Willmott Family Archives

Item set

Title: Willmott Family Archives
Description: This collection consists of photographs and other items that are in the possession of the Willmott family. Most of the images were created by either Leslie Earl or Donald Earl Willmott, but it also includes portions that were not created by Willmotts.
Abstract: Earl and Katharine Willmott were missionaries in Sichuan from 1921-195, first for the Canadian Methodist Mission (CMM), and then for the United Church Foreign Mission Society (UCFMS) after 1926 when three Protestant churches in Canada united. From 1921 to 1927, the Willmotts were stationed at Jenshow (pinyin Renshou), then from 1927-1928 they worked in Shanghai along with other evacuees from inland China. From 1928-1932 the mission society stationed them in Chongqing, and then finally from 1932-1951 they lived and worked in Chengdu.

Additionally, like all missionaries, the Willmotts had furloughs about every 7 years, during which they returned to North America, spanning time between Canada and the USA. Earl’s family was in Toronto, while Katharine’s family was in Ohio, since they were American. The couple met while in grad school at Teachers College, Columbia University, 1920-1921.

The Willmott Family collection includes photographs and text created by Leslie Earl and Mary Katharine while they were working as missionaries in Sichuan. These photographs have provenance from Leslie Earl Willmott (AKA Earl) and Kay's and Earl's children, Donald Earl, Margaret Joy, Richard Curtis and William Edward, which will be noted in the provenance section of the items' records.

This collection also includes photographs and text created by Donald Earl Willmott while he was working for the American OSS during WWII.

This collection also includes images from various creators that found their way into the Willmott family possession. These include photographs taken by Samuel Soper, a Canadian Methodist Mission missionary who preceded Earl Willmott as an educational missionary in Renshou, Sichuan. These images, mainly of Chinese traditional occupations, were widely circulated to promote the mission's work.

Finally, the Willmott Family Collection also includes a series of slides taken by Lewis Walmsley in 1954 and a series of images taken by the Canadian Pacific Railway in the late 1800s. These series were in other missionary family collections before being given to the Willmotts.

Because of the diverse composition of these images' origins, the items have been numbered with the preface "WFC" (Willmott Family Collection) rather than any individual's initials like many of the other family collections.
Creator: Cory Willmott
Date Created: 2024-10-10
Event Records: 1930s Willmott Family Mt. Omei Journeys
Has Part: Donald Earl Willmott's Blue Brocade Album
Provenance: This collection is in the temporary custody of Cory Willmott, while in the process of full transfer to the Mount Royal University Archives.; Mount Royal University Archives
Access Rights: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Items

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Displaying Wild Furs - 2
A rare animal trapper has spread out his catch on the lawn of a missionary household on the WCUU campus (probably the Grahams'). Dryden Phelps (left) holds one side of a giant panda skin, while the trapper holds the other. Constance Walmsley and a young girl (possibly Enid Walmsley) hold up a leopard skin. There is a row of skins behind Dryden and a pile of skeletons in front of him.
Displaying Wild Furs - 1
A rare animal trapper has spread out his catch on the lawn of a missionary household on the WCUU campus (probably the Grahams'). Dryden Phelps (left) holds one side of a giant panda skin, while the trapper holds the other. Constance Walmsley holds a Tibetan antelope skin. A young girl (possibly Enid Walmsley) holds what looks like the skeleton of a young gharial. On the ground there are several rare takin skins with skulls. There are two bicycles at the porch in the background. Probably one of them is Dryden's since he has his pants strapped for bike riding.
New Years Dragon Lamp with Villagers
A man holds up a dragon head on a pole with a long streamer trailing behind to the right. In the center, a man with an elaborate cloth wrapped headdress holds a ceremonial umbrella. Villagers observe the scene, some looking straight at the camera. A stone building with a clay tile roof forms the backdrop.
Chinese New Years Dragon Parade
Three men performing the dragon parade on Chinese New Year. The Man with the mask teases and chases the dragon, which is animated by two men - one in the front and another at the back. The man crouching to the right has his face painted like a monkey, suggesting that this brings in the Year of the Monkey - in this case, 1932.
Sellerys on Fourth of July - 2
Morley and Gladys Sellery stand in front of a large American flag. Morley holds a small British flag, while Gladys holds a small American flag.
Sellerys on Fourth of July - 1
Morley and Gladys Sellery stand in front of a large American flag. Morley holds a small British flag, while Gladys holds a small American flag.
Empire Day Salute
School children stand in two long parallel rows, all holding their arms up high in a salute. In the foreground are two men, seen from behind. One of them has raised his pith helmet in salute.
Empire Day Audience
Men, women and children sit on bleachers or stand on the lawn watching the sports events. The Canadian School in West China can be seen in the background.
Empire Day Track and Field Games
Dozens of men, women and children stand on a sports field watching some sort of game or race. Many of the adults wear pith helmets or straw boaters.
6 Christmas Treasure Hunt - In the Pantry
Hand drawing of four shelves with piles of plates, cups, bowls, and pitchers on them. An arrow pointing the below the dishes on the bottom shelf shows where the present is hiding.
5 Christmas Treasure Hunt - On Book Case
Hand drawing of a small bookcase with a candleholder with seven lit candles and a pair of small objects, perhaps pagodas, on top. The bronze candleholder is still in the Willmott family. An arrow points to below the books on the bottom shelf to show where the next clue can be found.
4 Christmas Treasure Hunt - Behind the Piano
Hand drawing of an upright piano shows motif on front, petals, and white and black keys in proper arrangement. Two arrows point to the side and top, to indicate that the next clue is behind the piano.
3 Christmas Treasure Hunt - The Dining Room Buffet
Hand drawing of the dining room buffet has a fruit basket and a pair of candlesticks on top. An arrow points to the bottom drawer where the next clue can be found.
2 Christmas Treasure Hunt - The Dining Room Table
Hand drawing of the dining room table shows Christmas candles and place settings for tea. An arrow points to under the leg of the table.
1 Christmas Treasure Hunt - The Fireplace
Hand drawing of the fireplace in the Willmott home on the WCUU campus with vases, candlesticks and fire implements. An arrow shows where the clue is hidden.
Package from Home
A twisted and torn parcel lays on the pavement next to a potted plant.
Katharine and Earl Willmott with Christmas Tree
Katharine and Earl stand next to a potted fir tree in the courtyard of "Harmony Hall" in Chengdu. Pillars and windows of a building can be seen in the background.
Looking Out the Window of a Douglas C-54 Skymaster
The circular window of the Douglas C-54 Skymaster frames a shot of the wing while in flight.
Don Willmott in Douglas C-54 Skymaster Enroute to Calcutta
Don Willmott's face is blurred by the bright sunlight coming through the window of the Douglas C-54 Skymaster that is transporting him from Kunming to Calcutta.
US Troops on Plane from Kunming at End of WWII
US troops inside the Douglas C-54 Skymaster that took them over "The Hump" from Kunming to Calcutta. The plane has a large domed roof and benches along the sides on which the men are seated. Some of them appear to be reading letters.
Don Willmott Awaiting Transport at Kunming Airbase
Corporal Don Willmott waiting for the Douglas C-54 Skymaster to board for his flight to Calcutta with other US troops.
Loading a Douglas C-47 Skytrain with Equipment
A Douglas C-47 Skytrain sits on the runway at R2S getting cargo loaded into it. In the foreground are the ox carts that have carried the equipment from the base. The plane has the numbers "3" and "315907" written on the tail.
Douglas C-54 Skymaster Landing at the R2S Drill Field
A Douglas C-54 Skymaster arriving at the R2S Drill Field. An army vehicle is driving on the dirt road in the foreground. Some small buildings can be seen in the background.
Douglas C-54 Skymaster on the Tarmac at R2S
A Douglas C-54 Skymaster sitting on the tarmac at the R2S Drill Field, seen from under the wing of another stationary airplane.
Douglas C-47 Skytrain at Liangshan Airbase
A Douglas C-47 Skytrain sits on the runway at Liangshan Airbase. The plane has "Joanna" written in cursive script near the nose and "3" near the tail. A number starting with "8" is on the nose.