Thinking about Villers-Brettoneux and the big battle there, exactly 100 years ago.
There was significant Canadian involvement in that fight, too, but often it is not mentioned. Generally, the day is left to the ANZACS as their day of glory.... but the Canadians definitely were there.
Several years ago, at a gun show, I picked up a pair of interesting little souvenirs. These were brought back by a Canadian, then many years later likely sold off by grandchildren or great-grandchildren who were unaware of what these two old pieces of junk represent. One is the actual ticket stamp from the Gare du Nord which was used at the Villers-Bretonneux railroad station for validating tickets of passengers. It was seen heavy use but still is serviceable.... should the date happen to be a century ago. I keep it adjusted to the date of the battle.
The other relic is the bottom of a 6-pounder shell casing, but this one is a little different. For one thing, it is German and is marked as a 57mm. As far as I can determine, the only 57mm guns the Germans used in that fight were the ones installed in the A7Vs.
I have been asked to send these to the Australian War Memorial but, just for once, I think something should stay in Canada.
I paid the massive sum of $35 for both of these relics, but they are emphatically NOT for sale.
OTOH, anybody passing through is free to drop by to see them.
There was significant Canadian involvement in that fight, too, but often it is not mentioned. Generally, the day is left to the ANZACS as their day of glory.... but the Canadians definitely were there.
Several years ago, at a gun show, I picked up a pair of interesting little souvenirs. These were brought back by a Canadian, then many years later likely sold off by grandchildren or great-grandchildren who were unaware of what these two old pieces of junk represent. One is the actual ticket stamp from the Gare du Nord which was used at the Villers-Bretonneux railroad station for validating tickets of passengers. It was seen heavy use but still is serviceable.... should the date happen to be a century ago. I keep it adjusted to the date of the battle.
The other relic is the bottom of a 6-pounder shell casing, but this one is a little different. For one thing, it is German and is marked as a 57mm. As far as I can determine, the only 57mm guns the Germans used in that fight were the ones installed in the A7Vs.
I have been asked to send these to the Australian War Memorial but, just for once, I think something should stay in Canada.
I paid the massive sum of $35 for both of these relics, but they are emphatically NOT for sale.
OTOH, anybody passing through is free to drop by to see them.
