This map shows the 5 locations
of the Post Office that I know of
in Estevan, since 1892
The new
5th Post Office is at
1236 5th St. Suite 100
Estevan SK, S4A 0S0
Where I remember Dyer Ford was,
ca 1960's, I think?
Of Course there is a couple non-union outlets
located around the city as well.
This is the Main Canada Post Office info only.
October
1, 1924
First Airmail flight attempted to Winnipeg
was inspired and started by Mr. Colin Arthur Manlove.
Mr. Manlove owned a small Insurance company in Estevan,
that he started in 1912.
Later he entered into a partnership with Dave Bannatyne Sr.
In 1925, Mr. Bannatyne bought the whole company.
This was the first time a City, mainly
business men,
used air mail for advertising,
in Saskatchewan for sure, and possibly Canada.
It was the first Air Mail flight in Saskatchewan.
It lasted only 10 miles or so, instead of 288
expected miles.
Companies that sponsored the event:
The Bienfait Mine
Western Dominion Collieries Ltd.
Manitoba and Saskatchewan Coal Co. Ltd.
Eastern Collieries of Bienfait Ltd.
Lignite Coal Co. Ltd.
Big Lump Coal Co. Ltd.
The Estevan Brick Co. Ltd.
Prairie Nurseries Ltd.
Map of the Industries above
printed on back of the envelope
Slogans of the flight:
"Buy Souris Coal"
"Buy Estevan Brick"
"Prairie Nurseries for Plants"
Front of Envelope
The envelopes and red seal or cachet
were prepared by Mr. Donald Dunbar,
the Estevan Mercury printer in Estevan.
The wood cut from which the seals were printed
were printed and designed by Mr. Dunbar.
Postmaster C. D. Griffith made up a special lock-bag
which was presented to Flight Lieutenant E. A. Alton,
the pilot of the flight, from St. Francis.
As it turned out, due to engine trouble,
the flight ended just east of Bienfait.
When he landed he hit a rock pile and damaged both wings.
The bag was then carried by car to Bienfait,
then transferred to the mail clerk on the Souris train to Winnipeg.
1250 covers were carried, of which 400 had the regulation
sticker affixed.
Some 100 covers were signed by Lieutenant Alton,
that early September morning before takeoff.
Plane he flew G-CACA, a Standard J-1,
Fisher with Curtis OX5 engine
per 1958 BNA topics magazine, 2,000 envelopes
were printed,
and 1,128 special air mail stamps were printed in pairs.
950 stamps were used on envelopes, 100 saved as pairs.
12 copies had the surcharged reversed,
and four were without surcharge, or imprint or date.
This left 62 mint single copies.
Donald Dunbar, printer of the Estevan Mercury, (see below)
designed the red and black stamp.
Stamps and Envelopes were sold for $1
Home delivery in Estevan began in
April-May 1965
Approval was given in Dec 1964 for the new service.
5 letter carriers were employed and 2 supervisors.
Mr. Colin Arthur Manlove
b- Sept 13, 1889 in London, England
baptized- Aug 7, 1890 at St. Pauls, Ramsgate, Kent, England
d- July 2, 1963 in New Westminster, BC, age 73
In 1925 he was the owner of
the Mid-Canada Stamp Company in Estevan.
In 1958 he was a Vancouver BC Public Accountant,
at the firm Manlove and Company.
his wife- Barbara Ellen Mitchell
father- Arthur William Manlove
mother- Tryphena Eliza M. Manlove, nee Brett
mother, father married Apr-June 1887,
marriage registered in St. George Hanover Square, London.
The pilot
Edgar Atheling Alton,
ended up making his home in Manitoba.
He was actually born in Portage La Prairie MB. on July 1, 1896
He died Dec 12, 1978 in Vancouver B.C., age 83.
He served in WWI, reg #1202,
and listed his mother as Annie F. Alton
482 Gertrude Ave. Winnipeg MB.
She was actually Anne Florence, nee Anderson, born in Quebec.
His father was Hiram George Alton, b- Oct 17, 1849 in Ont.
who died Feb 1, 1923 in Winnipeg MB
Edgar had an older brother Frank Harold Alton,
younger brothers George Wilfred Alton,
Walter Eugene Alton, Edward Herbert Alton, and Sydney M. Alton,
Edgar was only 5ft 3in tall.
Owning his own "Jenny", a Curtiss JN-4 bi-plane,
he made commercial trips in many provinces.
Barnstorming with his mechanic/wing walker, named Slim,
was how he paid for his $2,600 plane.
He bought the plane from Col Billy Bishop and Col. Barker.
He later had a prominent position with
the Ford Motor Company Aeronautical Engineering Division.
Ford sent him to India where he pioneered
the Bombay flying club and was it's first Secretary.
It is believed he might have flown in WWII as well.
Next venture known, in the 1960's he was selling real estate in
Toronto.
Corporal Edward Davis Fryett
b- Dec 4, 1885, Brixton, Lambeth, Surrey, England
Christened Nov 14, 1888, same place
d- Sept 14, 1964, died in Lethbridge Hospital, Lethbridge AB
He was with the North Portal RCMP at the time of this event,
and
is also given credit for this venture,
but not sure how he is connected, or his involvement.
He became a Magistrate Judge in Lethbridge.
Also shown as a Coroner, and Broadcaster when he retired age 78.
Served in RCMP in Swift Current SK, before Lethbridge.
Served in WWI, rank, Private
enlisted in Regina, May 6, 1916, while he was in RNWMP
Reg # 2684315
Army, Canadian Calvalry
RNWMP, B Squadron
next of kin, sister, Isabel Fryett, 187 Sumatra Rd, Hampstead,
London NW
father- Charles Augustus Fryett
mother- Ellen Gertrude Henderson Davis
Charles Deacon
Griffith
b- July 19, 1888
(Born in 1888 in Carnarvon Wales per retirement source)
(Enlistment form said he was born in London England)
(one source says born in 1884)
(Christened Oct 21, 1888, Claygate, Surrey, England)
d- Aug 24, 1982
retired from Post Office after 36 years.
Served for 3 years in Canadian Army overseas, in WWI
educated in Wales and England.
Came to Canada in 1907.
Joined the Engineering Department of the CPR
Did survey work in Northern ON
before transferring to the Moose Jaw division in 1910
2 years later he left the railroad,
and joined the International Harvester Company.
He came to Estevan in 1913
in Apr 13, 1916 he enlisted in WWI in Estevan,
shown as a Clerk in Estevan, 5ft 10 3/4 tall.
In 1926 he started the "Canadian Postmaster" magazine
which grew to National circulation.
Member of the Anglican Church,
member of the Masons,
member of the Estevan Legion.
he was a gardener and became Secretary of the Estevan
Horticultural Society.
There was a Charles Griffith Silver cup awarded at the
Horticultural fair in mid 1960's.
Bet July-Sept,
1917, at Bexhill, Battle Reg District, Sussex, England,
He married Miss Beatrice May Horsfall.
Father- Griffith Griffith (yes first
name same as last!)
married July-Sept 1884 in Marylebone Reg Dist, London, England
Mother- Annie Elizabeth Griffith, nee Hart
she was shown as next of kin
living at 25 Lansdowne Cres., London, England
