William Robertson Burnett was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1911, the son of James Robertson and Hope (Trotter) Burnett. His father, who was born and trained as a journalist in Scotland, was editor and manager of the Guardian newspaper in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island from 1914-1951 following 9 years with the Argosy newspaper in Georgetown, British Guiana. "Bill" worked as a reporter for the Guardian prior to the outbreak of World War II. Enlisting in the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, he participated in the invasion of Normandy and the allied push into Belgium and Germany. After the war he and his brothers George (Chick), Ian, and James (Lyn) - a fourth brother Niall had been killed during the war - became part of a family enterprise, all working in various capacities for the Guardian under their father until 1953 when the Guardian became a Thomson newspaper. Bill continued to work for the Guardian in circulation, advertising and editorial. He retired in December 1976.
In addition to his newspaper career, Burnett was active in his community and his church. He acted as media representative for Royal Visits, served on the provincial council of the Boy Scouts of Canada, and as public relations officer for the Salvation Army. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion and of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Memory Club and served as an elder of the Kirk of St. James Presbyterian Church. He died on 17 March 2002 at the age of 90, predeceased by all of his siblings.
Bill Burnett was married to Edith Mary Evans of Round Hill, Nova Scotia with whom he had one son, Robertson (Rob) and three daughters, Joyce, Flora and Elspeth. Mary is an accomplished weaver and worked for many years as cataloguer at the Prince Edward Island Museum and Heritage Foundation.
Edith Mary Evens was born in Round Hill, Nova Scotia. She was married to William Robertson Burnett (1911-2002) of Prince Edward Island. They had one son Robertson (Rob) and three daughters, Joyce, Flora and Elspeth. Mary is an accomplished weaver and worked for many years as cataloguer at the Prince Edward Island Museum and Heritage Foundation.
Published
Title based on collector of the documents
The various items in this collection were apparently acquired by various members of the Burnett family. They reflect Bill Burnett's life and career, containing documents and photographs which relate to his, and his family's, involvement in their community. It has been arranged in the following series:
Series 1: Royal visits
Series 2: Boy Scouts
Series 3: West Kent School
Series 4: Military memorabilia
Series 5: Programs
Series 6: Photographs
Series 7: Miscellaneous documents
Series 8: J. E. B. McCready
Documents from Acc4717 (image of John Pond) and Acc4741 (photo of Royal Canadian Naval Reserve) have been moved to this collection
See also: Acc4805: Guardian newspaper fonds; RG55.24.2: North Nova Scotia Highlanders fonds
Additional photographs: Acc2320/113-2 - Burnett, Bill, Lieutenant; Acc2320/114-2 - Burnett, N. H.; Acc3466/HF81.66.12.13 - Graduating Class, Prince of Wales, 1937 (Includes N. Burnett); and Acc3466/HF81.66.12.13 - Graduating Class, Prince of Wales, 1938 (includes L. Burnett)
NO RESTRICTIONS ON ACCESS
PERMISSION FOR USE AND REPRODUCTION IS REQUIRED FROM THE PUBLIC ARCHIVES AND RECORDS OFFICE; QUESTIONS REGARDING COPYRIGHT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE USER
SERIES DESCRIPTIONS AND FILE OR ITEM LISTINGS ARE AVAILABLE
The series consists of official tour arrangements, information and itineraries as well as invitations, lists of guests, menus, press passes, and some correspondence re. the visits to Prince Edward Island of various members of the Royal family in 1959, 1964, 1967, 1983 and 1987.
"A FILE LISTING IS AVAILABLE":http://www.archives.pe.ca/finding_aids/4092ser1.pdf
The series contains programs of special services and activities of the Boy Scouts including the visit of Lord Baden-Powell to Toronto and Charlottetown in 1935, primarily collected by J.R. Burnett. There are also twenty three photographs of PEI Boy Scouts and their activities, two of which are images of the Island Boy Scouts who were candidates to be part of the Canadian contingent attending the first World Boy Scout Jamboree at Birkenhead, England in August 1929. William Burnett was one of the three boys chosen. Most of the images appeared in the Guardian and are accompanied by photocopies of the images and captions as well as the dates.
NO FURTHER FINDING AID AVAILABLE
The series contains a photograph of a class of students including Bill Burnett at West Kent School, circa 1924 and a programme of West Kent School Ice Sports, February 10th, 1928.
NO FURTHER FINDING AID AVAILABLE
The series contains one copy of "The Graf" magazine of R.A.F., Charlottetown, December 1943, one copy of "The Look-out" magazine of HMCS Queen Charlotte, R.C.N.V.R., Charlottetown, April 1943. It also contains a photograph of the PEI Light Horse, one of the members of the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve, HMCS Queen Charlotte, 194? (including Ian Burnett), and two of a group of sea cadets, circa 1935-1940.
NO FURTHER FINDING AID AVAILABLE
The series consists of programs for Prince of Wales ceremonies, church services, theatre productions, music recitals, patriotic services, Government House entertainments and YMCA events.
"AN ITEM LISTING IS AVAILABLE":http://www.archives.pe.ca/finding_aids/4092ser5.pdf
The series contains images of individuals known by the Burnett family and of groups and activities with which they were involved. There are also 5 images of the fire at St. Dunstan's Cathedral in1913. Some images may be from the Guardian files.
Photographs may also be found in Series2: Boy Scouts, Series 3: West Kent School, and Series 4: Military memorabilia
"AN ITEM LISTING IS AVAILABLE":http://www.archives.pe.ca/finding_aids/4092ser6.pdf
The series consists of documents of unknown significance or connection with the Burnett family including, an agreement between the Anglo-American Telegraph Company and the Prince Edward Island Telephone Company (1913), a letter from J. J. Johnston to John Sinclair complaining of his treatment by the Liberal party (1924), and a pamphlet entitled "A catechism on Canadian status" (1935).
NO FURTHER FINDING AID AVAILABLE
For preservation purposes, original newspaper clippings were photocopied and discarded
This series consists of clippings, notes, and biographical sketches relating to J. E. B. McCready. John E. B. McCready (4 April 1839-15 April 1930) served as the managing editor of the Guardian newspaper in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island between 1896 and 1908. A native of Sussex, New Brunswick, McCready began his newspaper career as a journalist in Saint John, New Brunswick where he married Louise Bennet in 1886. At the time of his death in Charlottetown in 1930, he was the last surviving journalist to have attended the Confederation Parliament in 1867.
NO FURTHER FINDING AID AVAILABLE