The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Hugh's dad, Howard McBratney, was farming near Minnedosa in the early 30s and things weren't going that well, so he decided to come to Flin Flon to look for work. In 1930, HBMS was still under construction and Howard got a job there. Hugh's older brother William (Bill) took the crop off that fall. In the spring, Bill and his brother Charles went to Erickson to finish school, staying with their grandfather who was the station agent there. The rest of the family, Hugh's mother Edith and his sister Rita and himself headed for Flin Flon to join his dad Howard. They arrived by train in March of 1931. Hugh was nine years-old. Hugh's dad and his brothers Reg and Ford, who were also living here, built a small home on Hill Street where Hugh and his family lived. Hugh finished his grade 3 at the old United Church on Church Street (now the Labour Temple). "We had to sit on benches, there were no desks at that time," Hugh recalls. His first teacher in Flin Flon was Miss Inkster. The following year, Hugh went to school in a two room building behind the old community hall. Grades 4 and 5 were taught there. His teacher for grade 4 was Miss Campbell. See 'Musical' P.# Con't from P.# Then for grade 5 Hugh went to Hapnot, which at that time was a three room school house, where Ruth Betts School is now. His teacher was Miss Sheridan. After completing grade 6 at Hapnot, Hugh then moved on to Main School which had just opened and was the school that held grades 7 to 12. He remembers having Neil McLennan for a teacher there. Growing up, Hugh's family was very musical. His mother had an orchestra and his brother played the saxophone as well. Playing in his mother's orchestra were Roy Warren, Murray Ferg, Jim Adair, Hugh, and a Mr. Roulette. They played for dances ? mostly old time and some country. They played at the Jubilee Hall on Wednesday nights and at the Elk's Hall for a couple of years. Bert Wilson was the floor manager at the Elk's Hall. After the war, in 1945, the Rhythm Kings were started with Wally Fabro (trumpet), Don Creed (trombone), Frank New (saxophone), Hugh (saxophone), Wes Vickery (the leader on piano), Len Wallace (drums) and Sam Donahue (saxophone). Dances were going strong at that time, so Wes Vickery decided to build a dance hall in Channing, that became known as The Lobstick and the Rhythm Kings broke up. Then the Modernaires were established with Hugh, Sam Donahue, Lawrence Halldorson, Lawrence and Harold Goodmanson, with Bernice Johnson (now Gourlay) playing the piano. They played mainly at the Jubilee. Once dances dropped off (when television came in) again a new band was formed for the young people at Teen Canteen with Roy Warren, Sam Donahue, Hugh and another person that Hugh doesn't recall right now. They were not officially named anything, and only played for a short time when the kids got their own disc jockey to play for their dances. Hugh started working for HBMS in July, 1940 . And 1940 was a good year for Hugh as he started dating a young lady he had seen around for quite some time, namely Margaret McLean. The couple were married on September 12, 1944 by a Rev. Carlisle Parker at the same United Church that Hugh started school in. Their first home was a suite on Fifth Avenue owned by Branscombes. For entertainment, Hugh and Marg would take in shows at either the Rex or Northland theatres. Hugh stated, "When you are raising a family you really didn't need much entertainment!" They raised four sons, William, Patrick, Gregory and Howard. The couple both curled, Marg at Uptown Curling Club and Hugh at Ross Lake with Don Hay, George McRae and Jack McArthur. Hugh also continued to play in a band with Wes Vickery, Lawrence Halldorson and Del Byers. They were known as the Wes Vickery Band, playing in Snow Lake as well as Flin Flon. That was about 1960. Hugh retired from HBMS in October, 1980. Marg and Hugh wintered in Arizona for many years, spending their summers at their cabin at Denare Beach. Now, they reside in Flin Flon in the winters and still spend the summers at Denare Beach. They have seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. They have no plans of leaving Flin Flon. Thanks so much for the musical history of Flin Flon, Hugh. I am sure people will find it interesting! Thanks for sharing your story with us!
