After only 2 decades the Selkirk General Hospital was already at capacity. In 1929 the hospital underwent an expansion which nearly doubled its capacity of 30 beds to 55. The expansion also included a spacious operating room, a large maternity ward, increased nursing accommodations, and an automatic elevator.
Captain Canuck was created in the 1970s by Ron Leishman and Richard Comely. The comic was illustrated by Selkirk resident, George Freeman. Captain Canuck quickly grew a following because the character reflected Canadian pride.
William Daniel Griffiths (1898–1962) was a Welsh-born First World War veteran who served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force in France. Settling in Selkirk after the war, he worked as an accountant for the Manitoba Rolling Mills (MRM) and actively contributed to his community as a member of the Lisgar Masonic Lodge and the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 42.
Roderick “Roddie” Fiddler (1912–1996) was a Manitoba-born Second World War veteran who served overseas with the Royal Canadian Artillery. After returning to civilian life, he spent decades working at the Selkirk Mental Hospital (later the Selkirk Mental Health Centre) and remained a deeply dedicated member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 42.
Paul Henrikson (1924–1992) was a Second World War Royal Canadian Navy veteran who served on the HMCS Uganda. After the war, he dedicated his life to education as a beloved teacher at Selkirk Collegiate and the Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive Secondary School, while also serving his community as a town councillor, Deputy Mayor, and active member of numerous local clubs.
Learn about the wartime sacrifice of Lawson Dillabough, a brave young man from Selkirk who answered the call to serve during the Second World War. As a dedicated member of the historic Dufferin Gang, his commitment alongside his neighbors and peers stands as an enduring testament to his community’s profound legacy of military service.
Learn about the wartime and family life of John V. Sinclair, a World War II veteran who courageously enlisted at just 17 years old. After surviving battlefield injuries in France—thanks to a dramatic rescue by his neighbor “Chappy” Adams—he returned home to Selkirk, dedicated 25 years of hard work to the Manitoba Rolling Mills, and proudly raised a remarkably vibrant family of 11 children.
Follow the life of Jack C. Laye, a Second World War veteran who served in the Canadian Army alongside his brother James as part of Selkirk’s historic Dufferin Gang. After returning home, he earned his Red Seal in carpentry, dedicating his post-war career to North American Lumber, Government Services, and the Selkirk Mental Health Centre.