Collection Michael (NL)

Hello,

I'm a starting collector and actually what most interest me is the 3rd Infantry Division and the 4th Armoured Division. On my bucket list are battle dresses from Highland Light Infantry, Queen's Own Rifles, North Nova Scotia Higherlander (found) and The Algonquin Regiment (found).

edit: removed photos because some of the shown items are sold.

Great display. Looks like you are well on your way to a nice Canadian WWII collection.

Great start mate! And while I love to see our national flag hanging in there we didn't adopt that one until 1965. You'll have to keep your eyes out for the red ensign we flew during WWII! Keep up the good work honouring the memory of our 3rd Division boys!

southsaskscotty wrote:Great start mate! And while I love to see our national flag hanging in there we didn't adopt that one until 1965.  You'll have to keep your eyes out for the red ensign we flew during WWII!  Keep up the good work honouring the memory of our 3rd Division boys!

I know about the flag Thanks for your reply.

How do you like my latest update? Small haversack, L-Straps, Cross-straps (both updated from British to Canadian) and Canadian groundsheet.

edit: removed photos because some of the items are sold.

That display is coming along quite well.   A couple of points, you need to fold the Groundsheet so that it fits the Haversack as in this image.   You also need to reverse the Haversack straps so that the two straps on the Haversack that engage the Shoulder Straps (L Straps) are on top, also the openings on the buckles need to be reversed so that the openings face the top.



The Entrenching Tool Helve that you have was not issued until very late in the war, if it at all.   Here is the earlier 1908 Pattern that was issued from 1942.

Look at the pile of webbing equipment on the right side of the pic, it looks very much like the above mentioned modification on the E-tool handle.
Pic was taken on 7 April 1945, at the Schipbeek (south bank) Laren Gld, 2nd Can inf div (6th brig).

Looking good man ,it is save to use a British belt if you want

Great start.
Just as LSR mentioned, It is no shame to put a british belt on it.
Even a Indian made one is no problem.
3rd divison was equipped with Indian made web equipment in Italy.

3rd Canadian Infantry Division did not serve in Italy, 1st Canadian Infantry Division and 5th Canadian Armoured Division served in that theatre of operations.

Then i am wrong.
I assumed the 3rd was also there.
Wrong info in one of my books then.

Hi mvd, Your display is coming along quite nicely. A note on the uniform. The ribbon bar should only show the CVSM for the CAOF.

Correction. Depending on the date the ribbon bar would be correct. Immediately upon the formation of the CAOF only the CVSM ribbon was available, but during the summer other ribbons were issued. The medals were not available for some time.

Thanks for all the messages.

How do you like the update?
-Canadian webbing belt
-Canadian Enfield sling (Enfield is none-firing, Long Branch)
-Canadian boots (walk out)
-Canadian anklets

edit: removed photos because some items sold.

Your manneguin is coming together nicely, don't forget that you need to 'blouse' the BD blouse over the waistbelt as well as the trousers over the G.S. Militia Boots, have a look at the attached images.   The BW image is from the LAC.

Looking to buy a Highland Light Infantry of Canada BD, if the price is right.

I'm very happy with my latest add to the collection. The Highland Light Infantry BD! (not longer in my collection)

Nice BDs!

That is a nice example of the Highland Light Infantry of Canada tunic. What makes you think it was worn in battle? Cdn infantry were issued two sets of battledress, and one set was saved for walking out, formal parades, best dress situations. The other bd, for lack of a better term was worn for active service / fatigue type duties. From the appearance of your example, it looks like a "best" bd.
At the end of the war, most tunics worn at the front were in such a state that they were turned into stores and new ones were issued. The tunics we see on the market are the ones the soldiers wore home, and not likely ones that were worn at the front. (If you think the stain on the arm indicates front line service, it may have been in a bar...) Just some points to put some perspective on the uniforms we collect.

The NNSH RCOC BD's are sold. The NNSH BD is sold to Nova Scotia, how cool is that!
Instead I have another NNSH bd and Algonquin BD (Clement Jules Beauchesne)

Also new to the collection is an overcoat from the 48th Highlanders of Canada (Murray Percy Thomas). He has been awarded with the Military medal. Wounded he disabled a MG42 machine gun position just by himself in Italy.

Haplo wrote:Great start.
Just as LSR mentioned, It is no shame to put a british belt on it.
Even a Indian made one is no problem.
3rd divison was equipped with Indian made web equipment in Italy.

1st Division, but yes, My Grandfathers canteen carrier is Indian made.

Clem Beauschene passed away sometime ago, as did his wife. Here is a link to her obit, which mentions a son living in Toronto.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thestar/obituary.aspx?n=doreen-aldythe-beauchesne-mclean&pid=125192474

Bill wrote:Clem Beauschene passed away sometime ago, as did his wife. Here is a link to her obit, which mentions a son living in Toronto.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thestar/obituary.aspx?n=doreen-aldythe-beauchesne-mclean&pid=125192474

Bill, thank you very much for the sad info.

Constructions to my collection room are much delayed for several reasons. So, here is a sneak peak of my 3 battle dresses. All others, that some might remember from earlier posts, are sold. I'm sorry for the terrible photographs.