The Landry and Whitebone families of Saint John were in Ottawa recently to donate items to the Canadian War Museum from the First and Second World Wars.
The Landrys donated a wooden grave marker for Private John Firman Ashe, who died at Vimy Ridge in April 1917.
The Whitebones donated a ventriloquist puppet named Private Willie Whitebone that is still wearing its WWII uniform.
Sergeant Russell Whitebone owned the puppet. He entered the service in 1942 and performed as part of the Army show in Canada, England, and Northwest Europe, Global News reported.
“I hope it brings to light the important part that the Canadian army show played in the Second World War,” Sgt. Whitebone’s daughter, Heather Riley said Monday.
“They followed right where the troops went. Dad performed in opera halls and barns, you know, just depending on where the troops were.”
Harold Wright, an author and historian, facilitated the donations.