Burma Star Association - B.C. Chapter
I was constantly training on fresh equipment which had already been well used – in Europe! Consequently breakdowns were common.
In 1945 (after VJ Day) my role was converted to Greyhound armoured cars and performed riot duties for a year or so, based from Agra and places in Bombay State.
It was not a very pleasant experience having rocks and bottles thrown at you with no chance of returning fire.
But I always found time to organize a Regimental Dance Band!
Ian was born in Devon, England, the youngest of five children, whose father was a country doctor. During World War II, still in his teens, he joined the British Army Tank Corps and served in Burma and India. His saxophone traveled with him. He reached the rank of Captain, but also found time to organize the Regimental Dance Band.
After returning to England he worked on the Channel Island of Jersey, farming by day, and playing in hotel dance orchestras at night. In 1949, he immigrated to Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island by agreeing to work on a dairy farm for eighteen months. Again Ian played in a little dance band and found Helen singing with it during her university summer break. They were married in Nanaimo in 1951 and lived in the old trailer camp at U.B.C. before moving to Guelph and Fergus, Ontario where he attended Ontario Veterinary College. In 1958, he proudly became Dr. Ian McMorland. His goal of treating farm animals shifted to small animals, as he realized old rugby injuries to his shoulder made that impossible. He and Helen shared their love of animals, and he was a compassionate practitioner.
His only child, Daye, was born in Vancouver in 1959, and was always his pride and joy. She, too, shared her Dad's love of animals and music. He bought the Surrey Animal Hospital in 1962, built on a new location later on, and lived the rest of his life in Surrey.
Ian and Helen traveled extensively after he retired in 1989 until his health deteriorated. Cruising became a passion, as did attending Dixieland Jazz Festivals. Ian's special joy always was encouraging young musicians and sharing his love of Dixieland music.
Ian served on the B.C. and Canadian Veterinary associations, played in community bands, enjoyed 22 years in Kiwanis, built beautiful model boats, and was associated with Whalley Presbyterian Church for nearly thirty years. He was honoured to be made a Life Member of the B.C. Veterinary Medical Association.
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