An old Canadian Militaria Collection

[Lars13]

Thanks Doug for taking the time to post your Canadian collection which was absolutely amazing.
Were you not tempted to keep some of the ultra rare items, like the “E9” badge or the tanker’s mask, hidden in a drawer somewhere ?
Regards,
Lars

 

[Zebedeus]

Dear Doug, your collection is a gold mine.
I really appreciated your vast collection of Canadian militaria. I was particularly struck by the World War I section. The total head gas mask is exceptional.
I must point out, however, that the photos already reveal a slight contamination with Imperial German objects.
Thanks for sharing.
Zeb

 

[Peter B]

Yet again amazing. I absolutely love the Airborne stuff. Right down to a Glider Pilot and the 1st Special Service Force uniform.

I served in the Airborne and my wife has a Second Cousin 3 x Removed who was in the OX and Bucks in Glider Number One in the assault on Pegasus Bridge. Unfortunately he was killed on June 10th.

You are definitely a master collector and have a great knack for displaying your stuff.

 

[Bobted]

Amazing collection of Canadian items, I don't think I have seen so many Battledress in one room. Tell me where did you get the helmet stand from? Rob

 

[coert65]

Dear Doug, your collection is a gold mine.
I really appreciated your vast collection of Canadian militaria. I was particularly struck by the World War I section. The total head gas mask is exceptional.
I must point out, however, that the photos already reveal a slight contamination with Imperial German objects.
Thanks for sharing.
Zeb

That Gas hood, is one of the first ones, they are extremely rare, apart from Doug's example, I only saw one other, in a bookshop in Ypres, it was in a frame, under glass. Like a painting, if you get what I mean. The first ones were extremely difficult, breathing throug that small tube.

Regards, Coert.

 

[Doug B]

Thanks Doug for taking the time to post your Canadian collection which was absolutely amazing.
Were you not tempted to keep some of the ultra rare items, like the “E9” badge or the tanker’s mask, hidden in a drawer somewhere ?
Regards,
Lars

Your welcome Lars, I am glad you enjoyed it and it was a nice trip down memory lane for me as well!

The tankers mask was a gift to Tony and for the badges it would seem out of place to keep just one badge no matter how rare, so I thought the best place for it was to donate it to the Regimental Museum here in town. My daughter kept some personal items of soldiers like lockets which she really liked.

I did keep one piece, a framed set of medals to a Canadian soldier who was killed on Nov 11, 1918. I have visited his grave numerous times in France and have a haunting story to tell of the first time I visited his final resting place. When we moved last year, and I was now back into Imperial German, it just had no place and I did not want it sitting in a closet as I felt that was disrespectful, so it went to a fellow collector here in town who really wanted it.

 

[Doug B]

Dear Doug, your collection is a gold mine.
I really appreciated your vast collection of Canadian militaria. I was particularly struck by the World War I section. The total head gas mask is exceptional.
I must point out, however, that the photos already reveal a slight contamination with Imperial German objects.
Thanks for sharing.
Zeb

Thanks Zeb and indeed you have a keen eye!

 

[Doug B]

Yet again amazing. I absolutely love the Airborne stuff. Right down to a Glider Pilot and the 1st Special Service Force uniform.

I served in the Airborne and my wife has a Second Cousin 3 x Removed who was in the OX and Bucks in Glider Number One in the assault on Pegasus Bridge. Unfortunately he was killed on June 10th.

You are definitely a master collector and have a great knack for displaying your stuff.

Thanks for the kind words Peter, yeah the Airborne was fantastic and was fortunate to have several FSSF uniforms, all attributed with photos of the men wearing them. Sgt Mann was especially a fantastic piece. I do like the aesthetic element to the hobby almost as much as the items themselves and am always thinking of the next "display" I can make!

That is quite something to have a relative who landed at Pegasus! Sad he did not survive the war.

 

[Doug B]

Amazing collection of Canadian items, I don't think I have seen so many Battledress in one room. Tell me where did you get the helmet stand from? Rob

Thanks for the kind words, that display setup of the many battledress with their corresponding berets or officer soft caps was a lot of fun to put together. The hat stand is from a retail supply company here in town, each level moved individually of the rest so you could turn each level to see each helmet. I think it held a dozen helmets in total. Retail supply companies have a lot of amazing shelving and stands I have used over the years.

 

[Doug B]

That Gas hood, is one of the first ones, they are extremely rare, apart from Doug's example, I only saw one other, in a bookshop in Ypres, it was in a frame, under glass. Like a painting, if you get what I mean. The first ones were extremely difficult, breathing throug that small tube.

Regards, Coert.

Yes that gas hood is incredibly rare and was a tough negotiation to get that out of Vic's prized collection. The ensemble was meant to be staring at you as you entered into the room and was quite haunting! I know the bookstore you are referring to in Ypres, been to Ypres many many times over the years on various guided and self guided battlefield tours.

 

[ww1czechlegion]

Hi Doug,

What an outstanding, truly spectacular collection you assembled of Canadian militaria!
Thanks for sharing photos of this amazing collection with us here!

Best Wishes,

Alan

 

[Doug B]

Hi Doug,

What an outstanding, truly spectacular collection you assembled of Canadian militaria!
Thanks for sharing photos of this amazing collection with us here!

Best Wishes,

Alan

Thanks Alan, it was nice to revisit the collection in photos and post them here.

 

[John Josef]

I have visited his grave numerous times in France and have a haunting story to tell of the first time I visited his final resting place.

I would love to hear this story, maybe we can start a new thread so as not to distract from your wonderful thread. Maybe we are thinking of different things, but I do believe there are items that are still attached to the previous owner long after they are gone. I've only had one item, but it was really something not of this world.

 

[b.loree]

An incredible collection Doug and very heartwarming to see! It always annoys me to hear Canadians described as "so nice" as if we are a bunch of wimps. Your collection demonstrates the fact that the "truth" is just the opposite. We can begin with 1812, Boer War, WW1, WW2, Korea, and Afghanistan. In addition, we must also mention that Canadians fought in the US Civil War and Vietnam. One could also describe our national game of hockey as "war on ice". I will end my comment on that.

 

[Steve Nick]

Thanks Steve, if you think this is something it pales in comparison to what Vic T had put together in Calgary. CEF collecting is pretty rewarding, but nothing beats the history behind the items. Your books sound quite interesting! Are you working on any new battalion histories?

Not working on anything at the moment. I'm still struggling with how I will proceed with the history of the 5th Battalion. I shouldn't be surprised but the NSR has not been very supportive, so distribution is going to be a big problem if I publish in the same hard copy format as the 21st history.

 

[Jeff R]

I think everyone else has already covered the awesome breadth of that collection - just extraordinary. I will add that you have a definite flair for display my friend. What a thoughtful, aesthetically pleasing arrangement.

 

[Steve Nick]

An incredible collection Doug and very heartwarming to see! It always annoys me to hear Canadians described as "so nice" as if we are a bunch of wimps. Your collection demonstrates the fact that the "truth" is just the opposite. We can begin with 1812, Boer War, WW1, WW2, Korea, and Afghanistan. In addition, we must also mention that Canadians fought in the US Civil War and Vietnam. One could also describe our national game of hockey as "war on ice". I will end my comment on that.

Brian:

"war on ice" is an apt comment. If anyone thinks Canadians are "Nice" try playing against us when there's something at stake.

Just another reason why being a goalie is so appealing. I can just stand in my crease and watch the "goon show" in relative safety.

 

[Doug B]

I would love to hear this story, maybe we can start a new thread so as not to distract from your wonderful thread. Maybe we are thinking of different things, but I do believe there are items that are still attached to the previous owner long after they are gone. I've only had one item, but it was really something not of this world.

I will post it up in the Collector Stories thread!

 

[Doug B]

An incredible collection Doug and very heartwarming to see! It always annoys me to hear Canadians described as "so nice" as if we are a bunch of wimps. Your collection demonstrates the fact that the "truth" is just the opposite. We can begin with 1812, Boer War, WW1, WW2, Korea, and Afghanistan. In addition, we must also mention that Canadians fought in the US Civil War and Vietnam. One could also describe our national game of hockey as "war on ice". I will end my comment on that.

Despite a near total lack of support from the Federal Gov’t our troops always shine wherever they are placed, often underequipped but never under fought!

 

[Doug B]

Not working on anything at the moment. I'm still struggling with how I will proceed with the history of the 5th Battalion. I shouldn't be surprised but the NSR has not been very supportive, so distribution is going to be a big problem if I publish in the same hard copy format as the 21st history.

Do you have any copies of your book on the 21st?