‘Legacy of Service’ Museum

Explore to a world rarely seen by civilians. A world of courage, sacrifice and feats of valour. 

“The stories of our veterans”

Display of military patches, medals, insignias, pins, uniform patches, a small flag, a cap, and other military memorabilia related to Canadian armed forces and veterans.

Clutter: Origin of the museum

For many years, items were displayed on our unit’s walls without any context or identification. While the items themselves held meaning, their stories were lost. Without  their history, they went unnoticed.​​

In September 2023, during a Unit meeting, an issue was raised about the clutter on the walls.  Matsqui Unit 315 member, Keith Stead responded, “That’s not clutter — those are military artifacts!”​

It was then proposed to research and identify the veterans connected to these unidentified artifacts. It immediately became clear that it was the personal stories of the veterans and their connection to significant events in military history that needed to be told.  The 'Legacy of Service' project was born.

Museum Display​

Our curated exhibit showcases the stories and artifacts of veterans connected to Matsqui Unit 315, from the British Indian Army (1868) to modern-day military conflicts. Many of their stories were unknown.

Each artifact and biography offers a powerful lens into the lived experiences of service, sacrifice, and legacy. The display is designed to inform, educate and inspire, preserving the human side of military history.

Historical display in a museum with WWII and Boer War exhibits, including a glass case with a military jacket, various posters, photographs, and information panels on the walls, a grey jacket hung on the wall, and wooden chairs in the background.
Black and white historical photograph from 1917 showing five military personnel, four women standing and a man in a wheelchair seated in front. They are outdoors, near a wooden fence and trees, dressed in early 20th-century military uniforms.
Four medals displayed beneath a yellow handwritten note describing the medals' significance, including a Silver Jubilee Medal, Queen Mary's Medal, Star, Silver War Medal, and Victory Medal, with details about their engravings and recipients.
Sepia-toned vintage photograph of three soldiers in uniform, seated and standing outdoors with trees in the background. The seated soldier in the center is labeled as James Gibson, Father, holding a stick. The two standing soldiers on either side are
Black and white photograph of five soldiers in uniform standing outdoors on a dirt path, with houses and trees in the background. A handwritten sign in front reads "Calgary Highlanders Pagham Beach - Sussex April 1943."
A vintage poster titled 'The World's Verdict on Germany,' displaying flags of multiple countries that took part in 1914 against Germany, grouped in three columns. The poster criticizes Germany for starting World War I and shows flags from Russia, Aus
A military medal with a red and blue striped ribbon and a silver medallion featuring the profile of King George V and an inscription in Latin.
Museum exhibit featuring WWII and Vietnam War displays, with a large flag on the left and two visitors, a man and a woman, viewing informational panels on the wall.
Man standing in front of a museum display wall with historical documents and photographs.
Military dress uniform jacket with red and black colors, adorned with brass buttons, a red poppy pin, and decorative embroidery on the sleeve.
A vintage military cap with a Crown and badge on front reading 'Royal Canadian Navy'.
Black military or police hat with a black band that has gold embroidery reading
Embroidered patch of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, featuring a crown, a star, and the text "EMPIRE SERVICE VEHICLE" and "ROYAL CANADIAN REGIONS."
World War II military uniform displayed on a hanger, with a red poppy pin, medal ribbons, and various insignia
A collage featuring a portrait of Field Marshal Sir John French, with a background of the Union Jack. The collage includes a photo of French, his name, military rank, and description, along with a red poppy and details of his service during the Secon
A sepia-toned vintage photograph of seven soldiers in uniform posing outdoors, with trees in the background. One soldier is lying on the ground in front, and the others are standing or seated around him.