Ashton Armoury Museum

05/25/2026

The always allusive Jason caught militaria curator Wayne helping a new volunteer with his batte dress buttons.

05/23/2026

We were at the Fort Macaulay event today with another great "Hands on History" display

05/23/2026

05/12/2026

It was one of those rare days when history was celebrated. A World War II motorcycle and its donor were for a moment brought together. The British motorcycle, a Norton 500 WD16H army model, was shipped to Canada after finishing its courier service in 1945. Some time later, Vancouver was its final stop, where a dealer contacted a young Bevan Gore Langton of Victoria. Bev was keen on the purchase and soon found the open road. An adventurous ride on BC’s challenging roads to Calgary was undertaken. Along the way he picked up a passenger to share the harsh comfort of a near solid suspension. No matter; they were young and the Norton proved to be reliable.

The years passed and Bev’s collection of interesting motorcycles grew. After a time, Bev decided that a motorcycle that had actually served in wartime deserved to be seen by others rather than sitting in his private collection. The thought came to him to donate the Norton to the Ashton Armoury Museum which had been established in 1994. So, its new home came to be on Vanalman Ave, Victoria among the Jeeps and other military displays.

Recently, local motorcyclist Rick Kool took the initiative to bring the two back together again. But first, the 80+ year old bike needed to be brought back to running condition. Long time Victoria Motorcycle Club members Terry Hyde and Martin Spriggs, along with Air Force pilot and motorcycle collector John Reilly, combined their considerable mechanical skills to coax the old veteran back to life.

And so it was that Bev Gore Langton, now in his nineties, was brought to the Ashton Armouries to lay his eyes on the rejuvenated courier bike. With a handful of enthusiasts standing by, there was the required photo shoot and then, the crowning moment. John, dressed in his Canadian military gear, fired up the old Norton and rode it around the Armoury back lot. It was great to hear the one lung thumper as it passed around and around the appreciative audience. And of course, Bev was just beaming. There’s the story—decades in the happening, a unique reunion.

Written by Gary Nordstrom

04/30/2026

Welcome back Colin - as we missed you at your museum work station the past two months.

04/03/2026

The museum maintainers had a busy March getting the CMP running after it's engine rebuild and, hopefully, getting the Ferret back on the road for Victoria Day.

03/03/2026

The museum was invited to participate in the Salt Spring Island Library & Archives' commemoration of Black History Month. We were please to accept and loan WWI artifacts for their interpretive exhibit which recognized Salt Spring Island member of No 2 Constriction Battalion, CEF.