Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object ID # |
1999.016.002 |
Object Name |
Tunic, Military |
Title |
Dress Tunic |
Lexicon category |
3: Personal Artifacts |
Year Range from |
1895 |
Year Range to |
1909 |
Made |
Unknown |
Place of Origin |
Canada |
Description |
A military dress tunic, scarlet in colour, with only "Capt. J. ..." marked inside it. A card that came with it said that it was the dress tunic of Capt. John McQuaker (b. 1864-d. 1944), who served as Quartermaster of the 31st Grey Regiment circa 1895 to 1909. It was known as the 31st Grey Battalion of Infantry until 1900, when the name changed to the 31st Grey Regiment. The tunic has white piping, and seven CANADA MILITIA brass buttons at the front, with two more embellishing the back. The sleeve cuff areas are highly-decorated with braid and black cloth. |
Makers mark |
None |
Provenance |
Manufactured by an unknown Canadian military outfitter. It belonged to, and was worn by, Captain John McQuaker, who had served as Quartermaster of the 31st Grey Regiment from circa 1895 until 1909. Mr. McQuaker lived at Owen Sound, Grey County, and had a lot of experience in the grocery and creamery business, so this is likely why he was the regimental Quartermaster (the fellow who supplies the food for the unit). After 1944, it is unknown who next kept it, but eventually it was collected by Capt. George A. Wakeford of Owen Sound. John McQuaker was born in Grey County in Holland Township on May 29, 1864. He was born at the McQuaker family farm, "Glenburie Farm", which was situated near Walters Falls. He attended S.S.#12 school in Holland Township, and he and his brother went overseas to attend a grammar school at Glen Luce, Scotland, for a year. On March 13, 1889, he married Miss Jessie Carrie of Sydenham Township, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gideon Carrie. The McQuakers lived at the "Glenburie Farm" until 1895. In 1896, they moved to Owen Sound, Grey County, where he entered the creamery business. In 1898, he began McQuakers Limited, a grocery business. In 1906 he was elected to town council, and he also served as the Warden of Grey County in 1919. He was with the Owen Sound Creamery for 38 years and sold out his interest in it in 1935. He died in November of 1944. He and Mrs. McQuaker were prominent citizens in Owen Sound, and were involved in many community groups. |
Collection |
Military, 20th-c Collection |
Material |
Wool/Fabric/Brass/Thread/Dye |
Found |
Owen Sound, Grey County |
People |
McQuaker, John Wakeford, George |
Subjects |
Militias Military uniforms Military officers Military parades & ceremonies Buttons (Fasteners) |
Search Terms |
31st Grey Battalion of Infantry 31st Grey Regiment |
Function |
A dress uniform item, worn by a Canadian militia officer at formal events. This example was worn by Captain John McQuaker, of Owen Sound, Grey County. He was Quartermaster of the 31st Grey Regiment. |