Name/Title
1914 - WWI - An exceptionally rare CGG engraved WW1 polished steel “Walk Hard” field shaving mirror and wallet named and presented to Private Thomas Hodgett Codie Knowles from 1914 with personalized engraving "To Private Thomas Hodgett Codie Knowles (Who served with CAMC & RCR during WWI), From D Company, 1st Regiment Canadian Grenadier Guards."Scope and Content
For Museum records only - Part of the Lieutenant Michael A. Hayes-Rivet (MHR) Trust Collection *** FOR ARCHIVE PURPOSES ONLY - ARTIFACT NOT PART OF MUSEUM COLLECTION ***
1914 - WWI - An exceptionally rare CGG engraved WW1 polished steel “Walk Hard” field shaving mirror and wallet named and presented to Private Thomas Hodgett Codie Knowles from 1914 with personalized engraving "To Private Thomas Hodgett Codie Knowles (Who served with CAMC & RCR during WWI), From D Company, 1st Regiment Canadian Grenadier Guards."
The trench shaving mirrors were an important tool for every soldier to have while in the field. As shaving was required by regulations (beards would prevent a proper seal of the gas mask to the face), each soldier had to have a razor and a mirror to see where to shave. Although there are many different styles of trench shaving mirrors that were commercially produced and purchased, the one shown is a common type. It has a leather case, and the mirror has a hole in the top for hanging on a nail or to be tied to something.
Typically, WW1 Canadian CEF Shaving Mirrors were private purchased by Officers. With a Pouch, this example is a historical artifact dating back to prior to the First World War.
An exceptionally rare CGG engraved WW1 polished steel “Walk Hard” field shaving mirror and wallet named and presented to 530561 Private Thomas Hodgett Codie Knowles from 1914. He was a member of “D Company” 1st Grenadier Guards of Canada (CGG) from 1913 to 1915 and represents one of 144 CGG soldiers who at the declaration of war immediately enlisted with the CEF in units outside of CGG’s volunteer contingents (14th bn / 23rd Bn / 60th Bn / 87th Bn / 245th Bn).
These soldiers are often forgotten but include an Olympic Medalist, a famous Artist, an Inventor, and many gallantry award winners.
ABOUT THE HARD WALK MIRROR
ABOUT THE CGG SOLDIER
530561 Private Thomas Hodgett Codie Knowles was born in Scotland in 1898 but lived in Westmount, PQ at the time he served with CGG. Upon enlistment with the 9th Field Hospital out of Montreal, he was shipped to the UK and eventually France where he served with the RCR, and the 8th Field Hospital where he earned a good conduct badge and was wounded on 8th October 1918 with a Gun Shot Wound to his left leg. He returned to Canada in 1919 and eventual relocated to Miami Florida where he became a Doctor and started a family. His son Thomas Knowles Jr. would serve in the US Navy during WW2 (buried in Arlington). Records show that Pte Knowles became a naturalized US Citizen in 1950 and passed away in Florida in 1986.Created By
Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.Create Date
May 23, 2026Updated By
Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.Update Date
June 20, 2026
