Thomas George Tyrer

(1884.03.29 – 1966.04.15)
SLS
Commission #074
(1923.04.15)

When I decided to be involved in the land survey profession it was Mr. T.G.Tyrer S.L.S. who took me under articles along with Tom Watmore, Don Handford and Wally Grainger. The four of us were returned veterans and had completed classes at Regina College and the University of Saskatchewan (Saskatoon) under the post war education studies towards a Land Surveyor Commission. At that time "Tommy" Tyrer was Chief Surveyor, Surveys Branch, Land Titles Office, Regina, Saskatchewan.

Mr. Tyrer was born in Halifax, Yorkshire, England on March 29, 1884 where he received his early education. He came to Saskatoon, Canada in 1911 and became articled to the late Mr. William Stewart, S.L.S. of the firm Phillips, Stewart and Lee. In 1916 he went overseas in the First World War with the Princess Patricia Corp. It is interesting to note that there were 35 registered Saskatchewan Land Surveyors at that time and 12 were on active service. Another civil servant, Mr. Ernie Kynch, who I worked with in the Surveys Office in 1947, was also under articles in 1916 and was attached to the Royal Flying Corp. Ernie did not receive his commission, and retired in the late 1940's.

When Mr. Tyrer was discharged he returned to Phillips, Stewart and Lee in Saskatoon to work as a party chief under articles. In 1921 he joined the Surveys Branch, Regina Land Titles Office, articled under Col. Garner, Chief Surveyor, and received his Commission (#74) in 1923. By 1931 he became the assistant Chief Surveyor and in 1944 took over as Chief Surveyor, retiring in 1949. After his retirement from the public service Mr. Tyrer carried on a private practice until 1958. He also served overseas in the Second World War, going over in 1940 in command of the Engineering Company # 1 General Holding Unit.. Prior to the War he had joined the 14th Field Company, commanding the unit until 1933, and was then attached to it until going overseas. After the War he was involved with the Corps Reserve.

Mr. Tyrer was a member of the Engineering Institute of Canada and the Professional Engineers of Saskatchewan along with membership in the St. George Society and a life member of the Royal Canadian Legion. He was twice President of the United Service Institute in Regina, held many positions in the Saskatchewan Land Surveyors Association including President in 1935 and was made a Life Member in 1957.

Mr. and Mrs. Tyrer retired to Victoria, British Columbia and then to Laguna Beach, California where he passed away April 15, 1966. His wife Dolly predeceased him in 1959. They had one daughter who lived in Nova Scotia at that time.

The Saskatchewan Provincial Government honoured Mr. Tyrer in 1959 for his participation in two World Wars, naming two lakes in the Island Falls area, 40 miles north west of Flin Flon, "Tyrer Lakes".

By J.H. Webb, SLS (L/M), CLS, Winter, 2000