Warrant Officers & Sergeants Mess - 1935
The Sergeant’s Mess was fortunate to have Mr. Stuart Thompson take these photos of the Mess on 27 December 1935. Mr. Thompson was born in Hampstead, England, in 1881. Trained as a railway worker, he emigrated to Vancouver in 1910. He took up amateur photography but soon embarked upon a career as a commercial and press photographer. During the 1920s, he contributed to three daily Vancouver newspapers but relied more on commercial work by the 1930s.
The tables and chairs in the Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess are of hardy manufacturer and will undoubtedly outlast many of the users. Future generations may well look back to these photos in their endeavours to upgrade the Mess. The wall colouring is quite unique and may well return in the future. Not sure if that’s paint? Or possibly wallpaper?
The two items on either side of the fireplace are unique with their collection of World War I German helmets placed on top and the trophy case has a considerable quantity of trophies. The radio is of unknown make.
The curtain into the kitchen is of an exclusive design that surely will last for many years. You will note that it is matched by those on the windows. Quite possibly a project of the Ladies Auxiliary that was in fashion back in the day?
The chimney above the mantle has been embellished with our current flags, the Union Jack and the Red Ensign. Placed above our regimental badge and the framed full achievement of the Artillery Badge.
The story behind the swords is unclear. Apparently Artillery in design, they may well be the swords of two Regimental Sergeants Major that shared the building at one time? Or were they simply meant as a decorative piece on the mantle? The quantity of Christmas cards indicates that the photo was indeed taken on the date stated.
The tables and chairs in the Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess are of hardy manufacturer and will undoubtedly outlast many of the users. Future generations may well look back to these photos in their endeavours to upgrade the Mess. The wall colouring is quite unique and may well return in the future. Not sure if that’s paint? Or possibly wallpaper?
The two items on either side of the fireplace are unique with their collection of World War I German helmets placed on top and the trophy case has a considerable quantity of trophies. The radio is of unknown make.
The curtain into the kitchen is of an exclusive design that surely will last for many years. You will note that it is matched by those on the windows. Quite possibly a project of the Ladies Auxiliary that was in fashion back in the day?
The chimney above the mantle has been embellished with our current flags, the Union Jack and the Red Ensign. Placed above our regimental badge and the framed full achievement of the Artillery Badge.
The story behind the swords is unclear. Apparently Artillery in design, they may well be the swords of two Regimental Sergeants Major that shared the building at one time? Or were they simply meant as a decorative piece on the mantle? The quantity of Christmas cards indicates that the photo was indeed taken on the date stated.