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Military mementoes given away as generations age, lose connection with those who served
CBC
Connections are being lost and memories receding through successive generations, as a sentimental tradition reaches the end of a path for many families of military veterans.
The custom of handing down war mementoes is the flickering of a bygone time, and museums are seeing a surge in donations.
"It's sad to see the link being broken between the families that are moving on and whoever was there [in the wars]," said Hugh O'Donnell, a retired regimental sergeant-major for the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada, headquartered at the Minto Armoury in Winnipeg.
"But at the same time that's what these guys fought for."
They fought for peace so the nightmare of war could be forgotten, he said, but added "unfortunately, the world is not at peace."
What is vanishing, though, is the link to those who wore the uniforms in the great wars. Many children of First World War soldiers are dead or elderly, and the grandchildren are now getting on.
"In some cases their turn is coming soon, too, and so they want to make sure these things go to a good home instead of getting abandoned to whoever cleans out the place after they go," O'Donnell said.
Often, soldiers who returned never spoke about what happened in the war, so their children knew little about it and the grandchildren even less. By the time mementoes stored in trunks and attics reach the fourth generation descendants of soldiers, there is little connection anymore.
In other cases, the lineage ends with no one left, said Gord Crossley, curator of the Fort Garry Horse Museum and Archives, a regimental museum in Winnipeg.
"We've seen an increase in families who either don't want to keep these things or in some cases, don't know what they're about, coming to see us in the museum," said Crossley, who is also the heritage officer for 17 Wing Canadian Forces Base in Winnipeg.
"I'd say probably within the last five years [donations have increased], and most because of the passing on of the Second World War veterans."
The items that come in tell fascinating stories, said Crossley.
An aluminum tin came in some years ago with two names scratched in it — one of an American soldier and one of a Canadian. Both were captured by the Japanese army at different times in the Second World War.
The U.S. tin was first marked by the American who owned it. It was later taken by the Japanese and issued to the Canadian, who inscribed his own name.
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