BIRTH:  April 27, 1908 (Kingwood, England)
DEATH:  Unknown

• Educated at Melvin Military College, England.
• Pat found out he was a talented writer.
• Pat and his wife had two children.

Pat Duke came into the world on April 27, 1908 in Kingwood, Surrey, England, the first son of Hugh Nevill Duke and Mora O'Callaghan. His education was taken at Melvin Military College in England. After graduation, at the age of sixteen, Pat joined the 23rd London Armoured Car Co. serving two years in Palestine and England. Athletics played a strong role in his school and army life, especially cricket and boxing.

Pat arrived in Vernon in 1927. Work was scarce at the time, but it wasn't long before Pat was told about the jobs to be had in the little town of Lumby that is just 15 miles east. He was told correct, and was able to get work without too much time passing by. One of his many jobs he had was to drive a school bus. Apparently it was a quite unique looking vehicle.

The Great Depression found Pat among a lot of other Canadians at that time. When he reached Quebec, Pat was at sea for the following two years travelling the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. During the boring hours of Pat's work, he discovered his hidden talent; writing.

Something caused Pat to want to return to Lumby. In 1934 he surrendered, returned, and married Gladys Bessette on July 2. On March 31, of 1936 their daughter Gail was born. Pat eventually put his writing talent to use at home when he founded the newspaper, "The Lumby Logger." It was remembered as a good paper, but few people had the money to support it.

As soon as war was declared, Pat joined the Royal Canadian Engineers. After his training, he was sent to Europe on D-Day to serve in Belgium, Holland, France, and Germany. A while after all of this was over, Pat and his wife gave birth to another family member, Denis. Denis was born to the Duke family on April 10, 1952.

Pat retired well after the age of 65. For the duration of his life, he accomplished an exceptionally long list of not-so-small tasks. His dedication to the development of Lumby's community is quite incredible.