The Watrous Manitou Newspaper, Feb. 1963
E.S.Laking Retires From CN, Long Service
The last day of March has always been an important day in the life of 
our genial townsman, E.S. Laking. This year it is more than just a 
birthday anniversary - it's the day he officially retires from service 
with the Canadian National Railways as agent at Watrous. Having five 
weeks' credit in holidays, Mr. Laking was honoured by his fellow 
employees as he came to the end of his final shift at the depot, Friday 
afternoon, February 22. L.T. Arnold, assistant superintendent at 
Melville, was on hand and on behalf of the local employees presented Mr. 
Laking with a handsome pen and pencil set. Then, L.E.Wert, CN agent at 
Semans and local chairman of the Order of Railway Telegraphers, spoke on 
behalf of the O.R.T. and presented the honoured gentleman with an 
engraved billfold. Congratulatory messages arrived from outer space 
about this time - also, Mrs. Laking walked in on the gang, wondering 
why her husband hadn't called to drive her home. Telegrams came from 
I.J.Wise, superintendent of transportataion, CN staff at Melville; 
G.M.Burton, chief dispatcher, Saskatoon - both wishing Mr. and Mrs. 

Laking continued good health and happiness. Congratulatory letters were 
received from H.J. Fast, manager, Assiniboine area, Winnipeg; one from 
Donald Gordon, general manager, CNR, Montreal . 
Other highlights included a cablegram fron F/L Robert Laking, RCAF 
supply officer at No. 1Fighter Wing, Marville, France, also his wife and 
daughter, Roberta. Then, to top off the weekend, another son, F.E.Laking 
and his wife arrived from North Battleford. They brought along a 
gigantic fresh-caught whitefish, an album of records, etc.

Born in Ontario
The popular E.S. Laking, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Laking, 
was born at Owen Sound, Ontario, on March 31, 1898. At the age of one 
year, Ed made his first trip to western Canada before Saskatchewan 
became a province. Several more moves were made during his early years 
as his father was a CPR telegrapher employed at Morse, Chaplin, 
Wolesley, and North Portal. Before World War I, Mr. and Mrs. Laking Sr. 
tried four years homesteading near Amulet, then W.E. went back 
railroading, this time with the CNR. 
During the homesteading years and before, Ed Laking attended public 
school at Yellowgrass and Amulet, and high school at Weyburn. About this 

time and with railway blood flowing in his veins, Ed signed on with the 
CPR as assistant agent at Kincaid and Hazenmore. He transferred to the 
CNR as a car checker at Radville in the fall of 1917. During the next 
winter Ed discovered what makes a telegrapher's key tick through night 
lessons by his father. By the spring of 1918 Ed was a full-fledged 
operator, employed at Brooking. Now, 45 years and 2 months have rolled 
by since E.S. 
Laking commenced service with the CNR. He has worked at 27 points as 
operator, relief agent and agent - the last move being from Turtleford 
to Watrous December 12, 1955. 
Mr. and Mrs. Laking are now enjoying their well-earned holiday before 
making any definite plans for their future. Chances are they will 
continue to reside in Watrous. 
Mr. and Mrs. Laking (nee Lila Irvine, Moose Jaw), were married 
October 17, 1925. They have two sons.

The Watrous Manitou Newspaper, Feb. 1963
Ed S. Laking, local CNR station agent, retired recently after 
completing 45 years service with the company. 
At the end of his final shift in the station, L.T. Arnold, Melville, 

assistant superintendant, on behalf of local employees, presented him 
with a pen and pencil set and L.E. Wert, Semans agent, on behalf of the 
ORT, presented him with an engraved billfold. Congratulatory messages 
were received from a number of railway officials, relatives and friends.
Born in Owen Sound, Ont., Mr. Laking's first railway job was assistant 
agent for the CPR at Kincaid and Hazenmore. In 1917 he transferred to 
the CNR as car checker at Melville and in 1918 became operator at 
Brooking. 
Since then he has worked at 27 points as operator, relief agent and 
agent. He came here to Turtleford in 1955. 
His actual date of retirement is his birthday, March 31, but with five weeks holidays to his credit, he retired on Feb. 22.