Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object ID # |
2011.047.004 |
Object Name |
Medal, Commemorative |
Title |
Royal Canadian Legion 50th Anniversary Medal |
Lexicon category |
8: Communication Artifact |
Date |
1975-1976 |
Year Range from |
1975 |
Year Range to |
1976 |
Made |
Unknown |
Place of Origin |
Unknown |
Description |
Commemorative medal. It has a top bar with an openwork "50" motif at the top, and "ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION / LEGION ROYALE CANADIENNE". There is a beige, horizontally-ridged ribbon, which suspends an enamelled brass pendant of a maple leaf on a wreath of goldtone maple leaves, with the Latin legend "MEMORIAM EORUM RETINEBIMUS". |
Provenance |
Manufacturer unknown. Dates to 1975-1976. Belonged to Kenneth Russel McKay. The 50th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Legion was held between November, 1975 and November, 1976. To mark the event, Canadian postage stamps and a commemorative coin were produced. A newspaper clipping dated May 19, 1976 shows Kenneth McKay receiving this medal, and reads: "First World War Vets received Golden Anniversary Medals at the Royal Canadian Legion's awards night banquet, Saturday". (Stettler, Alberta) When Kenneth McKay died, he was the only member of his family to be buried out west. This item then belonged to his grandson, Jim Parker of Calgary, Alberta. It was last owned by Donna Mills-McKay, of Owen Sound. There are archival items in Grey Roots concerning the McKays of the Leith area. |
Collection |
Military, 20th-c Collection |
Material |
Metal/Ribbon/Enamelling |
Dimensions |
W-4.1 L-12 D-0.9 cm |
Found |
Owen Sound, Grey County |
People |
McKay, Kenneth Russell |
Subjects |
Royal Canadian Legion Military Veterans Veterans' organizations |
Search Terms |
Royal Canadian Legion |
Function |
This medal commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Legion. The Legion helped veterans of the First and Second World Wars, and its original membership was of men who had served in the military (Ordinary Members). A ladies's auxilliary allowed women to also volunteer their service, and Associate Members are people who may not personally have military service, but are connected somehow to the military (e.g. perhaps their Dad or Mom served). The organization tries to raise money to assist veterans and their dependents and to teach people about the sacrifices made by Canadian military personnel in the past by assisting memorials and cenotaphs and civic events and institutions. |