Ottawa Military Heritage Show celebrating 30 years of keeping wartime history alive

Military collectors and enthusiasts alike filled the Nepean Sportsplex Saturday to browse and sell hundreds of antique war items – everything from guns to military maps to medals.

The Ottawa Military Heritage Show has existed for more than 30 years, usually with two shows happening per year.

There were around 75 vendors of various collecting and military backgrounds ready to appraise and sell items, according to event organizer Peter Blenkarn.

“We [offer] free appraisals. We have lots of people bringing in war souvenirs,” he said.

Many of the vendors fly from in from across Canada twice a year to take part in the show.

“It’s just people celebrating our military heritage. Mostly Canadian and British. But there’s some American goodies,” he added.

Blenkarn has been hosting the show for the past 10 years, but he said the event originally began with a group of military veterans who got together with a goal of displaying their wartime items. Now, he said, the show is a way to keep history alive.

“My grandfather was a veteran of the First World War – he fought at Vimy Ridge. So, I was always wanting to ask more about him, and then he passed away,” he said.

Some notable items on display included a device used in World War II to calibrate radio receivers in the field, a World War II aircraft compass, and many swords.

Maxime Chouimare was one of the vendors at the show. His table featured a collection of antique swords from across the world, including two from volunteer militia in Ottawa.

“We have [swords used by the] Princess Louise Dragoon Guards and the Governor General’s bodyguards. They were trooper swords used by these two volunteer cavalry units,” Choiumare said. The Princess Louise Dragoon Guards were active from 1875 to 1965 in Ottawa.

Blenkarn said he’d also seen several good items come through the show Saturday.

“Today I’ve had some good buys. I got a vehicle full of military uniforms,” he said. “I also bought a box off a man [with] his father’s World War II first aid kit, [and] I bought some beautiful German bayonets.”

And while many of the items featured low price tags, Blenkarn said he’s seen some valuable items brought in by attendees.

“Three shows ago, a lady came in with a Victoria Cross. This was from New Zealand… One of the vendors offered her $100,000 for it and she turned it down. Maybe she wanted more, I don’t know,” he said. “But we have lots of great medals here that get brought in.”

The next Ottawa Military Heritage Show is scheduled for October and general admission is $8.