Memorabilia collected by Lethbridge, AB resident Douglas James Wilson. In February 1946, Wilson was posted as a guard at Lethbridge’s prisoner of war Camp 133. The camp’s internees were detained German servicemen, including members of the Deutsches Afrika Korps, downed Luftwaffe aircrew and captured Kriegsmarine sailors.

Circumstances surrounding Wilson’s acquisition of the objects are unknown; however, it was common for prisoners to trade personal items with guards in order to receive luxury goods. Additionally, it is possible that he “found” the items among abandoned materials as the Camp slowly closed in 1946.

Included amongst the memorabilia is a pair of altered Luftwaffe senior NCO shoulder straps; a handmade Berlin crest, suspected (unconfirmed) to have been worn by u-boat submariners on their wedge caps; German army (Heer) and Luftwaffe cap eagles and a German army belt buckle.

Donated by Johanna Wilson