DRILL, TIE

Description: 150.0 (L) (HANDLE/BIT). MADE FROM 1.4 CM STEEL ROD. SLIGHTLY BENT AT CENTRE. SEE CONSERVATION RPT.

History: USED TO DRILL HOLES THROUGH RAILWAY TIES. *UPDATE* IN 2014 COLLECTIONS ASSISTANT JANE EDMUNDSON CONDUCTED A SURVEY OF MILITARY OBJECTS, INCLUDING THOSE ASSOCIATED WITH HERBERT RANNARD, THE DONOR OF THIS ARTIFACT. RANNARD'S OBITUARY FROM THE APRIL 23, 1995 ISSUE OF THE LETHBRIDGE HERALD PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION. HERBERT RANNARD WAS BORN IN LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND IN 1903. HE GREW UP IN LETHBRIDGE AND WORKED FOR THE CPR IN THE FREIGHT DEPARTMENT. RANNARD MOVED TO VANCOUVER TO WORK AT THE BOEING AIRCRAFT PLANT AT THE START OF WWII, TO BUILD CATALINA AMPHIBIOUS AIRCRAFT AND MITCHELL BOMBERS. AFTER THE WAR RANNARD WORKED AT THE PRECISION INSTRUMENT COMPANY IN VANCOUVER, WHERE HE WAS INVOLVED IN GUN-SMITHING AND FINE INSTRUMENT REPAIR. HE MOVED BACK TO LETHBRIDGE IN 1952 TO MANAGE THE SPORTING GOODS DEPARTMENT OF COUNSUMER'S HARDWARE, WHERE HE WORKED UNTIL HIS RETIREMENT IN 1964. RANNARD WAS A COIN COLLECTOR, MEMBER OF THE LETHBRIDGE MASONIC LODGE, AND PLAYED IN A NUMBER OF LOCAL ORCHESTRAS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, SEE PERMANENT FILE P19910046001.