The Medal Tales Project
EVERY MEDAL HAS A STORY THAT DESERVES TO BE REMEMBERED
THE PROJECT
The Medal Tales Project starts with a simple mission: to find authentic Canadian First World War medals and rebuild the stories of the soldiers who earned them. Each medal becomes the foundation of a unique, hand-assembled classroom kit. No two kits are alike—each reveals the life of a real Canadian soldier whose history has faded from view.
Finding the Medals
I search antique shops, online auctions, and private collections for original WWI Canadian medals. Once purchased, each medal becomes the starting point for a new case file.
Researching the Soldier
Each kit begins with archival research, including:
• Attestation papers
• Service and medical records
• Battalion histories
• War diaries and trench maps
• Newspaper clippings
• Census and family documents
This research forms the backbone of the mystery students will investigate.
Building the Case File
Every case file includes a mix of:
• Historical photos
• Notes and letters
• Service-record excerpts
• Newspaper articles
• War diary entries
• Contextual information
Some details are accurate, some are contextual, and some are intentionally misleading. Students must verify, question, and piece together the truth—just like real historians.
Creating the Classroom Kit
Each kit contains:
• The soldier’s authentic WWI medal (mounted and tracked)
• A complete investigation file
• Teacher guide and curriculum links
• Presentation tips
• A short illustrated story of the soldier’s journey
Teachers are encouraged to let students lead the investigation.
Classroom Presentations & Remembrance Day
Throughout November, classes are encouraged to:
• Present their soldier’s story
• Display findings or artwork
• Share their research process
• Feature the soldier in their Remembrance Day ceremony
The goal is to make remembrance personal, engaging, and student-led.
Kits Return for Reuse
At the end of November, kits are returned, inspected, and refreshed. They are then prepared for the following September, ready to bring another soldier’s story to life for a new classroom.
Each year, the kits circulate again, giving hundreds of students the chance to rediscover and honour a forgotten life from the past.