Description

---

Read about the original Oral History interview Independent Research] with Mrs. Kathleen Squire formerly James] known as "Bunty" or "Bunty James" who was the lifelong friend of Katie Doreen Illsley Williams, ] daughter of J. O. Williams, owner of The Labrador Development Company Ltd which conducted logging operations in Port Hope Simpson 1934 - 1945. Bunty stayed with Katie Doreen in Port Hope Simpson, Labrador, Newfoundland, Canada for one year, 1935-36 and returned to stay for another year 1936-37. The aim of the interview was to find out as much as possible about the Labrador Development Company Ltd. in connection with the history of Port Hope Simpson and in particular any relevant information in connection with the two unexplained deaths of Arthur Eric Williams, the owner's eldest son and his infant daughter Erica D'Anitoff Williams, the granddaughter of a Russian Count D'Anitoff. John Edward Illesley, the grandson of J.O. Williams and his wife Sheila were also present and took a very active part in the interview. John had brought along the family archives consisting of albums of photographs with documents and letters written at the time] to show Llewelyn and gave him an original Labrador Development Company Ltd. brochure undated, printed in Cardiff most likely in 1934 or 1935 that included two maps showing its timber concessions in Labrador and a Labrador Mining Company concession area. John then started to take Llewelyn through his collection of photographs and other documents with Mrs. Squire and Sheila contributing as we went along...I was particularly interested to hear from Bunty that John Hope Simpson purchased timber rights after the First World War although it was not clear whether or not they were for his own personal benefit. If they were it meant that he could have actually been the employer of J. O. Williams whilst also Commissioner for Natural Resources and acting - Commissioner for Justice in Newfoundland. It would explain an awful lot... English/Japanese]

About the Author

---

Llewelyn's collection of books includes the series: 1. Illustrated Diaries about European Budget Short-Break Holidays 2. Photo Albums 3. The Port Hope Simpson Diaries 1969-70 4. Port Hope Simpson Mysteries 5. The Voluntary Service Overseas in Labrador. 6. Travel Handbooks Llewelyn has worked with The Honourable Canadian Senator William (Bill) Rompkey, on writing the history of the Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) in Labrador. This is what Bill wrote in his letter to the first get- together of the VSO teachers at Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire 1-3 August 2003, ..".Labrador called to you and we are calling you now. I hope you will do what you can during these few days to fill in the Labrador record with your recollections and reflections. This too will be an important contribution to Labrador history. But mainly I hope you enjoy your time together. Llewelyn Pritchard has done a remarkable job in bringing you together. He is as shrewd as Holmes and as persistent as Poirot. He could even be a great Canadian! We owe him more than we can say. It's his event and I know it will be successful. All good wishes. Bill Rompkey"