Canada Poland Museum

The Canada Museum was founded in 1994, and the Polish section was opened in 2004 by Gilbert Van Landschoot as a tribute to the Canadian and Polish liberators of Belgium. On his death bed, Gilbert’s father Maurits told Gilbert that he owed his life to the Canadian and Polish liberators, and that Gilbert must honour their memories.

The Germans had occupied the airfield at Maldegem, and the locals were forced to provide the Germans with food. Maurits became friendly with the fighter pilots, and he sabotaged the aircraft by loosening fuel lines. He was also a spy and had a radio transmitter with an antenna strung through the highest tree. In September 1944 Maurits was suspected of espionage and had to hide in the woods for 3 days. He was rescued by the Polish forces, and the Canadians liberated the town a few days later.

In 1994, the museum cornerstone was laid and in 1995 the official opening was held. During my recent visit I had the opportunity to meet and chat with Gilbert and his daughter Alexandra. Gilbert is a very passionate, dedicated, and jovial person who has made the creation and expansion of the museum his life’s work. Alexandra is a real go-getter who drives the day-to-day operations of the museum.

Gilbert told me that at the time there were no museums focused on Canadians, and he was told if he wanted funding, he would have to feature the Brits or the Americans. Prior to the museum opening, he had created a temporary display, and was encouraged by the Canadian Ambassador to create a museum, but no Canadian money was forthcoming. He built the museum with his own funds, and by ongoing fund-raising efforts and requests for donations of artifacts.

Gibert Van LandSchoot

I posted the story about Christopher Cadeau, cousin to my sister-in-law Marg Allen (Columbus). Christopher’s sister Mary had visited the museum in 2006 and left a copy of a letter and a photo of Christopher at the museum. I wrote them to see if they had a copy and met with them when I visited the museum. I explained my quest but was not optimistic due to the volume of artifacts in the museum. Alexandra told me that when her father started, he could not speak English, so put the pictures and documents in the pockets of the uniforms, a tradition that carries on today.

Yesterday I was happily to surprised to receive a copy of the letter and the photo of Christopher.

Yet another serendipity on my battlefield tour.

The museum has over 300 mannequins dressed in uniforms from the Battle all staged in large dioramas.

The largest diorama is of the Op SwitchBack Battle, and includes over 60 servicemen, equipment and backgrounds.

A number of soldiers have their picture included, indicating the soldier’s actual uniform is on display. Many uniforms were donated by surviving servicemen or family members.

The museum also has multiple video screens with slideshows and descriptions in 4 languages. A video display is shown in the photo showing a communication centre. When the museum first opened, there would be a few soldiers and a single radio in a diorama, the scenes continue to grow in authenticity and complexity as time goes on.

The scenes involve not only army, but air force personnel as well as shown in this Lancaster display.

Bring up the PIAT!

As well as complete dioramas, there are large collections of artifacts as well.

German Artifacts

Canadian badges and War posters.

Weapons and Equipment

Weapons from Both Sides

They also have a set of badges from all of the Canadian Units who served in the War. As usual, I spotted a few of the units that I have been following.

3rd Canadian Division

Canadian Scottish – Christopher Cadeau’s Regiment

Queen’s Own Rifles – Thomas Easton’s Regiment

Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada Uncle George Johnston’s Regiment

Westminster Regiment – Wine Bob’s Father and Uncle’s Regiment

In addition to the life size displays the museum has a large number of miniature displays, showing different phases of the Battle of the Scheldt. The scenes are carefully recreated from photos at the time.

Amphibious Landing

Giant German Railway Gun

The miniature models have thousands of figures and took over 7 years to complete.

Preparing to cross the Leopold Canal.

Diorama of Crossing the Leopold Canal

In the entry way, there are a large number of stained-glass panels. There are the coats of arms of all of the provinces, and crests of the units who served in the area. I didn’t get a good picture of all of the stained glass, as I was with the founder, and I had violated the no photos rule many times (The founder was giving a tour behind me and I had to sneak my pictures when I went around a corner, hence some of the photos are sub optimal)

The Canada Poland Museum was another great success. The life size dioramas were spectacular, and the collection of artifacts amazing. The fact that the were able to retrieve a photo given to them 17 years ago is a tribute to their dedication and organization.

I would highly recommend a visit to this museum to get a better understanding of the impact the Canadians had on Belgium, and the high regard we continue to be held in. Once again, I am proud to wear my Canada hat, and honour the sacrifice of our forefathers.