Blog: News and Views

Grand Hotel (Canadian Safari): A Few Background Notes

Dean Peter Elliott of Vancouver's Christ Church Cathedral sent along this e-mail message from a Thomas Roberts, grandson of Thomas Roberts, the famous "Tommy” of the Grand Hotel. He also sent along some terrific historical photographs that document the infamous Grand Hotel that we sing about on Canadian Safari (track 17).

January 3, 2006

Ms. Loomer:

I just learned about the choir from a nephew in Kelowna and was very interested in the piece "Grand Hotel,” as proprietor Tommy Roberts was my grandfather. I have attached a couple of family photos which might be of interest (in the shot in of the bar, Tommy is standing second from the right.)

As you may be aware he was shot dead by a masked bandit who held up a poker game on Jervis St in 1918.  . . .

Cheers, 
Thomas Robert Butler
Summerside
Prince Edward Island

Thomas sent along the following photos:

Thomas Joseph Roberts, Vancouver hotelman (the Grand Hotel in Gastown) shot dead by masked bandit who held up a poker game in Vancouver's West End in 1918.
The Grand Hotel 22-28 Water Street, (Gastown) Vancouver, BC 1929
The bar of the Grand Hotel (c.192?) Proprietor Tommy Roberts is second from the right.

Posted by Bruce Hoffman on January 13, 2006 at 11:09 AM
Filed in: Arcana | Permanent Link

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