Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1943-1945, 1994 (Creation)
Level of description
Collection
Extent and medium
100 photographs: B&W (in an album)
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
William Kehler was born in Hochstadt, Manitoba to Gerhard Kehler and Katharina Janzen as the 7th of eight children. He was a member of the Sommerfeld Mennonite church at Schoenthal where he was baptized in 1930. During the Second World War he served as conscientious objector in a lumber camp (1942) and from 1943-1945 in the Manitoba School for Mentally Defectives in Portage la Prairie, MB. After the war he started work at the Co-op Vegetable Oils plant in Altona where he worked until his retirement in 1972. In retirement he took up photography, translating German documents, computers, and a founding member of the Altona Senior Citizen's Club. William Kehler was never married.
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
This collection consists of 100 black and white photos depicting Kehler's experience as a conscientious objector during the Second World War, performing alternative service at the Portage la Prairie mental institution. The photos depict Kehler, his friends and staff (male and female), patients, doctors, the hospital grounds and activities undertaken by staff and patients. Most of the photos are identified in the album either on the back or on the adjoining page of notes.
Significant people named include Abe Hildebrandt, Bill Enns, George Harder, Jake Friesen, Gerhard Ens, John Funk, Isaac Doerksen, Dave Dyck, Henry Funk, William Kehler, George Martens, Ed Penner, Darcy Loewen, John Inglis and Dr. Bristow.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Manitoba School for Mentally Defectives (Subject)