New Historical Display at the CFMPA: "The Artist"

During the Second World War, Canadian Provost Corps troops had no access to pre-made route, directional or information signs like our contemporary military police do. Instead, provost units were required to manufacture all of their own signs in the field—often with scrounged paints/materials and improvised tools. These signs are featured in many wartime photos and artworks, and have become an iconic element of the wartime provost's identify.

Lance-Corporal H. G. Roseborough from No. 8 Provost Company paints road signs in Boxtel, Netherlands, 15 March 1945. (Photo: Capt. Jack H. Smith/DND/LAC/PA-113684)

A Corporal from No. 1 Provost Company (RCMP) directs traffic beside unit-made signs, Italy, 1943. (Credit: Bryan Fosten painting published in a 1986 postcard by Pompadour Gallery, Essex. UK)

As a tribute the provost sign painters, the Canadian Forces Military Police Academy (CFMPA) recently unveiled a new historical display titled "The Artist." Conceived and constructed by Sergeant Ian Beswick, with carpentry assistance from Sergeant Jodi Woolridge, this life-size display depicts a provost sign painter hard at work. 

"The Artist," CFMPA Historical Collection, CFMPA Borden (Photos: Sergeant Ian Beswick).

In addition to his regular job as the NCO IC Standards/Development, Sergeant Beswick is the Academy's historian and coordinates its growing heritage collection. Based on a few wartime photos, Sergeant Beswick was able to recreate the look and atmosphere of a less glamourous, but nonetheless essential, aspect of wartime provost work. Careful inspection reveals period-correct signs, paint can labels based on actual wartime examples, and reproduction wooden crates featuring authentically-styled labels and stamps.  

Bravo Zulu to Sergeant Beswick and the other CFMPA staff members who helped make this new historical display a reality!