Interview of George Morgan

George L. Morgan July 14 2011 Born: George Lambie Morgan, June 3, 1927 in Troon, Ayreshire, Scotland. One of 11 siblings (3rd youngest). Five girls were born first, followed by 6 boys. Father: Walter John Morgan. Born in London, England in 1893, passed in 1934. Was in the Army for a time and also a sailor. Served in the Royal Fusiliers during the First World War. Before the War, he was a cabin boy. He was a "jack of all trades", but was unable to care for 11 children after his wife passed. Mother: Maiden name Mary Gibson Lambie. Passed in 1931, when George was only 4. Maternal Grandfather: John Lambie, born 1867, passed in 1929. Walter sent the oldest daughters out of the house to live in Troon, and the boys were sent to an "orphan home". George was brought up in an orphan home in Bridge of Weir from age 9, after first being sent to a home in Stirling at age 7. Boys and girls were housed separately. He was expected to stay until age 16. George describes it like a "wee prison". They were "terrible years" between the Wars and many people were suffering, so he doesn't feel it would've been any better outside the orphanage. However, the people caring for him could be cruel at times. He gives a few examples, such as being "strapped" for no reason. He ran away from the houses several times, but always came back. He was one of the fastest runners in the orphanage and he knew it. He said from the age of 7 on, he pretty well knew there was no such thing as God. However, he read voraciously and couldn't get enough books, including religious work. The houses ran their own school classes. He remembers ending up in the same home as 2 boys with the last name "Morgan" – his younger brothers. George left school at age 14, so he worked as a kitchen boy. When he was old enough to leave the orphanage, he began to work construction with local tradespeople. He worked on the LNER (railway) as a cleaner, and later became a fireman for 7 years, before coming to Canada. He was a member of the Ayr Roads Cycling Club, and learned the pipes when he was 17. He first heard the bagpipes when in the orphanage. He joined the Ayr Pipe Band Society. His first instructor was Pipe Major Bill McCrosky. Bill had a brother named Archie who was an even better piper. George was with the band for 7 years, until he came to Canada in 1950, he saw an advertisement in a magazine called "The Piper and Dancer", which requested pipers to form a band in Montreal. He auditioned in Edinburgh. George was employed as a piper by Ogilee's Department Store, working as an electrician during the day, and attended school at Sir George Williams in the evening (now Concordia University). He played with Ogilee's for 24 years. He stayed away from competitions. He tried being a math, history & geography high school teacher for a time in Stirling, Ontario. He got his teaching degree in Ontario while his wife finished her degree, and he went back to work as a teacher in Montreal. He encouraged his own children to learn the pipes, but they didn't pick it up. He says the most fun he has had in life was with piping. He visited Scotland with his 3 children in 2007, and was able to show them the homes where he grew up. He goes back every few years. Most of his family in Scotland has passed, except his sister Betty. A friend set him up with his ex-wife (divorced 20 years). He met his current wife, Christine LeBlanc, in Ontario through an AmWay conference. They married in Vancouver in 1989. Her father is French. He had 3 brothers and a sister already living in BC, which encouraged him to make the move. He moved after finishing his Master's Degree. He met Victor Durie of UBC, who recommended him to Bruce McLean, offering him a job as assistant director of audio/visual services for Vancouver Community College. There were some colourful politics among the leadership of the school at the time, which George describes at length. He eventually left this job, and began freelancing construction design for clients like BC Hydro & BC Ferries. He retired at age 65. George has 3 children: Twins (Scott & Jennifer), and Leslie. He is close with his children and visits them frequently. They enjoy when he eats haggis. Since moving to BC, George only plays the pipes for himself. He has had to give them up since developing arthritis. He had an Uncle George (his namesake) who was the first of the family to move to Vancouver. He served in the First World War and worked with the Vancouver Fire Department. He encouraged 4 of George's siblings to settle on the west coast. The rest of his siblings lived out their lives in Troon. Coming to Canada, George travelled by ship. He was one of two pipers on board. He was quite shy coming out of the orphanage. He had no idea what to expect of Canada, aside from the fact Quebec was French-speaking. He developed a slight French accent from his time in Montreal. He never encountered any discrimination. He still retains feelings of "Scottishness". Alec, the other piper who came with him to Canada, taught him a lot about Robbie Burns. He hadn't known anything about it in Scotland. He recites some rhymes by the poet McGonagall on record. He considers himself retired, though he has invested in his own prepaid legal service business. James has been to the Highland Games with his children. George has grandchildren. None of them are involved in piping or Highland Dance. Looking back on his life, he would have gotten more financial training. However, he also looks back at his life - from coming up in an orphanage to having 6 successful careers and receiving his Master's degree- and feels he has done quite well in his estimation. He doesn't have any regrets in his life, and feels his biggest satisfaction came from his children. "It's been a very good life". He recalls his days working as a fireman on the railroad. He had a foreman who looked like Charlie Chaplin. They discuss a book about the man who ran the orphanage which George is talking about. Some of his siblings never returned to Scotland after leaving, as they had bad memories of their experiences there.