Michael Johnson

I hate gardening as well. My wife and I fill many, many bags as we try to eradicate invasive species. Unfortunately we find that when we put them out to the street, there are some dog owners who feel that their plastic bags of dog crap qualify as "garden waste" and so deposit them to save the hassle of carrying them home for disposal. Michael

His pension papers are available on Ancestry. William Soper, b. 29 Nov. 1829 Woodbury Devon. Discharged 24 Feb. 1874 (deafness). Joined at Blackheath Stn. Oct 25, 1858. In R Division until 1865, then P Division. 5' 10" Warrant 3851. Father James Soper; mother Emily. Wife Elizabeth

Greg says, just a picture.

Artillery and Signals badges.

Oh, Greg's tour was 1968. Michael

I've passed along the link to Greg. The jacket is reversible, with white (naturally) on the inside. Michael

I'll check the notes tomorrow, but as I recall it is a skinning knife, with, besides the Finnish national insignia, badges for Artillery, Signals, and I believe Infantry. The detail is hopefully better in this closeup. Michael

I'm mounting an exhibition on Canadian Peacekeeping. One of the veterans who is helping me served as a Signaller attached to the Finnish Contingent. He was on very good terms with them and brought back some souvenirs.

Those of you who were born in the 1950-60s in Canada may recognize the title as a line from Romping Ronnie Hawkins's 1970 song "Home From the Forest", written by Gordon Lightfoot, about the death of a forgotten veteran. I fall into that age group. I've been a militaria collector for 45+ years now. This Friday, I'm opening a year-long exhibition on Canadian Peacekeeping at the Oakville Ontario Museum. Apart for occasional presentations to Cub Packs for Remembrance Day, it's about the only use I've made of my collection. Last November I retired, not by my own choosing. Given my family situation, which includes the care of my soon-to-be 90 mother-in--law, to whom we owe our comparative freedom from 1990 to 2005, I probably couldn't have worked much longer. Our sons have followed us into my wife's and mine respective professions, and are working on establishing themselves, living at home to save money, and helping out. But when I go on Youtube and play some 1960s music, I'm still that awkward teenager making model cars and airplanes.

After the war, the CEF organized War Graves units from men who had made it to England, but not to France. These would mostly be conscripts. There were two companies. I have a BWM named to the Canadian Engineers, but his service was with one of them. I recall reading (in one of Norm Christie's books) that the labour was provided by German pows. Michael

Thanks, Michael!

Hello/Bonjour I'm restoring a couple of French ribbon bars for my peacekeeping exhibition, and need the following mini clasps: "Liban", and two "Missions d'assistance exterieure". Does anyone have some spare to sell, or can source them for me? Je suis en train de restorer deux barrettes dixmude, et j'ai besoin de LIBAN et deux MISSIONS D'ASSISTANCE EXTÉRIEURE. Comme je suis au Canada, c'est pas facile de les trouver. Thank you/merci

I can confirm that the Metropolitan Toronto Police also used lead-filled coshes like the O.P.P. I remember an officer who visited my Elementary School showing us his. My wife's uncle, who spent 30 years with the Force could have been an excellent source, but he passed away 12 years ago. Michael

Great find. I've always had a soft spot for the 19th, as their predecessors, the 19th Light Dragoons, served in Canada during the War of 1812. I have an Egypt Medal to the 19th, bought as a no-clasp. My researcher found that he was entitled to Tel-el-Kebir, and when the rolls became available online, I discovered he also had Suakin 1884 and El Teb. I added the Tel-el-Kebir clasp, but doubt I can afford the other two, El Teb as a single being scarce. No papers found, so not clear why he missed Tamaii.

A teacher friend of my wife's brought a Panetone bread pudding with her (I think he son made it. It was delicious!) Incidentally, one of my lines is "My ancestors came over on the Pedantic." Michael