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By Nicole Ensing, Archivist
In honour of Remembrance Day, the Archives and Library have selected photographs and documents from the Sid Unwin fonds for digitization. This is one of many digitization initiatives that are taking place in the Archives and Library at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies. Digitizing archival items increases access and helps preserve items in our holdings.
Sid Unwin (1882-1917) was a Canadian Rockies guide and outfitter in the years preceding World War I. He came to Banff from London, England in 1901.
Photograph in Guiding Album, [ca.1900–1905], Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Sid Unwin fonds (V25/I/B/PD/1/18/1).
Military Career, [1914–1917], Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Sid Unwin fonds (V25/I/A/PA-2).
Sid Unwin enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces and took up with the 22nd Battery (Howitzer), 6th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery 2nd Division. In 1916 he saw his first action in France. He fought in the battle for Vimy Ridge, was injured May 3, 1917 and died on June 29, 1917 at the East Leeds War Hospital.
The story of Sid Unwin and his experiences during the World War One are discussed in the Whyte Museum's Peaks & People blog.
Sid Unwin recorded his observations about duties on the front, gun positions, prisoners and gas warfare during World War One within his extensive diary, available as a pdf - Sid Unwin World War One Diary.
Military Career, [1914 – 1917], Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Sid Unwin fonds (V25/I/B/PA–12).
The postcard reads, “I am in the centre. Some of the boys who are nearly well, carried my bed into centre of ward for the photograph. Sid. Four are Canadians.”