- Other Name
- LETHBRIDGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
- Date Range From
- 1972
- Date Range To
- 1973
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Materials
- COTTON
- Catalogue Number
- P19970083000
1 image
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Other Name
- LETHBRIDGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
- Date Range From
- 1972
- Date Range To
- 1973
- Materials
- COTTON
- No. Pieces
- 1
- Diameter
- 20.5
- Description
- TWO-TONED BLUE FLANNEL BEANIE MARKED IN WHITE LETTERS "LCC". ROYAL BLUE AND TURQUOISE PANELS ALTERNATE, 2 EACH. ITEM IS WORN AND FADED.
- Subjects
- CLOTHING-HEADWEAR
- Historical Association
- EDUCATION
- History
- BELONGED TO DONOR'S SON, DAVE, WHO WAS BORN IN 1954 AND ATTENDED LCC, THE FIRST YEAR THE COLLEGE OPENED. PURPOSE UNKNOWN. *** INFORMATION BELOW PROVIDED BY DONOR AT THE REQUEST OF THE GALT IN 2010. “OUR SON ENROLLED IN THE LETHBRIDGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE AFTER COMPLETING HIGH SCHOOL WITH THE INTENTION OF FOLLOWING A FORESTRY CAREER. HE FOUND OUT THE MOUNTAINS WERE A GREAT PLACE TO VISIT, BUT HE DIDN'T WANT TO LIVE THERE. THE BEANIE WAS A REQUIREMENT FOR NEW STUDENTS AT THAT TIME.” *** UPDATE: IN 2014, THIS BEANIE WAS SELECTED BY LUCELLE PRINDLE FOR THE 'TREASURES & CURIOUSITIES' EXHIBIT. PRINDLE FOUND PHOTOGRAPHS OF LCC STUDENTS WEARING SIMILAR BEANIES DURING "FROSH WEEK" IN THE 1968/69 LETHBRIDGE JUNIOR COLLEGE YEARBOOK. PRINDLE ALSO PROVIDED A PHOTOCOPIED PAGE FROM A BOOK DETAILING THE HISTORY OF LETHBRIDGE COLLEGE, WHICH OUTLINED THE JUNE 1969 MOTION TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE SCHOOL FROM "LETHBRIDGE JUNIOR COLLEGE" TO "LETHBRIDGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE". BECAUSE THIS BEANIE BEARS THE LETTERS "L.C.C.", PRINDLE MAINTAINS THAT IT MUST BE DATED POST-1969.
- Catalogue Number
- P19970083000
- Acquisition Date
- 1997-08
- Collection
- Museum
Images
- Other Name
- BALMORAL CAP, 16TH BATTALION BADGE
- Date Range From
- 1914
- Date Range To
- 1918
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Materials
- WOOL, COTTON, METAL
- Catalogue Number
- P20110006013
1 image
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Other Name
- BALMORAL CAP, 16TH BATTALION BADGE
- Date Range From
- 1914
- Date Range To
- 1918
- Materials
- WOOL, COTTON, METAL
- No. Pieces
- 1
- Height
- 5.2
- Diameter
- 28.5
- Description
- GREEN WOOL BERET. BERET IS ROUND WOOL CAP WITH SLIGHTLY NARROWED HEAD BAND. HEAD BAND SPLITS AT BACK AND HAS FOUR COPPER ISLETS WITH TWO ON EACH END. GREEN COTTON CORD THREADED THROUGH ISLETS TO ADJUST FOR SIZE. LIGHT GREEN LINING WHICH IS STAINED A DARK BROWN FROM USE. AT FRONT OF BERET IS CAP BADGE WITH TWO LOOPS AT BACK. LOOPS ARE THROUGH WOOL AND HELD ON INSIDE WITH A COPPER PIN. A PORTION OF A CIGARETTE PACKAGE HAS BEEN PLACED BETWEEN WOOD SPLINTERS AND LINING FOR PROTECTION FROM WEAR. BADGE HAS KING'S CROWN AT TOP WITH BANNER ACROSS BOTTOM WHICH READS "DEAS GU CATH". BETWEEN BANNER AND CROWN IS, “16” IN FRONT OF AN X SHAPE. SEAM AT BACK OF BERET HAS SPLIT APART AND COTTON CORD IS FRAYED.
- Subjects
- CLOTHING-HEADWEAR
- Historical Association
- MILITARY
- History
- AT THE TIME OF DONATION, DONOR JIM BETTS SAID THE ITEMS CAME INTO HIS POSSESSION WHEN HIS BROTHER ED “SOLD OUT” ON NOVEMBER 3RD, 2010. THE DONATED MATERIALS WERE PREVIOUSLY ON ED’S FARM SITE. THE FARM WAS LOCATED ON SECTION 21 - 114 AND DONOR’S FATHER CLARENCE BETTS “MOVED THERE IN 1929-30, BUT KEPT ORIGINAL HOMESTEAD.” EAST QUARTER SECTION 4 – 214. DONOR’S FATHER CLARENCE HAD 12 BROTHERS AND SISTERS. EARL’S EFFECTS HAD BEEN SENT TO CLARENCE AND EARL’S MOTHER (JULIA BETTS) BUT HOW THEY ENDED UP WITH CLARENCE IS UNKNOWN BECAUSE JULIA’S PLACE BURNT DOWN. ED BROUGHT THE TRUNK OVER AROUND NOVEMBER 3RD, 2010 AND SAID, “TAKE IT” BECAUSE THERE WAS NO PLACE FOR IT IN LETHBRIDGE. EARL WAS BESIDE HIS BROTHER CLARENCE WHEN HE GOT SHOT. “DAD WAS SHOT THROUGH THE CHEEKS, LOST THUMB. HE ALWAYS SAID IT WAS SO COLD OVER THERE UP ON THAT RIDGE. UNCLE REED SAID THE TOUGHEST BUGGERS IN RAYMOND LOVED TO FIGHT, AND EARL DID; ALTHOUGH HE WOULDN’T DRINK COFFEE BECAUSE OF THE CHICKERY (RATION COFFEE). DAD WAS UP TO 220 LBS IN THE ARMY WITH THE GOOD FOOD EATEN. THEY LIVED ON HOMESTEAD IN LITTLE SODDY. DAD PASSED AWAY ON DECEMBER 4, 1969. HE JOINED THE WAR EFFORT BECAUSE IT GOT TO HIM THAT GUYS (ALLIED COUNTRIES) WERE BEING PUSHED AROUND” CLARENCE BETTS WAS BORN ON AUG 10, 1889, WAS A FARM LABOURER FROM COUTTS. ACCORDING TO BETTS’S ATTESTATION FORM TO THE CANADIAN OVER-SEAS EXPEDITIONARY FORCE, HE ENLISTED ON ARIL 4TH 1916 AT LETHBRIDGE ALBERTA. HE WAS ISSUED THE SERVICE NUMBER 736821. HE SERVED WITH THE 113TH LETHBRIDGE HIGHLANDERS AND THE 16TH (CANADIAN SCOTTISH) BATTALION. HIS UNIT SAILED SEPTEMBER 25, 1916. IN OCTOBER OF 1916 HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE 17TH BATTALION AND IN NOVEMBER HE TRANSFERRED TO HIS FINAL UNIT, THE 16TH BATTALION. HE SERVED IN ENGLAND FROM OCTOBER 1916 TO NOVEMBER 1916, AND IN FRANCE FROM NOVEMBER 1916 TO OCTOBER 1918. HE WAS SHOT ON AUGUST 15, 1917 AND TREATED AT THE 4TH GENERAL HOSPITAL ETAPLES. BETTS WAS WOUNDED AGAIN ON OCTOBER 1, 1918 BY A PIECE OF SHRAPNEL. HE WAS DISCHARGED ON APRIL 4, 1919 AFTER THREE YEARS OF SERVICE. FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE BETTS’ BROTHERS’ MILITARY SERVICE IN ADDITION TO BACKGROUND FAMILY INFORMATION, PLEASE SEE THIS DONATION’S PERMANENT FILE.
- Catalogue Number
- P20110006013
- Acquisition Date
- 2011-02
- Collection
- Museum
Images
- Other Name
- R.C.A.S.C. "1944"
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Materials
- WOOL, COTTON, BRASS
- Catalogue Number
- P20100023001
2 images
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Other Name
- R.C.A.S.C. "1944"
- Date
- 1944
- Materials
- WOOL, COTTON, BRASS
- No. Pieces
- 2
- Description
- 1) (L-27.3 ,W- 23.2 ,H, 2.6) BERET, GREEN WOOL WITH LEATHER HEADBAND. TWO COTTON TIES HANG FROM BACK. TWO EMPTY EYELETS AT FRONT RIGHT. INSIDE IS QUILTED BLACK FABRIC WITH SILKSCREENED TEXT IN GREEN THAT READS, “GRAND’MERE, KNITTING, COMPANY, LIMITED, BERET 1944, SIZE 7 1/8.” BELOW HAS C BROAD ARROW SYMBOL. 2) (L-4.5,W-4.7,H-1.2)CAP BADGE, CROWN AT TOP WITH RAYS COMING AWAY FROM CENTER. EIGHT MAPLE LEAVES WITH TEXT THAT READS, “ROYAL CANADIAN ARMY SERVICE CORPS, HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE” (EVIL BE TO HIM WHO EVIL THINKS). MONOGRAM IN CENTER WITH TEXT THAT READS “GR VI.”
- Subjects
- CLOTHING-HEADWEAR
- Historical Association
- MILITARY
- History
- ACCORDING TO HIS DISCHARGE CERTIFICATE, “CORPORAL GEORGE HENRY RIDGEWAY ENROLLED IN THE NO. 13 DISTRICT DEPOT OF THE CANADIAN ARMY AT LETHBRIDGE ON APRIL 28, 1942. HE SERVED IN CANADA, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND CONTINENTAL EUROPE. HE WAS DISCHARGED ON MARCH 19, 1946 AT CALGARY ALBERTA UNDER DEMOBILIZATION ROUTINE 1029 (5-C-I). HE WAS AWARDED THE 1939-1945 STAR, FRANCE AND GERMANY STAR, THE DEFENSE MEDAL, CANADIAN VOLUNTEER SERVICE MEDAL AND CLASP AND THE 1939-1945 MEDAL.” RIDGEWAY PASSED AWAY ON MAY 28, 2010 AT THE AGE OF 93 YEARS IN LETHBRIDGE. THE FOLLOWING EXCERPTS WERE EXTRACTED FROM A NARRATIVE WRITTEN BY GEORGE HENRY RIDGEWAY ON AUGUST 11, 1999. “[I] JOINED [THE] ARMY [ON THE] 28[TH OF] APRIL 1942, IN LETHBRIDGE. [I] REPORTED TO CALGARY [AT THE] MEWATA BARRACKS. EQUIPMENT AND UNIFORM CAME NEXT. [AFTER RECEIVING MY UNIFORM I] HAD TO SEND [MY] CIVVY CLOTHES HOME. TWO OTHER FELLOWS AND MYSELF GOT THAT READY[. AFTERWARDS, WE] WALKED ALONG MAIN CALGARY STREET TO A TRUCK DEPOT WITH OUR SHINY BOOTS [AND] NEW UNIFORM[S. WE] FELT KIND OF AWKWARD [IN OUR NEW CLOTHES. WHAT MADE] THINGS WORSE [WAS] WHEN THREE OR FOUR “KIDS” YELLED, “ROOKIES.” WE ALL FELT LIKE KICKING THEIR ASSES, HOWEVER [WE] WALKED ON TO GET OUR JOB DONE. CALGARY BASIC TRAINING [WAS] NOT TOO TOUGH FOR ME. I HAD [SPENT] A COUPLE OF YEARS IN [THE] LETHBRIDGE RESERVE ARMY[. I HAD] SPENT TIME AT SARCEE CAMP IN CALGARY SO I KNEW THE ROPES. [I RECEIVED] BASIC TRAINING AT [THE] CURRIE BARRACKS. [UPON] FIRST ARRIVAL [THERE WERE TRUCKS THAT HAD JUST ARRIVED FROM] MEWATA STADIUM. WE WERE GREETED BY A SGT MAJOR. [WE] HAD TO LISTEN TO HIM SAYING WHAT A MESS OF RECRUITS WE WERE. AS OF NOW- SMARTEN UP —STRAIGHTEN UP [AND] STAND AT ATTENTION. GET THOSE CIVILIAN GRINS OFF YOUR FACES. [YOU’RE] AT CURRY BARRACKS WHERE YOU WILL BE WHIPPED INTO SHAPE AND I DON’T MEAN MAYBE. FINALLY AFTER CHEWING US OUT SOME MORE, WE WERE MARCHED TO OUR BARRACKS HUTS [AND] ISSUED A BLANKET ETC. OUR ARMY LIFE READY TO BE SHAPED. LIGHTS OUT [AT] TEN O’CLOCK[. AT] SIX A.M. [THE] NEXT MORNING, [THERE WAS] A SERGEANT RACING THROUGH THE HUT. [HE YELLED] ‘UP AND AT IT GET THOSE BEDS MADE PROPERLY. [THE] BLANKET [WAS] TO BE FOLDED SO THE BLACK STRIPED PART WAS ABSOLUTELY THE SAME ON EVERY BED. I THINK WE HAD TWO BLANKETS, ONE FOLDED CORRECTLY, THE SECOND WRAPPED AROUND IT[. IT] HAD TO BE PERFECTION FOR INSPECTION AS IT SAT AT THE HEAD OF OUR UPPER AND LOWER BUNKS. OUR EQUIPMENT [HAD] SMALL AND LARGE PACKS[, A] KIT BAG [AND] RESPIRATOR. ALL HAD TO BE IN PERFECT POSITION. LAST OUR BOOTS. SHINED TO PERFECTION, ALMOST LIKE MIRRORS. EVEN THE SOLES ALONG THE EDGES SO IF THE TOES WERE TURNED UP A BIT AND SHOWING, ESPECIALLY TOP BUNKERS, THEY LOOKED GOOD. MEALS TURNED OUT NOT TOO BAD. [THE] PARADE SQUARE [WAS] AN UNLOVABLE PART OF OUR LIFE. QUICK MARCH, LEFT TURN, RIGHT TURN, ABOUT TURN STAN[D] AT EASE, ATTENTION, BY THE RIGHT, QUICK MARCH. SOON [IT WAS] LUNCH TIME, THEN MORE TRAINING. [THE ROUTE WAS] PROBABLY A MILE OR TWO [TO] MARCH. I MUST ADMIT, WE BECAME GOOD SOLDIERS, TOUGH AND READY TO TAKE ON WHOEVER GOT IN OUR WAY. [WHEN I WAS] IN CALGARY[, THERE WAS] FREE BOARD AND ROOM, BUT WHEN I WENT TO THE JOHN [I] PRETTY NEAR[LY] WALKED OUT. THE URINAL [WAS] EXACTLY LIKE AN EAVES TROUGH[. IT WAS] ON A SLOPE [WHERE THE] TALL GUYS COULD USE THE HIGHER END [AND THE] SMALL BOYS THE LOWER, AND THE TOILETS [WERE] SIX IN A ROW [AND THERE WERE] NO PARTITIONS SO [THERE WAS] NO PRIVACY. [I] SAT ON MY BED SOMETIMES WATCHING THE TOILET DOOR. WHEN SOMEONE CAME OUT — I DASHED IN TRYING TO GET A TOILET JOB DONE IN PRIVATE [BUT THERE WAS] NO SUCH LUCK. IF YOU WAITED FOR THAT WITH A HUNDRED MEN IN A HUT, I’M AFRAID THERE WOULD BE QUITE A FEW ACCIDENTS SO YOU LEARN THE HARD WAY [AND THE] MORNING TIME [WAS] THE WORST. SO WITH GRUNTS AND GROANS AND FARTS, YOU MIGHT HAVE THOUGHT YOU WERE IN A BATTLE AREA [WITH] SO MANY SOUNDS AND TUNES [IT] WOULD MAKE A SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA TAME IN COMPARISON. SO BASIC TRAINING ENDED [AND] ON TO RED DEER. JIM AND I [WERE] IN THE SAME COMPANY BUT DIFFERENT PLATOONS. I WAS PROMOTED, A ONE STRIPE WONDER [AND] SENT TO JIM’S PLATOON TO GET THEM WHIPPED INTO SHAPE. [FOR ME] RED DEER [IS] REMEMBERED AS A PERFECT HELL HOLE. LOUSY MEALS, COAL STOVE HEATED BARRACKS MEANING LOTS OF CLEANING, PARADE SQUARE AND MARCH, MARCH, MARCH. OH WELL, IT ALL CAME WITH THE JOB. WELL IF YOU THOUGHT BASIC WAS A ROUGH, TOUGH HEADACHE, ADVANCED WAS NO PICNIC. [THE] PARADE SQUARE [WAS] MUCH WORSE THAN CALGARY. SO JIM ARRIVED BACK IN CALGARY. [THE] EDMONTON MOTOR TRAINING CREW [WAS] SENT TO CALGARY TO FINISH THEIR COURSE, SO WE [WERE] TOGETHER AGAIN. [THOSE WERE] HAPPY DAYS HERE FOR ME. THE RED DEER FELLOWS AND MYSELF STUCK TOGETHER. [WE] HAD MANY GOOD TIMES TOGETHER. MANY AN EVENING I STRETCHED OUT ON MY BUNK [AND] THE FELLOWS WOULD SAY ‘COME ON GEORGE, WE’RE GOING TO THE SALLY ANN’ OR THE K OF C (KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS) SING SONG, [OR] SOME OTHER PLACES FOR ENTERTAINMENT. ‘GET YOURSELF READY BECAUSE WE’RE NOT GOING WITHOUT YOU.’ SO AWAY WE WENT[, WE] SANG OUR HEARTS OUT [AND] ENJOYED THE COFFEE AND DONUTS AFTER. JIM CAN TELL YOU MORE OF THE CALGARY DANCE. ALL I REMEMBERED [WAS THAT] THE HALL WAS JAM PACKED. INSTEAD OF WALTZING OR FOX TROTTING, I THINK I WAS JITTER BUGGING. ONE [TIME I HAD ONE] HAND IN THE AIR AND [I WAS] RAISING HELL. THE FLOOR MANAGER TAPPED MY SHOULDER, ADVISED I SIT DOWN TILL I COULD DANCE TO THE MUSIC AS IT WAS BEING PLAYED. WHAT A KILL JOY. [I] ALSO REMEMBER ONE EVENING BEING ON A STREET CAR WITH MY BUDDIES GOING SOMEWHERE[ AND IT M]UST HAVE BEEN QUITE DULL BECAUSE I TOOK ONE OF THE CHICKS INTO THE AISLE SO WE COULD DANCE. [THE S]TREET CAR DRIVER [WAS] NOT TOO HAPPY[. HE] STOPPED THE CAR AND SAID NO DANCING IN THE AISLES[;] PLEASE BE SEATED. THE BUS PATRONS [WERE] A LITTLE ANNOYED BECAUSE THEY WERE LAUGHING AND ENJOYING THE ANTICS. REALLY — WHAT AN ASS I AM. [ONE TIME I WAS] BEING HELD BY THE LEGS SO I COULD LEAN OUT THE TRAIN WINDOW TO KISS A CHICK ON THE PLATFORM GOODBYE. OUR COACH ON THE TRAIN [WAS] THE ONLY ONE THAT WAS SLAP BANG IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STATION PLATFORM. ALL ALONG THE TRAIN, EACH COACH PUSHED UP THE WINDOWS. I WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO SCORED WITH A CHICK. SHE WANTED MY O/SEAS ADDRESS — HOWEVER TRAIN PULLED OUT BEFORE SHE GOT ANY INFORMATION. NEXT [I BOARDED THE] QUEEN MARY AND [WENT] OVERSEAS. [WHEN I] ARRIVED [IN] ENGLAND, [I WAS] STATIONED AT FARNBOROUGH, NOT TOO FAR FROM ALDERSHOT. JIM AND I [WERE] NOT IN THE SAME BARRACK, BUT CLOSE. WE WERE [THERE IN] LATE AUGUST [OR] EARLY OR ALL SEPT (I THINK). I WAS THEN SHIPPED OUT TO 8CIBCO — RCASC — 3RD DIVISION. [I] HAD TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS BUT [I] GOT ALONG FINE. AT [THAT] TIME [I] WAS NEAR BOURNEMOUTH [AND] SOON AFTER NEAR SOUTHAMPTON. [WHEN I] SHIPPED OUT FROM BARRACKS [I WAS] INTO A FOREST AREA IN TENTS. [IT WAS MY JOB] TO START WITH AMMUNITION DETAIL AND THEN PETROL. MY UNIT HANDLED THOUSANDS OF JERRY CANS FULL OF GAS. TRUCKLOAD AFTER TRUCKLOAD [WERE] AT MY CAMP AND COVERED WITH CAMOUFLAGE. THEN ALL UNITS FROM 3RD DIV. STARTED PULLING IN FOR THIS GAS SUPPLY FOR THE INVASION OF FRANCE. [WHEN] THIS [WAS] COMPLETED, MY UNIT [WAS] SENT TO A BARRACKS CAMP NEAR STAINES. [WE] KILLED TIME [THERE]. ONE MORNING [I] GOT OUT OF BED. THE AIR [WAS] ALIVE WITH PLANES. [WE] FOUND OUT THE INVASION OF FRANCE HAD STARTED ON JUNE 6/ 1944. I WAS IN ENGLAND TILL JUL 5TH ON OVERSEAS DRAFT AND TRUCKED TO THE HARBOR. [WHEN] DARKNESS [CAME] WE FINALLY BOARDED A SHIP. [THE] TRUCK DROVE RIGHT ONTO THE SHIP. [THERE WAS] NO ONE AROUND TO TELL US WHAT TO DO [OR] WHERE TO SLEEP ETC. I CRAWLED INTO A TRUCK WHERE I SLEPT WITH A LOAD OF KIT BAGS. [I] MUST HAVE BEEN DEAD TIRED [BECAUSE I] ACTUALLY SLEPT. [THE] NEXT MORNING [I] FOUND THE ACCOMMODATIONS (TOILET — MESS HALL, WASHROOMS ETC.) WENT ON DECK. [I] NEVER SAW SUCH A SIGHT IN MY LIFE. LOTS OF SHIPS -- BUT [THEY WERE] OUTNUMBERED BY AIR BARRAGE BALLOONS. [THERE WERE] LOTS OF WIRES ON THEM ANCHORED TO THE GROUND AND SHIPS. NO JERRY PLANE WOULD EVER FLY LOW ENOUGH FOR STRAFING SO [I] FELT QUITE SAFE [FROM MOST THINGS] EXCEPT FOR BOMBING WHICH I AM GLAD NEVER TOOK PLACE. [WHEN] THE TIDE WENT OUT, THE SHIP OPENED UP AND I LANDED IN FRANCE. AS THE TRUCK DROVE OUT OF THE SHIP, I WAS ON THE BEACHES - FRENCH SOIL. [WE] DROVE INLAND AND WHEN WE STOPPED WE WERE INLAND. [O]UR KITCHEN TRUCK WAS SET UP. OUR MEAL OF POSSIBLY PORK AND BEANS AND SPAM (CAN’T REALLY REMEMBER) WAS A FEAST TO SAY THE LEAST. THEN CAME MAIL TIME. FROM THE DAY OF THE INVASION, WE HAD NO MAIL IN ENGLAND BUT IT CAME RIGHT TO FRANCE. [THERE WERE] LETTERS TO READ [AND] PARCELS TO OPEN. WE WERE HAVING A BALL EATING THE GOODIES. [IT WAS] WARTIME [BUT THERE] DIDN’T SEEM TO BE MUCH AROUND TO REMIND US. THEN DARKNESS SET IN. [THERE WERE] GERMAN PLANES OVERHEAD, FLOOD LIGHTS LIGHTING UP THE SKY — ACK, ACK FIRING. I RAN AND LAID UNDER A TRUCK. [I] PUT MY HEAD NEAR A TIRE. [I] THOUGHT I MIGHT NEED THAT IF A FEW BOMBS WERE DROPPED AND [THERE WAS] SHRAPNEL FLYING. HOWEVER, NOTHING DRASTIC TOOK PLACE. [I] DON’T THINK ANYONE CRAPPED THEIR DRAWERS [BUT] WE WERE SCARED SHITLESS. SO [THE] WAR [WAS] NOW RIGHT AT OUR BACK DOOR. [THE] NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS [WERE] REALLY HECTIC. I WAS AT THE RATION POINT ONE AFTERNOON. [THERE WERE] QUITE A FEW PLANES IN THE AIR (BOTH GERMAN AND OUR OWN). [IT WAS THE] FIRST TIME WE HAD WITNESSED DOG FIGHTS BUT [WE] LEARNED A GOOD LESSON: KEEP ALERT AND PROTECTED, BECAUSE WITHOUT MUCH WARNING, [THERE WAS] A GERMAN PLANE [FLYING] LOW AND MACHINE GUNNING. HE WAS COMING OUR WAY FROM THE WEST. I RAN BEHIND A STACK OF RATIONS [ON THE] EAST SIDE. AS THAT PLANE FLEW BY, I COULD SEE THE AVIATOR. NONE OF US ON THE RATION POINT WERE INJURED, BUT [I] HEARD LATER A CHILD [WAS] KILLED IN A FIELD. AND AN HOUR LATER, [THERE WAS SOME] VERY BAD NEWS. OUR HEADQUARTERS TRUCK [THAT] WAS TAKING SOME OF THE HEADQUARTERS PLATOON MEN TO THE MOBILE BATH [WAS HIT]. THIS SAME PLANE DROPPED AN EXPLOSIVE THAT LANDED RIGHT AMONG THE MEN IN THE TRUCK AND EXPLODED. I’M NOT SURE, BUT I THINK THREE WERE KILLED AND [THERE WERE] INJURIES GALORE. IT HIT MY PLATOON BADLY. [A] SERGEANT AND CORPORAL (FROM MY PLATOON WHO I WORKED WITH MANY TIMES) WERE BOTH INJURED. [B]OTH SO BADLY THEY WERE NEVER ABLE TO RETURN TO OUR UNIT. [I] HEARD LATER [THAT] THE SERGEANT WAS BLINDED FOR LIFE AS HIS FACE TOOK THE EXPLOSION. THEY WERE BOTH SHIPPED BACK TO ENGLAND [AND] LATER [TO] CANADA I THINK. I NEVER SAW THEM AGAIN, BUT DID RECEIVE A PARCEL FROM THE CORPORAL FROM CANADA. SO [IT WAS] TOUGH GOING FOR A LITTLE WHILE LONGER. [I] MOVED PRETTY NEARLY EVERY DAY. [THERE WAS] PLENTY OF WORK UNLOADING TRUCKS WITH RATION SUPPLIES. AFTER THAT, [THERE WAS] A SLIT TRENCH TO DIG FOR PROTECTION NEARLY EVERY EVENING. SOME GUYS [WERE] SAYING [THAT] WE WILL PROBABLY MOVE TOMORROW. SO [THEY DECIDED TO] JUST SET UP A CANVAS PROTECTION FOR A LITTLE COMFORT AS WE READIED FOR BED. MY PARTNER AND I DECIDED THAT, STILL BEING IN DANGER TERRITORY, WE PICKED AND SHOVELED OUT A HOLE IN THE GROUND 6’ LONG, ABOUT 4’ WIDE [AND] PERHAPS 2’ DEEP. THAT IS A SAFETY HOLE AGAINST BOMB FRAGMENTS BUT NOT FOR STRAFING. SOON ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE. BEFORE YOU COULD SAY “OH MY GOD WHAT’S GOING ON,” ABOUT 5 OTHER FELLOWS RAN TO OUR TRENCH FOR PROTECTION. SHORTLY AFTER WHEN IT GOT A LITTLE QUIETER, I OPENED THE TENT FLAP. IT WAS LIGHT AS DAY. [T]HE JERRIES HAD FLOWN BACK AND FORTH RELEASED FLARES THAT WERE FLOATING DOWN TO EARTH, SO I SAID ‘SEEMS LIKE ALL’S CLEAR,’ THEN ANOTHER FELLOW SAID ‘HORNICK, YOU FARTED RIGHT IN MY FACE.’ SO HORNICK REPLIED ‘WHERE ELSE COULD I HAVE FARTED WHEN WE ARE NOSE TO ASS IN A SLIT TRENCH DUG FOR TWO AND SHELTERING SEVEN.’ WE ALL HAD A GOOD LAUGH [IT] BROKE THE TENSION. I RAN TO THE OFFICE LORRY. A SGT. WAS SPEECHLESS WITH FEAR. I COULD SMELL RUM WHICH WAS KEPT IN A PART OF THE OFFICE TENTING. A PIECE OF SHRAPNEL HAD PIERCED A WOODEN BOX AND BROKE ONE OF TWO FOUR GALLON JARS WHICH WERE PACKED IN SAWDUST IN A CRATE. FINALLY [I] GOT TO [GO TO] BED. [THE] NEXT MORNING [I] FOUND OUT SOME NEARBY PETROL COMPANY HAD BEEN HIT AND A FEW GAS FIRES HAD OCCURRED. ALSO ABOUT HALF A MILE AWAY, A GERMAN PLANE HAD BEEN HIT AND CRASHED CLOSE TO OUR CAMP. THE SGT. ABOVE WENT BERSERK AND SHIPPED BACK TO ENGLAND. [I] NEVER SAW HIM AGAIN. SO ALL THIS HAPPENED BEFORE CAEN WAS BOMB BLASTED [AND THE] CANADIAN TROOPS MOVED IN. I CAN’T REMEMBER BEING IN CAEN. UP THROUGH FRANCE, [THE] CANADIANS WERE WELL LIKED BY THE FRENCH PEOPLE WE MET AND SPOKE TO WHILE WE WERE PASSING ON OUR WAY. [WHEN WE] REACHED BELGIUM [WE] ENJOYED THE COUNTRYSIDE. [THERE WAS] STILL LOTS OF WORK [TO DO, BUT THERE WAS] ALSO SOME TIME FOR SOCIAL LIFE. I HAD QUITE A FEW BUMPY RIDES RIDING THE BACK SADDLE OF HARVS MOTORCYCLE. HE WAS A DISPATCH RIDER FOR OUR PLATOON. [I] DID SOME DANCING AND [HAD] A FEW BEERS AT THE NEAR CAMP TAVERNS HOWEVER, [WE] MOVED FORWARD OFTEN AND IN HOLLAND [THE] WAR WEARY PEOPLE TREATED US WELL. TIME [WAS] PASSING BY AND I WOULD SAY POSSIBLY IN NOVEMBER, LOTS OF EUROPE [WAS] NOW RID OF THE ENEMY. [IT WAS] MUCH EASIER WORKING AND [WE HAD] FAR GREATER SAFETY. WE HAD SO MUCH TERRITORY TO SET UP OUR RATION POINT AND TENT AREAS [THE] GERMANS BEING TOO BUSY RETREATING. [HOWEVER,] THE FIGHTING UNITS [WERE] STILL HAVING IT TOUGH AS WE ADVANCED. ALONG THE WAY WE STOPPED AT A FARM HOUSE YARD. THREE OR FOUR OF US SLEPT IN A SHED WHERE SOME SACKS OF ANIMAL FEED WERE STORED. IN THAT PART OF HOLLAND, COW BARNS WERE ATTACHED TO THE HOUSES. I WAS INFORMED THAT HOUSES WERE WARMER IN WINTER BECAUSE CATTLE GIVE OFF HEAT. [THE] BARNS [WERE] QUITE COSY, SO [THE] BARN WALL WAS ALSO A HOUSE WALL AND THAT HELPED HOUSES FOR WARMTH. I WAS ALSO SHOCKED NEXT MORNING WHEN I SAW SO MANY RATS ON THE FARMYARD. SO [OUR] NEXT STOP WAS NYMEGEN. OUR RATION POINT [WAS] SET UP [AND] WE WERE HERE FOR THE WINTER. ALSO [I WAS] TOLD IF FAMILIES WOULD TAKE US IN, THAT WOULD BE FINE. EVERY ONE OF THE PLATOON HAD PLACES TO SLEEP, USUALLY ABOUT TWO TO A HOUSE. HARV AND I [WERE] AT A PLACE WHERE THERE WAS FOUR CHILDREN. [WE] HAD A GROUND FLOOR BEDROOM. WE ENJOYED OUR TIME HERE. [THE] HOT WATER [WAS] ALWAYS READY IN THE MORNING FOR SHAVING. [THERE WAS A] NICE BED [AND A] VERY CLEAN HOUSE. THE PEOPLE WERE GOOD TO US AND WITH PARCELS FROM HOME AND GETTING A FEW THINGS FROM OUR RATION POINT (COFFEE, SUGAR, PERHAPS AN ODD TIN OF SPAM [OR] PORK AND BEANS) THE FAMILY HAD A BIT OF A TREAT. [THE] HOLLAND PEOPLE WERE STARVING AND LITTLE KIDS CAME TO OUR CAMP HOLDING OUT A POT SO WE WOULD DUMP OUR BREAKFAST PORRIDGE WE DID NOT EAT INTO THEIR POT INSTEAD OF OUR SLOP HOLE. THAT CHILD’S FACE WAS A SIGHT TO SEE AS THEY PUT ON A SMILE BEFORE THEY WENT HOME TO DIVIDE UP THE FOOD WITH THEIR PARENTS. SO [AS] TIME MARCHE[D] ON [WE] LEFT OUR WINTER QUARTERS AND HEADED NORTH. SOON I WAS IN GERMANY. [THERE WAS A] LOT OF DESTRUCTION AND HEART BREAKING SIGHTS. SOME PLACES [WERE] BOMBED TO HELL. IF YOU ENTERED A BOMBED HOUSE, WHAT A MESS. CLOTHES IN CUPBOARDS, FOOD ON TABLES, LOVELY FURNITURE, PIANOS, EVERYTHING [HAD BEEN] LEFT AS OWNERS RAN OUT FOR SHELTER. I GUESS MANY NEVER TO RETURN. [THE] WEATHER [WAS] NOW VERY SPRING LIKE. [IT WAS] GETTING WARM AND NICE. ONE MORNING, [I] WAS AT THE OFFICE LORRY [WHEN] MY SERGEANT CAME ALONG. [HIS] FIRST WORDS [WERE] ‘HOW’S THE COFFEE POT’. [I SAID] ‘FRESH BREW, JUST MADE.’ SO I POURED TWO CUPS. [W]E SAT AROUND IN THE SUN AND HAD A GREAT TALK. HE SAID ‘WELL GEORGE, THE GERMANS [ARE] ON THE RUN, [IT] SEEMS LIKE THE FIGHTING [IS] COMING TO AN END, WHAT [ARE YOUR] PLANS FOR THE FUTURE. SO I SAID [I HAD] NO PLANS AT THE MOMENT.’ ... [THE SERGEANT REPLIED,] 'MAYBE YOU DON’T REALIZE IT GEORGE, BUT THE CAPT., MYSELF [AND] ALL THE BOYS, EVERYONE FEELS [THAT] YOU’RE THE BEST AND WOULD POSSIBLY GIVE THEIR LIFE FOR YOU IF THAT BECAME NECESSARY IN THE FUTURE.’ NOW [AT THE] WAR[‘S] END [ON] MAY 5TH OR 8TH, [I] CAN’T REMEMBER NOW WHEN ALL THE SIGNING TOOK PLACE. I AM AWAY UP NEAR THE NORTH GERMAN COAST. JIM MENTIONED [THAT] HE WAS AT OLDENBURG, SO I WAS CLOSE TO HIM WITHOUT KNOWING. I REMEMBER ALSO NOT TOO FAR AWAY WAS WILHELMSHAVEN AND BREMERHAVEN. [I] NEVER GOT TO [GO TO] EITHER PLACE, BUT [I] HEARD [THAT IN] ONE OR BOTH OF THESE CITIES WERE THE GERMAN U BOATS OR SUBMARINES HEADQUARTERS. [I] GUESS I CAN SAY IT NOW, G.H.R FIGHTING AND WORKING HIS BACKSIDE OFF WHILE HIS BUDDIES CROSSING THE CHANNEL FOR SCOTLAND. ALL I CAN ADD IS SUCH LOYALTY TO THE SERVICE MADE ME THE BEST OF THE THREE (HARVEY AND JIM) TO BE ABLE TO CLAIM MORE THAN THEM FOR FIGHTING HARDER, SUFFERING MORE, STRUGGLING DAY AFTER DAY. [Y]OU WHO READ THIS — WHO WOULD YOU SAY WON THE WAR. NEAR THE END OF JANUARY 1946 (I THINK) I [WAS] AGAIN ON [THE] CANADA DRAFT. [I] SHIPPED OUT TO A PLACE CALLED COVE TO AWAIT A SHIP COMING TO SOUTHAMPTON HARBOR. I THINK I SAILED AROUND FEBRUARY 15TH. [THERE WAS] QUITE AN EXCITEMENT FOR ME BOARDING THE QUEEN ELIZABETH. [I] WAVED GOODBYE TO OLD ENGLAND [WHERE I HAD MADE] SO MANY WONDERFUL MEMORIES. [IT WAS] 2 ½ YEARS AWAY FROM HOME COMING TO AN END, [I] HAD TO SUFFER THROUGH A BIT MORE SEA SICKNESS BEFORE LANDING IN NEW YORK [WHICH WAS] QUITE A SIGHT SEEING THE STATUE OF LIBERTY ETC. [IT WAS] AWHILE BEFORE WE LEFT [THE] SHIP [AND WERE] HERDED ONTO A TRAIN[. IT] SEEMED LIKE WEEKS BEFORE WE CAME TO MEDICINE HAT. [THERE WERE] QUITE A FEW [THAT] LEFT THE TRAIN TO WAIT FOR A TRAIN TO LETHBRIDGE, CROWSNEST PASS AND ON TO B.C. WITH FELLOWS GOING THERE. [I] ARRIVED [IN] LETHBRIDGE AFTER NINE, [IT WAS A] WONDERFUL TRAIN EXIT AND MEETING MOM, DAD, THELMA, DAVE OTHER RELATIVES AND FRIENDS. [WHEN I] CAME HOME [WE] PARTY’D FOR AWHILE [WE HAD A] FEW DRINKS AND TOASTS. DAD HAD TO GET TO BED EARLY [HE HAD] TOO MUCH EXCITEMENT AND FEW TOO MANY DRINKS. IMAGINE CRAWLING INTO MY OWN BED [FOR THE] FIRST TIME SINCE MY EMBARKATION LEAVE IN AUGUST /1943 FOR MORE INFORMATION, INCLUDING A FULL COPY OF GEORGE HENRY RIDGEWAY’S REMEMBRANCES, PLEASE SEE PERMANENT FILE AND ASSOCIATED DONATION TO GALT ARCHIVES.
- Catalogue Number
- P20100023001
- Acquisition Date
- 2010-07
- Collection
- Museum
Images
- Other Name
- R.C.E.M.E. BERET
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Materials
- WOOL, COTTON, COPPER
- Catalogue Number
- P20100022002
1 image
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Other Name
- R.C.E.M.E. BERET
- Date
- 1944
- Materials
- WOOL, COTTON, COPPER
- No. Pieces
- 1
- Height
- 3.4
- Length
- 24.9
- Width
- 25.7
- Description
- GREEN WOOL BERET. BERET IS ROUND WOOL CAP WITH SLIGHTLY NARROWED LEATHER HEAD BAND. HEAD BAND SPLITS AT BACK. TWO COPPER ISLETS AT RIGHT. DARK BLUE LINING. AT FRONT OF BERET IS CAP BADGE WITH TWO LOOPS AT BACK. LOOPS ARE THROUGH WOOL AND ATTACHED INSIDE WITH CORRODED SAFETY PIN. PORTION OF CLEAR PLASTIC HAS BEEN PLACED BETWEEN LINING AND SAFETY PIN. INSIDE IS STAMPED, “GRAND ‘ MERE, KNITTING, COMPANY, LIMITED, BERET 1944, SIZE 7 ¼.” BADGE HAS KING'S CROWN AT TOP WITH BANNER ACROSS BOTTOM WHICH READS "R.C.E.M.E.." BETWEEN BANNER AND CROWN ARE THREE CRESTS CONNECTED BY RING OF LEAVES. FOUR SMALL MOTH HOLES AT REAR RIGHT AND MID LEFT EDGE.
- Subjects
- CLOTHING-HEADWEAR
- Historical Association
- MILITARY
- History
- BERET WAS ISSUED TO FREDERICK ALEXANDER KEIVER DURING HIS SERVICE IN WWII. IT CAME INTO DONOR JIM KEIVER’S POSSESSION AFTER HIS FATHER’S DEATH IN 1975. FOR MORE INFORMATION INCLUDING SERVICE RECORDS RETRIEVED FROM LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA, PLEASE SEE P20100022001. GALT ARCHIVES HAS A GROUP PHOTOGRAPH (20081074002) THAT DEPICTS KEIVER ON A HOCKEY TEAM WHICH PREDATES HIS MILITARY SERVICE.
- Catalogue Number
- P20100022002
- Acquisition Date
- 2010-07
- Collection
- Museum
Images
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Materials
- COTTON, LEATHER, METAL
- Catalogue Number
- P20160017006
2 images
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Date
- 1952
- Materials
- COTTON, LEATHER, METAL
- No. Pieces
- 1
- Height
- 3
- Diameter
- 26.5
- Description
- BLACK BERET WITH RED PATCH ON FRONT WITH ATTACHED GOLD CANADIAN ARTILLERY BADGE DEPICTING A CROWN ABOVE AN ARTILLERY FIELD GUN, WITH TEXT ON BANNER BELOW CROWN “UBIQUE” AND TEXT ON BANNER BELOW GUN “QUO FAS ET GLORIA DUCUNT”. BERET HAS TWO HOLES IN RIGHT SIDE LINED WITH PLASTIC. BERET HAS LEATHER RIM AROUND BASE OPENING; BERET IS LINED WITH BLACK COTTON WITH A PRINTED WHITE STAMP OF A DIAMOND, WITH A SMALL DIAMOND INSIDE AND TEXT, “GENUINE, FLEUR DE LIS, BASQUE BERET, 7 1/8 – 1952, DOROTHEA KNITTING MILLS, LIMITED, TORONTO”. INSIDE FRONT OF BERET HAS BRASS BAR FOR SECURING BADGE, WITH WHITE PAPER TAG WITH RED BORDERS AND BLACK HANDWRITTEN TEXT “107” SLID UNDER BAR. BERET TOP AND FRONT ARE LIGHTLY FADED, WITH MINOR SOILING; OVERALL LEXCELLENT CONDITION.
- Subjects
- CLOTHING-HEADWEAR
- Historical Association
- MILITARY
- PERSONAL CARE
- History
- ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2016, COLLECTIONS TECHNICIAN KEVIN MACLEAN INTERVIEWED CHRIS AINSCOUGH REGARDING HIS DONATION OF A COLLECTION OF MILITARY OBJECTS. THE OBJECTS BELONGED TO AISNCOUGH’S GRANDFATHER AND FATHER, WILLIAM GEORGE AINSCOUGH (FIRST WORLD WAR) AND REED WILSON AINSCOUGH (SECOND WORLD WAR AND POST-WAR). THE DONOR’S GREAT GRANDFATHER, WILLIAM THOMAS AINSCOUGH, MARRIED MARGARET A. AINSCOUGH IN 1878 AND EMIGRATED FROM SMITHFIELD, UTAH TO CANADA IN 1898, BRINGING SIX CHILDREN, AGED 1 TO 18, WITH THEM. WILLIAM GEORGE AINSCOUGH, THE DONOR’S GRANDFATHER, WAS AMONG THE CHILDREN (BORN 1885). THE AINSCOUGHS INITIALLY SETTLED IN WHISKEY GAP, ALBERTA, BEFORE RELOCATING TO WOOLFORD, ALBERTA. ACCORDING A RESUME FOR REED W. AINSCOUGH INCLUDED IN THE PERMANENT FILE, REED WILSON AINSCOUGH WAS BORN ON JUNE 21, 1918 IN CARDSTON, ALBERTA. IN 1940, REED AINSCOUGH JOINED THE 93RD BATTERY OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN ARTILLERY [RCA] STATIONED AT FORT MACLEOD, ALBERTA, AND WAS PROMOTED TO A SECOND LIEUTENANT. REED AINSCOUGH WAS POSTED OVERSEAS IN 1942 AND SERVED UNTIL HIS DISCHARGE ON JANUARY 8, 1946. LETHBRIDGE HERALD ARTICLES REPORTED REED AINSCOUGH AS BEING IN THE THICK OF THE FIGHTING IN FRANCE, NOTABLY AT CAEN. IT WAS REPORTED IN THE LETHBRIDGE HERALD IN 1944 THAT REED AINSCOUGH WAS PROMOTED TO CAPTAIN, AND WAS WOUNDED IN HIS LEG IN OCTOBER 1944. REED AINSCOUGH WAS SENT TO BELGIUM FOR SURGERY AND TO BE HOSPITALIZED, AND WAS RETURNED TO CANADA ON THE HOSPITAL SHIP H.M.C.S. LADY NELSON IN 1945. IN 1947, REED AINSCOUGH BECAME THE BATTERY COMMANDER OF THE 93RD BATTERY RCA, AND SERVED AS THE COMMANDER UNTIL 1959, BEING PROMOTED TO MAJOR IN 1951. IN 1959, UPON A TRANSFER WITH HIS EMPLOYMENT AT CANADA LIFE, HE MOVED TO MEDICINE HAT, ALBERTA, AND JOINED THE SOUTH ALBERTA LIGHT HORSE AS A SQUADRON COMMANDER IN 1961. IN 1964, HE WAS PROMOTED TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL AND COMMANDER OF THE SOUTH ALBERTA LIGHT HORSE, AND WAS APPOINTED AIDE-DE-CAMP TO LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR GRANT MACEWAN UNTIL HIS RETIREMENT. ON HIS FATHER’S, REED WILSON AINSCOUGH’S, MILITARY SERVICE, CHRIS AINSCOUGH RECALLED, “I THINK THAT THE WAR WAS PROBABLY ONE OF THE BEST THINGS THAT HAPPENED TO MY DAD. HE NEVER SPOKE ABOUT IT MUCH, BUT THE FRIENDSHIPS THAT HE DEVELOPED THROUGH HIS CONTACTS IN THE WAR WENT ON RIGHT UNTIL HIS DEATH…IT’S PROBABLY LIKE BEING ON A TEAM, YOU KNOW, AND I THINK IT’S THAT FELLOWSHIP YOU GET FROM RELYING ON PEOPLE, AND TRAINING WITH PEOPLE, AND GETTING THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING. I THINK THAT’S SORT OF A BIG PART OF IT.” AINSCOUGH ELABORATED ON HIS MOTIVES FOR DONATING THE COLLECTION, STATING, “I THINK [THE OBJECTS ARE] A BIG PART OF SOUTH ALBERTA’S HISTORY. DAD WAS VERY ACTIVE IN THE MILITARY AND THE MILITIA FOR MANY YEARS. I THINK THAT’S THE BIGGEST PART [OF WANTING TO DONATE THE OBJECTS]…IT’S DIVESTING, BECAUSE AFTER MY DAD DIED [IN 1992], MY MOTHER STAYED IN THE HOUSE FOR ABOUT 5 YEARS, AND THEN SHE MOVED OUT TO THE COAST. IT WAS AT THAT TIME, WHEN WE WERE GOING THROUGH THE STUFF IN THE HOUSE, THAT WE THOUGHT THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO GET IT DOWN TO SOMEPLACE LIKE THE GALT THAT WOULD LOOK AFTER IT.” FOR MORE INFORMATION INCLUDING FAMILY MILITARY SERVICE FILES, NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS ON WILLIAM GEORGE AND REED AINSCOUGH, A RESUME FOR REED AINSCOUGH, AND THE FULL INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPTION, PLEASE SEE THE PERMANENT FILE P20160017001-GA.
- Catalogue Number
- P20160017006
- Acquisition Date
- 2016-06
- Collection
- Museum
Images
- Date Range From
- 1980
- Date Range To
- 2011
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Materials
- POLYESTER, LEATHER, METAL
- Catalogue Number
- P20190010004
2 images
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Date Range From
- 1980
- Date Range To
- 2011
- Materials
- POLYESTER, LEATHER, METAL
- No. Pieces
- 1
- Length
- 26.6
- Width
- 24.1
- Description
- BLUE BERET WITH BLACK LEATHER TRIM AT OPENING AND BLACK INTERIOR LINING. BERET HAS THREE INSIGNIA BADGES ON FRONT, FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: METAL ROYAL CANADIAN ENGINEERS CAP BADGE DEPICTING A CROWN ATOP A BELT SURROUNDED BY MAPLE LEAVES, BELT HAS EMBOSSED TEXT “HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE”, BADGE HAS CUT-OUT CENTER WITH LETTERS “GR VI”, BADGE HAS BANNER AT BOTTOM WITH TEXT “ROYAL CANADIAN ENGINEERS”; EMBROIDERED ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION CREST BADGE, DEPICTS A CROWN ATOP GOLD BADGE WITH RED MAPLE LEAF ON A WHITE BACKGROUND IN CENTER, BADGE HAS TEXT ON GOLD BORDER “MEMORIUM EORUM RETINEBIMUS”, WITH BLUE BANNER AND GOLD TEXT “LEGION” ACROSS BOTTOM ABOVE THREE RED POPPIES ON GOLD; RED FELT POPPY WITH BLACK CENTER AND SILVER PIN ATTACHING IT TO THE BERET. BERET HAS BLACK LACES TIED AT BACK. INSIDE BERET HAS A WHITE TAG WITH BLACK TEXT ON LEFT SIDE, “100% FORTREL POLYESTER, KRYSTAL CAP CO. LTD., 16 PLYMOUTH AVE., TORONTO, CANADA, MEDIUM, MOYEN”. BERET HAS SLIGHT RESIDUE AND GRIME ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR; OVERALL VERY GOOD CONDITION.
- Subjects
- CLOTHING-HEADWEAR
- Historical Association
- ASSOCIATIONS
- MILITARY
- History
- ON JUNE 5, 2019, COLLECTIONS TECHNICIAN KEVIN MACLEAN INTERVIEWED CAROL DARMODY REGARDING HER DONATION OF OBJECTS RELATED TO HER PARENTS, IRENE (NEE NAGY) AND JOHN FROUWS. ON HER FATHER’S SERVICE IN THE CANADIAN MILITARY, DARMODY RECALLED, “I THINK IT WAS POVERTY [THAT MOTIVATED DAD TO ENLIST]…DAD STRUGGLED IN THE 1930S. HE WAS PULLED OUT OF GRADE 11 TO WORK IN THE COAL MINE, AND HE GOT A LUCKY BREAK FROM BILL HOPE, TO WORK IN GALT GARDENS WITH PLANTS, BEFORE HE SIGNED UP [FOR THE WAR EFFORT]. THAT WAS SIGNIFICANT, AND THEY BECAME FRIENDS WHEN HE RETURNED FROM THE WAR…HE WAS A GOOD MENTOR TO DAD, AND THAT’S WHERE [HIS] KNOWLEDGE OF PLANTS GREW. [DAD] ENLISTED, BECAUSE THEN HE HAD A CHOICE. HE DIDN’T WANT TO FIGHT IN THE FRONT-LINE, SO, IF YOU VOLUNTEERED EARLY, YOU GOT TO PICK AND CHOOSE WHAT YOU WANTED TO DO, SO HE PICKED ELECTRICAL ENGINEER, AND HE WAS REALLY WELL-TRAINED.” “MY DAD’S FAMILY CAME [FROM HOLLAND] IN THE ‘20S—’25—AND HIS DAD WANTED TO BE A FARMER HERE, AND [GRANDPA] WAS THE OLDEST, SO HE AGREED TO EMIGRATE FROM HOLLAND. THERE WASN’T ENOUGH LAND [IN HOLLAND]…AND HE DECIDED HE WANTED TO FARM SOMEWHERE ELSE, ‘CAUSE IT WOULDN’T HAVE WORKED OUT STAYING IN HOLLAND. SO, BECAUSE HE DIED IN THE ‘30S, TRYING TO SAVE THAT LITTLE BOY…WHO HAD FALLEN THROUGH THE ICE NEAR THE WEIR IN THE OLDMAN RIVER. THEY BOTH DROWNED…BUT HE HAD A FEW FAILURES, I THINK, WITH FARMING, AND HE DID WORK FOR THE COAL MINING COMPANY…WHEN [GRANDPA] DIED, THE CITY OF LETHBRIDGE GAVE HIS WIDOW, AND THE FAMILY, $30.00 A MONTH [I THINK IT WAS RELIEF MONEY]. SO DAD WAS HIGHLY-MOTIVATED. HE DIDN’T WANT TO GO OVERSEAS, AND BE KILLED…BUT, IF HE SIGNED UP EARLY, HE COULD PICK AND CHOOSE WHAT HE WANTED TO DO, AND START SENDING MONEY TO HIS MOTHER…ONLY DAD’S OLDEST SIBLING, GERTRUDE, WAS MARRIED. HIS OTHER SIBLINGS, ALICE, TINA, HARRY, AND JIM WERE YOUNGER AND NOT ABLE TO FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THEIR MOTHER. THE THREE YOUNGEST WERE STILL IN SCHOOL…THEY WEREN’T OF AN AGE WHERE THEY COULD WORK, AND SUPPORT THE MOTHER. SO, HE WAS IN A GOOD POSITION TO DO SO, BY SIGNING UP [FOR THE MILITARY IN 1940].” “[DAD] REALLY FELT CANADIAN, THROUGH-AND-THROUGH…AS A KID, HIS PARENTS TRUSTED HIM. HE WOULD BE GONE ALL WEEKEND, AT ALEXANDER WILDERNESS, JUST CAMPING WITH A FRIEND. THEY DIDN’T WORRY ABOUT HIM AT THE RIVER BOTTOM. HE LOVED THE COULEES…THIS WAS HOME. HOLLAND DIDN’T MEAN ANYTHING TO HIM, BECAUSE HE WAS SO YOUNG WHEN HE CAME HERE…HIS MOM COULDN’T GO BACK, AND SHE PROBABLY HADN’T BONDED AS WELL TO SOUTHERN ALBERTA, ESPECIALLY WITHOUT HER HUSBAND…THE IRONY…HE SPENT A LOT OF TIME IN HOLLAND [DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR], AND HE WAS AN ASSET, BECAUSE HE COULD SPEAK SOME DUTCH, I’M NOT SURE HOW WELL, BUT IN EMERGENCIES THEY WOULD USE HIM." DARMODY ELABORATED ON HER PARENTS’ RELATIONSHIP, NOTING, “FOR DAD, [THE RELATIONSHIP WITH MOM] STARTED REALLY EARLY. MOM WAS 4 YEARS OLDER, AND HE FELL IN LOVE WITH HER WHEN HE WAS A LITTLE BOY. HE WOULD PLAY WITH HER YOUNGEST BROTHER, BUT 3-4 YEARS [AGE DIFFERENCE WHEN] YOU’RE YOUNG, IS A LOT…HE PROBABLY WAS A NICE KID, BUT SHE DIDN’T SHOW ANY INTEREST. BUT HE FELL IN LOVE WITH HER EARLY, AND HE PROCEEDED…MOM WOULD HAVE BEEN [LIVING] IN DIAMOND CITY. DAD MIGHT HAVE BEEN ON THE NORTH SIDE, THEY HAD A LITTLE HOUSE.” “THINGS WERE HAPPENING DURING THE GREAT DEPRESSION. MY MATERNAL GRANDMOTHER [VERONA NAGY], HAD AN EXTREMELY UNHAPPY MARRIAGE. MY GRANDFATHER [STEVE NAGY], [HE] ALLEGEDLY DRANK TOO MUCH AND WOULD OFTEN SQUANDER HIS MEAGRE COAL-MINING EARNINGS ON ALCOHOL. IN 1933, SHE DECIDED TO HOMESTEAD IN PEACE RIVER AREA [HARMON VALLEY]. HER THIRD OLDEST SON [LEWIS] CAME WITH HER, AND HE BUILT HER A LOVELY LOG CABIN. DURING THE DEPRESSION, MOM [IRENE NAGY] SPENT TIME IN CHICAGO WITH HER BROTHER STEVE AND HIS FAMILY. SHE ALSO ALTERNATED BETWEEN LETHBRIDGE AND PEACE RIVER. IN PEACE RIVER THEY HAD LOTS TO EAT BUT VERY LITTLE MONEY. THROUGH HER YOUNGEST BROTHER, MITCH, MOM MOST LIKELY LEARNED THAT DAD WAS ABOUT TO ENLIST IN [THE SECOND WORLD WAR]. IN 1939, MY PARENTS ALLEGEDLY STARTED DATING. THEY WOULD SPEND LOTS OF TIME IN THE COULEES HAVING PICNICS AND PICKING SASKATOON BERRIES…THE THIRD OLDEST BROTHER, AND ALL HER SIBLINGS, EXCEPT FOR HER SISTER, MARY, MOVED EVENTUALLY TO PEACE RIVER, AND JUST THE TWO SISTERS REMAINED. DAD ASKED MOM, WHEN THEY MARRIED IN ’43, TO MAKE HER HOME BASE LETHBRIDGE. SHE WAS GOING BACK AND FORTH…TO HELP HER MOM.” “THEY STARTED TO COURT IN THE ‘40S [AND MARRIED IN 1943], BECAUSE HE GOT A LEAVE FROM THE TRAINING CAMP IN ONTARIO…SHE WAS IN PEACE RIVER AT THE TIME, WHEN HE ASKED HER TO MARRY HIM, AND HE WAS ON A SHORT LEAVE. HE TOOK HIS MOTHER, IN HIS CAR, FROM LETHBRIDGE TO PEACE RIVER, AND IT WAS LIKE A MAJOR EXCURSION ON GRAVEL ROADS, TO MEET MOM, AND THEN THE TWO MOTHERS WERE TOGETHER.” DARMODY ELABORATED ON HOW SHE OBTAINED HER PARENTS’ COLLECTION INCLUDING THE TROPHY, NOTING, “[THE OBJECTS CAME INTO MY POSSESSION TOGETHER]…WHEN DAD DIED…[IN] 2011.” “[I WANTED TO KEEP THEM BECAUSE] THEY CONNECT ME TO THE PAST, AND WHEN…THE FORMER GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S WIFE WAS IN LETHBRIDGE, SHE WROTE THAT BOOK, ‘MATRONS AND MADAMS’, SHE SAID IT USUALLY TAKES 3-4 GENERATIONS FOR THE WAR EFFECTS TO BE ELIMINATED, FROM THE GREAT-GREAT-GREAT GRANDKIDS, SO, I WAS INDIRECTLY AFFECTED BY THE WAR…I HAD TO TEACH SOCIAL STUDIES AT ONE POINT, IN VANCOUVER, SO I LEARNED, DID A LOT OF PREPARATION. DAD WAS SUPPORTING HIS WIDOWED MOTHER…AFTER 1943, HE WAS SENDING MONEY TO MOM. HE DIDN’T HAVE A LOT OF SPARE MONEY TO BUY THINGS AND SEND BACK HOME…SO THE THINGS HE SENT WERE HUMBLE.” ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE PAY BOOKS OF JOHN W. FROUWS HELD IN THE GALT ARCHIVES [20191038011], STAFF SERGEANT FROUWS [M-35922] ATTESTED WITH THE CANADIAN FORCES ON JUNE 3, 1941. THE WAR DIARY OF THE 10TH CANADIAN FIELD PARK COMPANY, ROYAL CANADIAN ENGINEERS, HELD IN THE GALT ARCHIVES [20191038023] DETAILS THE ACTIONS OF ST. SGT. FROUWS AND HIS COMPANY. AT CAMP PETAWAWA, ONTARIO IN 1942, THE 10TH CANADIAN FIELD PARK COMPANY TOOK ON MEMBERS OF THE 2ND CORPS. FIELD PARK COMPANY, R.C.E., AND ON JULY 22ND, 1942 THE UNIT WAS CHANGED TO THE 2ND CORPS. FIELD PARK COMPANY, R.C.E. ON AUGUST 14TH, 1943, THE NEW WAR ESTABLISHMENT CREATED AN ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL UNIT WITHIN THE FIELD PARK COMPANY. AN ENTRY FROM MARCH 1, 1943 RECORDS FROUWS AS BEING PROMOTED FROM L.CPL. TO A.CPL. AT CAMP PETAWAWA, ONTARIO. FROUWS WAS FURTHER PROMOTED TO L.SGT. ON JUNE 24, 1943 AT ALDERSHOT, NOVA SCOTIA, TO A.SGT. ON JULY 26, 1943, AND TO S.SGT. ON SEPTEMBER 29, 1943 AT MICKLEHAM, SURREY, ENGLAND. THE 2ND CORPS. FIELD PARK COMPANY MOVED FROM CAMP PETAWAWA, ONTARIO TO HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA BEFORE PROCEEDING TO ENGLAND IN AUGUST 1943. THE UNIT SAILED FROM ENGLAND TO JUNO BEACH, NORMANDY IN TWO PARTS ON JULY 11, 1944. ON JULY 14, 1944, S.SGT. FROUWS WAS LISTED AS ACCOMPANYING L.CPL. TRETHEWAY IN “DE-BOOBY-TRAPPING” THE TELEPHONE EXCHANGE IN CAEN, FRANCE. THE COMPANY PROCEEDED THROUGH HOLLAND AND BELGIUM IN 1944 AND 1945, STATIONING AT NIJMEGEN, HOLLAND ON SEPTEMBER 22, 1944, BOURG LEOPOLD, BELGIUM ON SEPTEMBER 29, 1944, WEMMEL, BELGIUM ON OCTOBER 2, 1944, KESSEL, BELGIUM ON OCTOBER 10, 1944, AND TILBURG, HOLLAND BY NOVEMBER 1944. THE COMPANY REMAINED IN HOLLAND UNTIL APRIL 19, 1945, WHEN IT MOVED TO NORDHORN, GERMANY AND REMAINED THROUGH VE DAY ON MAY 9, 1945. FOR MORE INFORMATION INCLUDING THE FULL INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPTION AND COPIES OF THE LETHBRIDGE HERALD ARTICLES, PLEASE SEE THE PERMANENT FILE P20190010001-GA.
- Catalogue Number
- P20190010004
- Acquisition Date
- 2019-06
- Collection
- Museum
Images
- Other Name
- MILITARY - 1972
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Materials
- WOOL, LEATHER, COTTON
- Catalogue Number
- P19960033027
1 image
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Other Name
- MILITARY - 1972
- Date
- 1972
- Materials
- WOOL, LEATHER, COTTON
- No. Pieces
- 1
- Height
- 7.5
- Diameter
- 27.5
- Description
- GREEN WOOL BERET. BERET IS ROUND WOOL CAP SLIGHTLY NARROWED AT HEAD BAND. HEAD BAND HAS BLACK LEATHER EDGING STITCHED TO IT WITH BLACK NYLON CORD THREADED THROUGH IT. LEATHER IS WORN. BERET HAS BLACK COTTON LINING AND TWO HOLES AT SIDE WITH BLACK PAINTED STEEL EYELETS. LINING HAS BEEN STAMPED WITH WHITE DIAMOND BORDER. INSIDE READS "????? FLEUR DE LIS NOVEMBER 1972 7 5/8 BERET GREEN" AND "DOROTHEA KNITTING MILLS LIMITED TORONTO CAN.". ON FRONT OF BERET IS EMBROIDERED INSIGNIA. HAS GREEN BACKGROUND WITH GOLD STITCHING. INSIGNIA IS A CANNON WITH SPONGE ROD THAT HAS CROWN ON TOP. CROWN SITS ON BANNER WHICH HAS "UBIQUE" IN IT. CANNON SITS ON GREEN GRASS. BENEATH GRASS IS RIBBON BANNER WHICH READS "QUO FAS ET GLORIA ET DUCUNT". STITCHING HAS COME LOOSE ON LINING AT BACK OF BERET.
- Subjects
- CLOTHING-HEADWEAR
- Historical Association
- MILITARY
- History
- FOUND IN STORAGE AT ARMOURIES AND DONATED BY 18TH AIR DEFENSE REGIMENT. *UPDATE* IN 2012 COLLECTIONS ASSISTANT DAVID SMITH CONDUCTED A SURVEY OF MILITARY OBJECTS. HE WAS UNABLE TO DISCOVER NEW INFORMATION ABOUT THE OBJECT BECAUSE IT WAS COLLECTED IN THE INTEREST OF REPRESENTING TYPOLOGY RATHER THAN INDIVIDUAL OWNERSHIP. NO UNIQUE MARKINGS TO HELP IDENTIFY ORIGINAL OWNER.
- Catalogue Number
- P19960033027
- Acquisition Date
- 1996-06
- Collection
- Museum
Images
- Other Name
- TAM
- Date Range From
- 1950
- Date Range To
- 1960
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Materials
- WOOL
- Catalogue Number
- P19970033003
1 image
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Other Name
- TAM
- Date Range From
- 1950
- Date Range To
- 1960
- Materials
- WOOL
- No. Pieces
- 1
- Height
- 6.7
- Diameter
- 25.9
- Description
- BROWN WOOL BERET WITH A BROWN LEATHER EDGE ON THE HEADBAND. INSIDE HAS A MARKING IN THE TOP OF THE HAT, THAT IS NOW WORN AND ILLEGIBLE. BERET HAS NO VISIBLE DAMAGE OR WEAR.
- Subjects
- CLOTHING-HEADWEAR
- Historical Association
- PERSONAL CARE
- History
- ITEMS BELONGED TO DONOR'S AUNT, PHYLLIS MARY MCDONELL (NEE WHITTON). PHYLLIS CAME TO CANADA IN 1903 AT AGE 3 AND SETTLED IN LETHBRIDGE. IN 1938 SHE MARRIED WILLIAM MCDONNELL, A RANCHER/FARMER, AND INVENTOR/BUILDER OF CONASTOGA MOTOR HOMES. PHYLLIS WORKED AT CITY HALL AS A SECRETARY, AND WAS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE SOUTHMINISTER CHURCH. WILLIAM ALSO WORKED FOR JOHN DEERE. THE COUPLE DID NOT HAVE CHILDREN AND REMAINED IN LETHBRIDGE. *UPDATE* IN 2017 COLLECTIONS ASSISTANT RUTHANN LABLANCE CONDUCTED A SURVEY OF CLOTHING, INCLUDING A BELT DONATED BY MARJORIE MCDONALD. THE FOLLOWING BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION WAS COMPILED USING ARTICLES FROM THE LETHBRIDGE HERALD. PHYLLIS MARY MCDONELL (NEE WHITTON) WAS BORN IN ENGLAND AND MOVED TO LETHBRIDGE IN 1907 AT THE AGE OF 3.5 YEARS. SHE WAS MARRIED TO WILLIAM DANIEL “BILL” MCDONELL ON DECEMBER 20, 1938. SHE WAS A LONG TIME MEMBER OF THE SOUTHMINSTER SENIOR CHOIR, HAVING JOINED THE GROUP IN 1918, AND RETIRING FROM THE GROUP IN 1987. PHYLLIS WAS THE DAUGHTER GEORGE WHITTON AND ADA KERSHAW WHITTON (MAIDEN NAME UNKNOWN). ADA PASSED AWAY IN 1929 AT THE AGE OF 54 AND GEORGE PASSED AWAY ON APRIL 9, 1942 AT THE AGE OF 67. BILL MCDONELL WAS BORN IN ST. EUSTACHE, MB AND MOVED TO LETHBRIDGE IN 1928. ACCORDING TO HIS OBITUARY, “HE WAS BLOCKMAN FOR THE JOHN DEERE COMPANY FOR 20 YEARS, AND WAS TWICE TOP SALESMAN IN THE PROVINCE. FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS HE ALSO FARMED AT DEL BONITA. HE FOUNDED MCDONELL MANUFACTURER, BUILDERS OF CONESTOGA MOTOR HOMES AND MINI HOMES, WHICH HE DESIGNED.” BILL PASSED AT THE AGE OF 80 ON OCTOBER 16, 1978. BILL WAS THE SON OF MR. AND MRS. JOSEPH MCDONELL. SEE PERMANENT FILE FOR COPIES OF THE ARTICLES FROM THE LETHBRIDGE HERALD. *UPDATE* IN 2018, COLLECTIONS ASSISTANT ELISE PUNDYK CONDUCTED A SURVEY OF BOXED TEXTILES AND ACCESSORIES INCLUDING A ROBE, TWO PURSES, AND A HATPIN DONATED BY MCDONALD. A PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE LETHBRIDGE HERALD STATED PHYLLIS MCDONELL PASSED AWAY ON MARCH 13TH, 1997. ACCORDING TO THE MCDONELL'S HEADSTONE IN THE SAINT PATRICK CEMETERY (LETHBRIDGE) SHE WAS BORN IN 1903. PLEASE SEE PERMANENT FILE P19970033013 FOR COPIES OF RESEARCH SOURCES USED.
- *UPDATE* IN 2021 TWO COLLECTIONS ASSISTANTS, RYLEY GELINAS AND O. E., CONDUCTED AN AUDIT OF THE ROLLED TEXTILE COLLECTION, INCLUDING OTHER ARTIFACTS WITHIN THIS COLLECTION. RESEARCH CONDUCTED INTO THE DONOR WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AND NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS MADE AVAILABLE AS A RESULT OF THE AUDIT WORK.
- Catalogue Number
- P19970033003
- Acquisition Date
- 1997-04
- Collection
- Museum
Images
- Date Range From
- 1950
- Date Range To
- 1960
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Materials
- WOOL, COTTON
- Catalogue Number
- P19970073016
1 image
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Date Range From
- 1950
- Date Range To
- 1960
- Materials
- WOOL, COTTON
- No. Pieces
- 1
- Height
- 8.2
- Diameter
- 25.3
- Description
- NAVY BLUE WOOL BERET WITH BLACK GLAZED COTTON LINING. BADGE SEWN INTO FRONT OF BERET, EMBROIDERED WITH "BRITISH EMPIRE SERVICE LEAGUE CANADIAN LEGION". SOME STITCHES HAVE COME OUT ALONG RIGHT SIDE OF BADGE. WHITE TAG INSIDE BERET READING "7 1/8 SCULLY 48 MONTREAL".
- Subjects
- CLOTHING-HEADWEAR
- Historical Association
- ASSOCIATIONS
- History
- DONATED TO LEGION BY UNKNOWN DONOR, THEN TO MUSEUM BY LEGION. PRIOR HISTORY UNKNOWN. SEE P19970073001-GA FOR MORE HISTORY.
- Catalogue Number
- P19970073016
- Acquisition Date
- 1997-08
- Collection
- Museum
Images
- Other Name
- ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION
- Date Range From
- 1970
- Date Range To
- 1980
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Materials
- WOOL
- Catalogue Number
- P19970073022
1 image
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Other Name
- ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION
- Date Range From
- 1970
- Date Range To
- 1980
- Materials
- WOOL
- No. Pieces
- 1
- Height
- 3
- Diameter
- 27
- Description
- NAVY BLUE WOOL BERET WITH LEGION BADGE SEWN ONTO FRONT; EMBROIDERED WITH "MEMORIUM EORUM RETINCOMIUS". INSIDE OF BERET HAS YELLOW PAINTED STAMP READING "FLEUR DE LIS GENUINE BASQUE BERET II MADE IN CANADA BY DOROTHEA KNITTING MILLS LTD. ...ITIN MOTHPROOFED". SMALL WOOL TAB AT TOP CENTRE OF CROWN.
- Subjects
- CLOTHING-HEADWEAR
- Historical Association
- ASSOCIATIONS
- History
- DONATED TO LEGION BY UNKNOWN DONOR, THEN TO THE MUSEUM BY LEGION. PRIOR HISTORY UNKNOWN. FOR MORE HISTORY SEE P19970073001-GA.
- Catalogue Number
- P19970073022
- Acquisition Date
- 1997-08
- Collection
- Museum
Images
