PMB059 CAMPING BANK OF RED RIVER ST JOHNS WPG - (BILLY DREWRY)

PHOTOGRAPH
6 x 11 cm

Date: Not evident, but likely about 1901.

Publisher / Photographer: Unidentified

Notation: The caption reads; "Camping Bank of Red River St Johns, Wpeg. (Billy Drewry)"

I am assuming that this canvas tent is probably pitched on or near the grounds of present-day St. John's Park.

There are two folks pictured in the image. The older fellow is not identified and, because of that, I wonder if he isn't the owner of the album that these pictures came from. The younger man is identified as Billy Drewry. My best guess is that he is William Starkey Drewry, son of Edward Drewry who founded Winnipeg’s Drewry Brewry. Drewry's was located on the west side of the Red River at the base of the Redwood Bridge and backing on what is now St. John’s Park. The Drewry family home, Redwood, was on the same property - which may explain how Billy entered the scene.

Born in 1844, Billy became well-educated. He was superintendent and chemist at Drewry’s Limited for almost 20 years, later moving to Kenora. He died in 1947. For more information, see: www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/people/drewry_ws.shtml)