For $20 US, RCA Museum director Andrew Oakden purchased a photo album with a connection to then Camp Shilo in the 1950s.
The blue-covered album was the property of Gnr C.H. ‘Moon’ Mollons, who created it while attending Camp Shilo to hone his parachuting skills in 1955.
Oakden said the album from artillery soldier Serial No. 259 arrived in very good condition, and certainly will be added to the museum’s archives.
Oakden also learned Gnr Mollons once donated a 105mm shell casing which is inscribed from the late 1960s to the museum.
“We try not to purchase artifacts, unless they are noteworthy or extraordinary, such as the General Strange medals [from online auction],” offered Oakden. “In this case, the album relates nicely with the early history of the Airborne Gunner batteries.”
The museum’s director recently finished writing about the 75mm Pack Howitzer, also during this timeframe circa 1949 to 1956.
He also wrote an article in the museum’s newsletter Barrage, on Harry Venne’s Airborne Gunner uniform when he was part of 2 FOU during the Second World War.
In a June 2020 issue of the Barrage, Oakden also wrote about the Airborne Gunners from 1951 to 1952.
“All of these items connect together,” he said. “It’s one part of the RCA history that doesn’t receive the attention it deserves. We plan on updating our Airborne Gallery sometime next year.”
This photo album from the 1950s is focused on 1RCHA’s Z Bty (Para) course run from 1954 to 1956.
It was new senior curator Jonathan Ferguson who initially informed Oakden July 22 by text message about the photo album being available for purchase online.
“eBay sells a lot of everything. You’ll never know what you’ll find,” he said. “I’ll probably edit the photos [in the album] then place them on our website under new content. We may use one or two on the new text panels for the Airborne Gallery update.”
Oakden went to eBay’s website and found the album listed as “1950s RCAF Army Paratrooper Training Shilo Manitoba C19 Flying Boxcar.”
“After Jonathan’s text, I reviewed the listing and noted these were Airborne Gunner photos and purchased the collection for $20 US.”
Oakden acknowledged from 1949 to 1956, Airborne Gunners had to earn their wings patch. This album illustrates what each Airborne Gunner had to go through to advance through the program.
Canada had early airborne Gunners from 1949 to 1956, starting with B Light Battery, RCA in 1949. On Dec. 9, 1950, the name changed to 1st Light Battery (Para), RCA, connected to 1 RCHA; then on Dec. 31, 1953, it changed to Z Battery (Para), 1RCHA.
Upon closer inspection after the album arrived July 27 on Base, Oakden observed it’s likely a class photo album which Gunners could purchase.
“On the inside cover, Gnr Mollons wrote: ‘Bought it when I was in B Stage, Moon.’ Moon is likely his nickname,” he explained. “On the last page, he included the names of other participants in his class.”
Hobbs, MacLean, Clarke, Micheau, Anderson and Bold are some of the last names he penned from his class, but also added the instructors names, including their ranks: Sgt Byer, Sgt Deroches, Sgt MacLean, Sgt Bowen, Cpl Woodall and Lt Clarke.
The album starts with low-height jumps, progressing to higher elevations. Gnr Mollons and his classmates hone their jumping skills initially indoors using mock planes and steps, then move outdoors to a 10-metre platform. This is followed by a full jump tower and the paratrooper jump.
“This is a good purchase for the museum and one of my favourite topics to write about,” said Oakden.
