John Stuart ORCHARD (1915-1990)

John Stuart Orchard (1915-1990) was the son of Albert John Orchard and Edith Mary Orchard (née Idiens), both of whose families lived in Badsey and Wickhamford respectively for a time and were friendly with the Sladdens.

John was born at Marlow, Buckinghamshire, in 1915, the elder of two children of Albert John Orchard and Edith Mary Orchard (née Idiens).  Edith, who had emigrated to Canada in 1913 with her parents, following in the wake of some of her siblings, had married Major Orchard of the Indian Army at Christ Church Cathedral, Victoria, British Columbia, on 4th July 1914.  They had met in England when Albert’s mother rented Vine Lodge, High Street, Badsey, from about 1905-1910, and when Edith’s family rented Wickhamford Manor.

Albert and Edith returned to Jubbulpore where he was stationed.  She travelled to England the following year, staying with her mother who was by now living at Marlow, where she gave birth to John.  John’s birth is mentioned in a letter of 20^th April 1915 from Mela Brown Constable and his christening in a letter of 13^th June 1915 from Kathleen Sladden.

John’s younger sister, Alice Mary, was born in India, in about 1919.

In 1921, the Orchards returned to Canada and settled in Victoria.

John died in 1990 and was buried at Courtenay Civic Cemetery, Comox Valley Regional District, British Columbia.