Staying in Canada - Thomas Knevitt Pinhey and Daisy Laura Shellard

Winnipeg 1910

This may be the first photo of Thomas Knevitt Pinhey and Daisy Laura Shellard together.  Thomas is on the lower right, sitting on the step (wearing a fedora hat).  Daisy is on the left side sitting next to the planter (above the woman in black). The photo is labeled 

"Winnipeg, 1910".

William Fox and Fanny Maude's return to England closes the chapter on their lives.  My grandfather, Thomas Knevitt Pinhey stayed on in Canada with his brothers.  Thomas and Daisy had a very interesting life in Canada and Thomas was quite the amateur photographer. Consequently, there are many photos of Thomas and Daisy and their family in Canada, which will help frame the next posts along with my father's writings about his life.  The following narrative about Thomas and Daisy comes from my father's memoirs written around 2006-2007:

"My family background is definitely English. My paternal grandparents were William Fox Pinhey and Fanny Knevitt Pinhey. His occupation was listed as “gentleman” and she was his wife. My great grandfather was William Green Pinhey and I am not aware of my great grandmother’s maiden name. My Mother was born in Bristol. Her maiden name was Daisy Shellard; her mother was Laura Longman. The name McCauley seems prominent in my mother’s family. Knevitt is fairly prominent in English history as Lord and Lady Thomas & Elizabeth Knyvitt: Baron & Baroness of Escrick. The Pinheys may have been Welsh & the Shellards are one of those Flemish families that were brought to England to teach the art of weaving to the wool producing Britons. (note: William Fox Pinhey's family was originally from Brixham, Devon. So it is doubtful that the name is Welsh as Pinhey's can be found in Devon throughout its history. My father did not have access to this information).

I had an Uncle Will Pinhey, Robert Pinhey, Aunt “Faff” Pinhey and Aunt Madge Pinhey, who died young. My father Thomas Knevitt Pinhey was the youngest of the group. I am less well informed as to my maternal branch but will do my best. My grandfather, Arthur Shellard was married to Laura Shellard. Then ensued my mother, Daisy Laura Shellard, Edward McCauley Shellard, John Shellard, Hilda Shellard, Iris Shellard and Tom Shellard, some of whom were born in Bristol, England (my Mother for one) & the younger in Winnepeg, Manitoba, Canada.

My paternal grandparents were from monied people, but along with many English people came on hard times as did my maternal grandparents. About 1906-07 they migrated to Canada. My Uncle Bob was sent to an “ag” school for a few months before leaving England. My father and uncle Bob both attended St. Dunstans in Catford. This was an upper class school. I visited it in 1987 and was quite impressed.

Grandfather Pinhey took out a full section (640 acres) homestead at Birch Hills (Waitville), Saskatchewan. This was 160 acres for each son and the father. Grandpa Pinhey had never worked nor had my grandma. Going to the Canadian wilderness, with no servants must have been a real jolt. They built a farmhouse, broke land and planted wheat, raised poultry, beef, hogs etc. Plowing was done by oxen.

My father had enough of this after about one year and he left for Winnepeg where he got a clerical job with the C.P.R. Railway. He lived in a boarding house with several “remittance” men & I gather they were a rough lot. He met Shellard when she attended a Rugby game in which he was playing. She was 17 or 18, he 19 or 20. She was a legal secretary. History does not relate but I don’t think my Grandpa Shellard was overjoyed at the marriage."

 Arthur McCauley Shellard 

An undated portrait of Daisy Laura Pinhey's father

Shellard Family Portrait

Undated photo. Daisy is standing (center) The oldest boy (sitting) is Edward McCauley Shellard (Ted Shellard)

Arthur Shellard and Laura Shellard, 1913

This photo was captioned "Mom and Dad, 1913" by Daisy in her photo album

 Arthur Shellard and Laura Shellard (undated)

 Arthur Shellard 1916

Arthur is the soldier with the "X" pencil mark over his head. This is from a photo postcard.

 Daisy Laura Pinhey 1912

This photo was dated and captioned "DLP" in Daisy's album. 

Iris Shellard 1912

 I just had to add this photo - all the photos of Iris in Daisy's album show Iris having a good time and this one is particularly captures Iris' fun side. Note the step and skirt guard on the rear wheel and fender, this set-up allows a woman to ride "side-saddle" and not get her skirts caught in the wheel spokes.  The motorcycle is a neat little v-twin with an early girder front fork and carbide headlight.  I like the rustic bridge!