Ernest “Hap” Gandy
Ike and Mary Cordelia’s second son Ernest was born two years later, on the 16th of September 1896.
This photograph was found in the Gandy Family Bible by Margaret Penny. See a picture of the Bible here:
Ernest was 14 years old when father Ike died in 1910. In 1914 Ernest was working as a plumber and living with the family at Mt Tolmie Road. Living with the family was another plumber – William Gandy – and brother Charles F Gandy and Charles Gandy, labourer with city engineering. Charles the labourer also lived there in 1912. My theory is that this was Isaac’s brother Charles and his eldest son William (born 1895), who lived with Mary and family after Isaac’s death, perhaps to help support the large family.
In 1917 Ernest lived at 1511 Chamber Street. Ernest later lived with Mary and some of the family at 1500 Fort Street (1921) and at 1338 Grant Street (1923, 1924, 1931, 1937) according to Paul Hancock’s directory search, before marrying in 1938 and moving to Menzies Street.
Ernest’s Marriage to Eileen Collins
Ernest married Eileen Collins in 1938 at the age of 42, as reported in the Times:
“1 March 1938
GANDY-COLLINS
Rev. Father J. A. Gaudette solemnized the marriage of Eileen, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Collins, and Ernest H. Gandy, son of the late Mr. Gandy and Mrs. Mary Gandy, at the Bishop’s Palace Tuesday afternoon.
The bride, given in marriage by her brother, Mr. Carberry Collins, wore a French blue dress, with an American broadtail coat, blue hat and accessories, and a corsage bouquet of Ophelia roses. Her sister, Mrs. D. Whitney was her attendant, and Mr. Douglas Morley best man.
After the honeymoon in the Sound cities, Mr. and Mrs. Gandy will make their home at 48 Menzies Street.”
Victoria Times 3 March 1938
Mary Cordelia was living with Ernest and Eileen at Menzies Street on her death in 1939. Ernest himself died in 1974 and his wife Eileen followed in May 1979. I have found no record of any children. Eileen is buried at Hatley Memorial Gardens, Victoria.
Military Service WWI
Val Reid of Chilliwack kindly sent me Ernest’s registration for military service from 1917, which I have transcribed:
Ernest Henry (Hap) Gandy
Reg. no. 2139783
Number 2 company, 11 M.D. 2nd Depot Battalion, B.C. Regiment
Drafted under Military Service Act 1917
Ernest Henry Gandy
1511 Chamber Street Victoria B.C. Canada
DOB 16 Sept 1896
Born Victoria
Single
Church of England
Marine Pipe Fitter and Plumber
Next of Kin Mrs Mary Cordelia Gandy, same address
Not member of Active Militia
No previous military or naval service
Medical Exam Victoria 16th Oct 1917, Category A-3
Age 21 yrs 1 month
Height 5’5”
Chest fully expanded 37”, range of expansion 9½”
Complexion Fresh
Eyes Brown
Hair Brown
I have not found anything to suggest that Hap actually took part in the War.