VPA – FROM THE QUARTERMASTER… Volume 1

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.

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.

British Lamp Electric, № 1 (WB 1501)

Powered by one 3V Battery, Dry, Ever Ready № 800.

British Lamp Electric Traffic, № 2 (WB 3190)

Powered by one 3V Battery, Dry, Ever Ready № 800.

British Lamp Electric, № 4 (WB 2522)

Powered by one 4,5V Battery, Dry, Ever Ready № 1289.

British Torch Hand Watertight, № 4 (WB 3841)

Powered by one 1,5V Battery, Dry, Ever Ready № 1289.

British Lamp Spot Electric with Helmet Clip (WD 3198)

Powered by one 3V Battery, Dry, Ever Ready № 800.

British The Orilux Torch

Powered by one 4,5V Battery, Dry, Ever Ready № 1289.

British Torch, Bijou (WW1, Early WW2)

Powered by one 3V Battery, Dry, Ever Ready № 8 (Bijou).

British Ever Ready (1940)

Powered by four 1,5V Batteries, Dry, Type D
(BA-42 US Military Spec).

Canadian Torch Allbright Streamliner (1945)

Powered by a two 1,5V Batteries, Dry, Type D (BA-42 US Military Spec).

US Army Flashlight TL-122B

Powered by a two 1,5V Batteries, Dry, Type D (BA-42 US Military Spec).

British Lamp, Signalling, Daylight, Short Range

Powered by eight 1,5V Batteries, Cell, Dry X, Mk I. (Total 12V)

BritishTorches, Electric, Type J (Signal)

Powered by three 1,5V Batteries, Dry, Type D (BA-42 US Military Spec). (Total 4,5V).

British Lamp, Aiming, MG Mk III (BD 2059)

Powered by two 1,5V Batteries, Cell, Dry X, Mk I. (Total 3V)

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.

British Battery, Dry, Ever Ready № 800 3V

Adapter using two Type C batteries.

British Battery, Ever Ready № 1289 (IEC 3LR12 – alkaline) (IEC 3R12 – carbon‑zinc) 4,5V

Adapter using three Type A batteries

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.

Normandy, 2004. Jim Wallwork with Prince Charles (now King Charles III), in the cockpit of a replica Horsa glider. (Getty)

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

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Help us preserve history.

These historic firearms do not need to be crushed or destroyed.

Donate your prohibited firearm or firearm to the Valour Park Association. We have a prohibited firearms licence and can accept any firearm, including Prohibited Firearms.

Questions? Contact Hans J. Brink, CFSC Instructor.
780-906-6820