Bowden Pioneer Museum in BOWDEN Alberta, Canada

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The "Military Room"

The flag in the military room was also acquired by D.A. Freeze, brother-in-law to Roy Anderson, and it is also an important and unique artifact of Canadian history. The ensign flew from the peace tower and was used in the 1965 ceremony in which Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson officially retired the ensign and made the Maple Leaf the official flag of Canada.

The blue civil defense helmets and armbands in the military room are relics of the 1950's, when local civil defense groups were organized to help in case of atomic attack, among other things.

The rolls of cloth or "puttees" were used as leg. wraps to keep infantry soldiers warm.

The yellow piece of metal on the table is another relic of the Elementary Flight Training Centre. This is a piece of another crashed plane. After the cleanup was completed, this piece was found. Its function, however, is difficult to guess.

There are many interesting things on the walls of the military room as well:
• The picture of Vimy Ridge commemorates the great Canadian and Allied Victory of WW1.
• Many Bowden and local residents are pictured in the Central Alberta Reserve photo.
• Also featured are several honor rolls of local servicemen and a photo of the Canadian National War Memorial in Ottawa.

One of the rifles in the military room display case was once owned by Annie Oakley. It was bought by Bob Hoare.