April 13th In Nevard History

Yesterday, April 13, marked the day in 1903, that my Nevard ancestors first set foot on Canadian soil. Ernest and Arthur Nevard arrived on the Barr colonist's boat, Lake Manitoba, at Halifax harbour the day before. The 13th was Ernest's 25th birthday.
This photo is likely one of the earliest I have of them. Building their first home in what would later become Saskatchewan. Ernest on the left.

I was less than 5 years old when Ernest Nevard died so my visual memories of him are limited to photos like this one from 1954.

Arthur's Letter July 23 1913

2103 Scarth St. Regina
July 23, 1913

Dear Horace
I am sending you an order for $30 to pay for the hail insurance for my place but you understand
you pay half I suppose. Of course I know you have no money and I owe you some so you be
sure and pay it before the first of August. You did not say where you were to pay it to but be
sure and attend to it on Saturday if possible as I don't want to pay the other $700.
Earn is not writing as he may be up there some time next week for a few days. I hope everything
is all ok. I don't know what Daisy is going to do about the mare and buggy but I shall leave it to her
as I don't think there is much chance to sell them here as money is too short. I wish we could as
she is not getting any younger. Anyhow, don't get her shod until Daisy comes up there.
Hoping everything is alright I remain your loving brother
Arthur
My love to Mary and Bill.

Arthur and Daisy Nevard

New Years Day Wedding

I meant to post this yesterday but it was a busy day for me having the traditional family
gathering for New Years supper here. For as long as I can remember we always had all the family
get together on New Years day to welcome in the New Year. An old superstition recommended that
a dark haired man should be the first foot in over your doorstep in the new year to promote
good fortune for the rest of the year. And the Nevards were dark haired, therefore the preferred
first guests to arrive on the day.
New Years day, 1919. My grandfather, Horace Nevard and Alice Hall were married that day in Carlton Church, Saxmundham, Suffolk, England. Horace was only recently returned from his services in the Canadian Army in France, Belgium, Germany.
Horace and Alice had known each other for the past 20 years and been in constant overseas correspondence since he emigrated to homestead in N.W.T. (Saskatchewan), Canada in 1903.
In 1916 Horace and his brother Arthur both joined the army and were soon sent to England. Horace
went on to serve in some of the big battles of WWI and was fortunate to survive unscathed.

After their wedding they returned to his homestead in Sask. in August of that year.
I never knew my grandmother as she died a few months before I was born. Through these old photos and the many letters sent by and to her over the years I have gotten to know her better.