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Grandfather's war memorabilia sold

January 29, 2010 14:01

I have just been made aware of the disappearance of my grandfather's (the late Wallace Hoover) First World War uniform, rifle, bayonette, and kit from the Legion branch from which my father and I donated it to for display in Beeton (my hometown).

We had been approached by the legion in the late 1990s to ask if we would provide the equipment for a memorial display they wanted to create. We agreed.

The verbal terms were that they could have it for as long as they wanted, if they no longer wanted it then to notify us for its return.

We have found that the member of the legion who we entrusted everything to has since collected the display from the museum and sold it.

I have also found that senior members of the legion were of the impression that it was in safekeeping for future use. This was not the case.

We lent my grandfather's belongings in good faith to people known to us for years. My grandfather was a very well-known man in the area and we felt that the loan would help to generate interest in our local past. Now it's gone.

I have several concerns in this matter, my family's honour, my grandfather's property, and how can this be stopped from happening to other loaned property supplied to these places for display.

I know now the weakness of trust, and the loss of respect that apparent veterans can show for those of the past. I believe it did go to someone in the Orillia area, possibly two years ago. The display entailed a private's uniform (tunic, pants, puttee's, dress cap, steel helmet (with sand encrusted paint applied to all helmets worn in battle) shaving kit, writing kit, 303 Lee Enfield rifle circa 1918 with bolt missing, and matching bayonette and scabbard.

I've contacted Veterans Affairs, as well as the federal Legion office to see how they can help.

This is a very upsetting issue for my family and hopefully some good will come of it.

David Hoover,

Red Deer, Alta.

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