True and Fascinating Canadian History
Vet of the Month: January 2012
Reg.#3883, Constable John Edey
RCMP Vets. Ottawa, ON
This is a story about Reg.#3883, Constable John Edey. The material arrived from family, Ms. Tootie Gripich, who said, "John Edy was married to my great aunt Eveline (Evelyn) McKay".
The story of Constable John Edey had only just begun when his life ended on a very emotional note...
Part I: Cupid's Court
The Lethbridge Herald. June 29, 1910. The story is quoted hereunder.
"A pretty double wedding ceremony was celebrated before about twenty intimate friends this morning at eleven o'clock by Rev. A. M. Gordon at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. D. G. McKay, when Miss Evelyn McKay became the bride of John Edey of this city and her sister Miss Ethel McKay was married to Charles J. Little of Cranbrook, BC.
A profusion of white carnations and palms adorned the rooms. Miss Evelyn looked very charming in her going away gown of wisteria liberty satin, with sleeves and yoke of fish net of the same shade. The gown was effectively braided with soutache.
Miss Ethel was very attractive in her smart travelling costume of navy rajah built upon semi princess lines, a touch of hand embroidery adorned the waist and a chemisette of rose point was the only other trimming. She wore the groom's gift, an exquisite pearl pendant. Both brides carried immense showers of daybreak carnations and maiden hair ferns. Mr. Edey's gift to his bride was a diamond ring.
Miss Beth Wright, looking well in a dainty lingerie frock of pale blue played Mendelssohn's wedding march as the wedding party entered the living room.
Mrs. McKay, mother of the brides, donned for the occasion a becoming gown of black taffeta veiled with black net, and Mrs. Atchison, a sister, was gowned in white point d'esprit with pearl trimmings. Following the ceremony an elaborate wedding breakfast was served. The table was lovely, centred with the huge cake resting on a bed of smilax. The predominating colours used for the table decorations were pink, white and green. An immense wedding bell, developed of white carnations, was suspended over the table and wide streamers of white satin ribbon ran from it to the corners of the table, the beauty of which was further enhanced by bouquets of pink and white carnations.
The wedding gifts were very beautiful and numerous. The land office staff presented Miss Evelyn with a Limoges dinner set, and both young ladies received substantial cheques.
The party left on the afternoon train for their honeymoon trips, Mr. and Mrs. Edey going to Banff and Mr. and Mrs. Little going to the coast. Mrs. Edey wore for travelling a pretty long coat of bronze shantung with collar and cuffs of black and adorned with extremely smart buttons. Her hat was a Napoleon shape of black milan trimmed with black tips. Mrs. Little wore a loose coat of natural rajah with collar and cuffs of black and pipings of pale blue, and a stylish toque of navy satin straw caught at the sides with blue wings.
Upon their return Mr. and Mrs. Edey will reside until their new home is built with Mr. and Mrs. McKay, and Mr. and Mrs. Little will reside in Cranbrook, BC".
Part II: Obituary:
Mrs Edey, a Bride of Few Months, Passes Away
"Every old timer in Lethbridge will be shocked to hear of the sudden death of Mrs. John Edey (Evelyn McKay). Last night at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. D. G. McKay, 1210 Ford Street, she passed away. She had to undergo a slight operation, for this she took chloroform, and never rallied from unconsciousness.
Born in Stellarton, Nova Scotia, 29 years ago, she came to Lethbridge with her parents in childhood. Ever since then she has been one of the best known and most popular young women in the city. In June she took leave of her friends at the Dominion Land Office, and a few days later a double wedding was celebrated at 1210 Ford Street, Miss Ethel McKay married Mr. C. J. Little of Cranbrook, Miss Evelyn became the bride of John Edey.
During the few months since their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Edey have lived at the brides home, planning and preparing everything for their own home which they hoped to occupy very soon. Last evening she was full of brightness and fun, the life of the home as she had always been. Suddenly and unexpectedly she has been called hence.
This is the first break that has ever occurred in the large family. Therefore the loss is felt more keenly. To her husband, her parents, her brothers, Hugh, Waldon, Byron and Robert, and her sisters, Mrs. Little and Mrs. Atchison, a host of friends and Lethbridge extend their heartfelt sympathy".
Source:
The Lethbridge: Herald June 29,1910
Dear Joe;
Constable John Edey was born on June 26, 1885. He joined the NWMP in Hamilton, ON in 1902 and after five years, he left the Force from Lethbridge, AB in 1907. John died in 1943 and his grave is in Row 29, Yorkton City Cemetery, Yorkton, SK., Canada.
I do plan to send for a copy of his obituary but have not done that as yet. I do have a photograph of John Edey but not one of him in uniform.
Yours truly,
Tootie Gripich
Note: I am very, very appreciative to my friend Tootie Gripich -- a frequent contributor and a great supporter of the Vets Graves Discovery Project: www.rcmpgraves.com
I acknowledge and I am also appreciative to The Lethbridge Herald : June 29, 1910
Reporting from Fort Healy,
J. J. Healy
January 23, 2012
