Giving military history new life
Collecting military memorabilia is one thing, but giving the items meaning and significance through lifelike displays which one can touch and feel, takes collecting to a different level.
Herman Labuschagne, a militaria enthusiast, enjoys researching the life and career of the person who owned the items so he can give the memorabilia personal significance.
Labuschagne studied genealogy. He says some of the items he owns were donated to him. Sometimes families do not understand the significance of the militaria, but when he creates an authentic display of the items, people appreciate them more.
He says: "I will put the uniform on a mannequin with a hat and perhaps an old leather suitcase alongside, containing the person’s photo albums, letters and items of service."
He might even put an antique cigarette lighter in the pocket. Then - different from a museum where one is not allowed to touch displays - he encourages people to touch them and check the pockets, for example.
"It is not a sterile exhibit," Labuschagne says with passion and conviction. "It is a living, interactive display. A person gets the thrill of opening a treasure chest and unpacking all these items. It is a tangible record of what someone did in the military."
Discussing his hobby, he says: "I started it as a small boy, when my father used to allow me to examine and play with his collection of badges.
"My father's collecting began when he was a young schoolboy. With most of the boys' fathers having served in WW2, the boys used to trade badges as others would trade marbles.
"My focus areas are primarily the South
African army, navy, air force, police and railway police services, from the Boer War until 1994. As a collector I specialise in the collection of military uniforms, associated with the life history of an individual."
Labuschagne says: "If it is the uniform of an army officer or a navy commodore, I try to research and document their life story. I obtain photos of their service, and build a story line of what they experienced.
"This often results in travelling and meeting wonderful people who are nearly always deeply grateful to share their memories of their service, or that of their parents or grandparents."
Some of Labuschagne's collection is displayed in the MOTH shellhole in Marsh Street, Mossel Bay. "But exhibits need a lot of space," he says. "My dream is to set up a dedicated militaria museum in Mossel Bay or George one day, so that the exhibits can be enjoyed by all."
Labuschagne, who lives on a farm outside Glentana, earns a living selling printing machinery which is manufactured almost exclusively in George.
He would be delighted to chat about his hobby. Contact him on 044 805 7109, 082 800 8621 or automatic975@gmail.com. Also see www.labuschagne.info.