|
|
|
British Columbia John Rowland |
||||||||||||||||||||
To view a larger version of the image, click on the image
|
||||||||||||||||||||
John Rowland was born in Newport, Wales in 1878. A fellow townsman and former managing editor of the Vancouver Daily Province told him about British Columbia, inspiring him to move there. When Mr. Rowland arrived in Vancouver he joined the circulation staff of the Province and was solicitor for subscriptions. For years he worked in this capacity for both Victoria and Vancouver newspapers. He also loved soccer and rugby and attended games every Saturday. At one time he achieved success as an English rugby coach. Mr. Rowland also fancied himself a composer. When he wrote The British Columbia Marching Song he gave away hundreds of autographed copies at his own expense. Every school and college in the province were given copies. In connection with the centenary of the signing of the Oregon Boundary Treaty, copies of the song were sent to historical societies, archives and universities throughout the Pacific Northwest. He delighted in giving his song to newlywed couples saying that if they played it they would never end in divorce. The song had been broadcast several times by Percy Harvey's orchestra. It also served as British Columbia's tune in the cross-Canada musical round-up on Dominion Day. He wrote about ten other songs and an operetta with a light modern theme which was never produced. For years, John Rowland became a permanent fixture at the Empress Hotel where he sat in the same chair every night beside the clock from 6 to 10. Known as the 'Man Beside the Clock', he would listen to the music and chat with politicians everyone of whom he knew from Victoria to Ontario. Although he was regarded as a 'character' by the empress Hotel staff, he was well-liked by everyone because he loved music and people. Empress manager J.K. Hodges expressed after his death: "Why shouldn't he have sat in our lounge very night? A lot of our guests will miss him." Although shabby in appearance, he was always courtly and bowed to acquaintances. William Tickle who led an orchestra at the Empress often played one of his songs. Probably his greatest moment was when British Columbia Marching Song was played at the top of a musical program for a government luncheon given for Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh. It was known he led a lonesome life in his latter years. It was only known after his death in 1951 that he lived in a boarding house with only a gas plate and a single shadeless light.
|
