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Authority record
Methodist and United Church
Corporate body

In 1820, the Wesleyan Missionary Commitee first considered sending a Missionary to Labrador and, in 1821, Adam Clarke Avard was requested to commence the mission society in Hamiltion Inlet. Avard, however took sick and died before this could happen. In 1924, Thomas Hickson, a young minister from Newfoundland District offered to go to Labrador and report the results to the Wesleyan Conference and thus began the United Church Mission work in Labrador.

Corporate body

The Newfoundland Ranger Force, modelled after the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, was formed in 1934 following recommendations from the Brian Dunfield, Deputy Minister of Justice. This new organization would operate from detachments in remote areas while the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary would continue as the regualar police force in the larger towns of the Avalon and Bonivista peninsulas.
As its inception of The Newfoundland Ranger Force was placed under the Department of Natural Resources because the Rangers were to act as game wardens, and also because Justice was a relatively miner portfolio in 1935. The First Chief Ranger was Major Leonard T. Stick, an officer of the Newfoundland Regiment and a veteran of the Battles of Beaumont Hamel and Gallipoli.
The Rangers never numbered more than 72 men at any one time. Recruits were to have a minumum education of Grade XI, making the force somewhat exclusive for Newfoundlanders in the mid 1930s. Trainees were to be in top physical condition, not less than 5'9" in height or more than 189 pounds, single and between the ages of 21 and 28.
Rangers were to be responsible for carrying out the policies of no fewer than six government departments. The department of finance required that they collect custom duties and other fees and act as work commissioners. For the Department of Natural Resources they were responsible for the inspection of the logging camps, the enforcement of game laws, the issuing of licences and organizing and directing the fighting of forest fires. Rangers also acted for
Public Health and Welfare by issuing relief payments, arranging medical treatment and hospitalization when necessary and escorting mental patients to Hospital in St. John's. They enforced criminal law, investigated suspicious deaths and fires in some areas acted as deputy sheriffs for the Department of Justice. For home affairs and Education they acted as truant officers and organized adult education programs. For the Department of Public Utilities, Rangers supervised the maintenence and construction of public roads, wharves and break waters. The Force was effectively a liaison between outports residents and the government which, during Commision Government, acted without political accountability.
The first 30 recruits were sent to Detachments across the Island from Twillingate to Bonne Bay, and Labrador from Hebron to Cartwright. They were given rations for their stay and those going to Labrador were given buillding materials to construct their detachment quarters. Though the first recruits did not finish training until the fall of 1935, by spring of 1936 only the Hebron detachment was still under construction. Transportation of each detachment was on foot, by dog sled or in small boats.
The Rangers were received with mixed feelings into communities which had never been policed and where game and liquor laws were unpopular. The Rangers, who for the most part, had no previous experience in the north, were plagued by loneliness and cultural differences and this presented some problems. The criminal offences that the Rangers dealt with were minor, usually involving liquor and game infractions, common assult and petty theft. As peacekeepers, The Rangers tried to settle problems short of criminal prosecution.
With the outbreak of World War II, some Rangers Joined the Armed forces overseas and shortly after that an order was passed declaring the Rangers and Essential service. The War brought many new duties to the Force including assisting magistries in recruiting others for military service, returned deserters, and enforcing rationing and blackout orders. They also watched for enemy submarines and aircraft in coastal settlements. By 1945, there were nine detachments of the Rangers in Labrador.
Following confederation, the Province decided to dispense with the Ranger Force. They officially disbanded on July 31, 1950 and some of the Rangers joined the RCMP. Former members have helped to preserve the history of the organization through the Newfoundland Ranger Force Association, which was formed in 1968.

Moravian Bethleham
Corporate body

The Moravian Bethlehem collection is housed at the Moravian Archives in Bethlehem, Pennslyvania, U.S.A.

Burness, Dr. A.T.H.
Person · 1934-1991

Alfred Thomas Henry Burness (1934-1991), medical researcher and Professor of Molecular Virology, was born on 10 February 1934 in Birmingham, England, the son of Alfred Charles Burness and Ivy Ravenall. Dr. Burness was one of four children; he had two brothers, Ron and John Leslie, and a sister, Barbara (Lynam). On 25 April 1959, Dr. Burness married Brenda Woods at Liverpool, England, and they had two sons, Gary Paul and Bradley Miles.

Dr. Burness received his early education at the Smith Street Primary School and the George Dixon Grammar School in Birmingham. He went on to earn his PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Liverpool in 1959. Dr. Burness worked in Surrey from 1959 to 1962. He then moved to the United States and took up a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California at Berkeley (1962-1963). After this he returned to Surrey until 1968, when Dr. and Mrs. Burness moved to White Plains, New York State. There Dr. Burness joined the Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research in New York (1968-1971). From 1971 to 1976, they lived in Stamford, Connecticut. In 1976, Dr. and Mrs. Burness left the United States and moved to Newfoundland, where Dr. Burness took up a position with the Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Dr. Burness was the recipient of many awards and honours. In 1983, he won the Medical Research Council of Canada Visiting Scientist Award, which enabled him to spend a year at the Australian National University in Canberra (1983-1984). In 1987, he won the Alberta Heritage Foundation Visiting Lecturer Award. In 1989, Dr. Burness shared the Dr. Albert R. Cox Research Award (a grant of $25,000 awarded for outstanding research at Memorial University) with Dr. Kanwal Richardson for their virus research.

While Dr. Burness was at Memorial University, his scientific work earned in excess of $850,000 in research funding and equipment support from the Medical Research Council, the National Cancer Institute of Canada and the Canadian Diabetes Association. Dr. Burness also published extensively: he wrote numerous articles, papers and books about his medical research specialty, virology.

Dr. Burness was a member of various scholarly societies: the American Society for Virology, the Society for General Microbiology (United Kingdom), the Royal Society of Chemistry (Britain), and the Biochemical Society (United Kingdom). In his spare time, Dr. Burness pursued interests in astronomy and photography.

When Dr. and Mrs. Burness came to Newfoundland they lived in Portugal Cove-St. Phillips, where Mrs. Burness still resides. At the age of 57, Dr. Burness died of cancer on 26 October 1991 at Portugal Cove-St. Phillips. The Dr. Alfred Burness Graduate Student Award was established after his death in honour of his contribution to medical education at Memorial.

Cox, Dr. A.R.
Person · 1928-

Albert Reginald Cox (1928-), physician, Dean of Medicine and Vice-President Academic, Memorial University of Newfoundland, was born in Victoria, British Columbia on 18 April 1928, the son of Reginald Herbert Cox and Marie Christina Cox (nee Fraser). In May 1954, Dr. Cox married Margaret Dobson at Vancouver, British Columbia and they have three children: Susan M., David J. and Steven F.

Dr. Cox was educated at Victoria High School and then attended Victoria College, Victoria, British Columbia (1946–1948). Dr. Cox earned a BA in 1950 and a MD in 1954 from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia. Both Dr. Cox and his wife were in the first class (1950) of Medical Studies at the newly opened Faculty of Medicine, UBC. Margaret Cox earned her MD there in 1955.

After graduating from Medical School, Dr. Cox served his internship at the Vancouver General Hospital (1954-1955), and then worked a residency there (1955-1959). Dr. Cox was certified as Licentiate, Medical Council of Canada (LMCC) in 1955. He also received a licensure for the State of Washington (1959-1964), British Columbia (1961-1988), and Newfoundland (1969-1991). From 1955 to 1959, he served in the Armed Forces, holding the position of Flight Lieutenant (Medical Officer), Royal Canadian Air Force (Auxiliary). Dr. Cox was British Council Scholar, London Postgraduate Medical Program (Hammersmith Hospital), National Heart Hospital (September 1956 - June 1957). Continuing his education, Dr. Cox pursued Fellowship Training in Pharmacology and Cardiology at the University of Washington, Seattle (1959-1961).

Dr. Cox completed several special programs, including Teacher Training Program (6 weeks), Faculty of Medicine, University of Illinois (1965), and Epidemiology and Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, American Heart Association (26 July – 8 August 1987). While on sabbatical, Dr. Cox was Special Student, Health Policy and Management, Harvard School of Public Health (September 1987 - June 1988), Visitor, Faculty of Medicine, Hobarth University, Tasmania (June 1988), Visiting Professor, University of Melbourne, Australia (July 1988), and Visitor, Faculty of Medicine, Flinders University, Australia (July 1988). Dr. Cox’ studies were paralleled by several academic publications throughout his career.

Over the years, Dr. Cox held a variety of academic and professional positions and appointments including: Instructor, followed by Assistant Professor, and then Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia (1962-1969); Professor and Chairman of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland (1969-1974); Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland (1972-1974); Dean of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland (1974-1987); Vice-President, Health Sciences and Professional Schools, and Vice-President Academic (Acting), Memorial University of Newfoundland (1988-1990), and Vice-President Academic, Memorial University of Newfoundland (1990-1991).

Dr. Cox held the following hospital appointments: Attending Staff, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia (1962-1969); Active Staff, General Hospital, St. John’s, Newfoundland (1969-1980); Chairman of Medicine, General Hospital, St. John’s, Newfoundland (1969-1974); Chief, Division of Cardiology, General Hospital, St. John’s, Newfoundland (1971-1974); Senior Consultant (Medicine), St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital, Grace General Hospital and Janeway Child Health Centre, St. John’s, Newfoundland (1969-1974); Executive Medical Advisory Committee, General Hospital, St. John’s, Newfoundland (1970-1974); Honorary Consultant, St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital, Grace General Hospital, Janeway Child Health Centre, St. John’s, Newfoundland (1975-1991); and Consulting Staff, General Hospital, St. John’s, Newfoundland (1981-1991).

Dr. Cox received many awards and distinctions throughout his career, including the following: Horner Prize and Gold Medal for highest standing in subject of Medicine (1954); Mead Johnson Fellowship of American College of Physicians (1955); General Lifeco Hawthorne K. Dent Fellowship in Cardiology (1959-1961); Canadian Life Insurance Medical Fellowship (1966-1970); Dr. Wallace Wilson Leadership Award, Medical Alumni Association, University of British Columbia (1986); Honorary Membership, College of Family Physicians of Canada (1987); Member, Order of Canada (1989); and 75th Anniversary Alumnus Award, University of British Columbia (Membership), (1954-1990).

Dr. Cox served on several Memorial University committees including: Chairman, Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, Faculty of Medicine (1969-1973); Chairman, Human Experimentation Committee (1969-1971); Planning and Development Committee for the Health Sciences Centre (1971-1978); Organization and Management Committee for the Health Sciences Centre (1974-1975); Integrating and Co-ordinating Committee of the Health Sciences Centre (1975-1987); Health Sciences Complex Committee (1975-1991); Joint Liaison Committees, University and Affiliated Teaching Hospitals (1974-1987); University Senate (1974-1991); Chairman, Governing Committee for the Labrador Institute of Northern Studies (1989-1991); Advisory Committee, Gerontology Centre (1989-1991); and Advisory Board, Faculty of Business Administration (1989-1991). Dr. Cox also served on several University of British Columbia committees (1963-1969).

Dr. Cox played an active role on several other committees and boards in Newfoundland, including: Board of Newfoundland and Labrador Computer Services, Ltd. (1975-1977); Board of International Grenfell Association (1973-1983); Member, St. John’s Hospital Council (1984-1991); Board of Directors, General Hospital, St. John’s (1984-1987); Medical Advisory Committee, Newfoundland Division, Canadian Heart Foundation (1987); Medical Advisory Committee, Newfoundland Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation (1987); and Board of Management, Agnes Pratt Home (1989-1991). Dr. Cox was also on the Executive, Medical Alumni Division University of British Columbia Alumni Association (1992-1997). Dr. Cox, throughout his career, was also on several committees in other provinces as well as on a national level.

Dr. Cox has been a member of several professional and learned societies. These include: Alpha Omega Honour Medical Society, University of British Columbia (1953-1992) and counselor (1966-1969); Fellow, Royal College Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (FRCP), (1959 - present); Sigma Xi (1959-1992); Canadian Medical Association (1961-1992); British Columbia Medical Association (1961-1969); Canadian Cardiovascular Society (1962 - present); Fellow, American College of Physicians (FACP), (1968 - present); American Heart Association (1967-1992); Fellow, American College of Cardiology (FACC), (1968 - present); Newfoundland Medical Association (1969 - present); Canadian Society for Clinical Investigation (1970-1992); Association of Canadian Medical Colleges (Council), (1976-1991); and Canadian Intern Matching Service (1980-1984).

Dr. Cox retired in October 1991. In his spare time, Dr. Cox is interested in horticulture, specifically organic farming of vegetables and major crops of garlic; photography; and the Sylvan Pastoral Charge, United Church of Canada. Dr. and Dr. Cox presently reside in British Columbia, Canada.

Londergan, Thomas
Person · 1729-1787

Thomas Londergan (1729-1787), Catholic priest, was born in Kilkenny, Ireland, in 1729. He was ordained a priest circa 1778 in Cologne, Germany.

Rev. Londergan arrived in Placentia, Newfoundland, from France on his own initiative in 1783. He clashed with Rev. James Louis O'Donel, superior of the Newfoundland Mission, while carrying out active pastoral ministry on the island. He was ordered out of Placentia by Governor John Campbell in 1785. During his brief time in Newfoundland, he served in the following parishes: St. John the Baptist Parish, St. John's; Sacred Heart Parish, Placentia; and St. Patrick's Parish, Fogo.

Rev. Londergan died at Fogo 25 October 1787. It is thought that he was the first priest to die in Newfoundland, and perhaps the first person to be buried in the cemetery at Fogo.

Walsh, Kyran
Person · 1809-1868

Kyran Walsh (1809-1868), Catholic priest, was born at Mencken, County Kilkenny, Ireland, in September 1809. Walsh died at Conception Bay on 4 September 1868 and is buried in the parish cemetery at Harbour Main. Walsh was an uncle of Revs. Michael and John Walsh who also served in Newfoundland.

Walsh was educated in the schools of his home parish and pursued his studies for the priesthood at St. John's Seminary College, Waterford. Following completion of his course of studies in philosophy and theology, Walsh was invited by Michael Anthony Fleming, bishop of St. John's, to serve in Newfoundland. He was ordained a priest on 25 August 1839 by Bishop Fleming in the Presentation Convent Chapel, Cathedral Square, St. John's.

Rev. Walsh's first appointment was in the old Cathedral Parish, St. John's. Shortly after Rev. Walsh's arrival, Bishop Fleming decided to construct a new cathedral in the city. In preparation for this extensive project, Rev. Walsh supervised the gathering of the stone for the Cathedral. He also travelled in the United States collecting funds for the construction of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist (1840-42).

Rev. Walsh also introduced Newfoundland Catholics to the Irish temperance movement founded in Cork in April 1838 by Father Theobald Mathew. His efforts resulted in the establishment of the Newfoundland Temperance Society (and its successor organizations, the Total Abstinence Society and the Total Abstinence and Temperance Society). By 1850 the Total Abstinence Society, under its president Father Walsh, had branches in several communities including Torbay, Harbour Main, Brigus and Harbour Grace.

In 1850 Rev. Walsh was appointed parish priest of St. Mary's, St. Mary's Bay. Shortly afterwards Bishop Fleming recalled him to St. John's to continue his invaluable work on the construction of the Cathedral (1850-1857). Rev. Kyran Walsh also served as Vicar General to Bishop Fleming for several years.

In 1857 Fleming's successor, Bishop John Thomas Mullock appointed Rev. Walsh as the first parish priest of Saint Peter and Saint Paul Parish, Harbour Main, where he remained until his death in 1868.

Gardiner, Sylvester
Person · 1707-1786

Sylvester Gardiner (1707-1786), physician and pharmacist, was born in South Kingston, Rhode Island, in 1707. He studied medicine in Boston and later opened a practice there. From medicine, he branched out into the pharmaceutical trade. Gardiner became a wealthy man and continued to generate wealth through his investments in real estate. He died on 8 August 1786.

When the American Revolution commenced, Gardiner supported the British (Loyalist) cause. When Boston was evacuated in 1776, he moved to Halifax, leaving most of his property behind. He spent some time in Newfoundland in the years 1783-85. After the end of the American Revolution, Gardiner returned to New England, settling in Newport, Rhode Island.

Tudor, Hugh
Person · 1871-1965

Henry Hugh Tudor (1871-1965), soldier, was born in England in 1871, son of Rev. Harry Tudor, Sub-Dean of Exeter Cathedral. He died on 25 September 1965.

Hugh Tudor initially became involved in the military at a young age. He saw combat in the Boer War from 1899 to 1902, receiving two medals for his service. Following 1902, he accepted postings in the British colonies until the commencement of World War I in August 1914. Tudor was in command of a unit in Egypt but was on leave in England when war broke out. When his unit arrived from Egypt, he and his men were soon involved in the war effort. Tudor helped plan strategy for the Battle of Cambrai (November 1917), using smoke to hide troop movements. By the end of the war, Tudor had reached the rank of Brigadier General, commanding the 9th Scottish Division, which included the Royal Newfoundland Regiment (RNR).

In May 1920, Tudor was named police advisor to the Viceroy and commanding officer to both the Royal Irish Constabulary and the Dublin Metropolitan Police. He was one of the men most wanted by the Irish Republican Army (IRA). After the assassination of his aide-de-camp, it was decided that it was too dangerous for him to continue living in the British Isles.

In 1925 Tudor relocated to Newfoundland, and became involved in the fishery, working with the firm of George M. Barr Ltd., in St. John's.