Mr. Taulbut was a familiar figure hurrying down Main St. to the
C.P.R. station. In fact every week day at about 5.00 p.m. he set
off to mail his news report of the day to the Vancouver papers
via the early evening train. In 1949 on one of these trips, just
a short distance from home, he was accidentally knocked over by
a young boy on a bike, and severely injured his head as he landed
on the road. He lived only a few days thereafter, and thus ended
the life of one of Mission's most colourful and active citizens
who was one of the first to promote an interest in local history.
"Tony" was born in Hampshire, England. He joined the
Royal Navy at 15 as a signaler and telegraphist in the Red Sea,
which included a period with the British and Egyptian Lighthouse
Service. He was also aboard the H.M.S. Volage when it made its
expedition to the arctic in the 1890's. It was during these years
he developed an interest in collecting souvenirs.
When he returned from the navy, his love of adventure and intense
curiosity about the world around him and the heavens above him
continued through his remaining days. Retirement closed one chapter
of his life and opened another. In 1909, he and his wife Rosina
immigrated to Canada and settled in Mission Junction, a pioneer
village in a somewhat rugged frontier. Here the inveterate collector
took pride in establishing a small private museum in his home,
which was a source of delight to his many friends and family.
His collection of artifacts, books, papers and records expanded
from it's original small room to fill two rooms (and other parts
of his home) to capacity. A well used telescope was mounted in
his garden for celestial observations.
Tony's interests were many and varied and his contributions to
the community were the same. He held many public offices, including
that of Municipal Assessor and Secretary of the school board.
He was the first village clerk and first Returning Officer when
Mission City was incorporated as a Village in 1923. Both he and
Mrs. Taulbut served in many local lodges and organizations. They
even took their phonograph to supply music for many local dances.
Tony was a "small" man, but like the Thumbelina of the song
he, "stood ten feet tall." He is remembered and honoured by
the town he called home for 40 years, as one of its sterling citizens.
In 1993, the centennial year of the town, a street giving access to the
Leisure Centre was named after him. You can see the Taulbut Collection,
consisting of some of the prized items he personally collected from around
the world, at the Museum. For this we have to thank a man whose thirst
for the unusual did not end with his navy career but carried on into our
own community, as a legacy of the past.
About the Museum - Soap
Box Derby - General Tour
Local History - Teachers
Corner
