Today is Vimy Ridge Day

The following is from our exhibition “A War Without End” and details Len Bertram and Charles Mitson’s involvement in the battle of Vimy Ridge.

In early April 1917 the 20th Battalion, part of the 2nd Division, was training in the Thelus sector located between Vimy and Arras. The arterial barrage that preceded the offensive had begun and Len – recently promoted to Captain — reported that until the 9th “there was only the usual trench routine except that our guns were very busy smashing up the Hun”.

Len was at HQ for most of the engagement, but Charlie worked with the Signal Section, manning the Brigade Report Centre overnight on April 8. After that they were held in reserve, except for three unnamed signallers who were assigned to the Scout Section. Perhaps Charlie was one of these three.

The cold and wet weather created miserable conditions for the men of the 20th who, through the night of April 9, remained outside consolidating the gains they had made during the day. April 10 saw them continue their advance.

By April 11 the 20th were in the Main Resistance Line in support of the 18th and 21st Battalions. They worked improving trenches, connecting rifle pits, and digging funk holes.

By nightfall on April 12, the Canadian Corps had control of Vimy Ridge. The cost: 3,598 killed and 7,004 wounded. The dead included Len’s friend and Gimme Club pal, Campbell Gwyn.

Charles Mitson in front of his home on Market Street before going off to war.

Lennard Bertram (left) and his life-long friend Arthur Turner in 1917.

Happy Archives Awareness Week!

It’s Archives Awareness Week in Ontario and we are celebrating!

A small pop-up exhibit called “Documenting Dissent” highlights some of the records from the Lesslie Family fonds. If you are familiar with the Dundas Museum, you know that some of the most intriguing documents we have were created or maintained by the Lesslie Family, who, while distinguished in their own right, are not as well known as their friend William Lyon Mackenzie.

The documents on display all relate to John Lesslie. They include a draft petition William Lyon Mackenzie sent to John in 1831; John Lesslie’s diary; and selections from his political scrapbook. The scrapbook contains a wealth of information about meetings and debates and the political attitude of the time. Posters, clippings, and articles are packed into this book, making their display difficult, but not impossible for a short term exhibit.

This exhibit will complement a talk given on Thursday, April 9 by Archivist Sandra Kiemele called “Using the Durham Banner to tell the Stories of Dundas Families”. John Lesslie’s diary provides evidence of meetings in Dundas to discuss Lord Durham’s report and the names of those participating are included. The stories of some of those named in the diary will be told. The talk is part of the Dundas Valley Historical Society Speaker Series and begins at 7:30pm at the Museum. There is a small admission fee for this talk which benefits the DVHS.

Given the fragile nature of the documents on display, “Documenting Dissent” will conclude on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

This poster issued by Dr. James Hamilton was kept in John Lesslie’s scrapbook. It was issued on July 22, 1839, days before the meeting in Dundas was scheduled. Did the Reformers defy Dr. Hamilton and bring the banner to the meeting anyway?