Memorable Manitobans: Francis Ernest “Frank” Anley [George Secord] (1887-1970)

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George Secord
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Actor, broadcaster.

Born in Manitoba on 7 November 1887, son of Francis John Anley (1831-1922) and Sarah Carmichael (1850-1941), for many years he was the only professional actor in Winnipeg, starting in the early 1920s, performing under the pseudonym George Secord. He worked with almost every professional theatre company in the city, starting with the Permanent Players after the First World War. For 28 years, he was the voice of “The Prairie Gardener” on CBC. In the 1960s, he performed mostly in radio dramas.

On 12 March 1915, he married Alice Pugh (1891-1976) at Winnipeg and they had three sons: Francis Clarence “Frank” Anley (1918-1989), Glen Ernest Anley (1921-1996), and Robert Brian Anley (1922-1923). The family lived at 914 Valour Road. He served as President of the Radio, TV and Broadcaster's Club and President of the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA).

He died at the Winnipeg General Hospital on 27 March 1970 and was buried in the Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens.

Sources:

1901 Canada census, Automated Genealogy.

Marriage registration [Francis Ernest Anley, Alice Pugh], Manitoba Vital Statistics.

Birth registrations [Francis Clarence Anley, Ernest Glenn Anley, Robert Brian Anley], Manitoba Vital Statistics.

“Capt. F. J. Anley, pioneer, dies,” Winnipeg Tribune, 31 May 1922, page 2.

“Veteran actor,” Winnipeg Free Press, 27 June 1968.

Obituary [Alice Anley], Winnipeg Free Press, 18 March 1976, page 38.

Obituary [Frank Clarence Anley], Winnipeg Free Press, 13 May 1989, page 36.

Obituary [Glen Ernest Anley], Winnipeg Free Press, 12 March 1996, page 28.

Francis Ernest Anley, FamilySearch.

Obituaries and burial transcriptions, Manitoba Genealogical Society.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 25 March 2023

Memorable Manitobans

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