Uncle Bill and some of our family at Horseshoe Bay: (from soldier clockwise: William August Roedde (eldest 2nd generation Roedde in Vancouver, wife "Vi" with long hair - children Lorraine and Bill, children Gretchen and Steven Roedde) Tilly Roedde, Myra, Vi, woman in kerchief not known, behind her Ann Roedde, little girls: Kathleen, Gwen (Emma Roedde's daughters)

In the year 1900, when my Uncle Bill was a small boy, he had an unforgettable adventure. He was playing in a pile of sand near the corner of Barclay and Nicola Streets when he heard the exciting noise of an automobile sputtering down the street. Running out onto the road to take a closer look at this marvelous vehicle, he was knocked down. Mr. Rogers (of Rogers Sugar). When the family examined Uncle Bill they found, instead of being scared, he was proud to have ridden in a real automobile.

During WW1 my uncle Bill went overseas as a gunner in 1917. He fought in the trenches, and had as tramatic a time as most soldiers. It was difficult for him to adjust back to civilian life after the horror of trench warfare.

Uncle Bill became a very good sailer with a reputation for designing his own boats. The Royal Vancouver Yacht Club still has a Roedde class of boat.

Bill and his brother Gus helped my grandfather in running the business, and when they were old enough they took over Grandfather's bookbinding company. But Uncle Bill's first love will always be sailing.

Uncle Bill married Violet White (Aunt Vi or Viola as she was called), and they had two children.

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Forward to: Gus Roedde

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