What’s UP at the Archives – November 12th, 2025
Special WWII Pop-Up Exhibit
Robert William Grinsted, a long-time Mission resident better known as “Pop,” was beloved by everyone who served in World War II. Throughout the hostilities, he corresponded with many of them along with his 3 children in the services.
In 1944, he got support to start publishing a column in the local newspaper under the name With the Boys And Girls in The Services. Featuring personal, abbreviated news items (much like today’s X, formerly known as Twitter) about those serving overseas and working abroad, his columns served to keep everyone connected, boosting morale in the community and on the battlefields.
Between 1944 and 1945, Pop wrote over 40 columns about where the “boys and girls” were stationed, their activities, and casualties presented in his unique folksy style that always included the phrase “Chins Up to All of you…”
The majority of those serving in WWII that Pop Grinsted corresponded with and/or wrote about in his newspaper column were students from Mission High School (MHS).
During the war years, Pop compiled the photographs, cards and other mementos he had gathered into a Book of Remembrance which he presented to Mission High School along with a Roll of Honor, listing the names of 240 students who served.
In the 1945-46 MHA School Annual dedicated to the ex-graduates who so valiantly served their country in World War II, the students expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Pop by including a full-page tribute to him.
Want to know more about Pop Grinsted, see the pop-up display at the Leisure Centre by the Mission Community Archives : With the Boys And Girls in The Services which includes excerpts from Pop’s column and features WWII artifacts from Mission Museum.
What’s UP at the Archives – October 4th, 2025
NEW Video: Mission’s Iconic CPR Station
On January 26th , 1999, a fast-moving fire destroyed Mission’s iconic Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) Station, a national historic site. A prefabricated building constructed in 1909, the station was the centre of commerce and served as a cultural hub spanning more than 8 decades.
Lost Heritage is a new video by the Mission Community Archives which explores the station’s pivotal historical role in Mission’s development and the extraordinary efforts by the community to preserve it, before and after the fire.
Showcasing treasures from the Archives trove of historic photographs and documentation of those involved, Lost Heritage is both a celebration of a bygone era and a reflection of the collective action to save the CPR Station while fighting a losing battle.
Among the ardent advocates was John Levitt, President of the Mission City Lions Club. Following the devastating fire, he spearheaded a campaign to rebuild the station.
A full page ad donated by the Mission City Record was published in the February 25th issue of the newspaper that contained John’s impassioned plea to the community: “…I believe that a new building can replace the old and still be entrusted with the memories of years gone by while, at the same time, once again building new memories for all residents who will use this new building with pride…We do not need your money, what we really require is just your support at this time…”
A Culture Days event, Lost Heritage can be viewed on the Archives YouTube Channel. CLICK HERE to WATCH
There are many pieces to the CPR Station’s storied past that are not fully documented and therefore, I wish to connect with anyone who has information regarding the community’s efforts to both save and rebuild the CPR Station, said Archivist Val Billesberger. If you can help, please contact the Archives by email (missioncommunityarchives@gmail.com,) or call 604-820-2621.
