Royden Forster Riddell was born in Pierson, Manitoba on August
29, 1900. He lived most of his childhood in Pierson, but spent a few winters in East Kildonan where he and his brother
Harold delivered the Winnipeg Free Press. In 1921, Royden moved to Warren to farm with his brothers Edgar and Harold.
They lived on the Badham farm (NW 21-13-1W). Royden married Ruby Lobb on October 17, 1925. They
lived and farmed the Al Sulz farm (SW 24-13-2W) until Ruby's death on August 19, 1928. They had no children.
Royden began a truck transfer business in Warren in the 1920's. He did a
very thriving business, employing several drivers through the twenty four years following, where livestock, oil and general
freight, were delivered and picked up from the premises, a very forward step in convenience to the businessman and farmer
alike.
Royden married Birdie Erratt on November 7, 1934. Birdie
was the daughter of Wilkinson and Violet Erratt, born March 3, 1911 in Saltcoats, Saskatchewan. When Birdie and Royden
were married they built a new house in Warren and Royden continued in the tranfer and oil business with Harold. They
had three children - Clifford Royden on August 13, 1938, Kenneth Wesley on May 19, 1941
and Audrey Muriel on December 16, 1942.
Royden later sold the transfer business and in April 1949 he and his family moved
to the farm (SW 27-13-1).
Royden and Birdie built a new house there in 1965 but Royden took ill and died
in June 1867. Birdie now resides in Rosewood Lodge in Stonewall. His son Cliff still operates the farm today.
2004 Update: Birdie passed away in 1997.
