Original Canadian WWI “Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry” Medium Mark A Whippet (Female) Amherst Internment Camp German POW Made Trench Art Model – Formerly A.A.F. Tank Museum Collection Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is an exceptional example of a meticulously crafted wooden model of the famous British (Canadian) Medium Mark A Whippet Female tank. The attention to detail is impressive, as the tank is constructed using a combination of various types of scrap wood with inlaid bone accents, which adds a unique touch to the model. The overall design of the tank is mostly accurate and true to the original, with the machine guns still able to traverse and the whole “turret” portion being detachable, revealing a small storage space. The craftsmanship is remarkable, and it is evident that the creator took great care in every detail of the model, making it a true work of art. It measures approximately 10 1/2 inches in length and comes on a lovely display base.

The tank came to us from the American Armoured Foundation, Inc. Tank and Ordnance Memorial Museum. The AAF Tank Museum was a living memorial dedicated to the Tank and Cavalry soldiers of the world. Before 1981 some of the artifacts that make up the AAF Tank Museum was a private collection belonging to Mr. William Gasser. Mr. Gasser felt that his collection would be beneficial in educating present and future generations to the sacrifices made and the technologies gained during war. Therefore, in 1981 the AAF Tank Museum was established as a non-profit charitable organization, and Mr. Gasser’s donated his private collection to the Tank Museum. Mr. Gasser is still active as Volunteer Director and Curator of the Tank Museum and his knowledge of military history has been a great asset to the museum. Unfortunately after 20 years of operation it had to close its doors, which is when this tank was acquired.

There are multiple painted markings that helped us in our research. The front is marked with “Princess Pat” leading us to believe that it is for Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. The tail end of the tank has a small “sign” that says WAR SOUVENIR / MADE BY POW / AMHERST, N.S..

A wonderful example ready for further research and display.

Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry

Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry is one of the three Regular Force infantry regiments of the Canadian Army of the Canadian Armed Forces. Formed in 1914, it is named for Princess Patricia of Connaught, daughter of the then-Governor General of Canada. The regiment is composed of three battalions, for a total of 2,000 soldiers. The PPCLI is the main lodger unit of Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Edmonton in Alberta and CFB Shilo in Manitoba, and attached to 3rd Canadian Division; as such, it serves as the “local” regular infantry regiment for much of Western Canada. The Loyal Edmonton Regiment (LER), a Reserve Force battalion, is affiliated with the PPCLI but is not formally part of it. As part of this affiliation, the LER carries the designation ‘4th Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry’.

Amherst Internment Camp

Amherst Internment Camp was an internment camp that existed from 1914 to 1919 in Amherst, Nova Scotia. It was the largest internment camp in Canada during World War I; a maximum of 853 prisoners were housed at one time at the old Malleable Iron foundry on the corner of Hickman and Park Streets. The most famous prisoner at the camp was Leon Trotsky. There was a commemoration of the guards and prisoners for the 100th anniversary of the closing of the Amherst Internment Camp on July 2, 2019, at the Amherst Armoury.