Friday, December 2, 2022

The Supreme Sacrifice In Wartime

 This large field gun is a perfect example of what this part of the Museum's collection now focuses on: the killing power of the artillery in World War One.


Shrapnel and balls from shells are displayed here.


This display case features a cutaway of a shell, along with shrapnel pieces. The illustration at right is chilling but accurate, demonstrating the sheer amount of damage a piece of shrapnel could do to the body. A bullet wound you'd probably survive. Shrapnel would leave you forever wounded, but probably dead.


Stepping out of this area, panels look at the meaning of Vimy Ridge in the context of Canadian history. A massive memorial would be erected at Vimy, with the land given to Canada by France.


This photograph always intrigues me: Canadian soldiers after the battle. The faces of men who know they've done something that couldn't be done- but they did it anyway.


The next portion of the gallery looks at the war at home, and is particularly poignant.


This service flag belonged to a family who sent four sons to war. One came back.


A child's toy and books are displayed beneath a clock. The clock itself was made by a company in what is today Kitchener, Ontario. During the war the town changed from its original name of Berlin.


This small bear and letter are among the Museum's most touching artifacts. The bear was carried by a father, and the letter is from his son. They are among several artifacts belonging to the family. Lawrence Rogers would not live to see the end of the war.

40 comments:

  1. The horrors of war. Unnecessary killings.

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    1. So much of that war was pointless death. It wasn't until nearly the end that they figured out how to break the stalemate- but by then millions of lives had been wiped out.

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  2. And just think how much more powerful are today's weapons...

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  3. It turns my stomach even to look at this stuff.

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  4. Sadly its one of the things mankind is on its best.

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  5. The bear and letter are touching. There is nothing good about war. Take care, enjoy your weekend!

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    1. It's artifacts like that which make the museum do its job so well, reminding of the human element of war.

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  6. ...war is all about sacrifices.

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  7. SO much of killing and we have not learnt any lessons yet...

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  8. Another well done War exhibit ~

    Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  9. So many lives are wasted fighting, very sad.

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  10. The stories are quite touching, thank you for including them.

    All the best Jan

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  11. It's one thing to break a leg. To have it severed by shrapnel a death sentence.

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    1. Unless you were near a field hospital you'd bleed out.

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  12. So sad !war is never never good

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  13. I have always felt if those highest up giving the orders from their offices were made to fight the casualties of war would be much less.

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  14. Oh my this is quite the detailed story of so many lives, it certainly is a well account of history, and hopefully we can learn by our past, and give tribute to those involved. Excellent post.

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