Object Record
Images
Metadata
Collection |
Waterloo Region Museum |
Object ID |
1964.027.002 |
Object Name |
Shako |
Description |
A painted tin hatbox containing a military hat called a shako. The hatbox is oval, widening from the base and higher at the back. It is painted black with reddish-brown dots. There is a brass plate on the lid marked: Thomas Peck, Galt. The lid is hinged to the base, has a wire handle and a clip closure on the front. The hatbox is painted inside a shiny copper colour. The hat is black beaver felt and has a flat black leather top and peaked front. There is also a leather piece at the back bottom and a buckled chin strap. There is a decorative black medallion of a Gorgon on the top back. The back piece and the peak are lined with green paper. There is a tan leather sweatband and red silk lining. The hat has attachments: a decorative metal piece with ball end which has a slit for a dense red and white wool ball on a brass stick. There are two holes in the front top of the hat just underneath the hole where the metal piece and ball attach, suggesting that a badge or something is missing. There is also a brass padlock (5 X 3 cm); the key is attached to the hatbox on a string. |
Date |
1866 |
Date |
1881 |
Dimensions |
H-23 W-21.5 L-30 cm |
History |
Thomas Peck (1821-1886) was an immigrant form Suffolk, England. Peck was a maltster and an owner of the Galt Malt Works on Kerr Street. He is buried in the Trinity Anglican Church cemetery in Cambridge. The Waterloo County Militia was formed in the early 1850s. By 1866, it was known as the 29th Waterloo Battalion of Infantry, and was made up of six companies in the county, which were stationed at New Hamburg, Ayr, Galt, Berlin, Crosshill and Waterloo. It was relatively inactive, but mustered on several occasions, including 1866 when the New Hamburg, Galt and Waterloo units were called out to repulse the Fenians at the time of their border raids. Colonel Peck commanded the 29th Battalion from 1866 to 1881. There were between 250 and 300 persons under Colonel Peck's command. In 1905, the battalion's name was changed to the 29th Waterloo Regiment. |
Search Terms |
Waterloo County Militia 29th Waterloo Battalion of Infantry 29th Waterloo Regiment |
People |
Peck, Thomas |