Salt Spring Island Archives
Charles Leonard Cropper was born in Ulverston, Lancashire, England in January 1894, the middle child of the Reverend Charles Henry Edward Cropper and Ethel Mary (Green). He was educated at Trent College, Nottingham and London University, training as a school teacher. Following his WWI service (as a Captain, 5th Northamptonshire Regiment), he moved to Canada in March 1920. His aim was to farm in Saskatchewan, where he spent a few years. However, at the urging of his uncle, Hugh Septimus Green (already a resident), he made his way to Salt Spring Island and took up 20 acres of land on the Fulford-Ganges Road (bordering Mereside Farm) .
Working with Mr. Beddis, a carpenter, he built a home and barns and established an orchard. In addition to finding work where available, he raised chickens, and also grew raspberries. In June 1925 he married Mary Stuart Davidson, a Scottish nurse working at Lady Minto Hospital. Their son, Leonard Atholl Stuart, was born in October 1927, followed five years later by twins, Doris and Muriel.
When Formby House School became available, Charles Leonard moved his family to Ganges and for the next five years ran the school, until the family moved to Victoria in 1940. As well as academic subjects for the approximately 25 students, Mr. Cropper coached his pupils in Archery and .22 Rifles, building target practice ranges on the 9-acre property. He was invited to be President of the Ganges Boys Club and remained in this role until the family left the Island. He was also very involved in Theatre productions on the Island.
After leaving Salt Spring, Mr. Cropper taught at St. Michael’s University School in Victoria until his death in 1957. The family did not return but have continued to harbour a keen interest in the Island and its welfare through the years.more photos
2012008001.jpg
2012008002.jpg
2012008003.jpg
2012008004.jpg
2012008005.jpg
2012008006.jpg
2012008007.jpg
2012008008.jpg
2012008009.jpg
2012008010.jpg
2012008011.jpg
2012008012.jpg
2012008013.jpg
2012008014.jpg
2012008015.jpg
2012008016.jpg
2012008017.jpg
2012008018.jpg
2012008019.jpg
2012008020.jpg
2012008021.jpg
2012008022.jpg
2012008023.jpg
2013003001.jpg
2013003002.jpg
2013003005.jpg
2013003006.jpg
2013003009.jpg
2013003010.jpg
2013003013.jpg
Back row left: Winnifred Calthrop, Elsie Price, Mary Scoones, Alison Maude, Elizabeth Scoones, Joyce Robinson
Next row: Ashley Maude, Dick Baker, Joanie Roberts, Mrs. Reid (teacher of the juniors), Bill Scoones, Ormond Springford
Third row: Anne Lauther, Susan Calthrop, ?John Price, Doris Cropper, Heather Hoole, Margy Scoones, Muriel Cropper
Front Row: Kenrick Price, Jim Scoones, Charles Leonard Cropper, Faith Buchanen, John Scoones, Atholl Cropper
Accession number: 2012008001
1938 Formby House School Sports Day
Back row left: Winnifred Calthrop, Katherine Popham, Heather Hoole, George Robinson, Anne Lowther, Don Layard, Kenrick Price, Matt Isherwood, John Price, Elsie Price, John Shipley
Front row: Muriel Cropper, Susan Calthrop, Ruth Price, John Buchanen, Joanie Roberts, Bob Shipley
Accession number: 2012008002
1947 Atholl and Leonard (Dad)
Accession number: 2012008003
Mother, Doris, Muriel and Ptolemy the cat
Accession number: 2012008004
Doris, Atholl and Muriel Sitting: Mother
Accession number: 2012008005
Our Farmhouse on Fulford-Ganges Rd. next to Prices Mereside Farm Ð the pond and fountain Dad built
Accession number: 2012008006
Leonard Cropper on his motorbike
Accession number: 2012008007
Formby House School Ganges Dad built this sailboat.
Accession number: 2012008008
1938 Rainbow Beach (Layards): Don Layard, Atholl and Doris in DorisÕ Kayak
Accession number: 2012008009
Athol, Heather Hoole, Doris, Muriel in background.
Ron Hoole, Ruth Price, Kenrick Price at Rainbow Beach (Layard’s)
Accession number: 2012008010
Standing: Leonard
Seated lt to rt: Muriel, mother Mary, Doris 1944
Accession number: 2012008011
Muriel, Leonard and Doris
Accession number: 2012008012
1943: Doris and Muriel
Accession number: 2012008013
Leonard and Mary Cropper on their wedding day. June 4 1925
Farmhouse in the background
Accession number: 2012008014
Doris, Atholl, Muriel Ð Brownies and a Cub
Accession number: 2012008015
Heather Hoole, Doris and Margie Scoones
Accession number: 2012008017
At Ganges about 1938
Accession number: 2012008018
1937 Ð Muriel, Mrs. Cropper, Doris
Accession number: 2012008019
Left to right Ð Muriel, Atholl, Doris (sailboat Dad built)
Accession number: 2012008020
1938 Ð (Layard’s) Rainbow Beach Camp Ð Doris, Muriel, Atholl (rowing)
Accession number: 2012008021
Atholl age? Leonard Cropper
Accession number: 2012008022
Archery Ð Doris (holding arrow quiver) and Atholl. Dad made some of his own bows and arrows
Accession number: 2012008023
Muriel, Atholl and Doris in front of Formby House School
1938
Accession number: 2013003001
Muriel, Atholl and Doris
Rosie, the Jersey cow
Chicken house school and Mahon Hall in the background
Accession number: 2013003002
Archery at Formby House
1939
Accession number: 2013003005
Muriel, Atholl, Doris and Ptolomy, the cat
at the rance 1934
Accession number: 2013003006
Muriel, Atholl and Doris in front of Cow barn
Formby House, Ganges
1937
Accession number: 2013003009
Muriel, Atholl and Doris
at Formby House, Ganges
ca. 1937
Accession number: 2013003010
Doris, Atholl and Muriel
Oct. 3, 2007
Accession number: 2013003013
