Roy s/o Clifford Walter Hales & Nellie Armstrong
Roy's parents taught him to earn any money he needed. He had first picked and then peddled a neighbour’s cherries at some of the local games (keeping 2/3 of the profits, and giving the rest to the grower). He also became a paperboy, and learned to identify the soft touches who would most likely buy subscriptions. When his tenth birthday approached, Clifford asked how much he had saved. Roy had $25, to which his father added another $25 and the two of them went out to buy a brand new bike at the Bay. (The store gave out two boxes of candy bars as an added incentive to but their product. Were they ever good!)
SWIMMING
When he was 13, Roy was bothered by his lack of athletic abilities. He would have liked to excel at something! Then one day he and his pals watched someone dive into the pool at Kits Beach. The man swam 8 lengths of the pool, increasing his speed as he went. Only after he left, did Roy learn that he had been watching the swimming champ Bobby Hooper. Roy dove in, but found himself exhausted after half a length.
That didn’t matter, he had found his sport. He returned to the pool every chance he got, and after a week was able to swim an entire length. He started getting up early to increase his stamina by running. Before long he was out at 5 am and running 5 or 6 miles each morning before breakfast. He wasn’t interested in speed so much as endurance. He arranged to work at Crystal Pool – teaching swimming, cleaning up, whatever they wanted – in exchange for free swims. By the time he was in grade 11, Roy was McGee High School’s swimming champion.
FEUD WITH HIS ENGLISH TEACHER
Norman Murray was his English teacher that year. He never found out why Mr Murray used to pick on him – often sending him out to the hallway - but Roy retaliated in every way he could. He attached metal plates to the heels and toes of his shoes just to annoy his teacher with the clattering noise.
One morning, however, Mr Murray seemed too pleased to pick on anyone. The old man – Roy though he was so wrinkled that he must have been in his 60’s - strutted around like a peacock. “What gives?” Roy asked some of his friends. “Haven’t you heard? His wife gave birth to twins,” they replied.
Not long after that, Murray came to school especially angry. Roy didn’t know why, but he seemed to direct most of this hostility towards him. “So now what gives?” he asked his friends. “Someone threw a rock through his window, and some of the glass splattered onto his babies” he was told. As the day progressed Roy became aware that Murray thought he had done it. As he only lived a block away from the Hales family, it would have been easy enough to do. Roy failed English that year, and became one of the school’s “troublemakers”.
VANCOUVER'S 50TH JUBILEE
Vancouver's 50th jubilee in 1936. Mayor Gerry McGeer was fostering a new sense of civic pride. He was building a new city hall, and pressured the Federal government to end the three year quarrel that was preventing the erection of what would eventually be called the Lion’s Gate bridge. McGeer urged that the bridge be erected in time for his celebration, but would be disappointed. (Construction didn’t begin until 1937.) McGeer also encouraged the schools to compete in sport’s competitions.
My father, Roy, was a favoured McGee swimmer. However he was repeating grade 11 English, with Mr Murray as his teacher. Perhaps Roy’s ongoing conflict with his English teacher poisoned the principal’s attitude. Mr Bowles found resting under a tree, while the rest of the athletes were training. In vain, Roy tried to explain that he had just run a mile as fast as he could and the PE teacher had told him to rest. Mr Bowles wasn’t listening: “Don’t give me any of your lip Hales!” Then he told Roy to run a mile. Roy tried, but his energy was gone. Mr Bowles expelled him.
That night Roy told his father. Clifford was enraged. Being a socialist, he ranted against McGeer – a Liberal! - and the year of Jubilee celebrations! The next morning he told his son he didn’t have to go to school. A couple of days later he relented, and told Roy that even though he was in the right he should apologize to Mr Bowles and continue his education.
Roy went to the principal’s office. His apology was received, frostily. Roy resumed his studies, but refused to represent his school in that year’s athletic competitions.
FOUR YEARS IN ONE
As his father Cliff was a bookkeeper, he decided to give that a try. He asked to take all four years of the bookkeeping course simultaneously. His teachers said no. To which Roy replied, why not? Unable to convince Roy that he wouldn’t be able to handle such a course load, they informed him that the principal would have to agree. So Roy approached Mr Bowles. The arguments began again. “Hales, no one can take all four years simultaneously! It’s impossible!” Finally Roy asked that he be allowed to try for two months, at the end of which he’d drop the last three years if he couldn’t keep up. Bowles agreed.
Roy studied like he’d never done before. After school and every lunch: he’d be at the books. At the end of three months he had proved he could do it. His first report card had A’s in his first two years of bookkeeping, B in the third and C in fourth year. After six months he was getting A’s in all four years.
WORKING IN A BANK
In April he received a summons to the principal’s office. He wondered what he’d done wrong. Mr Bowles pointed to a chair, “Sit down Roy.” That was the first time the principal had addressed him by his first name, and the first time he’d given him permission to sit down.
“What kind of work do you plan to do after you finish school?”
“Anything I can get.”
“Ever considered working in a bank?”
“That would be swell sir.”
“Well if you want to work, go see the Bank of Toronto.”
“Yes sir.”
“Go right now.”
Roy was hired that day. He wasn’t among the students who graduated in June 1937.
His first job was stamping forms with the notation “Vancouver BC”. That was the most boring thing he ever did. After a day of it he approached his superior with the suggestion that the forms be printed with “Vancouver BC” on them. He was told “Never mind that Hales, go back to work.”
He was soon promoted to keeping a ledger, and someone else was hired to stamp forms. That was better, though everyone went for a long coffee break at 3 p.m. and Roy was never able to finish his ledger until 5 or 6. He began taking dancing lessons between 3 and 4. When no one seemed to notice, he bought a “Miniature Star” and went sailing.
He returned to work after everyone left the office and completed his ledger. The manager wasn’t pleased with this at all! He would probably have been even less pleased had he learned that Roy once invited his girlfriend, Dell Cross, into the bank after hours. She remembers sitting like “a big shot” with his feet up on the manager’s desk. The bank finally gave Roy a choice: he would have to give up the sailboat or his job! Roy quit.
VANCOUVER ICE & STORAGE
After that, Roy started making furniture in his parent’s basement. He had always been a talented woodworker. His parent’s friends and Dell’s friends bought the finished product. Only Roy only had a few tools – a hammer and a circular saw – and he felt like he was accepting charity.
He was relieved to find a employment with Vancouver Ice and Storage. He worked with the fish, which was piled like cordwood. The fish were grouped in lots, which were placed where space was available. Roy very quickly became disgusted with the disorganization and approached the Superintendent with the idea of making orderly compartments. He was told they weren’t entertaining that idea at the moment, and was laid off when the season died down around Christmas.
ROY'S FIRST BOAT
Jack Cowdry's family moved next to the Hales family, on 44th, during 1937. He quickly discovered they shared an enthusiasm for boating. Jack was building his first sailboat, but had no idea how to fasten the keel and his vessel sank. Roy had his “Miniature Star.”
The two of them used to go for overnight excursions to Bowen and some of the neighbouring Islands. They used to drop the anchor, and then sail in as close to the beach as possible. Roy used a rope and pulley to manoeuvre the boat back over the anchor for the night. They would sleep on the beach. As they had only one rope, they had to swim back to the boat the next morning. Jack says the water was “bloody cold” at 6 am. He also remembers the day that the wind died down after they left Bowen Island. They had an outdoor motor, but no gasoline, and only one paddle. Eventually they found a stick that Jack could use to paddle, but they didn’t get home until 3 am.
Dell Cross had similar experiences. One evening, a contrary wind delayed their return to Kitsilano until well after midnight. Nellie Hales and Nina Cross had been phoning back and forth ,as they fretted about their missing children. Roy walked Dell home, only to be met at the door by a very agitated Nina Cross. “What have you done to my daughter!” she demanded. Too exhausted to argue, Roy mumbled “nothing” and then turned around to walk back to his own home. On another occasion Dell had no sooner embarked on Roy’s boat, than he mentioned his destination was the Gulf Islands. Roy laughed when Dell insisted that she wasn’t going – he enjoyed teasing her - so she jumped overboard and swam ashore. The incident became particularly embarrassing once she reached the beach, her dress shrank! And one boy was staring at her now tightly clinging wet clothing.
VANCOUVER ICE & STORAGE
Roy was working for Vancouver Ice and Storage again in 1941. They offered him a chance to “be his own boss,” keeping the books for their ice cream division. He used to bring quarts home, Betty especially remembers some green ice cream with whole cherries! Nellie arranged for him to board with Mr Johnson, for $30 a month.
ONE OF THE ZOMBIES
He started to build a boat in his landlady’s garage, but was drafted before the vessel could be finished. Roy sent it over to Nanaimo by barge.
As he refused to volunteer for overseas duty in what he regarded as a foreign conflict, Roy became one of the “zombies” who were regarded as the lowest form of soldier. They were given all the dirtiest jobs – latrine duty, kitchen duty – and continually subjected to harassment for their “cowardice”. However he did obtain release from kitchen duty after he and his buddies flooded the floors with 2” of water - while “washing them” - just before lunch.
After completing his 2 months basic training at Vernon, Roy was asked what area he would like to specialize in. His first choice was the navy. This being denied to him, he decided to study drafting back east at the military school at Kingston, Ontario. (He continued his swimming training in the local pool.)
VOUNTEERING
The threat of a Japanese invasion totally altered Roy’s attitude to the war. He wanted to be home to defend “his people”. He requested an interview with his colonel. This was “not done” but - after a succession of conversations starting with his sergeant, then the lieutenant, and then the captain – Roy obtained access to his commanding officer.
“You’re boys have been giving me a lot of pressure to sign up”, he began.
“What about it?”
“If you ship me off to the West Coast, I’ll sign up.”
The colonel pushed an enlistment form across the table. Roy hesitated, “If I sign this, I’m trusting to your word as an officer and a gentleman that I'll ’e sent to the West Coast."
“I’ll see what I can do”, the colonel replied.
ESQUIMALT
At lunchtime, Roy was told to wait in the barracks rather than returning to duties. His sergeant brought the order to pack his things at 1:30, “You’re moving.” Roy asked “Where to?” The sergeant replied that it wasn’t for him to ask. By 2 p.m. Roy was on a train heading back to British Columbia.
He was posted at Esquimalt, on Vancouver Island, as the base was preparing for a new officer to take command. Colonel Norman Sherman was coming out from Ottawa. He had the reputation of being a stickler for regulations. Everyone was nervous. The base was being whitewashed and thoroughly cleaned in anticipation of his arrival.
The Colonel sent for Roy almost as soon as he arrived. Sherman wanted a chart made up to detail the necessary expansion plans should the Japanese invade British Columbia. For the next three days, Roy worked long into the night detailing the necessary army depots. When he was finished, the colonel said “Hales, pack your bags, you’re coming with me to Vancouver.”
VANCOUVER
The new headquarters for the Royal Canadian Mechanical & Electrical Engineers was in the old Hotel Vancouver building. Roy was soon promoted to sergeant and put in charge of a section of 4 or 5 people. As most of the men were being sent to the front, these were women. They designed the army’s mechanical and woodworking shops in Ucleut, Tofino, Prince George, Prince Rupert and other places. As people came forward with modifications for guns, rifles, radios being used at the front, Roy’s job was to study the equipment and then draw up blueprints for the newer versions. When Colonel Sherman couldn’t understand what two foreigners were trying to say, Roy spent the day familiarising himself with their accent. At the end of that time he was able to send their modification plans to Ottawa. He initially shared one of the hotel’s rooms with four other men, and ate in the former restaurant.
Roy married Della May Cross in Vancouver, on August 19th1942.
In addition to working around the house, Roy continued to compete athletically. His team was third in the 300 Yard Senior Men's Medley at the Canadian Amateur Swimming championships held in Vancouver BC July 19-22 1944. He received the injury that permanently crippled one knee in a footrace. Roy had reached the halfway point and was making his way back when he tripped over an approaching competitor.
After one of his draftswomen gave him a crate of grapes, Roy decided to make wine. The bathtub attached to his office wasn’t being used, so he filled it up with grapes and squished trampled the juice out of them with his bare feet. There were plenty of sugar and gallon jugs down in the mess. After he bottled his wine, a distinct aroma attached itself to the draftsmen’s office. One day Colonel Sherman asked “What’s that smell Hales?” To which Roy replied “I don’t smell anything sir.” On another occasion one of the corks popped, leading the colonel to ask what the sound was. “I didn’t hear anything sir.”
Roy went “too far” one day. Colonel Sherman seemed to have a fatherly feeling towards his sergeant. Yet he was an officer, and Roy an enlisted man. The colonel’s brow darkened one day when he found himself being contradicted. Realising he had crossed that invisible line of propriety, Roy decided that he might as well “be hung as a horse thief” rather than a mere transgressor. He proceeded to detail the reasons his commander was wrong. The anger left Sherman’s features.
A major confronted Roy the next morning “What did you do to the colonel?”
“Nothing, why?”
“He’s just put you in for a lieutenant’s commission.”
That promotion never took place. On May 8th 1945, Germany surrendered. With only Japan left to fight the losing battle, the end of the war was very close. The promotion of a sergeant back in British Columbia was of very little importance.
HALES LUMBER
Jack Cross gave all of his children parcels of land. Norm and Jack (Jr) took riverfront lots, but Roy asked that Dell be given three acres further back on what was to become Balsam street. This is where he built a sawmill that operated from From 1945 to 1949. Sam Berto and Jack Cross Jr both worked there.
One winter Roy used a forklift to plow the snow down to Fred Johnston's.
Dad started building the house on Balsam street in 1953.
Fred Johnstone persuaded Roy he should go into the retail lumber trade. The first few years couldn't have been that profitable, and there was a time when he was deeply in debt.
(see Vintage Truck Owner
Roy is a former President of the Maple Ridge Rotary Club.
Roy was also the founding commander of the Alouette Power Squadron in 1955, commander of the Pacific Mainland District in 1960 and commander of the Alouette squadron from 1962-64. He used to travel through-out the province teaching people the fundamentals of boating.
The family were at a Kelowna conference when he had a heart attack. Dell says it was caused by the pressure from all of his boating activities, not work.
PITT MEADOWS
He relocated to Pitt Meadows. Sam Berto continued on as his his truck driver. Both of Roy's sons worked there for awhile. Steven became the assistant manager for a time and I (Roy Jr) helped build the store in 1971. I remember seeing doodles of fish and boats spread across his ledger. He used to work late into the night and sleep in every morning.
INGRID
In 1972 Roy left Dell to live with a waitress named Ingrid Wilschewski. She returned to university and obtained a teaching certificate. They sailed to Alaska, flew to the Bahamas, and Dad put two of Ingrid's kids through university.
They relocated to Gabriola Island, BC. Second marriage broke down from unresolved conflicts around 1990. Roy & Ingrid lived in the same house for a year after their official separation - neither wanted to give it up! By terms of the divorce Ingrid got the house, and Dad got to keep his boat. During this time Dad had started going for walks & swimming with Gwen Cherry.
GWEN
Roy married Gwen Speed around 1990 Through Gwen's influence Roy has developed an interest in gardening, played cards & went on RV trips. Dad became the chairman of the board for the Gabriola Island United Church. His current project is trying to raise money to expand the building.
Roy passed away, at Dufferin Place in Nanaimo, in the early morning hours of April 27th 2009. He had been suffering from congestive heart failure for several years and his doctor remarked that it was a testament to his will power that he lived this long. The public health nurse credited this to his desire to care for his wife Gwen, who had dementia.
A memorial service was held at Gabriola Island United Church at 2 pm on May 14 2009.
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