| In the Bulkley Valley museum in Smithers, tucked away in the archives and hidden from view, is a beautiful old leather-bound book, almost a century old. In it are the hand-written memoirs of one of the area’s earliest policemen, James Ernest Kirby. He was an influential character in Hazelton and Smithers from 1900 to 1965 and his journal records much of the early history of our region
Jim Kirby was born in 1865 in Rochester, county of Kent, England. At the age of 14, he somehow managed to enlist himself in the British Military in 1879. He served during Queen Victoria’s reign, and speaks of her with respect.
Even before his arrival in Canada, Kirby led an especially interesting life. In the performance of his duties, he had many exciting adventures, and some very narrow escapes. One of the scariest moments he recounts is in about 1881, while sailing from Portsmouth to Gibraltar. Their old store ship, the SS Humbler, had mechanical problems. Twice as they began the trip, they had to put back to harbor, and on the third time, their captain refused to turn back. The crew struggled on, and during a fierce storm at sea, one of the piston rods broke. The ship barely made it. They were ‘hatched down’ at sea for three days, making their arrival late. The channel fleet was sent out from Spain, found the ship with its crew more dead than alive, and towed the ship the remaining distance. When they reached port, they found that one of their 25 mates was missing, presumed washed overboard.
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James Kirby at 100 years of age
(photos courtesy of the Bulkley Valley Museum)
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