Kingsville Military Museum

WORLD WAR I

The First World War of 1914–1918 was the bloodiest conflict in Canadian history, taking the lives of nearly 61,000 Canadians. The great achievements of Canadian soldiers on battlefields such as Ypres, Vimy and Passchendaele, however, ignited a sense of national pride and a confidence that Canada could stand on its own, apart from the British Empire, on the world stage.

World War I, also known as the Great War, was an international conflict that began on 28 July 1914 and ended on 11 November 1918.

The Great Powers were divided into two opposing alliances, the Triple Entente, consisting of France, Russia, and Britain, and the Triple Alliance, made up of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.

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Canadian Minister of Militia Sam Hughes summoned 25,000 volunteers to train at a new camp at Valcartier near Québec; some 33,000 appeared. On 3 October, the First Contingent of 30,617 men sailed for England.

 

Newfoundland was not part of Canada at this time but still sent the 1st Newfoundland Regiment.  Beaumont Hamel was disastrous for this regiment and the regiment was badly defeated on the first day, 1 July.

 

The German government signed the Armistice of 11 November 1918, bringing the fighting to a close. The 1919 Paris Peace Conference  imposed various settlements on the defeated powers, the best known being the Treaty of Versailles.

Artifacts

Souvenier Belt

Collection of different battalions from WWI.

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WWI GAS MASK

WorldWarI-GasMask

Acting Sergent Robert Delaney – Boer War & WWI

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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

Pte. Thomas Henry Elliott WWI

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

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German Pickelhaube Helmet

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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.