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Kelowna  

Trophy of war unveiled

Captured as a trophy of war by Canadian forces almost 100 years ago, a large First World War gun has a new home at the Okanagan Military Museum in Kelowna.

The German 77-mm field gun was in use during the first global conflict of the 20th century and snatched from the theatre of war by Canadian troops on Sept. 2, 1918.

The gun was displayed in City Park until the early 1970s when it was moved to the front of the HH Angle Armoury.

However, its exterior had deteriorated significantly over the century, with rusting metal, fading paint and rotting wheels and seats. The barrel itself was plugged with decades of debris, according to Tom Wolf, president of the Okanagan Military Museum Society.

He said for the past several years society members have fundraised and actively worked on the restoration of the gun.

Now it is ready to be unveiled at its new home in front of the Okanagan Military Museum, using some of the stones from Kelowna's original 1920 Cenotaph.

A ceremony will be held at the museum on Canada Day, July 1, at 11 a.m.

“The gun will retake its place as an historic artifact as well as a tribute to those who have served,” said Wolf.



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