Introduction
The Ashton Armoury Museum, a 39 Service Battalion Regimental Museum, is located in the LGen E.C. Ashton Armoury, 724 Vanalman Ave, Victoria, was established in 1994 to maintain, honour and promote the history of 11 Service Battalion, now 11 Company, 39 Service Battalion. The museum also honours the history and heritage of co-located Signal, Medical and Military Police units, and their Canadian Armed Forces Branches and predecessor Army Corps.
The museum portrays the history of these units and their respective branches and corps that have provided the support necessary to sustain combat forces on the field of battle and during peace time operations. They are, to borrow an old expression, the tinkers, tailors, butchers and bakers of the Army. The museum serves to connect serving soldiers with what their predecessors accomplished. For civilians who have not seen military service, the exhibits show how terrible war can be and how much is owed to those who endured it. It helps remind people that the freedoms we take for granted have sometimes been bought with blood, sweat and tears.
The museum is a secure, well-managed, appreciative repository for military and related memorabilia preserved and displayed for current and future generations. To be able to do this properly, we must store the majority of collections in artifact friendly storage facilities, protecting them from light, dust, excessive humidity and temperature, and handling. If you, a family member or friend has donated something to our Museums, and you do not see it on display, chances are it is being held in storage for future generations to learn from and enjoy. Even exhibiting a uniform for a few months will damage the fragile textile, and fade the brilliant colors found on most military uniforms. The museum has a total of 15 vehicles in its collection, 11 which can be seen in action around town, during parades and at the annual Fort Rodd Hill’s Military Encampment. It also has thousands of artifacts from past conflicts and peacekeeping operations, including the Zulu War of the 19th century, the First and Second World Wars, Korean War and numerous United Nations’ peacekeeping operations.
Located in a working armoury, the museum’s displays are spread throughout the building, with some of the vehicles parked outside. From a World War 1 trench dug-out to mannequins displaying uniforms from many eras, to memorabilia from various peace-keeping operations, the collection gives a good overview of the work of those personnel who supported the fighting soldiers. The museum operates in accordance with the policies and procedures contained in the Ashton Armoury Museum Policy and Procedures Manual (2017).
Mission Statement
The LGen E.C. Ashton Armoury Museum strives; for excellence in the acquisition, preservation, interpretation, and presentation of historical artifacts associated with the resident Ashton Armoury units as part of the military heritage of Canada; and to provide visitors “hands-on” opportunities where possible.
Museum Management
Director: Bart Dennis, Associate Director: Wayne Dauphinee, Archivist and Senior Researcher: Ted Leaker, Curator Vintage Vehicles: Chris Preston Curator Communications: Paul McNeill, Co-Curators Militaria: Nancy & Wayne Dauphinee, Co-Curators Weapons: Colin Wyatt & Peter Laursen
Volunteer Program
The Museum is a totally volunteer operation, as such volunteers are recruited without regard to gender, handicap, age, race, sexual orientation, or other conditions providing the individual meets the requirements of the volunteer position description.
Any person interested in volunteering at the Museum must complete and submit an Ashton Armoury Museum Volunteer Registration Form. This form will state the interests of the volunteer and it shall be used to match their interests with the needs of the Museum.
Museum volunteers are provided general liability coverage and Death and Dismemberment Benifits through the CAF Non Public Property Consoladated Insurance Program
Financial Support
The Museum is financially supported by:
- Government of British Columbia:
- National Defence Canada Directorate of History and Heritage:
- Private donations; and
- Museum Shop sales.
Association Memberships
The LGen E.C. Ashton Armoury Museum is a member of the:
- Organization of Military Museums of Canada
- British Columbia Museums Association
- Canadian Museums Association
- Greater Victoria Military Museums & Historic Sites Working Group
Contact Us
The Ashton Armoury Museum 724 Vanalman Ave Victoria, BC V8Z 3B5 Telephone: (250) 363-8346 Email: ashtonarmourymuseum@shaw.ca