Dateline Cowichan 1944: Twenty grads wave bye to Duncan High

This picture was taken after a day of fishing in 1938 @ Cowichan Bay.  Pictured left to right is Joseph Lloyd and Stan Charcotte. The little boy in front is Joseph’s grandson Robert Malbon.

courtesy Robert Malbon

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Hundreds of students now graduate every year from Cowichan Secondary School.

In June 1944, just 20 Duncan High School students received their certificates, so let’s celebrate them with a list: Elise Barr, Hope Campbell, Lois Harrison, Jean Lundahl, Joyce Lundahl, Agnes Pohl, Elsie Pohl, Joan Murray, Eleanor Pye, Geraldine Vaux, Margaret Wall, Muriel Williams, Tom Challis, Douglas Cook, Hugh Gilmour, Edward Harkins, James Hobson, Jack Mason, Donald McLennan and E. D. “Pat” Smithe.

Also awarded on that day in a ceremony in the school’s gymnasium were trophies for the boy and girl gaining the highest number of points on sports day. Those awards went to tied winners Peter Gard, Edmund Chow and Ross Menzies for the boys; and Donalda McDiarmid who had a commanding lead in the girls’ events. Perfect attendance awards went to Dallas Vaux, Betty Campbell, Richard Purvey and Jules Foucher.

Hope Campbell received the Best Citizen trophy, described by principal Mr. Goddard as the award that went each year to the student who had contributed most to the school in the areas of academic, social and athletic endeavours. Cadet.-Lt. Jack Fielden received the Hodding Shield for having his platoon judged best on parade at a recent cadet inspection.

1944: queens

Ethel Minarchik, Youbou; Roberta Portelance, Lake Cowichan; Joan Sherman, Duncan; Evelyn Dabinett, Chemainus; and Viola Williams, Cobble Hill; were all in the running for the crown of Lumber Queen of the Cowichan District.

1944: music

High school principal Mr. E. A. Goddard told Duncan Consolidated School Board there was a need for a teacher of music at the school. He asked that the board bear in mind musical qualifications as well as ability to teach other subjects.

1944: officers

Group Captain A. C. Pitt Clayton, son of Duncan’s Dr. W. B. Clayton, and Capt. Geoffrey Bateman Hope, son of Mrs. Hope, Jaynes Road, were made Officers of the Order of the British Empire in the King’s birthday honours.