The Way It Was: Per Ardua Ad Astra Through Struggle To The Stars

A Legacy Of Remembrance Knows No Boundaries

By Andrea Grimes

ASunshine Biscuits tin full of letters, faded photographs, medals on frayed ribbons, and a rosary; a diary written in a pocketbook calendar, dog tags, or a yellowed pay book — these are just some cherished keepsakes that represent the memories of our Veterans who rallied to the colours . . . “all present and correct.”

Many of our patriotic lads were as keen as mustard about “joining the ranks” in WWII. In doing so, many faced responsibilities far beyond their years where their lives went from innocence to experience, becoming all too familiar with the stains and strains of battle!

Charles Campbell was one such lad who enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in 1943, at 18 years of age. Campbell knew he made the right decision when he “signed up” all those years ago.

As a Mid-Upper Gunner, Campbell flew 19 sorties (a mission by a military plane or a raid made while being surrounded by an enemy) in a Lancaster bomber over Germany and France.

Upon his discharge in 1945, (rank of Warrant Officer Second Class), Campbell left his home in Niagara Falls, Ontario and settled in Kingsville, Ontario where he pursued a lifelong career as a teacher at Kingsville District High School, retiring as Vice Principal. It was during this point in his life that Campbell (with a firm conviction) pulled out all the stops to establish a military history museum.

It all started in 1980 when Campbell — and a number of Kingsville visionaries — re-furbished a transport trailer, which became a mobile museum.

As a guide and historian, Campbell would accompany the mobile museum as it wheeled its

WWII RCAF Pilot, Charles Campbell in 1943. Photo courtesy of Kingsville Historical Park.

way through many towns in Ontario, promoting local military history at various Royal Canadian Legions and militia events. “As it happened, a building in Kingsville, (once used by the Conklin Lumber Company) became available and although Campbell wasted no time in making plans to establish the museum, it soon became apparent that the building just didn’t make the grade and it was back to the drawing board,” indicates Linda Lynch, Vice Chair of the Kingsville Historical Park (Refer to: KHPI.mnsi.net) which now operates the veterans memorial museum.

Although marginally disappointed by this setback, Campbell, along with other museum’s charter directors: David Clare, Fred Jarrold, Donald and Douglas Laird, Dorothy Martin, Frank Reneau, Brian Sanford, John Slater and Jean Walton, persevered, and the museum was successful in securing its letters patent on May 10, 1993.

For the next three years, Campbell and his team dedicated all their resources to get the museum built. Sadly, he passed away in 1996; however his dream to establish a military museum took flight in 1997 when several volunteers, (who were absolutely driven to complete renovations on an existing barn), did so in Campbell’s memory. This measure exemplified the RCAF’s philosophy, per ardua ad astra . . . “through struggle to the stars.”

On August 12, 2000 the Kingsville Historical Park opened the doors to the military museum on the property of Kingsville’s Royal Canadian Legion Branch 188, 145 Division Road South. (On Facebook search “R.c. Legion Kingsville Branch” for further details). Without a doubt, Campbell’s presence was felt by all in attendance.

In 2020 the museum celebrated its 20th anniversary and since then its collection of reference materials and military artifacts has grown substantially, due to the generosity of so many individuals who share Campbell’s commitment to preserve our history — our heritage with education as the foundation.

With the museum’s demonstrated obligation to maintaining historically relevant collections, which are reflective of our Canadian heritage, front line opportunities are available for many families of all diversities to develop a deeper understanding of a legacy of remembrance.

Lynch states: “Our goal is to drive our signature museum forward, not just within our community, but foremost throughout Canada, acknowledging our Veterans for their duty, service and sacrifice knows no boundaries.”

Through the presence of a shared commitment to remembrance, awareness as to why so many of our Veterans gave up a piece of individuality to become a part of something larger than themselves, drives the museum in its unequivocal commitment to honour and respect the memory of our Veterans who had the privilege to serve — who joined the ranks to preserve those fundamental Canadian values of democracy and liberties that are often denied to so many the world over! As a civilian Veterans Advocate, Andrea Grimes was presented with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Governor General’s Medal for her volunteer service to Veterans and a number non-profit organizations supporting Windsor’s military families’ network.