Chatham-Kent Museum Artifacts Gallery – Gathering Our Heroes – Chatham-Kent's WWI & WWII Veterans

WW I Canadian Sergeant’s Stripes

$Brass \"186\" shoulder insignia worn on the epaulets by enlisted men in the 186 th Kent Overseas Battalion, 1916$

Pair of standard issue Canadian Expeditionary Force collar insignia

Bronze Memorial Plaque (often referred to as a death penny) issued to the next of kin of British and Empire personnel that died as a result of the war (WW. I). This plaque commemorates Lt. Richard Gilpin Crawford from Tilbury, a graduate of Royal Military College, who served with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and was killed at the Battle of Ypres in May, 1915.

Memorial Cross (issued to mothers of Canadian soldiers who died in World War I) and 1914 – 15 Star (awarded to British/Canadian soldiers who were in an active theatre of war between 5 August 1914 and December 1915. Many Canadians in the 1st and 2nd Contingent received this medal. Both of these medals are named to 6688 Pte. James Heather of Chatham who enlisted in the 1 st Battalion in September 1914 and went overseas with the 1st Contingent. He was killed in 1916. Heather’s father and brother (both named Samuel) were also killed in the war. (Back)

Memorial Cross (issued to mothers of Canadian soldiers who died in World War I) and 1914 – 15 Star (awarded to British/Canadian soldiers who were in an active theatre of war between 5 August 1914 and December 1915. Many Canadians in the 1st and 2nd Contingent received this medal. Both of these medals are named to 6688 Pte. James Heather of Chatham who enlisted in the 1 st Battalion in September 1914 and went overseas with the 1st Contingent. He was killed in 1916. Heather’s father and brother (both named Samuel) were also killed in the war. (Front)

Service At The Front pin given to members of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, WW I

16 Royal Canadian Artillery cap badge, WW I

Pair of WW I “dog tags” worn by 880559 Pte. J.A. Sugrue, a barber from Chatham who enlisted with the 186th Kent Overseas Battalion and served in France with the 18th Battalion.

Brass tunic button of the 1st Battalion, CEF.

Sterling silver “welcome home” medal presented by the town of Wallaceburg to those who had served in WW I (it was also given to the next of kin of those who were killed). This medal was awarded to H. Murphy. (Back)

Sterling silver “welcome home” medal presented by the town of Wallaceburg to those who had served in WW I (it was also given to the next of kin of those who were killed). This medal was awarded to H. Murphy. (Front)

British 1896 pattern infantry officer’s sword as worn by Canadian officers in WW. I. This sword was owned by Capt. Charteris, Canadian Army Medical Corps from Chatham

British 1896 pattern infantry officer’s sword as worn by Canadian officers in WW. I. This sword was owned by Capt. Charteris, Canadian Army Medical Corps from Chatham

British/Canadian steel “Brodie pattern” helmet as worn by Canadian troops beginning in early 1916. Before this, soldiers wore soft fabric caps. This helmet was used by a member of the 1st Contingent

Cap badge of the 186th Kent Overseas Battalion, 1916.

$18th Battalion CEF post war veterans\' association blazer crest and arm band.$

34th Battalion CEF sweetheart pin

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