Tuesday 28 April 2015

In Flanders Fields – Part 1

Centennial Anniversary Event - April 1915 - The 1st Canadian Division’s Baptism of Fire at the 2nd Battle of Ypres

By Joe Corrigan

As is the case with many Canadians who can trace their family history in this country back to the 19th century or before, I have an ancestor who fought in the Great War of 1914 to 1918. His name was Charles O’Connor and he is my maternal grandfather. Charles was born in Whitby, Ontario on May 9, 1894. He was a moulder by trade. On May 1st, 1918, at the age 23, Charles O’Connor, serial number 809277, joined the Canadian Army. After initial training at Camp Borden he was sent overseas and assigned to the 15th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). He entered the line in October of 1918, about one month before the armistice.
When Minister of Militia Sir Sam Hughes championed the mobilization of the CEF in the late summer of 1914 he was determined to organize the force by creating new numbered battalions rather than sending existing militia regiments overseas. Despite this, regiments that were formed in the 19th and early 20th centuries have become inexorably linked with these numbered battalions. The 15th Battalion’s battle honours are maintained by the 48th Highlanders regiment of Toronto.

Pvt. Charles O'Connor, 15th Battalion CEF 1918
Despite only being in the line for a month before the end of hostilities, Charles O’Connor took part in fierce fighting during a period that came to be known as Canada’s “100 Days”. By this time in the war, Canadian troops had earned a hard won reputation as one of the allied armies’ finest fighting forces. Despised as “colonials” when they first came on the scene in the fall and winter of 1914 / 1915, the Canadian Corps was now revered as “shock troops”. Such was their reputation that, when the Germans learned that the Canadian Corps was moving into a sector, they knew an attack was imminent. During these last few weeks of the fighting, Canadian troops were at the forefront of the advance and the 100 Days produced some of the highest casualty rates of the entire war, a war in which an average of 6,000 people were killed every day! 

As with so many veterans of World War I, we know very little about the experiences of Private Charles O’Connor during the war. He earned the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for his service and received an honourable discharge on July 11, 1919. Apparently was exposed to poison gas, an encounter that would leave him with a cough for the rest of his life. He returned to civilian life, married Maude McCauley a teacher, and settled into life back in Whitby. The couple had three children, one son, Joseph and two daughters, Mary and Theresa.

Officially, Canadian casualties during the four years of the Great War are listed as 62,820 killed and 149,710 wounded for a total of 212,530 out of the 620,000 mobilized. That equates to a casualty rate of 34.3%. All this was endured by a population of just over 7 million. That doesn’t take into account those who died of the Spanish Flu which made its appearance towards the end of the war and took many millions of lives worldwide. These numbers become quite sobering when compared to the casualties experienced by our nation of 35 million during our 12 year mission in Afghanistan. During that campaign the Canadian Forces suffered 158 killed, 615 wounded and 1244 injured in non-combat related incidents. What our experience of Afghanistan has showed us is that the psychological impact of war is much greater than the physical casualty rates reveal. Many hundreds of the 40,000 Canadian veterans who served in Afghanistan face daily challenges struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD. Although the science of psychology existed around the time of World War I, an understanding of what was known as “Shell Shock” in the day was not extensive.

My grandfather lost his job during the depression that began in 1929. His wartime experiences came back to haunt him and he had to be hospitalized. Although he lived well into the 1970’s, and despite the fact that I was in my late teens at the time of his death, I never knew him. I saw him once before he died in his nursing home on a visit to western Ontario with my family. I remember he had a full head of white hair and that the nurses said he was a very patient man but he had long since lost the ability to communicate. What I later found out was that my mother, who was born in 1924, never really knew him either as he was hospitalized when she was just 5 or 6 years old. Though you won’t find the name of Charles Joseph O’Connor on the cenotaph in Whitby, the war cost him his life all the same.

The fact that April 22, 2015 was the 100th anniversary of the 2nd Battle of Ypres, the first time Canadian troops were engaged in a major battle of the war, served to bring my grandfather’s experiences to mind. 2nd Ypres was also the first use of poison gas in combat. Despite the lack of gas masks, Canada’s 1st Division fought heroically, improvised protection from the gas and blunted the German advance, preventing a possible war losing breakthrough. It was at a high cost however; our troops suffered over 6,000 casualties during the battle. Steve Guthrie of CHEX Television News produced a two part segment on the 57th Regiment of Militia, Peterborough’s militia regiment prior to World War I, and the participation of local troops in the 2nd Battle of Ypres. The two YouTube videos are posted on Lang Pioneer Village Museum’s Facebook page. Other interesting documentaries on the First World War include historian Norm Christie’s series entitled “For King and Empire” and the BBC documentary entitled “The Great War’ which dates from the 1960’s and includes interviews with people who experienced the events first hand. Canada’s History magazine has published “Canada’s Great War Album” which includes historical perspectives from a number of noted authors along with a collection of personal stories passed down from descendants of the soldiers and others who lived in those times. During the next three years, we will continue to mark notable anniversaries of Canada’s involvement in the Great War.

Painting entitled "Gassed" by Sargent John Singer RA (Royal Artillery) depicting allied troops having been gassed and on their way to the hospital for treatment

Joe Corrigan has been Museum Manager at Lang Pioneer Village since February of 2003. He has been a lifelong student of history. His specific areas of interest are Canadian and world political, military and sports history with a particular focus on biographical works. Joe has been interpreting Sir John A. Macdonald at the Museum's Historic Dominion Day event since 2007. 
  

Friday 17 April 2015

Volunteer Superstar Series – The Sturgeon Family

By: Elizabeth King

National Volunteer Week 2015 is running from April 12th to April 18th. This is a time to recognize, celebrate and thank the thousands of Canadians who dedicate their time to volunteering. In honour of this celebration, Lang Pioneer Village Museum would like to recognize some of its Volunteer Superstars in a special daily blog post during this week, called the Volunteer Superstar Series. 

Friday’s Volunteer Superstar is: The Sturgeon Family.

Emily & Meg at the Milburn
 To celebrate the final day of our Volunteer Superstar Series, we have chosen the Sturgeon Family – Rob, Emily, James, Claire and Meg as our LPVM Volunteer Superstars!

Emily was the first member of the family to start volunteering at the Museum, back in the summer of 2012. By the Spring of 2013 – Rob was on board too. Now, the whole family volunteers – Emily, Rob and their three children: James, Claire and Meg. 

We love having whole families volunteer. Not only does it provide awesome opportunities for togetherness and mentoring for the family, but it also provides us with the occasion for an authentic interpretation of a REAL family working together in a historic building to demonstrate what life was like for the families of the early settlers of this County.

Emily can usually be found interpreting in either the Milburn or Fitzpatrick house, along with the girls to help her out. We know that when they’re here – there is always something yummy on the woodstove. Meg, the youngest, is a baker extraordinaire! Her ginger sparkles are lauded as the best in the Village!  J  The girls also help out behind the scenes a great deal, creating the beautiful samples that are given out at special events in the hundreds. Christmas cake and brandy sauce, are another of their specialties.

Emily is also a very skilled seamstress, and has created the period clothing worn by her family. She often comes to help out at Costume Department Bees – making dresses, bonnets, under garments and assisting with the tracing and sizing of patterns.

Rob in the Carpenter Shop
Rob has become one of our resident carpenters, and spends most of his time interpreting in the Carpenter Shop. However, he and his son James are always open to changing it up, and last year were in the Blacksmith shop telling the story of Stingy Jack – and the history of Jack-O-Lanterns. Rob has also acted in our Historic Walks of Lang – in the roles of drunken reveler, and Samuel W. Lowry working at the loom.

We are so lucky to have fabulous volunteers like the Sturgeon family. They are always willing to help out, and often have filled spots for us when we’ve been in a jam. Their generous and caring hearts, their passion for history and sharing their knowledge, make them  «  Genuine LPVM Volunteer Superstars!  «

Emily & Meg
Rob as Stingy Jack for Historic All Hallows' Eve

Emily tracing a costume pattern











Elizabeth King is currently filling the role of Interim Assistant Manager at Lang Pioneer Village Museum.  She has been working at the Village since May of 2009.  Elizabeth is passionate about history, costuming, reading, vegan culinary crusades and environmental pursuits. When she isn’t in the middle of a project at Lang, she is often found with her head in the clouds.


Thursday 16 April 2015

Volunteer Superstar Series – Joyce



By: Elizabeth King

National Volunteer Week 2015 is running from April 12th to April 18th. This is a time to recognize, celebrate and thank the thousands of Canadians who dedicate their time to volunteering. In honour of this celebration, Lang Pioneer Village Museum would like to recognize some of its Volunteer Superstars in a special daily blog post during this week, called the Volunteer Superstar Series.

Thursday’s Volunteer Superstar is: Joyce. 

Joyce Williams has had a long involvement with Lang Pioneer Village Museum, as she is also a former staff member. Joyce returned to the Museum to volunteer her services, and give back to the Museum she loved working at. We like to think this is a good sign! Joyce has been donating her time to LPVM for over 13 years now.

Joyce cooks, bakes on the woodstove and interprets in the Milburn House. She can also be found filling out the group who interpret in the Keene Hotel at special events when things get quite hectic. Joyce regularly provides behind the scenes baking for samples which are used on these event days.

One of the most challenging roles Joyce fills is that of assisting and supervising youth volunteers in the BUSY children’s craft area at our Christmas by Candlelight event. This is a fast paced and demanding task- one that Joyce accomplishes with a twinkle in her eye, and not one bat of an eyelash. :)

Our visitors love Joyce – her patience, her knowledge, and her kindness make her a shining example of a superstar volunteer.

Joyce and her granddaughter Hayley
Joyce also knits items for us to sell in our Museum Shop, to help raise funds for the Museum. Her contributions are thoughtful and helpful. Joyce is always willing to lend a hand!

Joyce comes in weekly and on an as needed basis, and for many years brought along her lovely granddaughter Hayley to volunteer with her. In many cases, volunteering at Lang is a family affair. We are happy to continue to have Joyce as a regular fixture in the Village, and proud to say that her granddaughter, who for so many years was a dedicated volunteer, is also now part of the Lang staff team.

« « «  Thank you Joyce – you are definitely a Volunteer Superstar!  « « « 


 

 

A few photos of Joyce over the years



Elizabeth King is currently filling the role of Interim Assistant Manager at Lang Pioneer Village Museum.  She has been working at the Village since May of 2009.  Elizabeth is passionate about history, costuming, reading, vegan culinary crusades and environmental pursuits. When she isn’t in the middle of a project at Lang, she is often found with her head in the clouds.


Wednesday 15 April 2015

Volunteer Superstar Series – Heather

By: Elizabeth King

National Volunteer Week 2015 is running from April 12th to April 18th. This is a time to recognize, celebrate and thank the thousands of Canadians who dedicate their time to volunteering. In honour of this celebration, Lang Pioneer Village Museum would like to recognize some of its Volunteer Superstars in a special daily blog post during this week, called the Volunteer Superstar Series.

Wednesday’s Volunteer Superstar is: Heather. 

For over 15 years now, Heather has been a volunteer at Lang Pioneer Village Museum. She is a powerhouse of information and contacts that have helped Lang immensely during her time with us.

She can always be relied upon to share, teach and entertain. Her smiling face and refreshing wit are inspirational and fun.

Heather is involved as a volunteer in a number of ways:

As a Historical Interpreter, Heather can often be found interpreting at the Fife Cabin, with her husband John. She often volunteers to do the coldest, dampest, darkest interpretation of the year: the Fife Cabin Christmas interpretation. A real trooper!
As a re-enactor, Heather has been integral in organizing the attendance of the 49th Regiment of Foot re-enactor group which has been involved in a number of events at the Village. She can fire the cannon, shoot a musket, and march with the best of them. The children who visit especially enjoy her drills – left, right, left right, and again!
As a costumer and seamstress, Heather has assisted in the Museum’s Costuming Department, donating not only her time to create and mend, but also a number of supplies/patterns for the vast collection of reproduction period clothing that is used to dress the Museum’s staff and volunteers.  Her work is beautiful, and we are lucky to have her share her magical abilities with the needle.
As a member of the Lang Pioneer Village Museum Advisory Committee, Heather has given countless hours of her time to assist in the development and implementation of programming and Museum-related business.

Heather is a vibrant and knowledgeable member of the LPVM volunteer team. We are so lucky to have her skills and expertise! Not to mention, her company!

« « « Thank you Heather for being one of our Volunteer Superstars! « « « 

 

A few images of Heather throughout the years in her various Volunteer roles









Elizabeth King is currently filling the roll of Interim Assistant Manager at Lang Pioneer Village Museum.  She has been working at the Village since May of 2009.  Elizabeth is passionate about history, costuming, reading, vegan culinary crusades and environmental pursuits. When she isn’t in the middle of a project at Lang, she is often found with her head in the clouds.

Tuesday 14 April 2015

Volunteer Superstar Series – Lucas

By: Elizabeth King

National Volunteer Week 2015 is running from April 12th to April 18th. This is a time to recognize, celebrate and thank the thousands of Canadians who dedicate their time to volunteering. In honour of this celebration, Lang Pioneer Village Museum would like to recognize some of its Volunteer Superstars in a special daily blog post during this week, called the Volunteer Superstar Series.

Tuesday’s Volunteer Superstar is: Lucas.  


Lucas learning the Museum Shop with Maggie
Lucas Towns has been a dedicated volunteer at Lang Pioneer Village Museum since the summer of 2012 when he first enrolled in the Youth Interpreter Program. He participated in the program again in 2013, but moreover, he has volunteered additionally at nearly every special event since he started with us.

He is a quick learner, and has picked up various roles within the Village with ease. Lucas has shown tremendous commitment when helping in the Print Shop, during Special Events and with other duties as asked of him. He is currently learning the Admissions/ Museum Shop Attendant role under the direction of the Visitor Experience Coordinator. He is a mature, friendly and reliable first point of contact for our visitors on site.

Lucas has far exceeded not only his community volunteer hours for school, but our expectations as well!

He has become a valuable member of the Lang Pioneer Village Museum team and we look forward to another year of his smiling face helping out.

Thank you so much, Lucas, for all that you do!

Lucas teaching in the School House
Lucas and his Youth Interpreter group in 2013


Elizabeth King is currently filling the role of Interim Assistant Manager at Lang Pioneer Village Museum.  She has been working at the Village since May of 2009.  Elizabeth is passionate about history, costuming, reading, vegan culinary crusades and environmental pursuits. When she isn’t in the middle of a project at Lang, she is often found with her head in the clouds.

Monday 13 April 2015

Volunteer Superstar Series- Norm

By: Elizabeth King

National Volunteer Week 2015 is running from April 12th to April 18th. This is a time to recognize, celebrate and thank the thousands of Canadians who dedicate their time to volunteering. In honour of this celebration, Lang Pioneer Village Museum would like to recognize some of its Volunteer Superstars in a special daily blog post during this week, called the Volunteer Superstar Series.

Monday’s Volunteer Superstar is: Norm.  


Norm has been a volunteer at LPVM for the past 8 years. He has been active as both a front line Historical Interpreter in our Agricultural Barn (demonstrating and educating the public on the rural agricultural history of Peterborough County) as well as behind the scenes with our Facilities and Premises department.

Norm has built and repaired a large number of items for the Museum, including; a stage for performers at events, reproduction weaving equipment for the S. W. Lowry Weaver Shop and new pieces for old farming equipment that we use for live demonstrations.

Norm has also been instrumental in the acquisition of donations for the supplies needed for repairs to the antique pieces that we have on site.

His most recent project has been the Reference Library shelving renovation. Over the past few weeks Norm has been building, and installing a wall of built in shelves and counter space in the Museum’s Reference Library. This much needed shelving will allow for the museum’s vast book resource collection to be stored and used much more efficiently.

Thank you very much for everything that you do for us Norm!

 

A few images of Norm throughout the years in his various roles




Elizabeth King is currently filling the role of Interim Assistant Manager at Lang Pioneer Village Museum.  She has been working at the Village since May of 2009.  Elizabeth is passionate about history, costuming, reading, vegan culinary crusades and environmental pursuits. When she isn’t in the middle of a project at Lang, she is often found with her head in the clouds.