MARY'S GENEALOGY TREASURES
Robert C. Lothian arrived in Lethbridge (at the time,
He began working for the C.P.R. laying tracks for
As with many young men, World War I sparked
After Armistice Day, he returned to Coalhurst and
Bob and Ivy Lothian settled in the "Wigan" district,
Soon the mine began having problems, and a nine
Then of course, a real disaster happened in 1935
As the mine did not re-open, we were forced to
When World War 11 broke out, Bob again enlisted
Ivy Lothian moved to Lethbridge where she has
Ivy and Bob had seven children, of which there
Two daughters are residing in Lethbridge. Their
One son is employed with Greyhound in Lethbridge;
known as Coalhurst) Alberta in 1910. He left
Chesterhill, Scotland, as life was hard, working
in coal mines, which he did from the age of twelve
years.
the railroad. He could tell many stories of the
hard work, inclement weather, and problems with
rattlesnakes. Soon after, he worked as a postman
in Lethbridge. However, the lure of the mines
took him back to the Coalhurst mine.
his patriotism for his country, and he enlisted in
the army in 1915. He served with the 39th Battery
C.EA., and spent the next years in the trenches
in France. He was left with fond memories of the
comradeship of the men who had served in the 39th.
married Ivy Robinson in 1920. She was the daughter
of William and Mary Anne Robinson, who had
come to Coalhurst in 1913 from Crofton, England,
to farm in the area.
and spent happy years working at the mine, and
raising a family. All the kids remember going to
school, facing the west wind with red ashes
blowing in their faces. Water was hauled from taps
in the back lanes of the town houses. A barrel
of drinking water was a precious commodity. Of
course, every evening had a wood-chopping and
coal-carrying session for the old kitchen range. In
the mornings, ashes had to be cleared away.
month strike by the miners had a real effect on the
town. After the settlement the men would spend
their time in the Union Hall, hoping to be called in
for a shift. Many times, that would happen too
seldom, and the economy was tough.
when there was an explosion in the mine. Due to
the fact that Bob was not called in for shift, his
life was spared.
move the house to Shaughnessy, and gain
employment - again in the mine.
to serve his country. He served with the Veteran's
Guard from 1939-1945. He returned to Shaughnessy,
and the mine, until his death in 1950.
enjoyed an easier life, and will celebrate her 81st
birthday this year, living in Halmrast Manor.
are six survivors. Their oldest daughter, Jessie,
married and lived in Macleod and Pincher
Creek, until she died in 1974.
youngest daughterrecently moved to Calgary, after
spending many years in Lethbridge.
and another son resides here, employed with A.G.T.
Another son has been employed with the Gas Co.
in Taber for many years.
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