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Archival description
Ernest Crocker fonds Victoria (B.C.)
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Ernest Crocker fonds

  • PR-1348
  • Fonds
  • 1902-1946

The fonds notably consists of military-related content from the early 1900s until the 1940s. Pre-WW1 photographs include a limited amount of photographs relating to the Canadian Militia. Photographs taken during the First World War including most departures of troops by ship from Victoria and other departures by train from Vancouver and Vernon. There are also images of numerous B.C. training camps which cover topics from training exercises, inspections, mascots and portraiture. For material covering the inter-war and Second World War, images are predominantly of ceremonies, visiting military dignitaries as well as of graduations and groups of soldiers who trained at the Officer’s Training Centre in Gordon Head. There are also photographs of the Women’s Army Corps and of various legions following the end of World War II.
The next largest group of photographs is a collection of city views, natural landscapes and other tourist-centric photography which Crocker used to make postcards which he sold. These cover large Canadian cities but also various stops along the CPR route through the Rocky Mountains, as well as other locations on Vancouver Island, across BC and down the west coast of the United States and even Mexico.
Other potential series in the Ernest Crocker fonds include portraiture, tableaux vivants, Royal Visits, celebrations and parades, and sporting events.
Also included is some ephemera, Trio postcards, correspondence, sales receipts, and an embossed seal with the Trio stamp.

The collection is presently arranged by size and to some extent format. Containers are not organized by date nor by topic and appear to be mixed throughout the collection. The majority of photographic records appear to have been created in Victoria and the surrounding area, with additional photographic records covering Vancouver Island, the British Columbia Interior, Winnipeg, Toronto, London UK, California, U.S.A., and Mexico.

Crocker, Ernest William Albert

Return of Canadian Mounted Rifles

Photograph depicts the arrival of soldiers from the Canadian Mounted Rifles (battalion unspecified, but likely the 2nd CMR as per formation patches on many soldiers' uniforms), many of whom would have been recruited through the British Columbia Horse. Looking closely at the soldiers, their uniforms shows divisional patches (also called formation patches or battle patches), wound stripes and overseas chevrons. The ship is the CPR's SS Princess Adelaide and the Empress Hotel can be seen in the background.

Return of Canadian Mounted Rifles

Photograph depicts the arrival of soldiers from the Canadian Mounted Rifles (battalion unspecified, but likely the 2nd CMR as per formation patches on many soldiers' uniforms), many of whom would have been recruited through the British Columbia Horse. Looking closely at the soldiers, their uniforms shows divisional patches (also called formation patches or battle patches), wound stripes and overseas chevrons. They have assembled on the docks near the CPR station where they are reunited with friends and family. It is interesting to observe that the leather Oliver equipment and Ross rifles they left Victoria with in 1915 have since been replaced with webbing equipment and Lee-Enfield rifles.

Premier John Oliver welcomes back troops

Photograph depicts soldiers and civilians in front of the Parliament buildings in Victoria. The soldiers have just arrived home after service in the Great War. On the steps of the building are several politicians and military officers including Premier John Oliver and General Officer Commanding of Military District 11 Major-General Leckie.

Returned troops; camp

Photograph depicts a group of newly arrived soldiers, returned home after their service in the Great War. They are standing outside the Men's Quarters at what appears to be Willows Camp. Soldiers wear formation patches (also known as 'battle patches' or 'division patches') from the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles and the 3rd Division Canadian Engineers. The Engineer standing on the board walk to the left of the stairs has a German helmet (Pickelhaube) hanging from his jacket, a possible 'souvenir' from the war.

Returned troops at parliament

Photograph depicts a group of soldiers who have recently disembarked at Victoria. According to formation patches on their sleeves (also known as 'battle' or 'divisional' patches), the troops are mainly from the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles with some soldiers from the 3rd Division Canadian Engineers. Many civilians have joined them in front of the parliament where they wait for a special address from the premier and other dignataries.

Returned troops march in Victoria

Photograph depicts newly returned troops who served in the Great War marching in Victoria. Some family members were permitted to walk beside them. Near the back of the first group, a small boy holds hands with his father who he would have not seen for almost four years.

Returned troops at parliament

Photograph depicts a group of soldiers who have recently disembarked at Victoria. Many civilians have joined them in front of the parliament where they wait for a special address from the premier and other dignataries.

Military assembled at parliament

Photograph depicts civilians, sailors and military officers standing in front of and on the steps of parliament in Victoria. At the bottom of the stairs is a waiting car as dignataries begin to exit the building.

Inspection of troops, Willows camp

Photograph depicts soldiers marching at the old exhibition grounds at Willows Camp during a formal review. Many civilians have come down to watch the event. Box notes left by the photographer state that this may be the 30th Battalion (2nd British Columbia).

67th draft, 2nd Depot Battalion BC

Photograph depicts soldiers from the 67th draft, 2nd Depot Battalion, British Columbia Regiment at Willows Camp. Taken on departure day, the troops are seen moving across the camp as they prepare to leave the camp. The Y.M.C.A. building can be seen on the right side of the frame.

Troops docking at Victoria

Photograph depicts the ocean liner RMS Empress of Asia arriving at R. P. Rithet & Co., Ltd. Outer Wharves in Victoria. On the docks and beyond in the streets are thousands of civilians welcoming the troops back home from service in the Great War.

Troops' ship approaching Victoria

Photograph depicts a view from inside the boat as the ocean liner RMS Empress of Asia approaches Victoria. Onboard are troops returning from service in the Great War.

143rd Battalion; routine march

Photograph depicts the 143rd Battalion (B.C. Bantams) on a routine march. The location is unspecified, but likely somewhere near Victoria. The group in the photo is led by an officer on horseback.

Corporal outside his tent

Photograph depicts a corporal from the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles (British Columbia Horse) standing outside his canvas tent where he was quartered. The soldier is wearing an Oliver leather bandolier which was typical of cavalry units, as was the whistle lanyard around his shoulder.

Soldier outside his tent

Photograph depicts a private from the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles (recruited from the British Columbia Horse) standing outside the canvas tent where he was housed. Inside the tent are various supplies, including a gas lamp, a copy of Windsor Magazine, bedding and wooden crates. The soldier is wearing his Service Dress uniform with riding boots, gloves and a leather bandolier (popular with cavalry units).

Horse jumping exercise

Photograph depicts two soldiers on horseback about to jump over an obstacle, as part of routine training. These men would have been recruited into the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles through the British Columbia Horse squadron.

Soldiers outside living quarters

Photograph depicts five soldiers casually posing outside one of the canvas tents at camp. They belong to the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles (partly recruited through the British Columbia Horse).

Canadian Engineers Office

Photograph depicts three soldiers and what appears to be a potential recruit outside the Canadian Engineers Office at Willows Camp. The sign on the window reads: "Canadian Engineers, foresters and railway construction corps, Men wanted for overseas service".

2nd Depot Battalion officers

Photograph depicts a group of three officers at Willows Camp. These soldiers all wear cap badges from different units: The first is a lieutenant from 88th Battalion (Victoria Fusiliers), the second is a captain from the 121st Battalion (Western Irish) and the third is a lieutenant from the 102nd Battalion (North British Columbians). Despite these different origins, the photograph was taken at Willows Camp where all three became officers in the 2nd Depot Battalion, British Columbia Regiment. Note that the third soldier has medal ribbons and four wound stripes on his uniform.

Officers; 2nd Depot Battalion

Photograph depicts two officers from the 2nd Depot Battalion, British Columbia Regiment. The first officer is a Captain from the Canadian Army Medical Corps. The second soldier is a lieutenant who was brought up with the 7th Battalion (1st British Columbia) before being transferred to 2nd Depot Battalion. Both these soldiers wear their rank on their shoulder straps instead of their sleeves which only became popular toward the end of the war. The second soldier appears again in image J-03899 and in J-02956.

Senior officers, 2nd Depot Battalion

Photograph depicts two officers attached to the 2nd Depot Battalion, British Columbia Regiment at Willows Camp. The first is a CO from the Canadian Engineers. The second soldier is a captain who was originally trained in the 121st Battalion (Western Irish).

143rd Battalion picture

Photograph depicts the entire 143rd Battalion (British Columbia Bantams) outside the Provincial Parliament (Legislature) in downtown Victoria.

143rd Battalion; No. 2 Company

Photograph depicts No. 2 Company of the 143rd Battalion posing outside the parliament buildings in Victoria. The five officers seated in the front row chairs are Lieutenant Ernest LeMessurier, Captain Hugh Kennedy, Captain James Maxwell Reid (officer commanding), Lieutenant William Noble, and Lieutenant Herbert Mason Drost.

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