1937

Arthur is upset over the deaths of two boys Alan Newbury and Norrie Pearson. Gordon begins playing in Dal Richard’s band and Dal tells Arthur that he can’t go to San Francisco with the band because he has a steady gig at the Winter Gardens in English Bay. Delamont decides to end the Vancouver Girls band after too many go home crying after rehearsals. He guesses his temperament is not suited for teaching girls and he is right! Lillie asks Gordon how serious he is about Joan. Delamont tells Gordon he expects him to take over the band one day. Gordon is not interested in band music but in jazz which sparks a bitter feud between the two.

Dal encourages Gordon in his music arranging career. Gordon’s first professional gig is at the Empress Hotel in Victoria on New Year’s Eve. His high school principal and French teacher sneak off to the Empress as well. Gordon sees them when he looks up from his music and they see him. Everything works out but Gordon learns a valuable lesson about discretion.

The band is abuzz about travelling to San Francisco to open the Golden Gate Bridge. While talking to Mr. Shapiro in San Francisco, Arthur is told his is the only Canadian band invited. When they get there they find they are not the only Canadian band invited, the Vancouver Police Pipe Band is also there.

Vera tells her dad she is sorry that he has cancelled the Vancouver Girls’ Band. He says he is too but it is for the best. She comes right out and asks if she can play the xylophone in his boy’s band.

Lillie makes two pies for dinner one for the family and one for Arthur seems Arthur has a sweet tooth. Lillie has a talk with Arthur but he is the boss and that’s all there is to it.

Quotes from Ambassadors of Empire, Season 1 Episode 5

Mr. Shapiro: “The band is the finest and most competent boy’s band I have ever had the pleasure of hearing.”

Gordon Delamont: “Dal was the first person to pay me for writing music.”

Gordon Delamont: “Dal was a good leader with the ability to keep everyone happy.”

Frank Hills: “Those were such wonderful days. Don’t think we realized it at the time. We were scared sick of him but the discipline was good for us. The discipline carried on with us for the rest of our lives.”

Paul Jagger: “Johnny Hailstone lived about two blocks from me in West Vancouver. he joined the band.”

Paul Jagger: “I wanted to go on the trip but I didn’t have any money.”

Mr. Bucholl: “The pay is fourteen cents an hour.”

Paul Jagger: “Here are all these guys lined up and I get the job. You had to have connections.”

Paul Jagger: “She was a top notcher,” speaking of Lillie Delamont.

Paul Jagger: “Stocky was an excellent chap. Used to wear black suits and a black homburg.”

Harold Atkinson: “That was a bit of a hairy trip because the buses we hired had leaky gas pipes which made us all a little sick.”

Harold Atkinson: “We were the first Canadian band to play on a US battleship, the USS Virginia.”