The Life and Times of Bob and Eddy Hayes

[Eddy Hayes put an amazing amount of work into recording the very interesting experiences that she and her husband went through over their career.  This is the transcription of a beautiful scrapbook ‘The Life and Times of Bob and Eddy Hayes.’]

Bob Hayes (about age 8)

Robert William Hayes was born July 12^th, 1925 to Tom and Ruth Hayes of Three Hills, Alberta.  He had two older sisters Mildred and Jean, and an older brother, Norman.  They farmed in an area called Ghost Pine Creek near the Red River and the ‘Badlands’ of Drumheller.  Bob speaks fondly of the picnics they enjoyed on the banks of the Red River.  When Bob was ten, his family moved to Calgary.  Times were tough in those days and work was hard to find.  His parents often spoke of the "dirty thirties" and their struggles.  At the same time, they spoke of the good times of picnics and card parties and, of course, of St. Giles Presbyterian Church where many hours were spent.  There were many Sunday evening meals with friends and family enjoying conversation that included the young children in the talk of politics and rumors of war.

Bob’s youngest brother Jim was born in 1936.  He was a great joy to the family.

Bob took his schooling at Balmoral Junior High and Crescent Heights High.  By this time, he worked part time at MacCosham’s Shipping Co.  He drove a Dodge ½ ton truck and transported baggage and trunks from the C.P.R. station.  In 1943, when it was decided that the Alaska Highway would be built, Bob worked for Butler and Hawkins convoying trucks and equipment up to Whitehorse.  This was grueling work over primitive roads and conditions stretching 1,500 miles from Whitehorse to Edmonton.  He drove a White diesel U. S. Army truck up to Whitehorse.  This type of truck was huge and if you saw one on the highway you would automatically hit the ditch until it passed.  Bob flew back in a D.C. 3. 

Convoy of trucks on the way to Whitehorse

Bob received his call to join the Air Force in late 1943.  He began his basic training in Edmonton and then went on to Regina.  In 1944, he took his flight training to be an Air Gunner at MacDonald Air Force Base in Portage La Prairie.  In 1945, he trained at Mountain View Base in Trenton, Ontario.  Much to his disappointment he did not get overseas.  The war was over and he mustered out.

Bob had a number of jobs over the next several months.  All of the men were returning from the war and, of course, they had first chance at jobs.  In June of 1946, he took a job driving a tour bus for Brewster Tours in Banff and Lake Louise. This is when we met. 

For more photos relating to this section - click here)

Bob meets Eddy ... continue