Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
974.C120A |
Object Name |
Tunic |
Year Range from |
1939 |
Year Range to |
1945 |
Features |
Officer's Tropical Mess Kit Tunic, RCAA, WWII, 1939-45. Khaki wool-linen worsted, linings etc. of unbleached cotton twill and rayon satin. Maker's label inside: "SMITH'S, PEMBROKE, ONTARIO" & FASHION CRAFT MAKERS" "MAJOR C.D.SILLS 15/8/41 #: 4634" "INDIVIDUALLY TAILORED". Single breasted, 3 button front. 4 flaped, buttoned pockets, turned and notched collar, back seam and back vent buttons: 6 small, 3 large, die-cut or stamped brass, hollow, with loops on back to take split pink. Shows a Field Gun on a Carriage, a CROWN and "CANADA" On reverse: "WM. SCULLY LTD MONTREAL" Shoulder Badges: All brass, cut-out letters "CANADA" joined in a bar top and bottom. Loops for split pins. see 974C120 Ribbon bar pins: (2) upper, longer, 3 ribbons lower, shorter, 2 ribbons Shoulder Patches: faded blue felt diamond UNIT BADGE RCAA service stripes - 1 silver, 3 red, chevron shaped on felt backing respresent 1 year each |
Object Story |
This tunic is a part of a mess dress uniform, informally known as a mess kit that was made by Smith's in Pembroke. These types of uniforms are worn as formal evening attire for mess dinners. Once made, the uniform was issued to Charles Sills to wear during his service during World War Two. Charles Daniel Sills was born on January 28th 1896 to Albert Martin Sills and Sophia Sills (nee Withers) in Gretna on their family farm. He attended schools in Gretna and Napanee before moving to Belleville to complete his post-secondary education at Albert College. On July 26th, 1916, before completing his college education, Charles enlisted into the Canadian Expeditionary Forces at 20 years old. He first served as a gunner in the 4th division of the Canadian army. He then moved on to serve in the Royal Canadian Artillery (RCAA) while they took Vimy Ridge and the following occupation of the location in April of 1917. Sometime between July and November of 1917, Charles was moved to Passchendaele, Belgium where he is noted to have been gassed while he "poured shells into enemy trenches". After World War One, Charles joined the militia through which he took the military staff course in Kingston. He then became a commanding officer for the 47th artillery battery in Napanee. Around 1918, he moved to Toronto where he studied pharmaceuticals, graduating from the program in 1922. In 1923, Charles married Mabel Grumbell moving back to the Napanee area together. In the 1930s Charles and his wife opened Sill's Drug Store on Dundas Street in Napanee. When World War Two broke out, Charles returned to the 47th artillery battery in Petawawa where he was promoted to Major. Due to his age he was unable to join the overseas forces so Charles remained on the home front. He first stayed in Petawawa to serve as a chief instructor for the Majors' Training course as well as the general staff officer between 1939 and 1942. In 1944, he was shipped to the Halifax garrison in Nova Scotia to become the commanding officer of the 21st anti-aircraft regiment. During his service in the Canadian forces Major Charles Sills was awarded five medals. This included: The Defense Medal for serving during WWII for at least 3 years in an area subjected to air attack, The Victory Medal for serving in WWI, the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal for volunteering 18 or more months of service in WWII, the 1939-1945 Service Medal for serving more than 28 days during WWII and finally a Canadian Efficiency Decoration, which indicates 20 years of service (wartime is considered double time), with a Canadian Bar, which indicates the decoration was awarded twice. Beyond his service Charles continued his ownership of his drug store until he retired to Toronto with his wife in the 1970s. In Napanee he attended Trinity United Church and was a member of the 127th Royal Canadian Legion, the Freemasons and the Napanee Housing Authority. Charles Sills passed away on Dec 13th, 1987 at the age of 91. |
People |
Grumbell, Mabel Sills, Charles Sills, Charles Daniel, 1896-1987 Sills, Charles Daniel, 1896-1988 |
Subjects |
1940's Clothing & dress Costumes Military Military life Military personnel Military uniforms People associated with health & safety People associated with military activities Pharmacists Uniforms World War I World War II |
Search Terms |
1940's 47th (Napanee) Field Battery RCA 47th Field Battery RCA 47th Field Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery Belleville Belleville, Albert College Fredericksburgh Gretna Halifax, Nova Scotia Napanee Napanee, Sill's Drug Store Passchendaele Petawawa Petawawa, Canadian Forces Base Toronto Toronto Canada Vimy Ridge World War One World War One, soldiers World War Two World War Two, soldiers |