WWII TORCHES, LAMPS, AND LIGHTS
Wednesday 29 March 2023 saw at our “micro” museum located at “SEBARMS Guns, Gear and Collectibles” an exhibit of torches, lamps and lights used by British and Canadian troops during WWII.
Claude Villeneuve of Valor Park Association (VPA) brought a variety of British, Canadian, and American torches, lamps and lights from his collection of WWII British and Canadian Airborne Forces artifacts.
Here is the list of objects that were on display.
The difficult part is first to correctly identify the battery used in each torch, lamp and light. Then you have to find it! Since many of these batteries are now either obsolete or European types, an adapter must be used. If a correct adapter cannot be found, one must be made. Here are the modern adapters in the collection.
While every piece is unique, some are more unique! The British Ever Ready (1940) torch is one of them. The torch belonged to Staff Sargent (SSgt) James Harley Wallwork, recipient of the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM). Member of the Glider Pilot Regiment, he will achieve fame as pilot of the first Horsa glider to land at Pegasus Bridge in the early hours of D-Day, 6 June 1944. That mission, called Operation DEADSTICK, was described as “the greatest feat of flying of the second world war”, by Air Chief Marshal Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory. SSgt Wallwork, who immigrated to Canada in 1957, is celebrated and commemorated in many films, books, articles and even on a British stamp! He died aged 93 in 2013.
There will be more to see from our Quartermaster so…come to see us! The VPA’s “micro” Museum is located at SEBARMS Guns, Gear and Collectibles, 11569 – 149 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T5M 1W9. The hours of operation are:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: from 10:00 hrs -15:00 hrs (10am to 3pm)
- Wednesday: from 10am to 3pm (10am to 3pm)
- Thursday: from 10am to 3pm (10am to 3pm)
- Friday: from 10am to 3pm (10am to 3pm)
- Saturday: Closed (except for special engagements).
- Sunday: Closed
Until next time,
The Quartermaster
