William Gorrie, born in Truro, Nova Scotia, and his
bride travelled west by train, wagon and boat settling briefly at Grand
Valley. The spring flood of 1881 washed out this little settlement,
forcing most of the residents to a new location, Brandon. William, a
saddler and harness maker by trade, is listed in the Henderson
Gazetteer of 1884 as Gorrie, Wm. — saddler, 6th and Rosser, Brandon.
Two children were born in Brandon. Lulu in 1883 and Charles in 1885.
For some reason, no doubt the beautiful location in the valley by the
winding Souris River, William moved to Wawanesa in 1887 to establish a
harness shop, probably a very necessary service in this new community.
Two more children were added — Herbert, better known as Bud, and Helen.
The family moved to Vancouver in 1915, and Bud, who had joined up and
gone overseas joined them there to pursue his career.
Adapted from Sipiweski, page 314
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