1940s photograph celebrates Canadian Christmas party

September 2, 2010

An iconic image of London, Canada in the 1940's has been revealed, depicting more than 20 youngsters enjoying a sleigh ride and a Christmas party.

The photograph, which was taken outside the old Hamilton Road YWCA, shows the children, mostly from London's African-Canadian community, enjoying some festive cheer.

Since the photograph was unearthed recently, many of the children have been identified and amongst them are an opera singer, a top athlete, a country singer and a TV star.

In 1948, The Free Press newspaper said the ride was organized for “the children of London’s coloured community” and was followed by “a belated Christmas party” at the YWCA.

Lifelong Old East resident and collector Barbara Barclay became interested in the classic photograph and began researching its background.

“I have a ton of stuff. If it catches my eye, I will cut it out and photocopy it, whatever. I know the families (whose children are riding the sleigh). The families have always been in East London,” she added.

Ms Barclay decided to investigate the photo and try to identify the names behind the faces. She took her findings to the recent Hidden History of Hamilton Road event at the Crouch branch library and local historians were thrilled with the remarkable image of the community’s history and heritage.