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It is with great sorrow that we learned of the passing on Friday, January 6, 1995, of Ernest W. Peterkin (Capt., USN Ret.), an old veteran & champion against Farbs. Many will remember Ernie as Senior-Lt. & Adjutant of the St. Maries Militia (the older gentleman with hearing aides), who wore the most authentic officer's outfit of the militia.
Ernie worked at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington during WWII where he took part in the Vanguard Missile Project and the atomic bomb test at Bikini. After the war he served 35 more years at NRL, the last 10 of which as manager for a program that launched several satellites to measure solar activity. Ernie was also an authority in many aspects of military history. He was co-founder of the North-South Skirmish Association, which was the first such organization to demonstrate the use of weapons of the Civil War, and live firing competitions as well. He was the drill sergeant for the 1st Maryland Regiment (Rev. War) in the 1970's. Later he set up the Ft. McHenry Guard (recreated 1812 unit), and was involved heavily with the St. Maries Militia. He was a recognized authority on the design and construction of ironclad vessels of the Civil War, notably the USS Monitor and the Techumseh. He was responsible for training the US 3rd Army's ceremonial "Old Guard" unit in proper 18th-century drill, and had major roles in the development of Centennial Celebrations of the Civil War as well as Bicentennial Celebrations of the Revolutionary War and the recreation of the signing of the Treaty of Paris (in Paris) which ended that war. For over 25 years he made boots and shoes using techniques of early cordwainers, and demonstrated his craft at Annual Festivals at Waterford, Va. His many publications include two books, one a compilation of drawings of the USS Monitor (1985), which he was historical consultant on the archaeology recovery of (as well as on the TV special), and the definitive study of the military drill of the Continental Army by Von Stubin (1989). Ernie many times remarked to Captain Fox about the "...damned awful looking Farbs..." that abound at the Grand Muster and in the seventeenth century period, and that "...many of these units do not know the first damn thing about proper drill!" Ernie was a military man throughout; one that would not hold his tongue nor try to please everyone. Instead he spoke 'right from the cuff', and wanted to see whatever period he re-enacted portrayed the most authentically as possible by everyone involved. He could tell you how awfully inaccurate you looked in the most direct and harshest way (while his expert tailoring presented him as perfect), and in the same sentence made you felt glad that he told you so. Ernie thought the ECWSA's units, as witnessed by their professionalism in both camp and on the field, plus demonstration of drill, were the best in the period. He admired the ECWSA's Handbook as "...what the period needed". After a service at Ft. Meyer Chapel he was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with Full Military Honors on Friday, January 13, 1995. The formal procession went off with full military recision, each soldier in perfect step, many re-enactors in their period clothing marching behind the caisson and the Navy honor guard and band on the mile trek to his final resting place. The day saw 65-degrees, and perfect weather for a military ceremony or re-enactment, which would have made Ernie proud. The funeral and celebration saw the chapel and church hall packed beyond capacity, where there were no dry eyes amongst the many family, friends and fellow re-enactors from three periods, gathered together. Ernie will have no trouble passing any required inspection to get into that 'Great Re-enactor Home in the Sky'. He will be sorely missed at future Grand Musters. |
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