James William Whillans

1880 - 1954  (74 years)

• Name	James William Whillans
  Birth	6 May 1880	Smailholm, Roxburgh, Scotland
  Gender	Male
  Death	29 June 1954	Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
  Burial	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  Notes	Source - Eileen Whillans June 2009: James William WHILLANS Rev. (Capt.) was born on 6 May 1880. He died on 29 Jun 1954 1881 census: Dwelling: Village Of Smailholm Census Place: Smailholm, Roxburgh, Scotland Source: FHL Film 0224043 GRO Ref Volume 805 EnumDist 2 Page 7 Marr Age Sex Birthplace James WHILLANS 10 m M Smailholm, Roxburgh, Scotland Rel: Son Source - Eileen Whillans June 2009: James William WHILLANS Rev. (Capt.) (Aaron) was born on 6 May 1880 in Smailholm, Rox, Scotland. He died on 29 Jun 1954 in Edmonton, Alberta. He was buried in Toronto, Ontario. James came to Canada as a young man and was a graduate of Manitoba College. He was ordained in the Presbyterian Church in Canada and served overseas as a chaplain in the First World War. After the war he held pastorates in Western Canada and it was during his ministry in Regina that he made history as the first clergyman in the British Empire to broadcast a sermon over the radio. He won recognition for his articles on science and religion published in newspapers and church periodicals. From 1925 to 1931 he lived in England, assisting the British Settlement Society and settlers coming to Canada. He lived with his sisters for a while in Vancouver. From: Pioneers & Prominent People of Saskatchewan, pgs 314 & 315 WHILLANS: Reverend James W., pastor of Carmichael Church (Presbyterian), Regina. Born at Kelso, Roxburghshire, Scotland, May 6th, 1880, son of Aaron and Margaret (Gray) Whillans. Married Olive Dryden, of St. Agathe, Man. Educated at Kelso, Maryport, Cumberland; Edinburgh (New College) ; Manitoba University. Mr. Whillans comes from a Highland family who have lived in the border counties since -the Reformation. After leaving Edinburgh College, came to Canada in 1904. Missionary work for the Presbyterian Church Yorkton. British Columbia, 1906; Saskatoon, 1907.; graduated Manitoba College, 1910, and was ordained that year. Called and inducted into the charge, Balmoral, Man., remaining here five and a half years. Joined the C.E.F. in the autumn of 1915, at Winnipeg. (Y.M.C.A. work). Chaplain of the 78th Batt., and overseas, May, 1916; remained in England one year; service at Shorncliffe, 11th Reserve Batt.; Taplow Hospital; went to France and was attached to the 8th Batt., May 19th, 1917, until Oct., 1918. Attached to Royal Air Force, Army of Occupation. Returned to Winnipeg Feb. , 1919; chaplain Sask. Mil. Hosp., Moose Jaw; called to Carmichael Presbyterian Church, Regina, Sept., 1919. His pastorate here has been very successful and he has been instrumental in having a splendid new edifice erected, costing $45,000, its memorial window to the fallen one of the most beautiful memorials in Western Canada. Mr. Whillans is a frequent contributor to periodicals and papers. His sermons have been broadcasted by radio; he was the originator of the first church service to be broadcasted in Canada. He is a lecturer of note and appears over the Chautauqua circuits. He is chaplain of the Sask. Aero Club, Cameron Highlanders Club; member of the Canadian Club. Member of Several Synod Committees, member of the Masonic Lodge. Recreations, curling and literary work. Address, The Manse, 2305 Halifax Street, Regina. James married Olive DRYDEN on 8 Nov 1910 in MacDonald, Manitoba. Olive was born in 1888 in Manitoba. She died on 22 Jul 1942. In the St. Thomas Times Journal (Ontario) on July 23, 1942 - Mrs. Olive Whillans, nee Dryden, wife of Rev. J.W. Whillans died on July 22, 1942 James and Olive had the following children: + 9 M i. Morley Gray WHILLANS was born on 22 Aug 1911. He died on 2 Mar 2002. + 10 F ii. Evelyn May WHILLANS .
  Person ID	I1630	Houliston Family Tree
  Last Modified	16 June 2009

  
  

  Father	Aaron Whillans,   b. 21 April 1847, Smailholm, Roxburgh, Scotland d. 6 May 1930, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (Age 83 years)
  Mother	Margaret (Maggie) Gray,   b. 8 August 1852, Ednam, Roxburgh, Scotland d. 9 March 1943, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (Age 90 years)
  Family ID	F815	Family Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family/Spouse	Olive Dryden,   b. 1888, Manitoba, Canada d. 22 July 1942 (Age 54 years)
  Marriage	8 November 1910	MacDonald, Manitoba, Canada
  Children	+ 1. Morley Gray Whillans,   b. 22 August 1911, Manitoba, Canada d. 2 March 2002, Victoria, B.C., Canada (Age 90 years) + 2. Living
  Family ID	F822	Family Group Sheet  |  Family Chart