The Military Collectors Club of Canada, founded in Edmonton in 1963, will hold its annual show and sale on Saturday, June 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Edmonton Inn. The event showcases thousands of military artifacts spanning Canada's war history from the War of 1812 to the conflict in Afghanistan.
Rare artifacts on display
Visitors will see medals, badges, documents, photographs, flags, books, and model soldiers, with many collectors specializing in specific war eras. Among the highlights is an antique tea towel autographed during the Boer War, featuring signatures from famed First World War doctor and poet John McCrae, Lord Kitchener of Khartoum, and Boy Scout founder Robert Baden-Powell. Representatives of the 49th Loyal Edmonton Regiment will also present their collection.
Club president encourages public participation
Club president Doug Styles described the show as a show-and-tell for attendees. "If you find something in your attic or you find something in the basement that's military, you don't know what it is, don't throw it out, bring it to us, we'll help you discover what it is," he said. "Hopefully we can spur on some collectors out there."
Personal collecting journey
Styles has been collecting militaria since age 10, when he discovered an old tobacco tin containing his father's pilot wings and badges. "I started asking him about it, and he'd tell his stories. I've got photographs of him in uniform. I've communicated with people that knew him during the war," he recalled. "That's how a lot of collectors actually started collecting. They found something that belonged to their dad, uncle, grandfather."
Researching medal recipients
Styles is on a mission to collect medal groups from every campaign Canadians fought in, with medals dating back to the War of 1812 and as recent as Afghanistan. Using online resources such as newspapers, photos, and military records, he researches recipients to uncover their stories. "I delve in, I find out about what this individual came from, where they were born, when they enlisted, where they served, and by getting the documents, you can actually pinpoint exactly on a map where they were when," he explained.
One of his discoveries is the story of Linton Blair Yule, principal at King Edward School in Strathcona, who joined the 56th Battalion in Calgary in 1915. Yule was awarded the Military Cross on Nov. 14, 1916, for "conspicuous gallantry in action. He led forward with great skill and determination. He retained his position throughout the day showing great courage under a very heavy artillery fire," according to the citation from King George.
Global reach of the club
The Military Collectors Club of Canada, formed in Edmonton in 1963, has since developed chapters worldwide, including in Europe and Asia. The annual show serves as a gathering for enthusiasts and a chance for the public to learn about military history through tangible artifacts.
