1

Fulton McKirdy
1899-1940
Swift Creek (Valemount), British Columbia, Canada

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Fulton McKirdy was one of the most colourful and energetic pioneers in this valley. Born in 1874 in Toronto, Ontario, he was the youngest of eleven brothers and sisters. After the death of his father, Fulton and his family moved to Wingham.

In 1884, Fulton went to live with his brother, who owned a Guide and Trading Post in Nipigon. In the winter, he logged.

In 1896, Fulton worked on Canadian Pacific Railway bridges from Fort Williams to White River. While working in Wordner, Fulton and the crew caught typhoid. As soon as he was well enough, he travelled north to Valemount.

In 1899, he prospected along the Canoe, Swift Current, and Fraser Rivers. Fulton made his home in the Township of Cranberry Lake.

He was appointed Fire Warden by Price Ellison after a wildfire. After passing the Assistant Rangers Examination in 1917, Fulton remained in that capacity until 1940.

In 1940, he became a lookout man until his retirement at the age of 82 in 1956. Fulton was also appointed Justice of the Peace in 1923.

Fulton McKirdy died March 31,1960, leaving his wife Margaret, their four sons, one daughter and seventeen grandchildren.

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Angus, Les and Jim McKirdy sitting with some very large turnips grown at the McKirdy's farm
1928

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Sons of Fulton and Margaret McKirdy.

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Bill McAndrew & Angus McKirdy (son of Fulton)
1949

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Jim and Angus McKirdy with their Uncle Peter Thorne in Vancouver
1940s
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

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Pte. William Lester McKirdy
1943-1946

Credits:
Royal Canadian Legion Branch # 266 (Valemount)

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McKirdy Family War Heroes

Pte. William Lester McKirdy

1^st Canadian Paratroopers

6^th Airborne

Service: 1943 - 1946

Medals: War Medal

Canadian Volunteer Service Medal

Cpl. James (Jim) McKirdy

(Brothers Les & Angus McKirdy)

Royal Canadian Air Force

Engine Mechanic - Canadian Service

LAC Angus McKirdy

(Brothers Jim & Les McKirdy)

Royal Canadian Air Force

Rigger Man - Canadian Service

Sgt Stewart McKirdy

(Cousin to Jim, Angus and Les McKirdy)

Royal Canadian Electrical Engineer

Was wounded badly at the taking of Vimy Ridge

Tom Shatton Wate

(Uncle to Jim McKirdy)

Canadian Army Engineers

Pinkney John Wate

(Uncle to Jim McKirdy)

Tom Shatton Wate

(Uncle to Jim McKirdy)

Canadian Army Engineers

Pinkney John Wate

(Uncle to Jim McKirdy)

Credits:
Royal Canadian Legion Branch # 266 (Valemount)

9

Margaret McKirdy married Angus, son of Fulton McKirdy
Valemount, British Columbia, Canada

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Margaret McKirdy was an artist who sculpted 'Little People' (local characters) using local clay. She researched and wrote a local history book 'The Colour of Gold.' Margaret also contributed to local newspapers.

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Facial features of a Shushwap native woman

Credits:
Sculpture by Margaret McKirdy

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Scultptures by Margaret McKirdy.

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Sculpture: The tie maker

Credits:
Margaret McKirdy

14

Catherine, Tan, and Florence McKirdy in their horse drawn buggy
1920s
Valemount, British Columbia, Canada