Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
1998.05.24 |
Object Name |
Jacket, Military |
Date |
c. 1939 |
Year Range from |
1939 |
Year Range to |
1945 |
Features |
Battledress jacket, short, 2 breast pockets with hidden buttons on triangular flap, one on each side, 2 metal buttons on collar, long sleeves with attached cuff which fastens with metal buttons, 2 shoulder patches on each shoulder, white embroidered on green felt, two red and white diamond shaped and raised, one on each shoulder strap, at bottom of right sleeve is khaki felt embrodiered service patch with 3 red and 1 white chevrons, shoulder straps on ech shoulder with metal buttons, underarm vent hole each side, gathered at bottom back into waist band extending to belt buckle, 5 hidden buttons down front, inside breast pockets on both sides. |
Object Story |
This jacket was made by Tip Top Tailors in Toronto around 1939 and then worn by Harry Babcock during his service on the home front during World War Two. Harold "Harry" Leroy Babcock was born on December 12th, 1896 to Simon Babcock and Elizabeth Shultz in Yarker, Ontario. At age 19 Harry enlisted into the 146th Battalion on December 10th, 1915 and attended training until around 1917. Between April 1917 and May 1918, Harry served in the 20th Battalion (Toronto) Canadian Expeditionary Force (C.E.F.) on the front lines. In May 1918 he was recommended for a commission to the Royal Air Force and after acceptance, served in the force as a 2nd lieutenant until December of 1918. He was officially discharged on July 7th, 1919 and returned to Canada. In between the wars Harry first served as a cadet leader in the 45th Napanee Collegiate cadets between October 1919 and December 1920. He then became a 2nd Lieutenant (December 1920) in the Frontenac Regiment later being promoted to a Lieutenant (December 1923), Captain (July 1924), Major (June 1928) and finally Lieutenant Colonel as the commanding officer of the regiment (May 1933 to December 1936). It is also in this period that he married Ruth Kerr Wright, a school teacher from Dufferin County, on August 5th,1926 and had their 3 sons Harold (1930-2007), Richard (b.1935) and Neil (b.1937). During World War Two Harry remained in Canada and taught at Canadian Artillery Training Centers for the duration of the war. By the end of the war Harry was ranked as a Lieutenant Colonel and had served for a total of 40 years and 11 months. Across these 40 years he was awarded 5 service medals including (as pictured from left to right): The British War Medal (awarded for a Canadian's service in WWI), the Victory/ Inter-War Allied Medal (awarded for a person's service in WWII), a Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (awarded for 18+ months of service during WWII), the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal which was awarded on the occasion of the 25th year of the accession of King George V to the throne and finally a Canadian Efficiency Decoration (awarded for 20 total years of military service). Beyond his military service, Harry was a participant of the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment Officers Association, a member of the Royal Canadian Legion and owned a general store in Conway, Ontario with his wife, Ruth. He was such a devoted member to the Royal Canadian Legion that the Napanee Branch of the organization is named after him. Harry passed away on July 20th, 1980 at the age of 83 and was buried in the family burial site in St. Paul's Anglican Church Cemetery in Sandhurst, Ontario. In 2000, his wife Ruth was buried beside him after she passed away at the age of 94. |
People |
Babcock, Harry Babcock, Harry Le Roy Babcock, Harry LeRoy, Col. Babcock, Harry Lt. Col. Babcock, Ruth Babcock, Ruth Wright, 1906- |
Subjects |
1930's 1940's Clothing & dress Costumes Military Military officers Military personnel Military uniforms People associated with military activities Uniforms World War II |
Search Terms |
146th Battalion 146th Battalion (First World War) 1930s 1940's 20th Battalion Conway Dufferin County Military Napanee Uniform Uniform, Military Uniform, World War One Uniforms World War One World War Two |