Laycee H.

Winnie The Pooh 

Laycee H.
Kamloops Thompson Regional Heritage Fair
Knutsford, BC

A Canadian soldier named Harry Colebourn stopped in the town of White River Ontario for a stretch break with his troop the Fort Gary Horses. He bought an orphaned bear cub that a hunter was selling, and decided to name it Winnipeg after his then-home town. “Winnie” became the unofficial mascot for the Second Infantry Brigade. When word came that Harry and his troops were being sent to France war front, it also came with word that Winnie could not come, and would be lent to the London Zoo. Winnie was loved by all the zoo goers, for kids could ride on her back and feed her out of their hands.

Christopher Robin and his father A.A. Milne were her main visitors. Christopher Robin loved Winnie so much that he decided to name his yellow stuffed bear Winnie, and the name Pooh comes from his friend’s pet swan. A.A. Milne was an author, and when he saw the opportunity to write about Winnie, he took it. When Harry returned from France, he realized how loved Winnie was, and he decided to permanently leave Winnie at the Zoo. Winnie died in May of 1934, and now has her own parade in White River, Ontario where her and Harry first met. They also have a statue at London Zoo of Winnie and Harry.

What sources and evidence did you consult for your project? What different perspectives did they provide on your topic?

I used online articles from various different sources, and got the perspective of Harry Colebourn and Winnie meeting in White River. I also got Harry’s backstory of what he did before he met Winnie. I also managed to find information about Winnie’s time at the zoo, including a statement from a zookeeper who took care of Winnie. I found lots of information about A.A. Milne and some facts about Christopher Robin, however he liked to stay out of the spotlight and away from his father’s fame.

What is the historical significance of your topic?

The historical significance of my topic is that Winnie The Pooh is known all around the world, but not many people know that Winnie was actually a real, female bear cub with Canadian roots. The story of Winnie being bought by a brave, Canadian soldier and bringing joy to the troops and zoo goers in London during the war is something to celebrate.

Why did you choose this topic? 

I chose this topic because when I was younger, Winnie The Pooh was my favourite cartoon and book. It was only last year that I found out that Winnie the Pooh was a real Canadian bear, and when I found out, I knew I had to make sure everybody else knew as well. When I heard about Heritage Fair, I already knew what I was going to do, and I wanted to research as much details about her life to really understand how much Winnie The Pooh really means to Canadian heritage. Canadians are all about friendship, generosity, and a sense of adventure, and Harry and Winnie embody those Canadian characteristics.