Viewing Object

Alwyne Buckley (Oct 7, 1888 – Oct 19, 1970), was a highly regarded horticulturalist, philosopher and writer. Originally from Birmingham, England, Alwyne was a student at Oxford University when he met Elsie Mary Brown. They married and left England to settle in British Columbia in 1907, first in Armstrong, and then to Langley in 1934.

He and Elsie had five children—Joan (1908), Phyllis (1910), Ralph (1912), Denis (1915), and John (1917). He enlisted in the Canadian military in August 1916, but was discharged due to partial deafness.

Alwyne is known as a pioneer in the commercial production of lilium auratum seeds. He used his expertise in horticulture to open the Esperanza Lily Farm in Langley, which made a name for itself internationally, from 1940 to 1949. With bulbs imported from Japan, known to grow only in particular conditions, Alwyne and his family put years of work into perfecting the land, nurturing bulbs, propagating seeds, and fertilizing blooms by hand. As a result, the lilies thrived, drawing attention from all over the world.

Alwyne was involved in the Langley community, having been a founding member of the Langley Garden Club as well as an elected Trustee of the Langley School District (35). He had contributions in many clubs and organizations throughout the years, such as the Brookswood Boy Scouts, and was well known amongst Langley locals.

Alwyne is a published author of multiple books, ranging in topics from horticulture to philosophy and psychology.


References:

“BC Archives,” s.v. “Alwyne Buckley” (1885-1970), https://search-collections.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Image/Genealogy/1de2b2ad-50f4-43f7-9bc1-0df23b19a1a8
“Buckley, Alwyne.” Library-Archives Canada. Genealogy / Military / Personal Records - First World War, 1916. http://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.redirect?app=pffww&id=73805&lang=eng.
Langley Advance. “60 Years Brings Out Philosophy,” March 30, 1967, 2. https://www.newspapers.com/image/536667071/.
Langley Advance. “Death Takes A. Buckley,” October 22, 1970, 12. https://www.newspapers.com/image/536982372.
Langley Advance. “Our Neighbors,” March 16, 1961, 16-17. https://www.newspapers.com/image/536896663.
Langley Advance. “The Corporation of the City of Langley 1960,” December 1, 1960, 8. https://www.newspapers.com/image/536653587/.

Originally from Walberswick, Suffolk, England, Elsie Mary Buckley (Formerly Brown) (Nov 23, 1888 – Jan 9, 1973) came to Canada with her husband, Alwyne Buckley. They first settled in Armstrong, BC, before moving to California, and then eventually Langley in 1934.
She and her husband had five children together: Joan (1908), Phyllis (1910), Ralph (1912), Denis (1915), and John (1917).
During the family’s time in California, Elsie worked as a housemother at private schools. After arriving in Langley, she became very involved with the community as well as her family business, the internationally known Esperanza Lily Farm.
She was president of Langley Prairie Institute, founder of Langley’s first PTA at Milner School—serving as an elected trustee for several years, with involvement in multiple areas of Langley’s municipal—Langley City Incorporation Agreement, Langley Civic Association, Langley Agricultural Association, and more.

See From: pastors
See Also: nuns
Term Source: Sears List of Subject Headings (16th. Ed.)

John Condor was a nurseryman and insurance agent. He was a Langley City Councillor/Alderman from May 1955-1961, and served as the Mayor of Langley City from May 1961 - 1969.

Term Source: AABC Thesaurus

Term Source: AABC Thesaurus

Tommy Gleig was married to Betty, and the two lived in the Brookswood area with their two sons. Tommy was a World War II veteran, a member of the Langley Legion and dealt mostly with veterans' affairs. He worked closely with St. Andrew's Anglican Church Reverend Tom Harris. He ran for council and was a member of the Langley School Board. He was very involved in providing community support and fundraising activities. He was also involved with and responsible for building the first music school in Langley. He died at an early age of a heart attack.

David William Poppy was Mayor of the Township of Langley from 1967 - 1971, Reeve 1956 - 1967 and Councillor in 1944, 1946 - 1955.
Term Source: Roads & Other Place Names in Langley, B.C. pg 41(Pepin).

Clive Rogers was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. He was the youngest of 13 children and left the country in 1902 to attend school in England. He came to Canada briefly before returning to South Africa, and then to England again, where he joined the Inns of Court Officers Training Corps, but had just finished his training when WWI finished. He married Dorothy Rutherford (from Canada) in 1920. He moved to Canada again in 1928, first living for 6 months in Burnaby before settling in Langley to raise poultry. In WWII he served with the Veterans' Guard of Canada and with the Reserve Brigade in Vancouver. He and his wife farmed on Simonds Rd (48th Avenue) until September 1946, when they purchased some additional land and used part of the farm to open Newlands Golf Course, originally 9 tees. The premises were opened March 1948. Rogers was an Alderman on the first Langley City Council in 1955. In 1959 additional land was purchased and Mr. Rogers built the additional 9 holes. In April 1961, the Rogers sold the golf course to W. S. Foreshaw and Mr. Anderson. During the time of this sale, Mr. C. T. Knight was the manager, and Ken Lea was the pro.
Mrs. Dorothy Rogers mother was a Miss Boultbee, and the couple have a son, Clive Boultbee, who was an insurance adjustor in Cloverdale, and a daughter, Helen. Boultbee married Dora Barker of Cloverdale and they had two children, Dianne and Stuart. Boultbee served in the Canadian Army during WWII in Europe for four years. The Surrey Archives has 100+ wartime letters written by Clive Boultbee Rogers. He lived in Surrey from 1956-1997, the year of his death.