Underhill, James Edward

In 1939 he took a free-lance photograph of Queen Elizabeth on her Royal Tour of Canada which was sold to newspapers throughout the world. From the earnings on that picture he was able to pay his way through UBC studying botany and horticulture after the War.

He worked with the British Columbia Provincial Parks where he joined Yorke Edwards in 1958. "Ted was my energetic and creative co-worker. Ted was a good botanist, his camera captured fine pictures, every summer he organized and led popular park programs, and in winter he was a magician in the interpretation workshop where he worked making low cost exhibits and other communications aids. - Yorke Edwards." He operated an "interpretive van" in the interior of British Columbia for many years.

From 1958 to 1969 he spent his summers operating a program in Manning Provincial Park.

He became an authority on plants of BC with particular attention on the rhododendrons of Manning Park.

He wrote and published a number of plant guides and he kept meticulous records which he donated to the BC Conservation Data Centre. One of the more eclectic aspects of his interests was the gourmet cooking and the wine making (for which he was locally famous) - which endeared him to an even wider audience of enthusiasts and friends. "Ted made a broad and significant contribution to BC Parks and to the thousands upon thousands who came to parks to use, to enjoy and to understand. Ted's presence will be missed but his many good works will continue to bring pleasure and interest to all those who come in contact with them. - Kerry Joy" In 1982 he retired to Victoria where he shared all of his knowledge with those who were interested. "I have derived tremendous pleasure from the natural world, especially flowering plants. Wildflowers are more than simply beautiful. It has saddened me that so many people miss all this. Through my nature walks, slide shows and books, I hope that I have helped to open people's eyes and minds so that they too, may share these pleasures with me."

He served in the Second World War as an Observer/Navigator demobilizing as a Squadron Leader RCAF.