Tuesday, January 4, 2022

Triumph, Service, And The Home Front

I return today to my series from the Canadian War Museum, from a visit made in early November, and the First World War area. This display case includes a medal set, plane gun, and plane windshield. These relate to another Canadian ace of the air: Billy Bishop, credited with 72 victories over the course of the war. The windshield is of particular significance: Bishop was flying one 1917 day and a stray bullet broke through the windshield, missed him, and lodged behind him. This happened on an occasion prior to the day that earned him the Victoria Cross.


Faces of men who know they have done an extraordinary thing: Canadian soldiers after the astonishing victory at Vimy Ridge.


Before and after: Vimy Ridge just after the war with temporary graves visible, and the dedication of the Memorial designed by Walter Allward, in 1936.


Two future prime ministers as young men who served during the war but as fate would have it never saw combat: Lester Pearson and John Diefenbaker.


The war affected home in many ways. Sons, husbands, and fathers off at war, with mothers, wives, and children back at home. A portion of the gallery looks into this.


Wedding portraits, with the groom in uniform, are found here too.


Children had to adjust to war too. A doll and books are displayed here.


Something of great poignancy: a service flag. The Adie family sent four of their sons to war, hence the four maple leaves. Only one survived to come home.

24 comments:

  1. The service flag is a sobering reminder of the losses of war.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I cannot imagine sending four sons to war. Incredible!

    ReplyDelete
  3. The museum shows some significant stories.

    ReplyDelete
  4. @Francisco: thank you.

    @Gemel: very much so.

    @Marie: a huge sacrifice.

    @Tom: it certainly is.

    @Red: that it does.

    ReplyDelete
  5. It is good to share the personal stories and losses.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hello,
    The four maple leaf flag is lovely and sad at the same time.
    Take care, enjoy your day!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Another good historical post and photos ~ Be well.


    Wishing you a peace filled day,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

    ReplyDelete
  8. A wonderful exhibit that tells the stories well.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Reminds me of the words of a hymn: "The strife is o'er, the battle done."

    ReplyDelete
  10. How interesting, and to also see the bright side of their days, the wedding photo quite nice. thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  11. @RedPat: it is.

    @Eileen: I agree.

    @Jan: very much so.

    @Carol: thank you.

    @Bill: it really does.

    @Revrunner: a good one.

    @Karen: you're welcome.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I appreciate that they include the home front.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wars are tragic reminders of human greed for power.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I wish we'd been able to get my Da to the new war museum :(

    ReplyDelete
  15. This looks a good exhibit covering all aspects of war.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  16. I can get lost in exhibits like this. Thanks so much for bringing us. William

    ReplyDelete