Lest We Forget - Harold Guy Turner - Died of Pneumonia 100 Years Ago Today - 04.02.1918

Lest We Forget - Harold Guy Turner  - Died of Pneumonia 100 Years Ago Today - 04.02.1918

Harold Guy Turner , 1261991, was from  Dawson Settlement Mount, Albert County, New Brunswick and was born January 24, 1894.

2018 - A Year in Review

With 2018 quickly drawing to an end, we can look back on our year at the museum with pride. We opened an amazing new exhibit - The County of Heroes, CY Peck, VC and the Victory Cannons. The exhibit highlights the significant accomplishments of the people from Albert County both during and after the First World War. The exhibit honours the 55 men from Albert County who paid the supreme sacrifice while serving their county, and those who survived the horrors and came home. The exhibit tells the exciting story of the pair of German guns which sit in Hopewell Cape Square, and how they came to be there. It also honours, Cyrus Peck, a native born Albert County man who won the Victoria Cross, September 2, 1918 by telling his life story. If you haven’t had a chance to see it come in 2019!

We also welcomed Dan Ross, our new Manager to the museum. Dan had a great first year, getting a crash course on Albert County’s amazing history. He laid the foundation for our continued success, and we’re looking forward to seeing what he has planned for the future.

We continued our annual events - RB Bennett Day, the 42nd Annual Quilt Show and Fiber Arts Fair, the Royalty Tea, the Antiques Road Show and the Annual Christmas Concert. So without further ado here is the year in review!

Christmas Card sent by Albert County soldier, Hugh Wright in December, 1918

Christmas Card sent by Albert County soldier, Hugh Wright in December, 1918

World War I ended on November 11, 1918 but organizing the transport of thousands of soldiers back home to Canada took months. The Canadian soldiers spent their Christmas overseas but they were given designed 1918 Christmas cards to send home to their families. Read more here.

“Christmas Cards from First World War soldier, Hugh Wright” - A Great War Tradition

“Christmas Cards from First World War soldier, Hugh Wright” - A Great War Tradition

During the years of the First World War (1914 -1918) when the soldiers had to spend Christmas far from home, separated from their families and friends, Christmas cards were important reminders that there was life outside the trenches and outside of the war. Here are a few sent by Hugh Wright. Read more here.

Lest We Forget - Spenser Allen Graves - Died of Wounds 100 Years Ago Today - 11.18.1918

Lest We Forget - Spenser Allen Graves - Died of Wounds 100 Years Ago Today - 11.18.1918

Spenser Allen Graves, 3255975, was from  Pleasant Mount, Albert County, New Brunswick and was born March 19, 1893. He was son of Mrs. L. G. and the late Mr. Graves; husband of Jennie Helma Graves,

World War I letter written by Albert County soldier, Hugh Wright on November 11, 1918

World War I letter written by Albert County soldier, Hugh Wright on November 11, 1918

“Just a few lines today to let you know that we are both well and that the war is at last over, so you will not need to worry anymore.” lines written by Hugh Wright in a letter home, November 11, 1918. Read the whole story here.

Did you know that 4 of our Fighting Men from the First World War are buried here in Albert County?

Did you know that 4 of our Fighting Men from the First World War are buried here in Albert County?

As we approach the 100th Anniversary of the end of the First World War, and we pause to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. You may wish to take the time to visit the grave sites of four of our fighting men who are buried here in Albert County.

Lest We Forget - CARL CLINTON IRVING - Died in Hospital 100 Years Ago Today - 21.10.1918

Lest We Forget - CARL CLINTON IRVING - Died in Hospital 100 Years Ago Today - 21.10.1918

Carl Clinton Irving, 4062755, was from  Hillsborough, Albert County, New Brunswick and was born April 15, 1896 at Hillsborough, New Brunswick. .

Lest We Forget - Royden Edmund Steeves - Died in Hospital 100 Years Ago Today - 12.10.1918

Lest We Forget - Royden Edmund Steeves  - Died in Hospital 100 Years Ago Today - 12.10.1918

Royden Edmund Steeves, 2704341, was from  Hillsborough, Albert County, New Brunswick and was born January 18, 1891 at HIllsborough, New Brunswick.

Lest We Forget - Joseph Emerson Smith - Killed in Action 100 Years Ago - TODAY - 10.07.1918

Lest We Forget - Joseph Emerson Smith - Killed in Action 100 Years Ago - TODAY - 10.07.1918

Joseph Emerson Smith  ,709142 was from Hopewell Cape, Albert County, New Brunswick and was born November 14, 1897. He was the son of Robert C. Smith Hopewell Hill, New Brunswick. . Read More...

Lest We Forget - Albert David Rossiter - Killed in Action 102 Years Ago - TODAY - 09.16.1916

Lest We Forget - Albert David Rossiter - Killed in Action 102 Years Ago - TODAY - 09.16.1916

Albert David Rossiter, 445546 was from Alma, Albert County, New Brunswick and was born December 6, 1893. He was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. David Rossiter of Pointe Wolf, New Brunswick. More...

Harold George Joyce's Return to Hopewell Cape Continues.

On May 19th, 2018 the exhibit “County of Heroes” opened to the public at our Albert County Museum. The event was well received and was covered by media outlets.

About a month later I received a call from a very pleasant lady from Ontario informing me that she was a descendant of Pte. Joyce. She went on to tell me she saw a television report about the County of Heroes and realized that she had some personal belongings of Pte. Joyce that she received from her great uncle. She graciously donated them to the museum and I received them a few weeks later.

As I was examining the many letters and artifacts, I came upon a very touching letter from Joyce’s commanding officer informing her of how her son died in battle on August 28, 1918. I almost fell off my chair when I realized that the 100th anniversary of Harold George Joyce paying the ultimate sacrifice for his country was only a few days away. So I issued a press release and, in a very short period of time, received a call from CBC television and radio. The CBC did a very nice tribute to a Pte. Joyce and treated the story with the compassion and dignity of the return, if only of possessions, of a native of New Brunswick and a son of Albert County.

But Harold’s story continues. Last week I received a visit from 10 of Harold Joyce’s decedents who live throughout the province. All converging unannounced to observe first hand the memorabilia that was now in the museum’s possession. I was honoured to unveil the artifacts and it was a very heartfelt emotional time when I read the letter that Harold’s mother received over 100 years ago. They all received a tour of the County of Heroes exhibit and they were very thankful that the Albert County Historical Society took on the challenge of building such a memorial to the fallen sons of Albert County. The only part that was of concern was the picture we have of Harold; that it is not of very good quality. I explained that during the days leading up to the opening of the exhibit, we were missing 6 pictures. Pte. Joyce being one of them. And how, on the day before we opened to the public, we found the picture that is on display, by chance, on the internet. Mrs. Carol Plume of Petitcodiac made the comment “We’ll have to do something about that.”

So yesterday I received a package in the mail, with Mrs. Plume’s return address on it. And sure enough, as I opened it Pte. Harold George Joyce jumped out to see me again. Once again I was privileged to look through pictures, his battalion badges and even a small arms ammunition belt. And two proud pictures, one as a civilian and one in full military dress with rifle. And again, I was thankful for the sacrifice of Pte. Joyce and all who fell with him over 100 years ago. Even more, I’m amazed at the the kindness of strangers and the in awe of the close ties of Harold’s family. And, of course, bewildered that Pte. Harold George Joyce, who was killed in action just over 100 years ago; Pte. Joyce who has no official burial site in France; that somehow, Harold Joyce has returned to his home in Hopewell Cape, NB.