Recollections
T . H . E . . E . A . R . L . Y . . Y . E . A . R . S
Personal memories
recall landscapes and lifestyles
of a bygone era
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Clive Drive
late 1930s |
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by Patricia Johnston
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photo by Don Johnston
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Clive Drive — 1939
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Shortly after Sir Clive Phillipps-Wolley died in 1918, his 16-acre property was subdivided and Clive Drive emerged.
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Dr. and Mrs. Herman Robertson moved into the mansion, living there for many years. Dr. Robertson was one of Victoria's most loved and respected medical doctors. Year later this beautiful house was torn down and five small houses were built on the property.
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| In the house across the street, 1578, lived Edward Shrapnel and his family. Edward was a gifted artist and formed the first art club of the province. He did many paintings, including one of his grandfather Henry Shrapnel after whom the shrapnel shot got its name. One daughter, Gladys, studied music in Brussels in the early 1900s. She played concert tours in England, France and Italy, performing once for the King and Queen of Italy. On returning to Clive Drive she gave piano and violin lessons from her home, living then with her brother as their father died in 1920. After Gladys' brother died she lived alone until her niece Edith Estridge came to look after her. Edith lived there for many years after her aunt died. |
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Looking up Clive Drive from Oak Bay Avenue in 1936 (see photo) the stately home of Sir Clive Phillipps-Wolley can be glimpsed on the right. He named his estate Woodhall after his ancestral home. There is an empty lot on each corner where apartments were later built.
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| We purchased our lot at the northeast end of Clive Drive in January, 1939. There were four empty lots when we bought ours. After the house was built, by Sutton and Sons, we moved in on September 4, 1939 — the day after World War II was declared. |
| The city streetcar (#2) ran along Oak Bay Avenue on its way between the city and the terminus at Windsor Park |
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In 1939 I remember walking across the southwest field to shop on the Avenue at the Piggly Wiggly store that later became Safeway.
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The History of Oak Bay Website
A CENTENNIAL LEGACY PROJECT