Royal Canadian Regiment Museum
Encyclopedia
The Royal Canadian Regiment Museum is a military museum located at Wolseley Barracks (the former CFB London
) in London, Ontario
, Canada
, the historic home of the The Royal Canadian Regiment
(RCR).
. It is dedicated to the exploits of The Royal Canadian Regiment. Artifacts displayed in the museum cover the regiment's activities from the Yukon Gold Rush
to their current work in Afghanistan
.
The museum preserves Regimental history and serves as a training medium to teach Regimental history through the collection of documents, pictures, books, military artifacts, etc. It provides research facilities for the study of Canadian military history dating from 1833 in
so far as it affects The Royal Canadian Regiment. The museum displays and illustrates in an appropriate manner the dress, weapons, and customs of the Regiment’s military heritage including the history of The London and Oxford Fusiliers (The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), The Oxford Rifles – of Woodstock, Ontario, and The Perth Regiment – of Stratford, Ontario). The museum serves as a place of military interest for the public and Canadian Forces personnel.
Among the regimentally significant items on display is a scarf which is an exact replica of one hand knit by Queen Victoria
during the Second Boer War
(one of eight that she made). The original scarf presented to Private Richard Thompson of The RCR is on display in the Canadian War Museum
. Four such scarves were presented to soldiers of the British Army
, and four to soldiers of colonial forces (Canada, Australia
, New Zealand
and South Africa
).
Other items of interest are a wooden cross from Flanders Fields, a recreation of a World War I
trench and a street scene from the Italian Campaign
. Outside the museum is a display of artillery and military vehicles, including a Universal Carrier
, a 25 pounder and a Lynx reconnaissance vehicle
.
One of the early highlights of the museum's collection was the Victoria Cross
of Milton Fowler Gregg
which was donated in 1979, but was stolen the following year and never recovered. It is currently on an Interpol watch list for stolen items and cannot legally be sold.
The museum also holds the medal
s of General Charles Foulkes
, the man who, along with General Johannes Blaskowitz
, signed the German
capitulation agreement at the Hotel de Wereld
in Wageningen
(Netherlands
) on May 6, 1945, effectively ending World War II
in Europe
.
who served in The Royal Canadian Regiment for four years in the early 1950s.
The Capital Campaign received its first major government donation on 12 May 2007 when Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) Deb Matthews
, on behalf of the province of Ontario
, presented a cheque for $240,000 (Cdn).
On 21 February 2008, the City of London, Ontario confirmed in their annual budget a contribution of $200,000 to The RCR Museum Capital Campaign.
, CHIN
, OMMC
and Virtual Museum of Canada
.
CFB London
Canadian Forces Base London is a former Canadian Forces Base that was located in London, Ontario, Canada. It was downsized and closed during defence budget cutbacks in the 1990s...
) in London, Ontario
London, Ontario
London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, the historic home of the The Royal Canadian Regiment
The Royal Canadian Regiment
The Royal Canadian Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces. The regiment consists of four battalions, three in the Regular Force and one in the Primary Reserve...
(RCR).
History
Although original architectural drawings of Wolseley Hall drafted in 1886 show space allocated to a museum, the museum in its current form was officially opened in 1983 during the royal visit of H.R.H. Prince Philip, Duke of EdinburghPrince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is the husband of Elizabeth II. He is the United Kingdom's longest-serving consort and the oldest serving spouse of a reigning British monarch....
. It is dedicated to the exploits of The Royal Canadian Regiment. Artifacts displayed in the museum cover the regiment's activities from the Yukon Gold Rush
Klondike Gold Rush
The Klondike Gold Rush, also called the Yukon Gold Rush, the Alaska Gold Rush and the Last Great Gold Rush, was an attempt by an estimated 100,000 people to travel to the Klondike region the Yukon in north-western Canada between 1897 and 1899 in the hope of successfully prospecting for gold...
to their current work in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
.
The museum preserves Regimental history and serves as a training medium to teach Regimental history through the collection of documents, pictures, books, military artifacts, etc. It provides research facilities for the study of Canadian military history dating from 1833 in
so far as it affects The Royal Canadian Regiment. The museum displays and illustrates in an appropriate manner the dress, weapons, and customs of the Regiment’s military heritage including the history of The London and Oxford Fusiliers (The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), The Oxford Rifles – of Woodstock, Ontario, and The Perth Regiment – of Stratford, Ontario). The museum serves as a place of military interest for the public and Canadian Forces personnel.
Collection
Victoria of the United Kingdom
Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
during the Second Boer War
Second Boer War
The Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State...
(one of eight that she made). The original scarf presented to Private Richard Thompson of The RCR is on display in the Canadian War Museum
Canadian War Museum
The Canadian War Museum is Canada’s national museum of military history. Located in Ottawa, Ontario, the museum covers all facets of Canada’s military past, from the first recorded instances of death by armed violence in Canadian history several thousand years ago to the country’s most recent...
. Four such scarves were presented to soldiers of the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
, and four to soldiers of colonial forces (Canada, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
and South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
).
Other items of interest are a wooden cross from Flanders Fields, a recreation of a World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
trench and a street scene from the Italian Campaign
Italian Campaign (World War II)
The Italian Campaign of World War II was the name of Allied operations in and around Italy, from 1943 to the end of the war in Europe. Joint Allied Forces Headquarters AFHQ was operationally responsible for all Allied land forces in the Mediterranean theatre, and it planned and commanded the...
. Outside the museum is a display of artillery and military vehicles, including a Universal Carrier
Universal Carrier
The Universal Carrier, also known as the Bren Gun Carrier is a common name describing a family of light armoured tracked vehicles built by Vickers-Armstrong. Produced between 1934 and 1960, the vehicle was used widely by British Commonwealth forces during the Second World War...
, a 25 pounder and a Lynx reconnaissance vehicle
Lynx reconnaissance vehicle
The Lynx reconnaissance vehicle is a United States-built tracked armoured fighting vehicle, which was employed by the armed forces of the Netherlands and Canada....
.
One of the early highlights of the museum's collection was the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
of Milton Fowler Gregg
Milton Fowler Gregg
Milton Fowler Gregg, VC, PC, OC, CBE, MC, ED, CD was a Canadian officer, and recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest Commonwealth award for gallantry "in the face of the enemy", during the First World War...
which was donated in 1979, but was stolen the following year and never recovered. It is currently on an Interpol watch list for stolen items and cannot legally be sold.
The museum also holds the medal
Medal
A medal, or medallion, is generally a circular object that has been sculpted, molded, cast, struck, stamped, or some way rendered with an insignia, portrait, or other artistic rendering. A medal may be awarded to a person or organization as a form of recognition for athletic, military, scientific,...
s of General Charles Foulkes
Charles Foulkes (Canadian)
Charles Foulkes, was a Canadian soldier, and an officer of The Royal Canadian Regiment.-Military career:Foulkes was born in Stockton-on-Tees, England and joined the Canadian Army in 1926...
, the man who, along with General Johannes Blaskowitz
Johannes Blaskowitz
Johannes Albrecht Blaskowitz was a German general during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords...
, signed the German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
capitulation agreement at the Hotel de Wereld
Hotel de Wereld
Hotel de Wereld in Wageningen was the site of the capitulation of the German troops in the Netherlands on 5 and 6 May 1945, and the end of German occupation during World War II....
in Wageningen
Wageningen
' is a municipality and a historical town in the central Netherlands, in the province of Gelderland. It is famous for Wageningen University, which specializes in life sciences. The city has 37,414 inhabitants , of which many thousands are students...
(Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
) on May 6, 1945, effectively ending World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
.
Capital campaign
In 2007, The RCR Museum launched a Capital Campaign with the objective of raising $2.3 Million (Cdn) to expand the museum and upgrade infrastructure facilities installed in the 1983 reconstruction. The Honorary Chairman of the Capital Campaign is veteran Canadian actor Gordon PinsentGordon Pinsent
Gordon Edward Pinsent, CC, FRSC is a Canadian television, theatre and film actor.-Early life:Pinsent, the youngest of six children, was born in Grand Falls, Newfoundland, the son of Flossie ; originally from Clifton, Newfoundland, and Stephen Arthur Pinsent, a papermill worker and cobbler;...
who served in The Royal Canadian Regiment for four years in the early 1950s.
The Capital Campaign received its first major government donation on 12 May 2007 when Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) Deb Matthews
Deb Matthews
Deborah Drake Matthews, Ph.D. is a politician in Ontario, Canada. She is a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, representing the riding of London North Centre for the Ontario Liberal Party, and is currently the province's Minister of Health and Long-Term Care in the government of...
, on behalf of the province of Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, presented a cheque for $240,000 (Cdn).
On 21 February 2008, the City of London, Ontario confirmed in their annual budget a contribution of $200,000 to The RCR Museum Capital Campaign.
See also
- Base Borden Military MuseumBase Borden Military MuseumBase Borden Military Museum is a military museum located on the grounds of CFB Borden, in Borden, Ontario, Canada. Combining four separate museums, it has numerous items, equipment and vehicles from all eras of Canadian military history, including a large number of historic armored vehicles and...
, - Elgin Military MuseumElgin Military MuseumThe Elgin Military Museum is located in St. Thomas, Ontario. Its mandate is to preserve the local historical record of military service from the War of 1812 to present day peace keeping missions of the Canadian Forces.-History:...
, - Maritime Museum of the AtlanticMaritime Museum of the AtlanticThe Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is a Canadian maritime museum located in downtown Halifax, Nova Scotia.The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is a member institution of the Nova Scotia Museum and is the oldest and largest maritime museum in Canada with a collection of over 30,000 artifacts...
- National Air Force Museum of CanadaNational Air Force Museum of CanadaThe National Air Force Museum of Canada, formerly known as the RCAF Memorial Museum, is an aviation museum dedicated to preserving the history of the Royal Canadian Air Force and is located on the west side of CFB Trenton in Trenton, Ontario....
- The Military MuseumsThe Military MuseumsThe Military Museums is a reorganization of the former Museum of the Regiments in Calgary, Alberta, announced by Sophie, Countess of Wessex, on June 3, 2006...
, - The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada Museum
- Virtual Museum of CanadaVirtual Museum of CanadaThe Virtual Museum of Canada is Canada's national virtual museum. With a directory of over 3,000 Canadian heritage institutions and a database of over 600 virtual exhibits, the VMC brings together Canada's museums regardless of size or geographical location.The VMC includes virtual exhibits,...
- Organization of Military Museums of CanadaOrganization of Military Museums of CanadaThe Organization of Military Museums of Canada is a national organization for the promotion of military museums in Canada.The OMMC was established in 1967 by a group of military museums, historians, and military history enthusiasts. It has over 40 individual and 60 institutional members including...
- Military history of CanadaMilitary history of CanadaThe military history of Canada comprises hundreds of years of armed actions in the territory encompassing modern Canada, and the role of the Canadian military in conflicts and peacekeeping worldwide. For thousands of years, the area that would become Canada was the site of sporadic intertribal wars...
External links
- The RCR Museum
- The Royal Canadian Regiment and The First World War - 1914-1919
- The Royal Canadian Regiment
- The RCR Museum Capital Campaign
- The Queen's Scarf at the Regimental Website of The RCR
- History of the Canadian Forces Museums 1919-2004
Affiliations
The museum is affiliated with: CMACanadian Museums Association
The Canadian Museums Association is a national organization for the promotion of museums in Canada.The Canadian Museums Association is the national organization for the advancement of the Canadian museum sector, representing Canadian museum professionals both within Canada and internationally. The...
, CHIN
Canadian Heritage Information Network
The Canadian Heritage Information Network is a Canadian government-supported organization that provides a networked interface to Canada's heritage, largely through the World Wide Web. It aims to give access to Canada's heritage for both Canadians and a worldwide audience, by supporting the...
, OMMC
Organization of Military Museums of Canada
The Organization of Military Museums of Canada is a national organization for the promotion of military museums in Canada.The OMMC was established in 1967 by a group of military museums, historians, and military history enthusiasts. It has over 40 individual and 60 institutional members including...
and Virtual Museum of Canada
Virtual Museum of Canada
The Virtual Museum of Canada is Canada's national virtual museum. With a directory of over 3,000 Canadian heritage institutions and a database of over 600 virtual exhibits, the VMC brings together Canada's museums regardless of size or geographical location.The VMC includes virtual exhibits,...
.