Hugh 'Torchy' Aikens
Mountain Photographer - Page 2

Hugh ‘Torchy’ Aikens Biographical Notes
Excerpts from Vancouver Province & Vancouver Sun Articles 

DAVIS STILL PURE, PRINCETON CLUB SHOVELS - February 20, 1940 - The Vancouver Sun

Running a ski meet on practically snowless ground has become a fine art up around Princeton, according to Hugh Aikens, who spent the week-end there. Just a few inches of snow was available for the slalom events so the lads of the Amber Ski Club had to bring out shovels to keep the course covered. Bill Irwin of the famous Irwin family led the jumpers with a leap of 140 feet though not so far behind him was a Vancouver lad, Harry Burfield of the Hollyburn Pacific club, who jumped 120 feet. Aikens was particularly taken with the Irwin lads in their slalom racing, the brothers having apparently developed their own technique in turning.

PHOTOGRAPHIC SALON PRAISED - June 5, 1940 - The Daily Province

Hugh Frith of Vancouver has two of the best studies of sunlight on nude flesh. The sea and ships have Inspired many of the Vancouver photographers such as Anna Abramson and Hugh Aikens. Portrait showing promising talent is Anna Vanderpant's photograph of her sister.

AMATEUR SNAPSHOT COMPETITION SPONSORED BY DAILY PROVINCE IS ENTERING FINAL WEEK - August  9, 1940

Hugh E. Aikens, 5002 Commerclal Drive, took the honors in Class B with his "Girl in Net.”

ADJUDICATORS OF DAILY PROVINCE SNAPSHOT CONTEST TO PICK FOUR ENTRANTS FOR NATIONAL AWARD - August 16, 1940  - The Daily Province 

Hugh E. Aikens, 5002 Commercial drive, won Class B, young people and adults, with a study of a bronzed bathing girl. "This is an excellent outdoor picture showing a dramatic use of lighting effects," commented Mr. Dettloff of "Sunmaid."

CAMERA ART SHOW ON DISPLAY HERE - November 7, 1940 - The Province

Members of the Vancouver Camera Art Club are exhibiting on the second floor of Woodwards Ltd. store this week. The show Is small In size but it includes many prize winning prints from other exhibitions. Forbes Helm, whose recent one-man show of abstract photography at the Vancouver Art Gallery, created wide interest, has contributed several studies. Other outsanding camera artists included are W. T. Thorne, D.S.C., whose work has been featured In several International salons here, Lillian Dow Davidson, Hugh Aikens, Gordon G. Bird, Anna Abramson, D. Macphail, George Thompson and E. Atkinson.

 “PEOPLE AT WORK” IS MOTIF OF CAMERA ART CLUB EXHIBIT” - April 23, 1941 - The Province

The dignity of Hugh Aikens "Electrotyper" adds to a composition which is consistently built up in opposing right angles. His "Router," with Its mysterious, intriguing quality, has also much merit. Both prints are superior to his "Rhythm Boys" at work on a highway; lacking somewhat In strength appropriate to such a subject.

"The Stone Mason," by Lillian Dow Davidson, shows beauty of texture and masses. "Members at Work," by S. T. Thorne, reveals a number of incidents in a modernistic combination In one print. "Making Mats," by H. Aikens, Is a strong and decorative print; and "Photographic Chemistry," by D. MacPhail, is admirable In its variety of shapes, values and textures.

FINE PHOTO EXHIBIT ON SHOW AT GALLERY - April 30, 1941 - The Vancouver Sun

 Hugh Aikens has chosen to portray different types of men at work in his own place of employment. Such studies as "Electrotyper," "Router" and "Making Mats" all convey a feeling of authenticity and rhythmic composition. 

JUDGES PRAISE MANY ENTRIES - August 15, 1941 - The Daily Province

"Drafted." table top study by Charles Schroeter, won the unanimous approval of all three judges in the fourth week of The Vancouver Daily Province amateur snapshot contest for 1941. 

Combining humour, pictorial interest and technical quality, it was considered a serious contender for the final prize in Its class. 

Hundreds of entries were received from all parts of B. C, and it was felt that quality of the prints is improving. The contest will close August 23, after which the six weekly winners in each class will compete for the grand prizes. 

Prize winners of the fourth week competition included: Hugh E. Aikens. 5002 Commercial Drive. Picture of a young lady cutting her initials in a pile. (Honorable mention)

FOUR VANCOUVER MEN NAMED PRIZE WINNERS IN DAILY PROVINCE PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION - August 29, 1941

Class C (scenics and still life) Hugh E. Aiken. 5002 Commercial drive.

In the scenics and still life division the choice was "High on a Windy Hill" by Hugh E. Aikens. Here the Idea was to frame a figure in an outdoor setting and while a very pleasing picture resulted. It also had se'eral faults. The frame looks a bit large far the figure, and the shallow base seems to fall away to the right.

SKI CLUB DECIDE ON OFFICERS - May 9, 1942 - The Vancouver Sun

The Hollyburn Pacific Ski Club held their annual meeting last night and elected the following officers: Honorary president, Rowe Holland; president, William Macey; vice-president, Hugh Aikens; secretary, Oliver Davey; assistant secretary, Lena Cleary ; treasurer, Edna Barnes; assistant treasurer, Winnie Bowman; social, Naomi Wilson; publicity, Ted Yard; club captain, Harry Burfield; technical advisor, Fred Hudson; house committee, Geo. Smith; press, Louis Varney; men's representative, Eric Macintosh; women's representative, Beatrice Macintosh.

AT THE ART GALLERY - PORTRAIT OF CORDELL HULL MEMORABLE CAMERA CLOSEUP - June 6, 1942 - The Daily Province

B.C. photographers represented in the show include Anna Abramson, Hugh E. Aikens, D. Baird, J Balkin, G. A. H. Baxter, C. E. Borden, Dr. J. S. Bricker, C. Coe, H. T. Frederickson, H. Frith, N. Gevjick, W. S. Kals, D. Loughnon, M. E. McGlashan, B. A. Robinson, C. Schroeter, E. Smith, W. H. Squire, W. E. Thomson, C. Warmington and the judges' prints.

GALLERY OPEN ON HOLIDAY - June 30, 1942

The Vancouver Art Gallery will be open Dominion Day from 3 to 5 p.m. Special exhibitions include Salon . Photography by Hugh Aikens and Forbes Helem; watercolors and drawings by Dorothy Kennedy, and pastels by Ruby M. Young and H. MacLearn Angus. Admission is- free.

ART GALLERY OPEN JULY 1, 1942 - The Province

The Vancouver Art Gallery will be open Dominion Day from 2 to 5 p.m. Special exhibitions include Salon Photography by Hugh Aikens and Forbes Helem; watercolors and drawings by Dorothy Kennedy, and pastels by Ruby M. Young and H. MacLean Angus. Admission is free.

PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION STIRS INTEREST at GALLERY - June 26, 1942 - The Province

 Hugh Aikens and Forbes Ilelem, Vancouver cameramen, are displaying numerous examples of their skill in a current show at the Gallery. The display completes a series of unusually fine photographic exhibitions held during June.

“Peter," by Aikens, presents a life-size head with emphasis on both the model's individuality and a substantial power with which it is projected. The rich tonal values assist in the suggestion of a sculptural sense pervading this remarkably fine portrait.

VARIOUS NORTH SHORE SKI CLUBS LOSE MANPOWER TO SERVICES BUT GIRLS PREPARE TO CARRY ON THIS YEAR - October 9, 1942 - The Vancouver Sun 

Ski clubs on Hollyburn Ridge have taken quite a beating from the army, etc, since the close of last season. Membership roles will show a large drop, but it remains to be seen whether or not new members will bring the list up. It seems that there will be an increase in the number of girls, at least.

Hollyburn Pacific Ski Club's losses to the army this summer include Hugh Aikens, Otto Bergman, Don Dewar, Stan Davies, Bob Forrest, Gordon Munro, John O'Brien, Ed Partridge, Ralph Patterson, John Perry, Bill Sexton, and Louis Varney; the air force took Geoff Bullen, Art Edwards, Steve Harrison, Bob Grayson, Lloyd Heather, Scotty Henderson, and Leonard Horne; the navy got Henry Pavey. In addition, Naomi Wilson is in the women's division of the air force, and is now stationed at Toronto.

SUN SPORTS - Jack Patterson - Sports Editor - December 26, 1942

Nature was all dolled up in her winter best when cameraman Hugh Aikens snapped this pretty scene of Vancouver's Winter Wonderland on Hollyburn Ridge. It shows that the skiing fraternity, at least, didn't have to dream about a white Christmas. The pretty damsel on the skis Is Naomi Wilson, now with the RCAF. Last winter she was ski queen on Hollyburn.

SKI SLANTS - Trek to Hollyburn for Vicki Classic; Longest of Season - Brownie Cleary, March 5, 1943 - Vancouver Sun

Taking a sunny holiday this week on the Ridge are Norm Deacon, Joan Sheffield, Naomi Wilson, who will leave for the East tonight after two weeks furlough. Cameraman Hugh Aikens, also on furlough, is with the RCE (Royal Canadian Engineers).

HOLLYBURN SLIDE SLOPES - December 31, 1943 - The Province

The ringing out of the old year and ringing in of the new year on Hollyburn will take the form of a New Year's Eve dance at the ski camp, tonight.

Among skiers visiting here are: From Prince Rupert, Bob Glover; Alberni, Hugh Aikens, and John Perry from the East, All these lads are with the Army and plan to get in some skiing before they leave again. 

SNOW POST

Grouse Mountain 14 Inches, powder.
Hollyburn 8 inches, dry. 
Seymour 14 inches, dry. Skiing conditions: Excellent, with two inches of powder snow over crust. No ice skating.

CITY SKIER TWO HOURS UNDER SNOWSLIDE - March 24, 1944 - The Vancouver Sun

Visiting skiers played a vital role, Thursday, in saving the life of AC1 Art Jewell, RCAF, 29, Vancouver skier, when he was buried for more than two hours under an avalanche of snow on the eastern slope of Standish Mountain,

Another Vancouver elder, Gus Johnson, actually spotted the. lost man under four feet of snow, after most of a search party of 50 skiers soldiers, airmen on furlough, and civilian vacationers had almost given up hope.

Jewell, with Graham Piers - like himself a well known Hollyburn skier and Fit. Lieut. P. E. B. Charbonneau of Montreal, went on a lone ski trip following a heavy fall of fresh snow and apparently overlooked signs warning of the dangers of avalanches in the Standish Mountain area. 

All three were buried but Piers extricated himself quickly and managed to dig out Charbonneau after he had been under the snow 15 minutes. Unable to locate Jewell, they sought help. First on the scene were Gus Johnson and Gerti Beaton, Vancouver; Matt Broze and Ed Kinnear, Seattle, and Bill Whelman, Banff, followed by Capt. M. Melville, Lieut. Guy Normandin, Sgt. Hugh Aikens and a party of other skiers. 

 It was Johnson who finally dug one of Jewell's skis out of the snow. 

 Jewell, son of Mr. and Mrs. B. H. Jewell, 1943 West Broadway, was on furlough from Caigary where he is stationed.

 IT'S SNOWING IN THE WINTER WONDERLAND  - December 22, 1945 - The Vancouver Sun

These days, the wonderland that stretches from Vancouver to the snow-blanketed Rockies. In downtown Vancouver it may be a rainy yuletide but for skiers it will be truly a white Christmas. At the upper left (in the photo) ski troops of the Canadian Army manoeuvre on the carpet of snow that covers the surface of Jasper Park's Lake Maligne. To the right of that picture King Winter rules in all his glory upon our own Hollyburn Ridge, snow and shadows blending in beauty. The two pictures at the right present different views of Banff's Sunshine Lodge where Graham Peers of Vancouver scans the mountains and snow. Ottar and Emil Brandvold trespass in nature's snowy estate on the slopes of Mount Garibaldi in the lower picture. They are trekking into Diamond Head Hostel. (Photos by Hugh Aikens and Joan Mathews.)