Name/Title
1950 - Private purchase Birks & Sons (Montreal) 8 x 30 Binoculars owned by owned by Lieutenant-Colonel Henry D. Rolland, ED - Lieutnenant-Colonel commanding No2 Battalion (1940-1945)Description
*** SERIAL NUMBER and makers mark photos NEEDED ***
1950-1960 - Post WW2 Private purchase Birks & Sons (Montreal) Binoculars with leather case owned by Lieutenant-Colonel Henry D. Rolland, ED - a set of 3 separate binoculars
SET #3 BIRKS & SONS (1950-55) - Serial number needed (May be J-series)
The Binoculars were manufactured in Japan for Birks & Sons of Montreal.
This type of Binocular was a widely duplicated design. 8x30 was sold in Europe and Asia, military and civilian, and typically 6x30 and 7x35 were sold or issued in North America.
This example is much more likely to be a private purchase retail or consumer product sold by Birks since independent focus 6x30's and 7x50's were preferred for North American militaries because they were more rugged and dirt-proof. The JE number (metal makers) found on the Chassis and focuser is JE-22, Itabashi Kogaku Kikai Seisakujo Inc.,Tokyo. A JB number (the overall mfgr. and finisher) would represent a much rarer variant manufactured by J-B175, Toyo Kogaku Kenkxuio.
ABOUT THE CGG OFFICER:
Lieutenant-Colonel Henry D'Estimauville “Dusty” Rolland had a multifaceted career as a military officer. Born in Montreal in 1893, Rolland was a descendent of distinguished families of the French nobility (D'Estimauville and D'Ailleboust), who played important roles in the military and public life of early New France. His great-grandfather, lawyer Jean-Roch Rolland, was heralded as Judge of the Court of King's Bench (of Quebec) in the early 19th Century. His military career began in 1912 with the 13th Scottish Light Dragoons. Following a period of training with the McGill ROTC he joined the Canadian Grenadier Guards, shipped overseas in May of 1917, and after a period at the Officer Training Course at Bexhill in England, was posted to active service in France and Belgium with the 87th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. In 1918 he was seconded to the Royal Air Force and qualified as an Observation Officer. He was transferred to the Italian Front and flew in open-cockpit Bristol F.2 Aircraft. It was during one of these dangerous missions that an engine failure over mountainous terrain came close to disaster. Catastrophe was evaded at the last moment but left him with a severely injured shoulder. After returning safely to base he was invalided to France, and later to England for recovery. On his return to Canada in 1919, he served in the Active Militia (CGG), which would continue for the next 26 years. He was the Captain of the CGG Officers Baseball Team which won MMBL Championships during the 1920’s. One of the highlights of this period of service occurred in August 1928. Major H. D Rolland, by then 2-IC of the Regiment, performed the duty of Guard of Honour to HRH Edward, Prince of Wales, along with his brother Prince George, (later to be George VI) during their Royal visit to Canada. In the many photos of the time we see Major Rolland as an imposing figure in full dress regalia with sword and towering bearskin, well representing the pride and tradition of the Canadian Grenadier Guards.
His service with The Guards culminated in his appointment as Lieutenant Colonel Commanding of the 2nd Battalion CGG throughout WW2, during which his leadership was much respected and appreciated, as was the social enthusiasm contributed by his wife, Minnie (known as “The Colonel's Lady”), who led the Women's Auxiliary. In his parallel civilian life, his sense of discipline and respectful leadership saw him rise through the ranks of The Bell Telephone Company, from “office boy” to a senior executive. Most of his 53-year career was spent in Montreal working in the “Skyscraper” Beaver Hall Building. He had 2 daughters, one of whom served as a Red Cross nurse in England in WW2, and four grandchildren, all boys. LCol Rolland died in Ottawa, 26 December 1978 at age 85, and was buried beside his beloved Minnie (predeceased) in Toronto.Created By
Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.Create Date
May 14, 2025Updated By
Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.Update Date
May 21, 2025
