Title and statement of responsibility area
Title proper
Dr. Thomas G. Caunt fonds
General material designation
- Multiple media
- Object
Parallel title
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Title statements of responsibility
Title notes
Level of description
Fonds
Repository
Reference code
Edition area
Edition statement
Edition statement of responsibility
Class of material specific details area
Statement of scale (cartographic)
Statement of projection (cartographic)
Statement of coordinates (cartographic)
Statement of scale (architectural)
Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)
Dates of creation area
Date(s)
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1934–1968 (Creation)
Physical description area
Physical description
2 scrapbooks : 36 x 30 cm ; multiple pages
1 nameplate : wood ; gold and black hand painted lettering ; triangular prism
Publisher's series area
Title proper of publisher's series
Parallel titles of publisher's series
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Numbering within publisher's series
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Archival description area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Thomas Gilbert Brian Caunt was born in Hull, Yorkshire, England to Harry Caunt and Louisa (Cuthbert) Caunt in 1898. In 1903, he came to Canada with his family who settled in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Caunt originally wanted to be a farmer and attended the Manitoba Agricultural College (later University of Manitoba) in 1914 and 1915.
In 1915, Caunt joined the 8th Battalion of the Winnipeg Rifles and was posted overseas with the 1st Division CEF, and served as infantry during The Somme, Ypres, and Passchendaele. He returned to Canada in late 1919. Caunt was a member of the Canadian Legion Post 2 for many years.
After serving in the war, he was determined to become a doctor. He graduated in medicine from the University of Manitoba in 1934. Caunt married Lucy Agnes Sybil Slaughter on April 24, 1935.
Following an internship at the Vancouver General Hospital, Caunt joined the staff of the Provincial Mental Hospital, Essondale in 1935. For many years he was in charge of the care of Veterans at the hospital. In 1952, he became medical superintendent of the hospital and Crease Clinic, a position he held until 1963 when he retired.
In 1954, Caunt became a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association as well as a certified specialist in psychiatry by the Royal College. He was also a charter member of the Canadian Psychiatric Association.
Caunt died on January 28, 1984.
Custodial history
The materials were originally stored in Caunt's attic before being transferred to his daughter for many years, and then eventually to his granddaughter upon the death of her mother. Caun't granddaughter transferred the records to the City of Coquitlam Archives in 2021.
Scope and content
The fonds consists of two scrapbooks and one wooden name plate. The scrapbooks were put together by Dr. Thomas G. Caunt, who worked at Crease Clinic and the Provincial Mental Hospital, Essondale, starting in 1935. He created the scrapbooks for his son and daughter as a record of his employment.
The scrapbooks detail significant moments of Caunt's medical career and personal life during 1934–1968, as well as various events at Essondale Hospital, including the installation of the BC Tel telephone exchange. A significant portion of the scrapbook documents the trips Caunt took in 1949-1950 to move geriatric patients to the new Homes for the Aged in Vernon (Dellview) and Terrace (Skeenaview).
Notes area
Physical condition
Arrangement
Language of material
- English
Script of material
Location of originals
Availability of other formats
Restrictions on access
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
Some photographs are under copyright. See the Reference Archivist for more information.
Finding aids
Consult lower level descriptions for more detailed scope and content.
Associated materials
The donor of the materials also donated records related to Dr. Thomas G. Caunt to the Royal Winnipeg Rifles Regimental Museum and Archives, the Manitoba Archives, and the New Westminster Archives.
Accruals
No further accruals are expected.
Accompanying material
The fonds also includes a wooden name plate that was used on Dr. Caunt's desk at Essondale during his tenure as medical superintendent. The name plate was made and painted by patients at Essondale. It can be found in Box 2 of the fonds.