Who were the kingpins in the Fancy when you started keeping birds? For
me they were Hary Bryan, Alf Ormerod and Mrs. A. Moss, who were known
nationwide. In my own part of the country – the Southeast – those at the
top of the tree included, Wickford’s Bill Watson, thankfully still with
us, Jack Robottom, Maurice Finey and Len Trevallion.
But who were the successful breeders north of the border? Tom Knox, now
70 and still living in Canada, has a host of different memories. Tom left
his native Scotland in 1964, but before he went he got to know many
leading Scottish Budgerigar breeders who were hitting the headlines on the
show bench immediately after the war.
As a boy Tom lived in Cowenbeath. His grandfather kept British birds
and was keen on mules and hybrids. An uncle, also a birdkeeper, encouraged
Tom’s interest, but he was finally hooked when he went to work in a Dundee
pet store. He came across a copy of the monthly magazine Birds
Illustrated, edited by George Lynch and never looked back.
There are fanciers about even today who remember the large
advertisements placed in Cage and Aviary Birds by Scottish breeder,
Johnnie Lansburgh. At that time advertisements included the colour of
birds available and listed prices. Tom decided he could afford a pair and
sent off the money. He was on his way.
To many present day breeders, Dr. M. Armour is known only for his books
– Inbreeding Budgerigars and Exhibition Budgerigars – which are regarded
as classics. Tom bought birds from him and still has a high regard for the
doctor’s breeding methods, which included providing his pairs with small
outside flights attached to inside breeding cages.
Before he emigrated Tom also got to know Tommy Oswald and Archie
Miller, two top breeders during that era. And who could forget J. Noel
White who created a sensation in the 1950s when he was offered – and
turned down – a car for his four best birds. Tom also remembers his mentor
– Alex Loudon – well known for his Blues – and George Browniee. George was
a force to be reckoned with in the years after the war and Tom bred a
number of winners from this stock.
Tom didn’t lose contact with the Fancy when he went to live in Ontario.
Jim Hutton, who had some of the best cinnamons in Scotland, offered him
four barhead Opaline cinnamons. Those birds made Tom a force to be
reckoned with in Canada. He won several best in show and best breeder
awards with their offspring. His association with Jim Hutton was rekindled
in 1978 when Tom flew to Scotland for his father’s funeral. Eddie Rattray
took Tom to Jim Hutton who offered him a Yellowface Grey which, Tom
recalls was “the best in Canada” at that time.
Tom has come a long way since those early days when he cycled to the
local railway station and sent birds to shows all over Scotland by train.
The station master took a personal interest in Tom’s team and made sure
his birds were in good healthy when they arrived back. He was as
interested as Tom to discover how the birds had fared at the show. But Tom
had to win because he needed the prize money. It was the only way he could
afford to send his birds to a show the following week – even if it only
cost him a few shillings.
These days Tom drives 100 miles just to attend monthly meetings of his
“local” club. He is also in demand as a judge and is invited to officiate
all over Canada.
His engagements last year included the Canadian National in Edmonton.
Despite advancing years and the fact that he suffers from the emphysema,
he is as keen as ever which is why, when I caught up with him, he was
judging in Brazil.
Despite living in Canada, Tom has never lost touch with the Fancy in
the UK and he was delighted earlier this year when the Budgerigar Society
made him a life member.
Tom supported all the Budgerigar specialist clubs at some point, as he
did many mixed bird clubs.
Tom represented the whole of Canada at the start of the WBO at meetings
overseas, at his own cost. He continued this until his leaving of the
fancy.
A fine example was his work with the first spangle that he imported. In
two short years he was winning best in show with them. He successfully
bred and passed on the variety all over Canada.
The H & D Len Corner Best in Show award is a living tribute to just
some of Tom’s success. Winning it three times in the 90’s before his
passing. Tom was constantly on the top bench even when there were five
specialty clubs in Ontario.
Being a teacher by profession Tom was always ready for a “Lesson” at
any of the clubs meetings or at the show bench while judging all over
Canada (USA, Brazil). In the 1980’s he was very instrumental in developing
the Central Canadian Budgerigar Judges Panel and held the position on the
panel as Secretary. Some of today’s judges were trained under that system.
As published by Brian Byles
