Charles and Emily Haigh

I am Prairie born, Prairie bred, thanks to my grandparents, Charles and Emily Haigh, for immigrating to Canada.

Charles Haigh departed from Liverpool, England on March 5, 1912 aboard the RMS Corsican chartered by CP Line Atlantic Journey ID 5255. He was recorded as a single labourer on the passenger list, landing at Halifax March 16, 1912. As I pause to reflect on his March crossing of the Atlantic and a long train ride to arrive in Regina, Saskatchewan 97 years ago, and in winter, I have a renewed admiration for my grandfather, whom I never knew. I have always said, "the prairies separate men from boys". How tall he stands in my eyes!

Emily Haigh, along with their children, Philip, Alice, Sydney and George William (my Dad) departed from Liverpool September 6, 1913 aboard the Teutonic of the White Star Line. Since the St. Lawrence River was open at the time of their arrival, they landed at Montreal, Quebec September 14, 1913. They too travelled by train, the Grand Trunk Pacific, to be reunited with Charles in Regina.

My cousin Lois remembers her Dad, Sydney, telling the story of the crate carrying their belongings being dropped by the crane offloading it.

Three more children were born in Regina: Kathleen 1915, Violet 1916 and in 1918 John (affectionately known as Jack).

Charles died of tuberculosis February 6, 1928, two years after being nursed at the sanatorium at Fort Qu'Appelle, SK. At the time, the treatment of choice was fresh air, sunshine and good nutrition.

Emily devoted herself to the care of her younger children which she was left to raise on her own.

Her daughters Kathleen (husband Percy) and Violet (husband Cecil) and their children shared their homes with my Grandma Haigh. As a youngster, I recall her being stern and a bit scary. However, she aged more lovely and loving I believe thanks to her children's devotion and selflessness.

She lived another 41 years after Charles' death. Charles and Emily rest together in the Regina Cemetery. 

I have no recollection of hearing my Dad (George William) complain about his "lot" in life, but he and our Mother did want a better education and life for my sister, brother and I.

His working years were spent entirely in retail, in a men's suit store, a trade for which he had a keen talent. When the demand for two nights shopping prior to Christmas was birthed, he never asked of other staff what he did not do himself. He worked many of the extra evening hours himself.

I think my Dad's example has shaped much of what has influenced my own shopping habits - I prefer morning shopping and not shopping on Sunday - thereby honouring his memory, and that of my Heavenly Father.

I am proud of my "immigrant" family, who were hardworking, generous in hospitality, and contributed much voluntarily to our community for the common good. They did the best for us they could with what they had to work with. I am "rich" in memories - a few bad, but forgivable; and many good.

This is a tribute to the Haigh clan. I am proud to call them family; neither genius nor crook, but average, hardworking people with dreams and struggles of their own.

Respectfully submitted,
Elaine Bladon (nee Haigh) 2009