history – The Advocate-Equalizer

The World Famous Gopher Hole Museum & Gift Shop.

Needing a brief escape from the city, an old friend was doing a bit of a road trip on Saturday and invited me along for some company. The initial plan was to visit another friend of ours in Medicine Hat but, she was working, so we headed out apparently with no particular place to go until I was told about “plan b”, which involved retrieving some personal items from a place in Torrington, which is about 160km (99 miles) to the north-east of Calgary. I had never been before, so it would be another place to add to the list of places I’ve been.

The Menace and the Mascot.

Here on the prairies the ubiquitous Richardson’s Ground Squirrel, better known as the gopher, is a rodent that is a menace to some and at the same time a mascot to others. Ranchers and farmers have lost livestock to broken legs resulting from stepping in a gopher hole, and they will work to eradicate the rodents using any means at their disposal. Many an enterprising teenaged boy would use a .22 caliber rifle to hunt gophers for local farmers and ranchers offering a bounty on gopher tails. Modern methods employ the pumping of propane or natural gas into their underground tunnels and then igniting it. Gophers are also known to be carriers of yersenia pestis, better known as the bacteria that causes the bubonic plague, so Alberta can be rat-free as much as we want, we’re still at risk for the disease that originally gave rats a bad name.

These same ranchers and farmers could very well be fans of the CFLs Saskatchewan Roughriders, whose team mascot ironically is a gopher named Gainer (which sounds much better than Ricky the Richardson’s Ground Squirrel), while fans of NCAA football and basketball are also likely to be at least somewhat familiar with the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers.

*https://mascothalloffame.com/mascots/gainer-the-gopher/*

What About Gophers?

According to the legend it was back in the mid-1990s when some local volunteers began to think of a way to drum up tourism in their quaint, yet out of the way little hamlet. After a lady offered gophers as a solution, the co-founder and village mayor Otto Kurta thought it was just crazy enough to work, for two or three years maybe. In 2021, the World Famous Gopher Hole Museum celebrated its 25th anniversary, and there’s no sign of things slowing down.

Also the Local Abandoned Cat & Kitten Drop-off.

I was also informed by my guide that this location was known to be where people could drop off unwanted cats or kittens in the hopes that someone would give them a good home. There was a friendly Maine Coon greeting visitors by rubbing against their legs and offering up a meow that seemed to say “welcome”.

The museum is open daily, and quite reliably, between 10am and 5pm during the summer months. I say this because the local watering hole in the hotel is kind of hit and miss as to when it opens, so it’s always best to check ahead.

Improving and Expanding.

So successful has the museum been that it is looking to expand.

Colourful Visitors Map.

Every tourist attraction you visit has a map of the world on the wall covered in pins from all the various places around the globe visitors have come from. This of course naturally raises the question of whether or not anyone actually travelled 10,000 miles with the express purpose of visiting the Gopher Museum? We may never truly know the answer to this question but I would like to think at least one person has.

Gift Shop.

Immediately upon entering the museum you are in the gift shop, which has the standard gift shop fare. I myself would recommend the classic “So and so went to the World Famous Gopher Hole Museum and all I got was this crappy shirt”. I figure you can never go wrong with that.

The Exhibit Hall.

Caution! Read top item before proceeding.

If you choose to enter the “Exhibit Hall” know that the risk of contracting the plague is beyond extremely low, as these gophers would have been deemed “flea free” from the time of taxidermy.

To be honest I really didn’t know what the hell to expect. I mean a gopher hole is just a hole in the ground, and if you’ve seen one you’ve seen the millions upon millions of others. What the curators of this museum are offering us is a glimpse down the gopher hole, using the town as a backdrop for a unique diorama.

Enjoy.

Torrington Hotel.

Fortunately for us the hotel bar was open during our visit and I can say that the artist did a great job on capturing how the place really looks.

Torrington Treasury Branch.

All gun control will do is put the guns in the paws of the criminal critter element.

Olds RCMP Detachment.

Meanwhile 35km away at the Olds RCMP detachment….

Torrington Public Library.

Torrington’s Beauty Salon.

The Old Fishing Hole

Silver Willow Senior Citizens

Torrington Community Hall.

Parade Day.

I can only guess that they are referring to the Stampede Parade in Calgary since I couldn’t find record of any gopher parades in Torrington.

Gopher Olympics

Torrington Post Office

Prehistoric Times

Moonlight Romance.

I guess my only issue with this would be Honda Goldwing.

Grain elevators.

Torrington arena.

Trinity Lutheran Church.

Torrington Fire Department.

Village office.

Torrington Mobile Home Park.

Pizza ‘N’ More Eh.

Albert GoFur.

Serenity garden.

Barrie’s & Bernies Diner.

Torrington Welcomes Tourists.

Torrington Fertilizer Plant.

Old Train Station.

Hunting Season.

Old Tyme Music Jamboree.

Village Campground.

There’s more to see when you visit Torrington, Alberta’s odd little claim to fame, so if you have any gopher-related vacation plans this summer (like who doesn’t am I right?) or just happen to be in the neighborhood, make sure you drop by.

https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/west-s-weirdest-quirky-alberta-gopher-museum-celebrates-25-years-1.5536631

How to recognize the campaign stars and medals Canadian troops earned during The Great War, World War 2, and the Korean War.

Second World War veteran George Morash is accompanied by Major Kent Griffiths, curator the Calgary Highlanders Museum and Archive, as they pause at the eternal flame following events during D-Day ceremonies at the Military Museums in Calgary on Thursday, June 6, 2024. Jim Wells/Postmedia

https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/d-day-80th-anniversary-commemoration-at-the-military-museums

I wasn’t able to attend the D-Day commemoration ceremonies at the Military Museums yesterday morning, however, I was able to stop in at my new home Legion Branch #285 (Calgary Centennial) later on to grab a bite and a beer at around one o’clock. Just as I reached the front door, branch president Kent Griffiths was about to walk out with George Morash, helping the veteran and fellow Calgary Highlander to his car. I held the door open for them, thanking the World War Two veteran for his service as he passed me.

By that time the majority of the senior-most of the “Old Guard” had left the building or were about to depart shortly and I recalled similar occasions from long ago when the oldest of the Old Guard were the veterans of 1914-18. That generation is gone now, and it won’t be long before the WWII generation joins them in the pages of history. It was strange not to see any of the Great War vets and it will seem stranger still to me to no longer see any vets from 1939-1945. Every year they get fewer and fewer, and so do our opportunities to honor and thank them for the sacrifices that they had made in their younger days.

Service Medals and Campaign Stars.

Pretty much universally military medals and decorations fall into one of three categories:

Service Medals – Typically these indicate participation in a specific conflict during a specified time and tend to be widely distributed among troops.
Campaign Stars – Indicate participation in areas within an active combat area, in the presence of an armed enemy.
Awards for bravery or distinguished service – for example the Victoria Cross or DSO.

Only the first two will be covered here.

1914-18 The War to End All Wars.

In February 2010, the last known Canadian World War One Veteran, John Babcock, passed away at his home in Spokane, Washington. Nevermore would these decorations be seen on the chest of a veteran who had earned them.

1914-1915 Star

Awarded to all who saw service in any theatre of war against the central powers between 5 August 1914 and 31 December 1915 except those eligible for the 1914 Star. Many Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) small ships were entitled to this star, as Canada considered ‘overseas’ to be service beyond the three mile limit.

British War Medal

The medal was awarded to all ranks of Canadian overseas military forces who came from Canada between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918, or who had served in a theatre of war. Those who had enlisted in the Overseas Military Forces of Canada (OMFC) in the United Kingdom and had not served in a theatre of war were not entitled to this medal.
The requirements for Royal Air Force (RAF) personnel were the same as for the Army. Naval personnel were required to have 28 days of mobilized service or to have lost their lives before this period of service was complete. Seamen of the Canadian Merchant Marine who served at sea not less than six months, and crews of Dominion Government Ships and the Canadian Mercantile Marine were also eligible.

Victory Medal (Inter-Allied War Medal)

Awarded to all ranks of the fighting forces, to civilians under contract, and others employed with military hospitals who actually served on the establishment of a unit in a theatre of war between 05 August 1914 and 11 November 1918 (inclusive). It was also awarded to members of the British Naval mission to Russia 1919 – 1920 and for mine clearance in the North Sea between 11 November 1918 and 30 November 1919. This medal was always issued with the British War Medal.

World War 2 – The Greatest Generation.

There were 13 service medals and campaign stars available to be awarded to Canadian soldiers, sailors, and airmen during WW2 in numerous colours and patterns. These troops were not limited to being awarded only these decorations however, as several were often decorated with honours from other countries such as the French Legion of Honor, so if you happen to see a medal being worn by someone that isn’t listed here, that is the reason why that is.

My maternal grandmother had five brothers who fought in Europe, all came home physically intact. Uncle Johnny, Uncle Tommy, Uncle Alfred, Uncle Bill, and Uncle Donald all volunteered although I can only ever remember seeing Uncle Bill and Uncle Donald wearing their medals on their respective blazers. They told some stories about the war, but by and large, it was something they didn’t really talk about much.

1939-1945 Star

Atlantic Star

Air Crew Europe Star

Arctic Star

Granted for operational service of any length, from September, 3, 1939, to May 8, 1945 inclusive, north of the Arctic Circle (66 degrees, 32’N) on the Greenland Sea, Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea.
Eligibility is defined as follows:
Navy and Merchant Navy – Eligibility for Naval and Merchant Navy service anywhere at sea north of the Arctic Circle is to include, but is not limited exclusively to, those ships participating in, and in support of, convoys to North Russia.
Air Force – Aircrew of the Royal Canadian Air Force will be eligible if they landed north of the Arctic Circle or served in the air over this area. Non-aircrew on operational service in the area are also eligible.
Army – Army personnel serving in His Majesty’s Canadian ships or in defensively equipped Merchant ships qualify under the rules applying to the Navy or Merchant Navy. In addition, personnel taking part in land operations north of the Arctic Circle will also be eligible.
General – Service on the Greenland Sea outside of the coastal limit, Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea within the Arctic Circle are areas of service for eligibility to this star.
General – Eligibility to the Arctic Star has no effect upon eligibility for Second World War recognition previously awarded and does not suggest automatic eligibility for any further awards.

Africa Star

The star was awarded for a minimum one day service in an operational area of North Africa between 10 June 1940 and 12 May 1943. **Bars** First Army: Awarded for service with that army between 08 November 1942 and 12 May 1943. A ‘1’ is worn on the ribbon in undress to denote this bar.
Eighth Army: Awarded for service with that army between 23 October 1942 and 12 May 1943. An ‘8’ is worn on the ribbon in undress to denote this bar.
North Africa 1942-1943: Awarded for service with the Navy, Merchant Navy, Air Force or headquarters of the 18th Army Group between 23 October 1942 and 12 May 1943. In undress, a rosette on the ribbon denotes this bar.
Only one bar is worn and when the ribbon is worn alone a ribbon emblem, ‘8’, ‘1’ or silver rosette as appropriate is worn to denote the award of a bar.

Pacific Star

The star was awarded for one day or more of operational service in the Pacific between 08 December 1941 and 02 September 1945.
Navy and Merchant Navy personnel are eligible if the 1939-45 Star is earned by six months service or if they entered the Pacific Theatre between 2 March 1945 and 2 September 1945.

Burma Star

France and Germany Star

*The star was awarded for one day or more of service in France, Belgium, Holland or Germany between 06 June 1944 (D-Day) and 08 May 1945.*

Italy Star

*Awarded for one day operational service in Sicily or Italy between 11 June 1943 and 08 May 1945.*

Defence Medal

Although the medal was usually awarded to Canadians for six months service in Britain between 03 September 1939 and 08 May 1945, the exact terms were: Service in the forces in non-operational areas subjected to air attack or closely threatened, providing such service lasted for three or more years. Service overseas or outside the country of residence, providing that such service lasted for one year, except in territories threatened by the enemy or subject to bomb attacks, in which case it was six months prior to 02 September 1945.
Under the terms of this last condition, Canadians serving for one year in Newfoundland were eligible and persons serving for six months in Hong Kong were also eligible. The qualifying period in mine and bomb disposal was three months. Canadians serving in West Africa, Palestine and India, other than operational air crew, qualified for this medal. Those awarded the George Cross (GC) or George Medal (GM) for civil defence received this medal. Home Guard and others in Britain qualified for this medal.

Canadian Volunteer Service Medal

The CVSM is granted to persons of any rank in the Naval, Military or Air Forces of Canada who voluntarily served on Active Service and honourably completed eighteen months total voluntary service from 3 September 1939 to 1 March 1947.

Newfoundland Volunteer Service Medal

The government of Newfoundland and Labrador shall award a medal to every person:
who volunteered and served in units or organizations raised or maintained as the contribution of the Dominion of Newfoundland to the allied war effort, namely, the British Imperial Forces, the Newfoundland Overseas Forestry Unit, the Merchant Navy and the Newfoundland Regiment, or, a unit or organization prescribed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council; and
who is ineligible for or has not received a volunteer war service medal from another country.

War Medal 1939-1945

Awarded to all full-time personnel of the Armed Forces and Merchant Marines for serving for 28 days between 03 September 1939 and 02 September 1945. In the Merchant Navy, the 28 days must have been served at sea.

Bars

Hong Kong Bar

Bomber Command Bar

Dieppe Bar

The Korean War.

Sitting at an empty table, I ordered a bottle of Pilsener beer and a plate of grilled perogies with sour cream, onions, and bacon bits for lunch. A couple of tables away sat a Korean War veteran, enjoying a cold beer with his son. I would come to find out that his name was Sam and before I left I wanted to pay him a visit. I told him that I had an uncle who had fought in Korea and he told me that he served in the Navy during the war. I thanked him for his service, and he said he didn’t think many people would even recognize his medals, but I did. He gave me a firm handshake, and I told him I wanted to buy him that beer he was drinking. His son had just paid the bill, but I left him some money to cover his next one and told Sam that he had already paid for that beer a long time ago.

Korea – First Conflict of The Cold War and to see UN Participation.

It was in the Korean War that troops from the United Nations would make their premiere appearance, and they would do things slightly different than before. Whenever they were deployed, UN troops were seen to be on a “mission” as opposed to being on “campaign”, thusly there were no United Nations “Campaign Stars” awarded despite troops potentially being engaged in a hot-shooting war scenario. Instead they were considered “service medals”.

Canadian Korea Medal

*Awarded to Canadian military personnel for one day on the strength of an army unit in Korea; or 28 days afloat; or one sortie over Korea by a member of the RCAF, 02 July 1950 – 27 July 1953.*

Canadian Volunteer Service Medal for Korea

Established in 1991 for service between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954. A former member of the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army or the Royal Canadian Air Force is eligible to be awarded the medal where the member:
was in the Canadian armed forces during all or part of the period from 27 June 1950 to 27 July 1954:
was in the qualifying area (defined as Korea and the adjacent areas, including Japan, Okinawa and Korean waters); and
during the period referred to in (a),was on the strength of an army unit or formation in Korea for at least one day;
was on active service for at least 28 days on a ship or craft engaged in operations in the qualifying area;
flew one sortie over Korea or over Korean waters in the Yellow Sea or East Sea (Sea of Japan), or:
accumulated at least 28 days service in the qualifying area.

United Nations Service Medal (Korea)

The United Nations Service Medal was instituted 12 December 1950 for service from 27 June 1950 to 27 July 1954 and was earned for serving one day under United Nations’ command in Korea or adjacent areas, including Japan and Okinawa. The medal could also be awarded for an aggregate of thirty days, which need not have been consecutive, spent on official visits of inspection to the qualifying area. The qualifying period was 27 June 1950 to 27 July 1954 (One year longer then in the case for the Canadian Medal for Korea).

Visit the VAC website for more information.

Photos and information used herein were provided by Veteran’s Affairs Canada. Visit the webpage linked below to find information about Canadian Honours and Decorations from Confederation to the present day.

https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/medals-decorations