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People and organizations
Regina (Sask.) Photographers

West, Wilfred Lawson, 1896-1970

  • PA 537
  • Person
  • 1896-1970

Wilfred Lawson West was born in Bourneville, England in 1896 to Samuel and Emma West. He was employed as a young apprentice photographer before immigrating to Canada. He arrived in Regina, Saskatchewan in 1907 and was employed as a cattle herder before apprenticing with the Johnson Brothers photographic studio in 1912. West joined the Canadian Army in 1914 and worked on various war bond campaigns. He was given a medical discharge in 1918.

Upon his return to Regina, West was employed briefly as a boys' work secretary with the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) before he purchased the Johnson Art Studio in 1918 and renamed the business in his name. His photographic works included portraits of prominent politicians to local families, as well as scenes capturing commercial, social, and cultural life in Regina. Aside from operating his business, West was involved in the community as a member of the King Hiram Lodge, the Wascana Kiwanis Club, and the Regina Little Theatre Society. He retired in 1955 and sold his business to his brother, Horace. After his retirement, West retired to Clarkson, Ontario. He died there on June 16, 1970.

West, Horace Gordon "Westy", 1911-1995

  • PA 538
  • Person
  • 1911-1995

Horace Gordon "Westy" West was born on October 31, 1911 in Regina, Saskatchewan to Samuel and Emma West. He received his early education at Albert School and Balfour Technical School. He joined the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve in 1928, and served with the Royal Canadian Navy in the Second World War from 1939 to 1945. Intermittently throughout the 1920s and 1930s, he also worked as a photographer at his brother Wilfred's photographic studio.

After the War, West relocated briefly to Flin Flon, Manitoba where he operated a photographic studio. Upon his return to Regina, he was employed by the Saskatchewan Department of Social Services. Additionally, he worked with Wilfred, and in March 1955, assumed ownership of the photographic studio upon Wilfred's retirement. His photographic works included portraits of prominent politicians to local families, as well as scenes capturing commercial, social, and cultural life in Regina. West operated West's Studio until his retirement in 1981, when his son Mick assumed responsibility.

Aside from his business, West was involved in the community as a member of Emmulation Lodge, the Wascana Kiwanis Club, the Naval Officers of Canada, the Royal United Services Institute, the Navy League of Canada, and the Saskatchewan Professional Photographers Association.

H.G. "Westy" West died in Regina on November 23, 1995.

Rossie, Edgar Charlotte, 1875-1942

  • PA 539
  • Person
  • 1875-1942

Edgar Charlotte Rossie was born on September 6, 1875 in London, Ontario to William C. and Lucy Jane (Westlake) Rossie. He received his early education in London and at Pickering College in Oshawa. As a youth, Rossie was employed at the photographic studio of his uncle, Frank Westlake, and was apprenticing under Westlake by 1895. In 1899, Rossie located to Winnipeg, Manitoba and established himself locally as a prominent photographer. He was commissioned by the Royal North-West Mounted Police for a photographic project in Regina, North-West Territories in 1904. Soon after completing his work, he chose to relocate to Regina and by late 1904 had established a photographic studio in the city.

Rossie's photographic works ranged from portraiture of local families to scenes documenting the economic, political, social, and cultural life of Regina, especially in its years of rapid growth during the first two decades of the twentieth century. His portraiture of politicians, First Nations leaders and royalty gained him critical acclaim and recognition throughout North America and western Europe. Rossie's works were exhibited in galleries in the United States, France, and England throughout the 1920s and 1930s. Additionally, he was a local pioneer in the use of panoramic photography in the 1910s and 1920s, and is reported to have been the first person to create moving picture films in Saskatchewan.

In addition to his photographic studio, Rossie owned a photo finishing and supply company. Rex Photo Supply Co. Ltd. was incorporated in 1930 and continued operation until 1943.

Rossie was active in the community as a member of the N.W.M.P. Lodge No. 11, A.F. & A.M., the Wascana Preceptory Knights Templar, the Wa Wa Temple and local baseball and hockey organizations. He was also instrumental in the development of the resort community of Regina Beach in the 1910s.

Edgar Rossie died in Regina on March 13, 1942. He was buried near Regina Beach.