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July 23rd 1959 marked the first time in history that an English Queen had made a visit to Brandon.
7/23/2009 at 8:02 AM
At 8:05 am the Royal train bearing the British Monarch and her Consort arrived from Virden. It had a Royal transport crew chosen from Brandon.
They were Engineer, Mr. M. Parnell, Fireman, Mr. T. D. Stewart, Conductor, Mr. C. E. Basrub, Trainmen, Mr. E. G. Smith, and Mr. C. M. Robinson. Mr. Robinson had served in a similar position during the 1939 tour of his Majesty King George Sixth, and Queen Elizabeth.
Because of numerous whistle stops along the route the seventeen coaches were late on their arrival in the Wheat City. The Queen and Prince Philip were introduced to Mayor, and Mrs. Creighton at the Rail Depot before proceeding in a ten car motorcade along a Flag, and Pennant laden route that was people packed along to the Provincial Exhibition Grounds.
There were over five thousand screaming children to greet the entourage while city Aldermen with their wives, and other prominent citizens were presented to the Royal couple at the main Grandstand. Among the special presentees were a Boar War Veteran named Tom Kirby who’s battered South African slouch hat had prompted an inquiry from the Prince, and World War two, double amputee Mr. Gordon Thompson who lost both hands in Germany just hours before the Armistice.
By 9:40 am Queen Elizabeth, and The Duke of Edinburgh were back on the train traveling to the next stop on the tour at Portage la Prairie. The main reason for the Canadian visit was to open the St. Laurence Seaway, but the Royal couple also visited every province, and territory in the Dominion.
Source: Brandon a City. G. F. Barker.