“From cushy to crummy and blind spot to binge drink, a new study reveals the impact the First World War had on the English language and the words it introduced.”
“The results of the research are included in a new book, Trench Talk: Words of the First World War, which documents how new words and phrases originated, while others were spread from an earlier, narrow context, to gain new, wider meanings.”
Read more on The Telegraphy online.
You may recall in that on September 3rd we launched an appeal on our website, Facebook Page and Twitter account for volunteers to assist with our project to transcribe scanned versions of the 3rd Battalion, CEF war diaries which were available online at the Library and Archives Canada website. The diaries consisted of 53 months of entries from October 19, 1914 when the battalion landed in England, to February 28th, 1919.
Today I’m pleased to announce that we received the final month’s of transcription which is now posted on our site! You can find them on our timeline or link to them directly: 1914 — 1915 — 1916 — 1917 — 1918 — 1919.
Twenty-seven people from around the world, volunteered to help with the project – especially after we posted our project on the “micro-volunteering” site Sparked (with many thanks to friend of the museum, Mr. Matthew Cutler for that suggestion!) International volunteers came from Chile, Australia, France and across the USA in Oklahoma, New York City, Pennsylvania, California, District of Columbia, Washington State, Colorado, and North Carolina. Many of Canadian volunteers come through the Museum Management and Curatorship Program at Sir Sanford Fleming College in Peterborough. Only two of the volunteers are involved with the military!
Although there were some challenges in interpreting handwriting or imperfectly scanned documents, many of the participants indicated how interesting (and in many cases sad) this project was and how it gave them a better understanding of day to day life in an allied infantry battalion of the First World War.
There is still a bit of tidying up to do on the pages and more links and a few map images to add but this now searchable transcription will definitely serve as a valuable research tool.
A big thanks to all those who volunteered:
The Future of Casa Loma and a Museum of Toronto Public Meeting
In August 2011, City Council created the Casa Loma Corporation (CLC) for the purpose of managing the continuing operations of Casa Loma on an interim basis until its future ownership and management direction could be determined. The City of Toronto is now moving forward with a plan to ensure the long-term viability of Casa Loma, the Queen’s Own Rifles Regimental Museum and the potential for a Museum of Toronto as part of the site’s future. For more information about our progress, click here. You are invited to attend a public meeting to learn about these opportunities and give the City your feedback, vision and guidance.
It is important to note that the QOR Museum’s continued presence at Casa Loma is not guaranteed.
Date: Monday, November 26th
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Location: Casa Loma (1 Austin Terrace)
Attendees may arrive at 5:30 p.m. for a site visit of the property prior to the meeting starting at 7:00 p.m.
The City will be seeking feedback from the public in two key areas at this meeting:
1. The future of the main building (south side of Austin Terrace)
The City is seeking qualified proponents with whom to enter into a long term lease to operate Casa Loma as an historic attraction and special event venue. As the Request for Proposal (RFP) is developed and the associated evaluation criteria the Board is interested in hearing from the public about your priorities for the building and opportunities to expand on its role in presenting Toronto’s history. A two stage Request for Proposal (RFP) will be issued in mid-December 2012.
2. The future of other buildings (north side of Austin Terrace)
In early 2013 the Board will issue a Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) for a vision and uses for the complex north of Austin Terrace, including the Hunting Lodge, Potting Shed, and Stables. At this public meeting input will be sought on the REOI, where Respondents will be asked to consider the feasibility of including a Museum of Toronto in their proposals.
On Saturday November 10th the Regimental Museum held a very successful first “Ask a Soldier” event throughout our exhibit rooms. Eight serving soldiers from the regiment were present to answer questions about their service and also to help visitors understand the militia today. They had personal and parachuting equipment available for visitors to try on and our Master Corporal Pioneer was also a hit with those wanting their picture taken with axes and swords! Thanks to Deputy Commanding Officer Major Sandi Banerjee, Regimental Sergeant Major Mark Shannon, Warrant Officer Justin Thorn, MCpl Jessie Behan, Cpl Shahab Alam, Cpl Alex Dristas, Cpl Susheel Palanivelu and Cpl Barry Windover.
As this was also the day before Remembrance Day, we provided an opportunity for our youngest visitors to help create poppies to place between the crosses lining the wall and bearing the names of QOR who had lost their lives in the service of their country. Museum volunteer Matthew Cutler helped them navigate the creation of their poppies and with creating the crosses.
Curator John Stephens and Assistant Curator Shaun Kelly tried to keep everything running smoothly and lunches for our participating soldiers were sponsored by Pegasus Catering.
We’re all looking forward to another opportunity to work with members of the regiment!
The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada Regimental Museum and Archive 