William McGhee letter

Dear Lindsay,

I first met Dr. Davidson when I, along with about six other students began Botany classes with him in the fall of 1941, in my case to complete my BA as a prerequisite to entering fifth year for my BSF [bachelor of science in forestry]. While I do not recall much of my pre-war experience in Dr. Davidson’s classes, my postwar experience is another matter, which I will describe in detail. To be honest, I do not remember a normal class with him but I do remember being surprised at my ability to draw microscopic pictures of plant life and diseases. No, I was not a member of the Natural History Society and no, I don’t recall any field trips beyond the botanical gardens.

My goal at UBC, when I finally knew what I wanted, was to get a BA and then a BSF leading to a forestry job and ultimately becoming a BC Professional Forester. When WWII [Second World War], started I decided to complete my BA and join the navy. However, the attack on Pearl Harbour and the experience of a total blackout in Vancouver on December 7 1941 changed my mind and I joined the navy then.

I was discharged in November 1945 and returned to UBC in January 1946, to try and obtain my BA in time to enter my final year for my BSF in September 1946. The problem was how to complete the courses that I required for my BA by September, all or part of which I had already missed. One of them was a 1-1/2 unit fall course (Dr. Davidson’s), another was organic chemistry, a full-year course. I will be forever grateful to Dr. Hutchinson and Dr. Davidson, who made the necessary adjustments to allow me to complete my year. Dr. Davidson provided me with a complete set of notes for his fall course that I had missed, assigned me the lab work as fast as I could complete it and provided me with a room to work. In addition he met me in the arboretum about once a week to answer any questions and in effect give me a private lecture.

In all of this, Dr. Davidson received the complete support of Dr. Hutchinson (Head of the Department), who allowed me to substitute a course in soils & fertilizers for organic chemistry, which I thought was more appropriate for a forester anyway. Indeed, if I had tried to pass an exam in organic chemistry, I think I would still be there.

To complete my year I had to attend a special two-month spring school and summer school for 1-1/2 units each. Three units per session were required to have the courses paid for by Veterans Affairs. As a final gesture of support, Dr. Davidson hired me as a lab assistant in botany during those sessions.

Following this fantastic support, I went on to complete my BSF, became a BC Registered Forester in 1951, and became chief forester for a major forest company.

My only clear memory of the botanical gardens was seeing a ginkgo tree for the first time.

Love, Grandpa