Remembrance Day/Veterans Day - VTT

For Remembrance Day and for Vintage Thingie Thursday, today's post honors two members of my family who served in the Canadian Military.

My maternal grandfather fought in both world wars.

He enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force in 1917 as soon as he graduated from high school at BCS - Bishop's College School - in Lennoxville, Quebec.  He was 19 and served in the Canadian Army Service Corps.

I don't know as much about Grandpa's WWI service as his service in WWII but I do know that he spent his 21st birthday (February 22, 1919) sitting in a train station in France trying to get back to his outfit after delivering a repaired truck.

He was discharged exactly 8 months after the armistice, on July 11, 1919.  We still have his Discharge Certificate (click on it to see it full size),

which has likely survived this long due to the fact that it is printed on good strong linen.

When the troop train pulled in to the station back at home, each soldier was given this card from King George V, thanking them for their service.  Some years ago my Mum had the card put into this gorgeous frame.  You can tell we're just a little bit proud of his service.

My great uncle Herb, two years older than my grandfather, also enlisted when he graduated from high school.  He was captured by the Germans and spent time in a German POW camp.

Before Uncle Herb shipped out he visited his sister, Ruth, at King's Hall Compton, the girls school near BCS (the two eventually merged in 1973).  There he met her Principal, Miss Joll, who so "approved" of him that she declared a holiday for the whole school when word came that he'd been released from the POW Camp.

(Miss Joll)

My grandfather and his brother were very lucky to have a large, supportive family and jobs waiting for them when they came home.  After the war the world was dealing with a post-war depression and widespread unemployment and there was no special help for veterans; this was something my grandfather never forgot.

After World War I my grandfather continued to serve in the Army reserves in the 15th Field Regiment which was the local militia group.  This led to his serving his country again in World War II, but we'll leave those vintage thingies for another post.

Click here to find the other participants this week.

Anna

I used to be normal...then I bought my first stamp!

Comments

[Pam]

Annd that is fascinating. You should be very proud of your family!

[Nan]

What wonderful old pictures and family mementos. You are so lucky to have these treasures. TFS, Nan

[Jocelyn]

Very interesting, and what great old pictures.

Jocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com

[Ann Hinrichs]

Thanks for sharing. My grandfather also served in WWI

[Maureen @ The Green Suitcase]

How lucky to have all of these wonderful pieces of your past. Some might have a piece or two but this is really great.

[Christine]

You have a lot of heroes in your family, Anna. That s so wonderful. And how nice that you have these vintage photos and certificates. They are priceless...Christine

[postcardy]

It's nice that all those things have been saved and kept together in the family. I like the way the card from King George is framed.

[Betsy]

Wow, what a wonderful and inspiring post. You are so lucky to have all this family history and these pictures. I have a few pictures of my father and grandfather in their uniforms...always such prized possesions.

[Bea]

What a great tribute to two great men. Thank you for sharing.

[LaVoice]

A wonderful tribute to these special people in your life on this holiday.

[P.]

We owe so much to our servicemen, past and present. Great family stories, and I'm glad they came home safely. Enjoyed the music too!

[Katie]

A great post and wonderful tribute to your family. I love that you have the discharge certificate so nicely framed!

[Debbie]

Wonderful post. I am having my 100th blog giveaway so hope you will stop by. Blessings, Debbie

[tammy]

Those photos and mementos are priceless!

[coloradolady]

What wonderful documents from your family! This was so enjoyable to read and see today!!! Happy VTT!

[deb newton]

Anna, So interesting. You're so lucky all these are still around. Thank you for sharing!
*hugs*deb

[tami]

Hi Anna, thanks for stopping by my blog, and for your nice comment. You have some treasured family history and photos there. I love the vintage sienna tints of old photos. Hope you'll stop back by for our giveaway next week, there will be three winners. hugs tami

[Sarah Sommerville]

What beautiful family treasures, thanks for sharing.

[sweet european dreams]

This is a beautiful post. I love that your family took such good care of these things and that they took the time to tell you the meaning of each. Again, beautiful! -diane

[JSELEP]

I have a similar Veterans day post.

http://jeanneselep.blogspot.com/2010/11/veterans-day.html

[Renee]

Very interesting. Love all your saved things from your grandfather and the wonderful pictures. I've done a few scrapbook pictures with my husband and dad's pictures. Still need to do some of my grand father who was in WWII and my great uncle who was killed going to fight in England.

I love family history and glad there are people who preserve it for us all.

[Dede Warren]

Anna how wonderful that you have these priceless photos and the history of your family! I am not so fortunate, and envy you so! You have much to be proud of.