The Army Museum
5425 Sackville St Fl 3 # 200 B3J 3Y3 Halifax, NS, Canada

December 6th is the 103rd Anniversary of The Halifax Explosion. On December 6, 1917, Halifax was devastated when a munition ship and a medical supply ship collided in the Halifax Harbour. The explosion and the subsequent tsunami resulted in 2,000 dead and over 9,000 injured as well as flattening a good deal of the city. While there was a large amount of goodwill and helpfulness, there were some cases of persons taking advantage of a grave situation. These alter chairs from the #armymuseumcollection belonged to St. Mark's Church and believed to have been rescued from the arms of thieves by Garrison soldiers. http://novamuse.ca/Detail/objects/310154#

Thank you to the lovely knitting volunteers Spencer House Seniors Centre. We appreciate you taking the time to knit poppies and sell them to donate to The Army Museum.

Thank you to the Corps of Commissionaires for your support and financial donation.

In an effort to do our part to help stem the community spread of COVID-19 in Halifax, The Army Museum Halifax Citadel will no longer be open for the Victorian Christmas weekends of November 28, 29, and December 19, 20, as well as our annual opening for the Anniversary of Halifax Explosion (December 6). As much as we love providing a space of connection and reflection, our priority must be the safety of our staff, volunteers, and visitors. We hope to see you in person in the Spring and until then, be sure to check our Facebook page for stories and artifacts related to our shared Nova Scotian Military History.

Thank you to @AnaAlmeida from CTV Morning Live Atlantic for her indepth visit and discussion with our Curator, Ken Hynes. https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2074299

Thank you CTV Atlantic News Bruce Frisko for the story of a Remembrance Day unlike most. We were pleased to provide a venue for those seeking a place to connect and reflect, along with our partners Halifax Citadel and Halifax Citadel National Historic Site Parks Canada. https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/citadel-opens-doors-for-remembr

The bronze plate on the right will be installed at the gravesite of Lt Col Guy MacLean Matheson, DSO, MC, MM, in Smithfield, Rhode Island, USA, next spring. A j...oint project of The Army Museum and Matheson's grandson, Scott MacLean Monroe. #NeverForgotten Born in Inlet Baddeck Nove Scotia, Matheson joined the 25th Battalion Halifax Rifles in Halifax in 1915 at age 22. He served overseas with the battalion from 1915-1919. During the war, he was wounded in action and also mentioned in dispatches. As a sergeant, he earned the Military Medal for gallantry. In 1916, he received a battlefield commission and, as a lieutenant earned the Military Cross for his leadership of two companies under fire. Later, as a captain and then a temporary major, he received the Distinguished Service Order for gallant leadership of his battalion when the unit’s commanding officer lay wounded. Matheson married Flora (MacDonald) of Middle River, NS and had three children. After the war later moved to Woonsocket, Rhode Island and, sometime before 1941, became a naturalized U.S. citizen. Guy Matheson died on Jan. 17, 1981, at age 88 and he is buried at Union Cemetery, North Smithfield, Rhode Island.

On this date in 1926, A.A. Milne publishes "Winnie the Pooh". Harry D. Colebourn (April 12, 1887 September 24, 1947), a Canadian veterinarian and soldier with... the Royal Canadian Army Veterinary Corps, is known for donating a bear cub named "Winnie" (short for "Winnipeg") to the London Zoo. "Winnie" is the inspiration for A. A. Milne's story; tales about his son, Christopher Robin, and Christopher's stuffed animals - Pooh Bear, Eeyore, Piglet, and Tigger. See more

Many thanks to the more than 250 people who visited our Museum on this Remembrance Day. It was a different, yet memorable day of reflection, made all the more so by your thoughtful comments. #WeRememberThem

The Canadian attack to the north of the village Passendale on 10 November 1917 , to improve a few Allied positions, is the official end of the Battle of Passche...ndaele. The result of the campaign was, as a whole, lamentable. After 103 days the offensive ground to a halt on the ridge, after gains of just eight kilometres at its most successful point. There were an estimated 600,000 dead, wounded and missing. (Image: Reginald Le Brun with his machine gun at Passchendaele, 14 November 1917, Canadian War Museum, CO2246) See more

One man's war - This lot of 94 letters was written and sent from a Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical Engineer during the #SecondWorldWar. The letters were sent home to Mom (in Wolfville) and Dad (the Aldershot camp barber). The letters take you from training in Ontario, Overseas to Italy, and finally to Holland post war. Amazing journey. Amazing letters.

This Wednesday, November 11 - The Army Museum Halifax Citadel will be open from 10 am to 2 pm. The museum will be following our Covid-19 protocols including asking visitors to wear a mask inside the museum and limiting the numbers within each casemate of the museum. We will however have our friendly Army Museum volunteer docents in each casemate for queries and conversation. Admission is free. ... #lestweforget2020 #WeRememberThem

On this date in 1916, Piper James Richardson of the 16th Battalion, C.E.F. (Canadian Scottish) earns a posthumous Victoria Cross on the Somme in France, during ...the Battle of the Ancre Heights at Regina Trench. His company was held up by very strong wire and came under intense fire. Piper Richardson, who had obtained permission to play the company 'over the top' strode up and down outside the wire playing his pipes, which so inspired the company that the wire was rushed and the position captured. Later, he was detailed to take back a wounded comrade and some prisoners, but after proceeding some distance he insisted on turning back to recover his pipes which he had left behind. He was never seen again. See more

On this date in 1926, Amherst NS native, The Honourable James Layton Ralston, PC, KC, CMG, DSO is appointed Minister of National Defence. Wounded four times and... decorated for gallantry in the Great War, he serves as an officer with the 85th Canadian Infantry Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders), and commands the Battalion in 1918. Ralston later pursues a career as a professional soldier in Canada's post-war army, rising to the rank of Colonel in 1924. During the Second World War, he serves as a Member of Parliament, Minister of Finance and, again, as Minister of National Defence. He resigns in 1944 and dies 4 years later. See more

In recognition of Treaty Day 2020, we honour the service of Sergeant Sam Gloade (Glode), DCM (April 20, 1878 October 25, 1957). He was a decorated Mi'kmaq sol...dier from Milton, Nova Scotia, who served in the Great War. He earned the Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallantry, as well as the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. His is one of the stories that we highlight inside the Army Museum. Visit us to learn more. #treatyday2020 See more

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On this date in 1944, Canadian troops capture Boulogne sur mer, France after six days of fighting. During "Operation Wellhit" (17 to 22 September), 9th Canadian... Infantry Brigade, including the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, plays a significant role and Battle Honours are granted to all 3rd Canadian Infantry Division and 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade units. See more

Today in History - 21 September - United Nations World Peace Day This U.N. baseball cap from the #armymuseumcollection was part of the uniform for Canadian Logistics Battalion Operation Danaca, United Nations Disengagement Observer Force monitoring zone of separation of Israel and Syria circa 2000. This artifact can be seen on NovaMuse http://www.novamuse.ca/Detail/objects/412484

Today in History - 17 September 1944 - Operation Market Garden began. This operation was part of the larger attempt to clear the coasts and create a path to the English Channel. Operation Market was an attempt to capture a bridgehead North of the Rhine at Arnhem and was led by British and American airborne divisions. This artifact from the #armymuseumcollection is a 'souvenir ticket' made from the metal of one of the crashed gliders from the Battle of Arnhem. This artifact can be seen online via NovaMuse here - http://www.novamuse.ca/Detail/objects/394163

On this date in 1916, John Chipman Kerr, from Fox River, Nova Scotia and serving with the 49th Battalion (Edmonton) at the Battle of Courcelette in France, ear...ns the Victoria Cross. Under heavy fire until he is in close contact with the enemy, he opens fire at point-blank range, inflicting heavy losses. The enemy, thinking that they are surrounded, surrender and 62 prisoners are taken, with 250 yards of enemy trench captured. Earlier, Private Kerr's fingers are blown off, but he doesn't have his wound dressed until he and two other men escort the prisoners, under fire, and report for duty. 'Chip' Kerr is the only one of four Nova Scotians who receive the VC to survive the Great War. He goes on to serve as a Sergeant in the RCAF during the Second World War and he passes away in February 1963. See more

On this date in 1939, Canada declares war on Germany. By 1945, 1.1 million Canadians serve in the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Air Force, and in forces across the Commonwealth. During the Second World War, 45,000 are killed and another 55,000 wounded.

On this date in 1914, The Royal Canadian Regiment sails from Halifax for garrison duty in Bermuda. The RCR would later serve in France and Begium as one of thre...e NS Infantry Regiments of the Canadian Corps, the others being the Nova Scotia Rifles (25th Battalion) and the Nova Scotia Highlanders (85th Battalion). See more

Looking for something cool to do this long weekend? The Halifax Citadel & The Army Museum is open every day from 10am-4:30pm. Our amazing staff would love to see you! #halifaxcitadel #StaycationInspiration #CitadelHill #MilitaryHistory #NoonGun #Halifax #DowntownHalifax