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John Laurence Russell Meredith (8/14/1907 (Vancouver, BC) – November 1990 (Kensington & Chelsea, London, England)) Newspaper Reporter, World War 2 RAF pilot, First Nations language translator, and historian.

Personal

John Laurence Russell Meredith was born August 14, 1907 to Francis Russell Meredith and Mishea Beryl (Johnson) Meredith, who had recently immigrated from Australia. UBC Archives Meredith fonds. [1] He died in November 1990 at Kensington & Chelsea, London, England. [2] [3] He was primarily known as Laurence Meredith as a reporter, however he was also known as "Laurie," "Larry," and Lawrence. (UBC Archives Meredith Fonds) [4] [5] [6] He was a member of St. Paul's Boy Choir. [7] His childhood education was received at Lord Roberts School in Vancouver, BC. [8] At age 14, he won the governor-general's prize for highest standing as a student as he prepared to enter High School. [9] [10] After graduating from The University of British Columbia in 1930 and serving as a Principle at a British Columbia school, he moved to London in October 1934. [11] [12] His mother lived with him until she was invited to live in a “grace and favor cottage” by the Queen. (Merideth fonds) He never married. (Meredith Fonds)

War Record

He joined the Royal Air Force during WWII and had a storied career. [13] On October 10th, 1941, he was raised to Acting Pilot Officer on probation (emergency). [14] https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35350/page/6647 On December 10th, 1941, he was raised to Pilot Officer. [15] This career nearly ended early in 1942 when he fell 1000 feet without a parachute and broke almost every bone in his body. [16] [17] On October 1st, 1942, he was demoted to Flight Officer on probation. [18] He made it back into service and was appointed to Mountbatten's staff in 1944 [19] [20] On 27 September 1944 he was promoted to Flight Lieutenant. [21] In 1946 he created an official record of the Royal Indian Airforce. [22] On 10 February, 1954, he relinquished his commission under the provisions of the Navy, Army and Air Force Reserve Act 1954 and was granted permission to retain the rank of Squadron Leader. [23]https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/40240/supplement/4391

Time at University

Laurence attended The University of British Columbia from 1925 to 1929, except for a year long break in which he traveled the world. https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/ubcpublications/ubcyearb/items/1.0119009#p36z-3r0f:%22meredith%22 He graduated with 2nd class honors in English and Latin. The following year he returned to UBC and received a teaching certificate. https://www.newspapers.com/image/505059626/?terms=%22laurence%2Bmeredith%22 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/ubcpublications/calendars/items/1.0169758#p302z-3r0f:%22meredith%22 While at UBC he was the literary editor of the "Ubyssey" from 1928 to 1930, president of the Letters Club, winner of the University Prize, English honour student, member of the Players' Club (Elected President in 1928 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/ubcpublications/ubysseynews/items/1.0124581#p1z-4r0f:%22meredith%22), and member of the Publications Board. https://www.newspapers.com/image/490629413/?terms=%22Laurence%2BMeredith%22 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/ubcpublications/ubysseynews/items/1.0124533#p0z-4r0f:%22laurence%20meredith%22 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/ubcpublications/ubctp/items/1.0118861#p2z-3r0f:%22laurence%20meredith%22 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/ubcpublications/ubysseynews/items/1.0125028#p1z-4r0f:%22laurence%20meredith%22

Professional Career

Pre World War 2

Before attending UBC, Laurence worked for a lumber camp. This gave him an opportunity to interact with the Kwakwaka'wakw nation. He wrote four articles about the nation that were published by the Library of Congress. He also developed a list of Kwakwaka'wakw to English translations. (Meredith fonds) After graduating from UBC, he become a teacher at Courtenay High School in Courteney, BC. He taught at Courtenay from 1930 to 1934. https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcsessional/items/1.0300637#p1z-2r0f:%22annual%20report%20of%20the%20public%20schools%22%20AND%20%22superintendent%22 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcsessional/items/1.0305803#p65z-3r0f:courtenay For some of his time there, he was also principal. https://www.newspapers.com/image/500159920/?terms=%22Laurence%2BMeredith%22 He was also teacher in London for a short while. (Meredith fonds) In 1935 Laurence had moved to London where he joined United Press International as a foreign correspondent. https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/ubcpublications/ubctp/items/1.0118876#p13z-3r0f:meredith%20AND%20london https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/ubcpublications/alumchron/items/1.0224342#p9z-5r0f:%22laurence%20meredith%22

Post World War 2

After World War 2, he rejoined the United Press International. The earliest known article with his name as the author that made it into American or Canadian newspapers appeared in 1947. The article detailed the destruction of the 16 palatial homes in London, known as Carlton House Terrace, to make way for the new home of Britain’s foreign office. https://www.newspapers.com/image/448230180/?terms=%22laurence%2Bmeredith%22. In 1970, Laurence was appointed UPI’s manager in Lisbon Portugal. (Broadings, the businessweekly of Television and Radio, April 6, 1970, page 121. www.americanradiohistory.com%2FArchive-BC%2FBC-1970%2F1970-04-06-BC.pdf.) https://www google com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj9h5GAy6_qAhUOFjQIHeraAKsQFjABegQIARAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.americanradiohistory.com%2FArchive-BC%2FBC-1970%2F1970-04-06-BC.pdf&usg=AOvVaw0GA2xluCRnMmeuAnaig044. The last UPI article to appear in the US with his name listed as the author was an article on the interrupted recovery of the US dollar in August 1973. The article was published in the US six days after Meredith’s 66th birthday, so it may have been his last article before retirement. He was later interviewed for an article published on the death of UPI reporter Harold Guard in 1986. https://www.newspapers.com/image/642619142/?terms=%22laurence%2Bmeredith%22. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/02/11/Harold-Guard-a-pioneer-submariner-and-veteran-war-correspondent/9568508482000/.


References

  1. ^ "Meredith, Francis Russell (1863-1942)". WestEndVancouver. 15 January 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  2. ^ "England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007". Family Search. 4 September 2014. Archived from the original on 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2020. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |archivedate= (help)
  3. ^ "Meredith, Francis Russell (1863-1942)". WestEndVancouver. 15 January 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  4. ^ "The Ubyssey". The Ubyssey. No. Volume X, No. 14. Vancouver, BC. 18 November 1927. p. 2. Retrieved 10 July 2020. {{cite news}}: |issue= has extra text (help)
  5. ^ Cash, Gwen (27 May 1950). "Island Youth Finds Acting Is Hard Work In England". The Province. p. 49. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  6. ^ "England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007" (Database). Family Search. Family Search. 4 September 2014. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  7. ^ "Boy Choir Leads Singing At St. Paul's Church". The Vancouver Sun. 19 September 1920. p. 24. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  8. ^ "Lord Roberts School Students Now Nearly One Thousand Strong - Boys of Lord Roberts School". The Vancouver Sun. Vancouver, BC. 25 September 1918. p. 8. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  9. ^ "More Than 4,000 Children Pass Into High School in Province; Prize List Out". The Vancouver Sun. 27 July 1921. p. 12. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  10. ^ "Present Trophies At King George School". Vancouver Daily World. Vancouver, BC. 12 November 1921. p. 13. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  11. ^ The Players' Club of the University of British Columbia production of "Hedda Gabler.". Vancouver, BC: Player's Club of the University of British Columbia. March 1935. p. 13. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  12. ^ "Miss Fowler Is Honored in East". The Province. Vancouver, BC. p. 13. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  13. ^ Cash, Gwen (27 May 1950). "Island Youth Finds Acting Is Hard Work In England". The Province. p. 49. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  14. ^ "London Gazette". The London Gazette. 18 November 1941. p. 6647.
  15. ^ "The London Gazette". The London Gazette. No. 35387. 19 December 1941. p. 7193.
  16. ^ Cash, Gwen (27 May 1950). "Island Youth Finds Acting Is Hard Work In England". The Province. p. 49. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  17. ^ "City Flyer Hurt". Vancouver Daily Province. 21 April 1942. p. 9. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  18. ^ "Supplement To The London Gazette". The London Gazette. No. Supplement 35946. 19 March 1943. p. 1314. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  19. ^ "News In General Of The Services". The Graduate Chronicle. 6 (4). Vancouver, BC: Alumni Association of the University of British Columbia: 15. July 1944. doi:10.14288/1.0224280. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  20. ^ Cash, Gwen (27 May 1950). "Island Youth Finds Acting Is Hard Work In England". The Province. p. 49. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  21. ^ "Supplement To The London Gazette". The London Gazette. No. Suplement 36930. 6 February 1945. p. 816.
  22. ^ "Branches". The Graduate Chronicle. 8 (3). Vancouver, BC: Alumni Association of the University of British Columbia: 35. October 1946. doi:10.14288/1.0224147. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  23. ^ "Supplement To The London Gazette". The London Gazette. No. Supplement 40240. 23 July 1954. p. 4391. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
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