members of a local Intermediate basketball team, Bill Bennet and Roy Climie approached Gerry Livingston, owner of Livingston Wood Products, in 1946 for financial assistance to purchase team uniforms which he did. However, Gerry Livingston became more than a sponsor; he wanted to create an Olympic calibre team in basketball and within his company. Many players on the Intermediate “B” basketball team were recruited from his business like Bill Coulthard who was an accountant in 1947 when he joined. Mr. Livingston also recruited outside talent to create the Tillsonburg Livingston Basketball Team, commonly known as “Livvies.” 

The Livvies
In 1952, the Livvies became the Canadian National Basketball Champions. That same year, workers from the Livingston factory installed a basketball floor on the Tillsonburg Arena to hold the Olympic Basketball Finals from May 19th to 24th where the winning team would represent Canada at the 1952 Olympic Games.  Large crowds of over 4,000 packed the Tillsonburg Arena to watch the matches between the University of Western Ontario Mustangs and the Livvies.

The Tillsonburg team won their first two games by 76-65 and 76-69 and London won the third game by 83-82. However, the Livvies won the fourth game by 87-75. As a result, the Livvies formed the nuclei of the 1952 Canadian Olympic basketball team held in Helsinki, Finland. The Livvies players on that team were comprised of: Harry Wade, Woody Campbell, Bob Phibbs, Bill Coulthard, Bob Simpson, Jim “Red” Curren and Chuck Dalton. The rest of the team members included the following: Glen Pettinger, Bill Pataky, George Wearring, Bob Pickell, Car Ridd, Roy Williams and Tillsonburg coach Paul Thomas and manager Eddie Bowering. (See pictures of this game.)

1960 Pre-Olympic Basketball Team
Mr. Livingston set his sights again to establish yet another calibre Olympic basketball team for the 1960 Olympic Games. With a different squad and new coach, members of the Livvies 1959-60 season would once again comprise part of the Canadian Pre-Olympic basketball team that played in Bologna, Italy, included the following: John McKibbon, Raymond Monnot, Barry Ager, Ambrose and Robert Gardner, Warren Reynolds, Fred Ingaldson, Don McCrae and George Stulac. However, the Canadian team came in fifth place which prevented them from advancing to play in the Olympics held in Rome, Italy.

Gallery of pictures:
(Pictures taken of the exhibit at the Museum were with consent/permission)

Tillsonburg’s Annual Turtlefest and the opening of Otterville’s Splash pad, just another fun-filled family packed awesome weekend in Oxford County with beautiful weather!

Tillsonburg’s 5th Annual Turtlefest
Patricia Phelps, the Curator of Annandale Historical Site & Museum, was the brainchild behind Tillsonburg's Turtlefest who reported that “Leamington can have tomatoes and Weirton can have Willy, Tillsonburg can have George T.” While researching for topics about 15 to 16 years ago, a newspaper article from 1890 was found reporting how George Tillson, the founder of Tillsonburg, Ontario, stated he would return as a turtle after he died to see how his town prospered. Mr. Tillson died in 1864. According to the newspaper article, a large turtle was found at the Tillson homestead - located off Vienna Street - which a man could stand on. They named the turtle George T and he was put in a cage and displayed to the public.

Patricia Phelps felt the turtle George T should be resurrected and a Committee was struck 6 years ago. As a result, Tillsonburg has been celebrating Turtlefest for 5 years. The three-day long festivity brings over 1,000 people to Tillsonburg with events occurring at various sites throughout the town including the Annandale Historical Site & Museum. This year's event occurred from June 19th to the 21st.

Never Give Up
Children’s author, Jan Everett, explained how she wrote and illustrated her book Never Give Up as a surprise birthday present for her husband John. The children’s book is about how John tries to save turtles by helping them cross the road. John explained to a group of young children that an underground tunnel was built, the Long Point Causeway Improvement Project, "putting him out of business" for all crawling critters, including snakes, use the tunnel to cross the road. Never Give Up is Jan Everett's first book that she wrote two years ago. She has sold over 500 copies which has been an inspiration to cancer survives but "the book is for everyone" Jan says. The book sells for $9.99.

U-Belong Initiative
Amanda is a Secret Agent for the U-Belong Initiative with her bunjo chairs. The goal is to encourage people to sit and chat to get to know one another. "Oxford County is one, we are not Tillsonburg, Woodstock or Ingersoll we are all Oxford County. We need to break down the barriers from where we live."  The idea came from the Buddy Bench that a child in the United States came up with. Bunjo chairs will be at all events and festivities throughout Oxford County; it made its debut at Turtlefest.

Turtle Haven
Angie Schoen, is a Wildlife Custodian from Turtle Haven, a non-profit organization dedicated in protecting and providing shelter to turtles and tortoises, explained how pet stores do not report that the cute tiny green turtles grow to the size of dinner plates. Red-Eared Sliders are turtles sold in pet stores that owners tend to release in the wild after 5 years when they grow big and smell. However, Sliders are invasive turtles that are no match for our native Midland Painted Turtles once in the wild. Seven out of 8 species of Ontario turtles are at risk with 2 listed as endangered. As a result, Angie encourages people to call  519-264-2440 when an injured and/or dead turtle is found.

While there, Turtle Biologist Jory Mullen dropped off an injured Snapping Turtle that she cared for to Turtle Haven. All native turtles even injured ones that are taken home to be cared for, must be returned to a rehabilitation centre like Turtle Haven after 3 days.

Dolly & The Skunk Lady
A lot of interesting fact sheets were available at the Ontario Wildlife Rescue table. Animal rescuers, Dana and Josh specialize in providing care to injured animals and amphibians that can include owls, turtles and even skunks to reptiles. Laurel Beechey from Tillsonburg is known as The Skunk Lady who cares for injured skunks. Dolly is a licensed educational animal under MNR that is de-sprayed.

Other displays and activities at the Annandale Historical Site & Museum included the Pioneer Cemetery, face painting, Turtle Tales, Turtle Find, Turtle Tea and a Historical Walking Tour. Both the little ones and adults alike had plenty to do and see at the 5th Annual Tillsonburg Turtlefest.

Otterville's Mini-Splash Pad
June 20th marked the official opening of the mini-splash pad at Otterville Park and naming of the park. Members from the Otterville Optimist Club, the Friends of the Otterville Park and the Otterville fire fighters all helped to organize and fund-raised for this project. Don King reported that after finding out in 2012 that the wading pool would be coming out, plans were made to have it replaced. “When something needs to be done it gets done” Don said of Otterville residents.
The Trillium Foundation gave a $30,000 grant to cover the $70,000 costs. With various sprayers, the min-splash pad is intended for small children to use. Aside from the splash pad being added, benches and landscaping were installed as well as paving stones with donor’s names on them were around the edge of the pad.

According to Gail Lewis, Otterville chose the pool to be a War Memorial. Father and son Dr. H. W. Downing and Dr. Murray Downing thought it would be a good thing for they were treating a lot of infections from children swimming in the Mill Pond. Both the big pool and the wading pool were constructed in 1949. Martin Smith did all the excavation for free as he lost his daughter who had drowned in Mill Pond.

Otterville Park has a lot of history. It once housed a Crystal Palace that was dismantled to be assembled in the park where Big Bands played like Guy Lombardo with his brother. Gail recalled the story that when Guy played in Otterville, his mother kicked the kitchen staff out saying “no one but me cooks for my boys.”  Various sports were played there including baseball were the games were integrated with both white and black players in the 1800s. Otterville Park was designated a historical site in 1991 to commemorate its 100th anniversary.

There are many more stories and historical information on Otterville Park but that will be for another post.


Gallery of pictures from the 5th Annual Tillsonburg Turtlefest & Otterville's Mini-Splash Pad Opening. (NOTE: Guardians' consent and approval was obtained to photograph their children.)

Quote: “Behold the turtle. He only makes progress when he sticks his neck out.” ~ James Bryant Conant