Legacy is based on previously classified British Government documents and Independent Research work. It highlights the inescapable fact that 2 unexplained deaths still tarnish the great history of sustainable development achieved by the people of Port Hope Simpson, SE Labrador, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. What happened on one fateful night in the early hours of 3 February 1940, near Pioneer Street, Port Hope Simpson Town, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada remains stubbornly and inextricably bound-up with the history of the place and its people. Until the deaths are fully investigated and explained by the R.C.M.P. Serious Crimes Unit, The Department of Justice, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada then the history of the town can never be truly known and at the very least the town's people are being denied full knowledge of their own past. At worst, personal knowledge about what really happened is still being kept hidden. Who died in what circumstances? Arthur Eric Williams b. 30.07.13, (eldest son of John Osborn Williams, owner of the Labrador Development Company Ltd. Logging company based in Port Hope Simpson from 1934) and Erica D'Anitoff Williams b. 15.07.36 his infant daughter from Cardiff, Wales died on Feb 3 1940 in suspicious, acrimonious circumstances. Too many questions remain unanswered...too many established facts are beyond coincidence. Why are so many Newfoundland Rangers' reports from Labrador missing from Provincial Archives in St. John's? (Clarence Dwyer, 18 years of age was the Ranger on duty at the Port Hope Simpson Detachment when the deaths occurred.) What was the real reason that explains why the retired Indian civil servant, Sir John Hope Simpson, Newfoundland Commissioner of Natural Resources and Acting-Commissioner of Justice worked so hard even after he no longer had any official responsibilities, to keep the Newfoundland Rangers under the jurisdiction of the Natural Resources Department instead of under the Department of Justice? No medical report has been found. Yet it was reported at the time that a doctor from Mary's Harbour attended to Olga, wife and mother of the deceased after she was rescued from the burning house. What happened to the report? Olga married one of her rescuers, Sid Wiseman but why did she complain afterwards that she had been cut off from all contact with the Williams family after the deaths. (On the other hand, J. O. Williams was able to bequeath considerable funds.] Why did an Oral History interview which involved the grandson of J. O. Williams leave Llewelyn with the distinct impression that the tradition of secrecy surrounding the deaths was still being carried on today? A granite tombstone was built on the same spot where they had perished. It was erected on top of a hastily-built concrete grave in which the bodies had been quickly buried by order of Keith Younge, the local manager of the Company. But different inscriptions were carved into the concrete and granite headstones! Why? What happened in the time between when the deaths occurred and when they were carved to cause them to change? Why was any reference to Olga completely removed from the second inscription on order of John Osborn Williams? Why are there at least 6 apparent evidence discrepancies on the tombstone? Why did John Osborn Williams complain about Olga's character in the highly confidential letter to Keith Younge now in the public domain at National Archives UK Ref. Public Enquiry into the Affairs of the Labrador Development Company Ltd. 1945? Why was pertinent information about the deaths kept secret under the classification of "Closed Papers" by the British Government until 1996 - 98? Why did Claude Fraser, Sir John Hope Simpson's loyal Secretary of Natural Resources become a Government Director of the Labrador Development Company on exactly the same day the deaths occurred? Why was Thomas Lodge subsequently appointed to the same post if not to "keep a lid" on things?
About the Author: Llewelyn's collection of books includes the series: 1. Illustrated Diaries about European Budget Short-Break Holidays 2. Photo Albums 3. The Port Hope Simpson Diaries 1969-70 4. Port Hope Simpson Mysteries 5. The Voluntary Service Overseas in Labrador. 6. Travel handbooks Llewelyn has worked with The Honourable Canadian Senator William (Bill) Rompkey, on writing the history of the Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) in Labrador. This is what Bill wrote in his letter to the first get- together of the VSO teachers at Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire 1-3 August 2003, "...Labrador called to you and we are calling you now. I hope you will do what you can during these few days to fill in the Labrador record with your recollections and reflections. This too will be an important contribution to Labrador history. But mainly I hope you enjoy your time together. Llewelyn Pritchard has done a remarkable job in bringing you together. He is as shrewd as Holmes and as persistent as Poirot. He could even be a great Canadian! We owe him more than we can say. It's his event and I know it will be successful. All good wishes. Bill Rompkey"