It was a classic example of out of sight, out of mind over at Lord Elgin Branch 41 of the Royal Canadian Legion in St. Thomas.
Will Alden, the Sergeant-at-Arms explains how a long forgotten piece of history was dusted off and given a more visible home at a ceremony held at the Legion on Saturday.
That object was, in fact, a swagger or parade stick.
After consultation with several city residents, including auctioneer Mark Cosens, it is believed to have been used by a soldier during the Boer Wars in South Africa in the late 1800s.
In the British Army prior to the First World War, these sticks were carried by soldiers and non-commissioned officers, usually tucked under their arm.
Alden describes the stick and its purpose.
Alden stored it at his residence for some time before undertaking research on the stick.
As to how the swagger stick made its way to St. Thomas, well that remains a mystery.
Written by Ian McCallum
