BY Jeffrey Burke
KAWARTHA LAKES-Victor Hugo once said “What is history? An echo of the past in the future; a reflex from the future on the past.” Victor Hugo went on to write, among other things, the historical epics Les Miserable & The Hunchback of Notre Dame. So have you ever found yourself taking hold of an item and closing your eyes and asking “if only this item could talk”, or, “what has this item seen”? I have. I’ve always had a passing interest in history but this passion took off in 2018 when I went to visit “the old world” with my grandfather and a friend. After that trip, I began to collect historical items of interest (my interest!) and have since amassed a modest collection. I post some of my pieces from time to time on my Facebook page and Pamela Vanmeer took note and asked if I could write an article on a few of my favourite pieces, so here I go:
Jesus held up a coin and said to the Pharisees “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s” (Mark 12:17). A few years ago I purchased a Roman Coin from the reign of Augustus Caesar (31BC – 14AD). The Romans lived in the most advanced civilized world of antiquity. In fact, after the fall of The Roman Empire in the west, civilization did not again reach the same level of wealth and knowledge until The Renaissance in the 14th century, some 1000 years later. Rome had a financial system, and tax system, which would make even our current politicians envious. Starting with Rome’s first Emperor, Augustus Caesar (whose great-uncle was Julius Caesar), in 27bc, The Roman Emperor’s, not unlike the heads of our monarchy, placed their likeness on their currency. In Mark’s Gospel, quoted above, Jesus asked for someone to produce a Roman Coin which would be suitable for paying Caesar’s tax. He then asked whose head and inscription were on it, leading them to answer Caesar. Jesus responded with the words above which have been repeated countless times over the past 2000 years. Do I possess the coin which was held up for Jesus to look at upon request, of course not? Yet it is the same coin (denarius) that was in circulation at the time. Perhaps it was handled by one of the apostles in The Bible? Most likely it wasn’t. But it was handled by countless Romans of that time period (think of how many would handle any of our coins in their lifespan), and to me, when I look at it, hold it, and then close my eyes, I’m connected in that little way with those of that era.
Perhaps unbeknownst to some, Canada did not have an official flag until 1965. Until this time the British Red Ensign in combination with the shield of Canada was widely recognized as a national symbol (and I wish it was adopted as Canada’s national flag, much like the blue ensign was adopted in Australia). There are many different varieties of the Canadian Red Ensign as different provinces joined the confederation, all of which are difficult to find. To me, Canada was officially born during WW1. Canadians of all stripes, and in a fervour which had never been witnessed before, enlisted to travel overseas to fight for the motherland. This resulted in the greatest transport of individuals across the ocean in the history of the world! I searched high and low for not only a Canadian Red Ensign but the Red Ensign we fought under during WW1. Adding to this desire is the knowledge that my great-grandfather, great great grandfather, and two great-uncles, took part in this “war to end all wars”. Finally, I tracked down the family of a WW1 veteran who had a WW1 Canadian Red Ensign which was brought back by their grandfather. Holding this piece of history I can close my eyes and imagine both the horrors and the pride and patriotism of the brave men who fought on the European Battlefields. In the Imperial War Museum in England, there is a similar Red Ensign which was carried and planted, on Vimy Ridge after the famous battle in spring of 1917. The curator of the war museum has stated it is their most important artifact from WW1. These days when I find it hard to find a reason to take pride in this country it’s helpful to remember where we have come from, and the struggles we have faced as a country both at home and abroad. “For King and Country”.
Perhaps disturbing to some who will read this (and I apologize in advance) is this WW2 German Luftwaffe (Air Force) helmet. First, let me state that just because I possess pieces from Nazi Germany does NOT mean I adhere to their ideology. In fact I find that those who collect such pieces have an unrivalled disgust with the atrocities that Nazi Germany perpetrated, perhaps because they have a true understanding not only of the evils of this regime but the history of The Third Reich and how a proud nation like Germany ended up in that state in the first place. An important aspect of this helmet to point out: it’s the equivalent of about a size five. A child’s size. At the end of the war as Germany was being invaded on all sides and with the Germans already facing the loss of over five million soldiers they started hastily training and arming children down to the age of about 12, and older men in their fifties and sixties. How tragic and horrifying. Looking at this helmet does not connect me to a period in history that I want to remember, but a period that must be remembered. Never again.
Finally, in the same WW2 vein, these two uniforms and the framed letter signed by my hero (should a 43-year-old have a hero?) Winston Churchill. The olive uniform with the Sam Brown belt is a WW2 worn uniform of a Colonel in The Canadian Army. The red uniform is that of a soldier who fought with The Irish Guard (my ancestry leads back to Ireland on every which side). The letter from Sir Winston Churchill is addressed to an Irish Soldier since moved to Canada, who fought in Gallipoli during WW1; thanking him for a gift which the soldier sent Churchill on his 90th birthday. Churchill, perhaps the most important figure of the 20th century, and on his deathbed (he passed away about a month later) took the time to write back to this soldier thanking him for the gift. How can one not look at these two uniforms, both of men who ultimately served under Churchill, and not be inspired? During my (much-publicized) struggles of years past, days when I struggled to get out of bed, I took great solace in Churchill’s words “Never give in. Never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty, never give in ….”. Imagine if we had leaders who could rally a country to face evil like that today.
Just four pieces of hundreds which I have which help connect me to the past, both the good and the bad. Even if one doesn’t have the passion for these things such as I do I believe a good understanding of the past is important to help us move forward as a society. I believe that “cancelling” or “erasing” the past does nobody any good and just propels us towards making the same mistakes again and again. It’s perhaps the greatest of cliches but “those who forget history …..”. Thanks for reading.
