Mame L The dapper Colborne, complete ith frock coat. spats and white lsidebums, was interviewed by Pat ’McGregor. a volunteer at the Sir J Colbome Recreation Centre. In 'iielfiil,; Colbome revealed much (about his life. Born in Hampshire, England in [5778. he said "the military" had always been his career choice. And, indeed, he proved himself an out- "standing soldier, fighting against Napoleon I in Egypt, Spain and in “he famous Battle of Waterloo in l 1815. "I made a very bold move in this 'battle when I took my 52nd Regiment of the Oxfordshire Light Infantry' out of line and led them in a %aring charge that swept back F apoleon's famous Imperial Guard," said a modest Colbome. ir John C olborne visits entre bearing his name y BARB JOY Dakville Beaver Sadf t isn't every day we meet figures from the past but some seniors did Monday morning when Sir ohn Colbome came back from the dead and dropped into the seniors' recreation centre that bears his Honored for his military prowess by Austria and Portugal as well as his own country, Colborne then turned his aptitude to more peace- tul pursuits. In 1821, he became lieutenant-governor of Guernsey in the Channel Islands near England where he remained for seven years. His interest in colonial administrw tion had been thoroughly whened by this time and he accepted the post of colonial administrator of Upper Canada Colbome said he remained in the Canadas until 1839. During that time, he established Upper Canada College which he considered one of his most memorable achievements. . A man vitally interested in swelling the population of the fledgling colony. he encouraged immigration. So successful was he that the number of people in the Canadas increased by 50% during his stay. He also became a great friend of William Chisholm, Oakville's founder. who was kind enough to name the village's main street after him. This street was part of a high- way that eventually stretched hom York (Toronto) to the "westem end of Lake Ontario," a dream he had always had, he said. Sir J ohn' looks back on a busy life . Colborne Street retained its name for more than 130 years Before becoming Lakeshore Road in 1964. Colbome's military skills were once more evident during the rebel- lions of 1837 and 1838 when, as commander of the Canadian troops, he decisively crushed an uprising by the Patriotes in Lower Canada (Quebec). Even then, French settlers were clamouring for independence. This was at the time that John Lambton, better known as Lord Durham, issued his famous report that argued for granting a good measure of self-government to the people liv- ing in Britain's North-American colony. However, Durham also felt the French would eventually be assimilated by the English. . In the same year that Durham issued his famous report, Colbome became Governor General of Upper and Lower Canada. The next year, he returned to England, raised to the peerage in the House of Lords and, as Lord Seaton, became the Lord High Commissioner in the Ionian Islands until 1849. He then commanded the forces in Ireland for five years, end- ing in 1860. For a man who lived 85 years and who died in 1863, Colbome present- ed a surprisingly youthful appearance. In fact, he was played by 67-year-old Harold Madren, a member of the recreation centre, who made his act- ing debut as Colbome. "I've never had any training in drama," he said, confessing that his artistic talents lay in ballroom danc- ing which he had enjoyed "years ago." He did, however, have an English accent, even though he has been in Canada since 1952. To get material for her interview, McGregor said she delved into many books. "The information is so scattered that I had a hard time getting it out," she said. A missing link in her material is Colborne’s private life. For instance, she said she was unable to discover if he ever married. Colbome's appearance heralded the centre's "Christmas at Ctrlbome" bazaar on Sunday, Nov. let at 12:30 pm. Handicrafts made by members, books, plants, jewelry and white ele- phant items will be on sale. Colbome, however, was more interested in the home-made jams, jellies and baked goods that were mentioned. )0 Orchid Open House‘ "Tulips and Fall Bulbs Large seEction of tttid All Christmas decorations "F'dWbtTauaaatetaturteoo 30% plant your bulbs a stock. 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