A uniform once worn by Gordon Dunn Ferry of the Canadian 4th Division Ammunition Column during World War I will now have a permanent home on display at the Huntingdon Legion.
Ferry was enlisted in the Canadian military in February 1917. He was injured near Arras, France, in August 1918, as part of the last 100 Days Offensive. After stays in various hospitals in England, he returned to the Chateauguay Valley, where he became one of the founding members of the Huntingdon Legion.
The uniform was donated to the Chateauguay Valley Antique Association years ago, and when it came up for auction this summer, Legionnaires Jon Vine and Richard Faille took an interest. “It couldn’t leave here,” said Vine, who admits they got into a bit of a bidding war with a collector during the sale. “When are you ever going to find a 107-year-old World War I uniform complete besides the pants, and the guy’s son lives down the street?” he exclaimed.
The uniform was unveiled during the annual Armistice dinner at the Legion on November 8. Gordon Ferry, whose father once wore the uniform, was an invited guest for the surprise presentation. Vine said an audible gasp echoed through the room as the uniform and the story behind its return was revealed by Legion president Ronald Critchley.
Ferry, who was both surprised and touched by the gesture, was presented with a comprehensive book containing his father’s detailed service record and war diary. He said afterward that he remembered the jacket from his childhood. He was surprised to learn that soldiers were expected to keep a diary. “Some days it was just routine work, another day it was transporting ammunition, and then the next day they were in the trenches.”
While his father did not talk often about his wartime experiences, Ferry says he remembers hearing him mention having been sick while coming across on the boat. He recalls the two wounds in his father’s arm and leg and having been told how these happened. Ferry says he also has many childhood memories of time spent at the Legion.
Vine had already been thinking about creating a local memorial display case at the Legion, and the uniform was the perfect first addition. He hopes the display will encourage community members to contribute their own family artifacts. “As we start losing our veterans, we lose those connections, and it will be those familiar names that draw in our kids,” he explained.
He hopes the initiative will drum up interest in local history while attracting younger members to the Legion, especially as the organization looks forward to its 100th anniversary next year.