Kingsville Military Museum

Artifacts

Col. Frederick Jasperson WWII

LtCol-FredKJasperson-CO-Canada-Glove

This Baseball Glove was sent by the Red Cross while he was a Prisoner of War during WWII.

It is a 1930 model Spalding with a Mo-split finger.

Born on 16 July 1900 in Kingsville, Essex, Ontario, Frederick Kent Jasperson was a lawyer who attended the University of Toronto, Columbia Law School, and Osgoode Hall. He had belonged to the 48th Highlanders of Toronto and was commissioned in the Essex Scottish as he started a law career in Windsor. 

On 19 August 1942, Jasperson led his troops at Dieppe in the raid that nearly wiped out the unit. In initial press reports, the colonel was reported missing and presumed killed. The colonel had in fact survived but was one of hundreds captured. After over two and a half years as a prisoner of war, Jasperson was liberated by the US 3rd Army in May 1945.

Medals:

  • Dieppe 1942
  • Distinguished Service Order with 2 Laurel Leaf bars
  • 1939-1945 Star
  • France & Germany Star
  • Defence Medal
  • Canadian Volunteer Service Medal
  • 1939-45 War Medal
  • Canadian Confederation Medal
  • Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Medal
  • Canadian Efficiency Medal with Silver Canada Bar

Acting Sergent Robert Delaney – Boer War & WWI

RobertDelany-BoerWar-WWI-Medals

Regimental number 1600

He was born August 23, 1869.

He served in Boer War in the 5th Northumberland Fusilliers.

Medals:

Boer War – Transvaal Orange Free State Cape Colony

  • South Africa 1901 and 1902
  • For Long Service and Good Conduct
  • For Distinguished Conduct in the Field

WWI –

Regimental number 201358

Medal:  British War (1914-1918) Medal

 

He enlisted in Toronto November 25, 1915 and embarked in England 8 June 1916. According to medical records he had scars from bullet wounds in hip, back of head, right forearm and right buttock – probably from serving in the Boer War.

He was discharged July 22, 1917, being found to be medically unfit due to flat feet and having only 3 good teeth and overage (his apparent age is listed from 42 to 56)

He was sent to Convalescent home in Toronto.

 https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/first-world-war/personnel-records/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=343428

Edgar Thibert - Medals

EdgarThibert

Essex Scottish Unit, McGregor Tartan shield

Medals:

  • 1939-1945 Star
  • Defence Medal
  • 1939-45 War Medal
  • Canadian Volunteer Service Medal
  • Canadian Forces Decoration
  • Dieppe 1942 with clasp Medal

Boer War - Artifacts

CantinaPhoto

Chocolate Box, Bullets, Field glasses

Souvenier Belt

BeltCanvasWebbing

Collection of different battalions from WWI.

Glass Cane

GlassCane

Made in Kingsville Ontario, Kingsville Glass Works Co. for veterans returning from Boer War.

Flight Lieutenant Harry Siberry Shortt WWII

HarrySiberryShortt

He was born in western Ontario and enlisted in Toronto on 12 August 1940.  He flew in 20 sorties with No. 50 Squadron from October 1943 to January 1944. Included are attacks over Berlin, Hanover, the Ruhr, Leipzig, Hamburg and Mannheim. He left the air force in 1945.

“For his personal example of coolness and courage, his determined resolution always to make the most vigorous attacks in the face of the enemy’s defence and his valuable service to the squadron, he is strongly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.” 24 May 1944 as per London Gazette

Medals:

  • Distinguished Flying Cross
  • 1939-45 Star
  • Air Crew Europe Star
  • Defence Medal
  • Canadian Volunteer Service Medal
  • 1939-45 War Medal

Army Hardtac

ArmyHardtack

WWI GAS MASK

WorldWarI-GasMask

German Pickelhaube Helmet

Helmet-Pickelhaube-InfantryDivision

This is a German Pickelhaube Helmet, which was used by German military, police and firefighters in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Pickelhaube translates into “pointed hat,” with “pickel” meaning “point” or “pickaxe,” and “haube” meaning bonnet.

 

During the early months of the Great War, it became apparent that the Pickelhaube was not suitable for trench warfare, as it did not provide enough protection from shrapnel and other debris. This, combined with a growing shortage of materials thanks to the war, saw the Pickelhaube replaced by the Stahlhelm, or German steel helmet, which offered troops more protection and was easier, and cheaper, to manufacture. From 1916 onwards, the Pickelhaube was discontinued and was worn solely for ceremonial purposes.

Pte. Edsel Cowan - WWII

LetterToMom

Wrote letters to his mother at least 3 times a week.

He shot himself in the foot and had a toe removed. He was in hospital many months healing and had to convince authorities that this was an “accident”.

Pte. Thomas Henry Elliott WWI

ThomasHenryElliott-DeadMansPenny-MemorialCross

Regimental Number 622872

44th Battalion Reserve Machine Gun Section

Dead Man’s Penny and Memorial Cross which were given to Mothers

He was born 13 September 1875 and arrived in England October 1915.

He reported being ill at Vimy France August 1916. He was discharged medically unfit with Nephritis (kidney disease) June 1917 and sent to Convalescent Home in Canada. He received a pension for 6 months at $20 month.

He died 1926 and is buried in Greenhill Cemetery Kingsville at age 50.

 

https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/first-world-war/personnel-records/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=376569