Colonel John Henry Boyd was born in India on May 23, 1879 and educated in England at Bedford School. He joined the army and went to Africa in 1900 as a sergeant. In 1902 he joined the gold Coast mine survey; in 1908 began railway construction in Nigeria. In 1914 he was recalled to the army as a lieutenant and by 1917 promoted to Lt. Col. in Mesopotamia. He married Elizabeth in 1927 in England and in 1929 they settled in Marble Bay, Lake Cowichan. He joined the school board in 1933 as Chairman and in 1934 became Secretary/Treasurer, a position he held until he retired in 1960. J.H. Boyd Primary School was named in his honour. In 1937 he became coroner and magistrate for the district and continued for 21 years. In 1953 the "Colonel" donated the Anita & George Reith Trophy which was presented annually to the lumber operation with the best safety record. He also was and honourary member of the Kiwanis and Kinsmen. He & Elizabeth had 3 daughters, Sheila, Anita & Elizabeth. Col. Boyd died on July 31, 1971 at the age of 92.