He Landed on Juno Beach—and His Secret D-Day Diary Just Turned Up After 80 Years

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00:00 – Military Antiques Toronto intro, rare military items walk-in, collector stories
00:45 – Family sells father’s Camerons of Ottawa collection, service battalion history
01:30 – Cameron Highlanders kilt and regimental ring of power, sterling silver military jewelry
02:15 – Service Battalion uniforms, DEU, garrison dress, Canadian army collectibles
03:00 – Sergeant Smet medals, Canadian Decoration CD with bars, long service military medals
03:45 – The truth about families selling military collections, antique dealer insights
04:30 – Northern Alberta Pioneers Old Timers Association medal, Lieutenant Colonel Carstairs, Northwest Rebellion 1885 history
05:15 – OBE medal group with police long service, WWII service medals collection
06:00 – Inspector Alan Aungiers medal provenance, North Yorkshire Police connection
06:45 – D-Day diary discovery, firsthand landing account Juno Beach June 6 1944
07:30 – Transcribed WWII diary pages, artillery soldier journal, historic war documentation
08:15 – Order of the British Empire certificate signed by Elizabeth II, collector preservation
09:00 – WWII medals, OBE award, police service record, rare war memorabilia summary
09:45 – Outro, follow Military Antiques Toronto for rare military history finds

A family walks in with their father’s collection — a story repeated often in the world of military collectibles. The father served with the Camerons of Ottawa before moving into the Service Battalion as an RSM, and the family’s decision to part with his collection reveals just how easily pieces of history can disappear. Dave explains the truth about collecting military memorabilia: nobody takes it with them, and once these treasures leave the family’s hands, they either end up cherished by collectors or lost forever.

Among the highlights is a genuine sterling silver Camerons of Ottawa regimental ring, affectionately called the “Ring of Power.” Once proudly worn by members of the regiment, this vintage piece represents loyalty, honor, and regimental pride. Alongside it sits the kilt from the same veteran’s service, DEU and garrison dress uniforms, and combat patches from his years of dedication. The collection even includes Sergeant Smet’s medals — a Canadian Decoration (CD) with two bars, representing over 30 years of faithful service. These medals embody a lifetime of discipline and commitment, offering an incredible example of Canadian military service memorabilia

But the treasures don’t stop there. A Northern Alberta Pioneers Old Timers Association medal turns up next — engraved to Lieutenant Colonel W. Carstairs from the Northwest Rebellion of 1885. This historic artifact connects Canadian history, pioneer heritage, and military valor all in one piece. Named, dated, and preserved, it’s the type of medal that belongs in a regimental museum or a national archive. The gold front and engraved back make it an eye-catching and significant part of Canada’s frontier military legacy.

Then comes the discovery that steals the show — a complete medal group with an OBE (Order of the British Empire) and a police long service award belonging to Inspector Alan Aungiers. His story spans from the beaches of Normandy to the streets of North Yorkshire, bridging World War II heroism and postwar police service. What makes this group truly extraordinary is the diary — a day-by-day record of D-Day and beyond. This handwritten wartime journal, later carefully transcribed, captures the raw experience of landing at Juno Beach on June 6, 1944. Each entry brings you closer to the reality of combat, movement, and survival during one of the most important moments in world history.

The diary doesn’t just recount military action; it tells a soldier’s personal journey from Lance Bombardier to decorated officer, later honored by Queen Elizabeth II with the OBE. The original certificate, signed and preserved, adds priceless provenance to the collection. Alongside are original ribbons, wartime maps, photographs, and a London Gazette clipping — all carefully stored and ready for preservation. This combination of medals, documents, and the wartime diary represents one of the rarest and most meaningful finds in recent memory.

Dave reminds viewers that while standard WWII medal groups may not be rare in themselves, it’s the personal connection, story, and provenance that elevate them from collectible to historical treasure. The OBE and Police Long Service medals add distinction, while the D-Day diary transforms the collection into a firsthand window into history.

Military Antiques Toronto continues to be one of the leading destinations for collectors of medals, militaria, and regimental history across Canada and beyond. You never know what will walk through the door — one day it’s a Northwest Rebellion relic, the next it’s a WWII diary or a long-lost family medal group.