Transcript of interview with Rev. W.R. McWilliams
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Date: February, 1970 How to Interpret DateHow to Interpret Date
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Date Note- July 1, 1942: We use this format when the record provides the exact date.
- July, 1942: We use this format when the record provides the month and year but not the day.
- 1942: We use this format when the record provides the year but not the month or day.
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Place: Surrey, BC
Description: Transcript of an interview with Rev. W.R. McWilliams, missionary to Japan and minister to Japanese Canadians during and following the Second World War. Discussion of Japanese Canadians begins on page 2 of the transcript. Discussion points relate to: relationship between Japanese Canadians and Anglo Saxons leading up to the war; attitude of Christians vs. non-Christians; his own personal stand as a Christian; description of living conditions at Tashme; role of the WMS in education; thoughts on dispersion of Japanese Canadians; differences between Japanese and Canadian culture. Bessie McWilliams joins the discussion from page 14 to the end.
Curatorial Note:
Rev. W.R. McWilliams and his spouse, Bessie McWilliams, served as missionaries to Japan for 23 years. They returned to Canada in 1939, choosing to work at the Japanese United Church in New Westminster. During the internment period, Rev. McWilliams was sent to Tashme, but served as missionary at large among the camps. Following the war, he served as minister at Lillooet and then as minister for the Japanese United Church that was rebuilding in the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland of BC The McWilliamses died in 1970, shortly after this interview.
Extra Information
Collection/Fonds Title: Heritage Alive Project fondsFile Title: 1 Rev. W.R. McWilliams - Missionary to Japanese Source
Record Title: Transcript of interview with Rev. W.R. McWilliams Source
Physical Description: 19 pages of textual records
Location of Original: Box 1920, file 42
Creators/Contributors:
- Interviewer: Marilyn Harrison
- Interviewee: Rev. W.R. McWilliams
Rights:
- Copyright holder: The United Church of Canada
- This image is intended for research and personal reference use only. For permission to publish, copy, or otherwise use this image, please email the Pacific Mountain Regional Council Archives.
People:
- McWilliams, Roy
- McWilliams, Bessie
- Harrison, Marilyn J.
Subject(s):
- Internment
- Members of the congregation
Language: English