​Bruce County Museum to feature “Bruce in Battle” as part of Archives Awareness Week

The Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre is presenting “Bruce in Battle: Life in the 160th Battalion” as part of Archives Awareness Week.

The event takes place April 12 at 2 p.m., and will explore the experiences of Bruce County’s 160th Battalion soldiers during the First World War, featuring a presentation by military historian and researcher Kent Kraemer.

Since 2015, Kraemer has chronicled the 160th Battalion’s day-to-day activities through the 160th Bruce Battalion Facebook page. During his talk, he will share incredible stories of Bruce County’s soldiers, including “Paddy” Pettigrew and his championship wiring team, as well as Robert Clarke Rowand, the most highly-decorated soldier of the 160th Battalion.

In recognition of Archives Awareness Week, Kraemer will also discuss his inspiration for researching the Battalion, insights from the Bruce in Khaki newspaper, and the valuable role played by the museum’s archives and other historical repositories in his work.

Following the presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to join archives staff for a behind-the-scenes tour of the archival storage area, where they can view rare items that are not often on display. Visitors will also be able to explore the exhibits at the museum where a tour guide will be present in the military gallery to share additional stories about Bruce County soldiers.

Admission is free for all attendees. Due to limited seating, pre-registration is required. To register, visit www.brucemuseum.ca/event/bruce-in-battle-life-in-the-160th-battalion or call the museum at 519-797-2080.

The Archives and Research Room will be open for free admission during Ontario’s Archives Awareness Week, which runs from April 7-12.

The story of Bruce County is reflected in the photographs, documents, videos and books donated by members of the public to the archives. The museum archives welcomes contact from individuals, businesses and organizations wishing to share their stories and documents to become part of the collective history.

Information about Bruce County soldiers from all conflicts may also be explored at bruceremembers.org.

This event is proudly sponsored by the Bruce County Historical Society.

Kent Kraemer is the founder of the 160th Bruce Battalion Facebook page which has chronicled the Battalion’s 100-year anniversary since November, 2015. He is also the author of “The 160th Dispatch” column in “Marathon of History” magazine where he continues to highlight the experiences of Bruce County soldiers.