Material Type

Photograph

Date Range

28 August 1965

Description Level

Item

Physical Description

Black and white photograph

Physical Condition

Excellent

History Biographical

“Alexander Thomson Shand, 6 May 1919 – 24 March 2010, was born in Burntisland, Scotland. His parents were Alexander T. and Jane (nee Rutter) Shand. After finishing school, he worked in ship building until war broke out and then he enlisted in the R.A.F. He was stationed in London, England, and then in 1941, was sent to train at No. 34 Service Flying Training School (SFTS) in Medicine Hat. Alex stayed in Canada until 1944, and then travelled to India and Ceylon before returning to England. While in Medicine Hat, Alex became engaged to Edythe Marion (nee Scarlett), and married her October 14, 1946, when he returned after the war. He worked briefly for Medicine Hat Brick and Tile before becoming Secretary Treasurer for School District No. 4, a position he held until his retirement in 1979. Mr. Shand has been very involved in the cultural life of Medicine Hat. An excellent musician, Alex played the saxaphone, piano and organ in orchestras which provided entertainment for troops in both England and Canada. He also joined the Medicine Hat Little Symphony soon after it began in the early 1950's, first playing the clarinet and later, conducting. He was also involved in Musical Theatre acting as Director in their third musical production entitled "Pyjama Game". His favorite show was the "Sound of Music", where cast members that sang the "Nun's Chorus", stayed together and later formed the Shandelles which Alex and his wife directed. For his service to the community, Alex was named Citizen of the Year for 1978.” Alexander Shand died in Red Deer, Alberta on 24 March 2010 and is buried in Hillside Cemetery in Medicine Hat. [Source: Esplanade Archives webpage http://bing.search.sympatico.ca/?q=the%20esplanade%20archives&mkt=en-ca&setLang=en-CA]

Scope and Content

Alexander Thomson Shand, director of the musical group The Shandelles, at the banquet held during the Waterton Glacier International Peace Park Assembly.

Notes

This photograph is part of file 20021071076, which contains a mix of photographs and print items. The file is stored in the manuscript section of the Archives.

Access Restrictions

Public Access

Accession No.

20021071076-087

Collection

Archive

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