“Liberated” RMR Cutlery Returned after 80+ years
Westmount, Quebec – 24 July 2024: The RMR Museum’s Curator, Mr. Ron Zemancik, received an interesting donation along with an explanation and request for pardon for the suspected perpetrator. Four pieces of silver RMR officers’ mess cutlery from when the Regiment was stationed in the UK in WW2. The cover letter explains the situation quite well, and a museum volunteer has verified the nominal rolls from both 1st and 2nd Battalions RMR for 1939-1945 and no reference of a ‘Fred Charlebois’ could be found. Regardless, we’re grateful for his actions as they inevitably led to the cutlery being preserved from being melted down!
Scotland, UK
12 May 2024
Dear Curator,
I have enclosed the cutlery as a gift to the museum. It is very probable that it was illegally acquired in the first place. It has been lying in my attic for at least 47 years and I can remember seeing it when I was a boy more than 60 years ago. It may have been “acquired” by a soldier called Fred Charlebois and if you find out that he was in the RMR then please let me know. He will be over 100 years old if he is still alive so, please do not try to prosecute him!
I have made no attempt to clean off any corrosion. If the cutlery is sent to a plating company, then they could possibly bring them up almost as good as new.
Please keep safe and thank everyone there for helping to keep the world a safer place.
Yours
[Signature]
Jim McHardy
2 Comments
Join the discussion and tell us your opinion.
Just to set the record straight while surfing on eBay I came upon these RMR officers’ mess cutlery set. I contacted the seller to discussed the selling price while doing so I mentioned that I was an X-RSM of the RMR and that the unit had a museum which might be interesting in having the cutlery set which I would purchase should the price be right. Next thing I knew the seller was willing to donate the items and after discussing the subject matter with the RMR Museum’s Curator all those concern were happy to have them back at the Regiment. Although it took some time for the items to arrive at the unit there were a number of email correspondance (documented) between me and the seller Mr. Jim McHardy towards the gratitude given towards these historical items especially at no cost to me or the museum. I just hope a letter of thanks was sent to Mr. McHardy on behalf of the museum. Thank you!
Thanks, RSM – and yes, the RMR museum Curator sent a letter of thanks!