'LOCAL BOY MAKES GOOD'
THAT old newspaper bromide about "Local boy makes
good" seemed to me particularly apt for the caption of
this particular column, as it deals with the story of a Victoria
lad who got his start on the ladder of success right here and
is now making good in the international field.
Just about 30 years ago, Frederick J. Brand, a local
student, was awarded the first of the bursaries offered to the
children of deceased or disabled war veterans, under the
I.O.D.E. War Memorial scheme. With its help, he went to
the University of British Columbia, where he made a brilliant
showing in mathematics, among other things.
OVERSEAS SCHOLARSHIP
SO WELL did young Brand do, that, in the course of a couple
of years, he received a further award of one of the first
of the overseas scholarships - another I.O.D.E. gift under its
educational memorial plan. With it, he went to Oxford University and,
again, in England distinguished himself with his
academic prowess.
As the years went by, the erstwhile Victoria lad, broadened
the scope of his studies and lifted his sights to the internation
of democratic ideals in fields where they were most
needed. To that end he joined the personnel of the cultural
relations group sent out to Germany with the British Army
of Occupation to help in the rehabilitation of the Ruhr.
PRAISED BY GERMANS
THE BEST evaluation of his personal success as an education
officer under BAOR comes from the Germans themselves,
as expressed in newspaper articles from Dortmund, where
he has been stationed for several years. The Westdeutches
Tageblatt, of May 5, has this to say:
"Mr. F. J. Brand, head of Die Brücke, will leave Dortmund in the
next few days in order to take over still greater responsibilities in
Hamburg. To people of this city who keep their eyes upon purposes that
are general and unifying and stand above the uncertain opinions of the
day, his name is esteemed. He is one of those who, in spite of, or even
because of their quiet and unobtrusive manner, are in a position to
imprint on their activities the unmistakable stamp of their character.
Under his influence. Die Brücke has never swerved, not even by a hair's
breadth, from its clearly stated purpose: To promote, without any
prejudice, the idea of international unity by increasing our knowledge
of we another, and deepening our essentially western Christian bonds.
"With an open-minded readiness for a spiritual adventure, Mr. Brand
made the attractive rooms at the Burgtor a place of independent exchange
of ideas that were not restricted only to the Anglo-Saxon world. And he
created an atmosphere in which urbane vitality, enthusiasm for discussion,
and reconciling humor were at home. Above all, the youth of the city
who are interested in new fields of thought, were strongly attracted.
The 'Brains Trust', introduced by him as a forum for objective discussion
and frank debate, has become particularly popular.
"At a simple farewell party it became obvious now closely Mr. Brand
through his activities of long duration feels himself attached to the
population of the city. And it is fair to say that the personality of this
generous, hospitable, helpful - in one word, 'noble' - man will not be
forgotten by those who have pledged themselves to the same aims that he
has chosen for himself."
CULTURAL CENTRE
IN mourning his pending departure, the Ruhr Nachrichten,
another German newspaper, said, in part:
"Since the 21st June, 1949. the day of the opening of the Brücke,
Mr. Brand conducted the institute. First hesitating, then with growing
interest, the Dortmund population, above all her youth, has been interested in Die Brücke.
Today we may say that it has become a true
cultural centre of the town ... The bright-eyed, reserved Canadian -
in his native country he took mathematics at the University of British
Columbia - has transferred the clear, objective tone of his science to the
program of the Brücke. No obtrusive propaganda could be noticed here;
one wanted to come to an understanding out of the spirit and to convince
through appeal to facts. He himself enriched the program by holding
numerous lectures, and he generously kept the Brücke open for cultural
efforts of all kinds. Not by persuasion but by example, the Brücke has
become a democratic forum of the city."
PROUD HERITAGE
SUCH unsolicited testimonials from the press of occupied
Germany constitute more than an ordinary tribute to that
former Victorian - they speak volumes for the outstandingly
brilliant work he has done there and the impression he has
left on all those with whom he came in contact.
If ever the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire should
want some tangible evidence of the far-reaching effect and
value of their living war memorial educational scheme, they
have it in the case of Fred J. Brand. The bread they cast
upon the waters in giving this veteran's son help to higher
education 30 years ago is returning a thousandfold in his
achievement in building part of the foundations upon which
world peace will ultimately be based, and - ironically, perhaps
- building it in the very country in the fight against which
his own father gave his life. |
