This exhibit delves into Canada’s pivotal role in the First World War, emphasizing the extensive participation and sacrifices of its citizens. Through a collection of artifacts, it honors the 619,000 Canadians who enlisted in the Army, particularly the 424,000 who served overseas, and the crucial logistical support provided by the Canadian Army Service Corps and Ordnance Corps.
Cabinet

Artifacts
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Badges, Unit, Canada, First World War
The 179th (Cameron Highlanders of Canada) Battalion, CEF was a unit in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War. Based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the unit began recruiting during the winter of 1915/16 in that city. After sailing to England in October 1916, the battalion was absorbed into the 17th Reserve Battalion on October 21, 1916. The battalion was disbanded on …
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Binoculars
Binoculars are two telescopes attached side-by-side and aligned to focus in the same direction which may also be described as an optical instrument with a lens for each eye that is used for viewing distant objects. They are also known as field glasses which provides a magnified view of distant objects. The British government sought …
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Book, Pay, Soldier’s Service
The Active Service Pay Book included this table of pay rates for the information of the officers, NCOs, and soldiers of the CEF. There were occasions for soldiers of the CEF to be paid extra allowances. On 1 November 1915, the Minister of Militia and Defence fixed rates of pay for the Canadian Expeditionary Force. …
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Bottle, Water 1918
This is a First World War-style, enamelled, water bottle with cork, housed in a felt carrier with a sling. In early 2WW, the great pressure for military supplies prompted the British Army to issue standard water bottles in 1903 pattern skeletal leather carriers. The “bottle” measures 8 inches high by 6 inches wide. Description Blue …
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Box, Chocolate, Queen Victoria Gift, 1900
In 1899 Queen Victoria decided to send a gift of tin boxes of chocolate to her troops serving in South Africa. It was intended that every soldier and officer should receive a box with the inscription ‘South Africa 1900’ and in the Queen’s handwriting ‘I wish you a happy New Year’. Description: Rectangular tin with …
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Box, Cigarette, Benson & Hedges (1915)
History: Benson & Hedges was founded in London, England in 1873 by Richard Benson and William Hedges as Benson and Hedges Ltd. In the 1900s they opened branches in the United States and Canada. In 1915, the Army decided to give cigarettes to enlisted men because they wanted to keep them calm during battle and …
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Box, Toffee Candy, Earl Kitchener of Khartoum
Halton’s Toffee Tin with Image of Earl Kitchener of Khartoum. Secretary of State for War (of Khartoum). Ridgway’s Tea Caddy with First World War Scenes and | Etsy UK This historic Great War hinged tin box has Earl Kitchener and the Union Flag on the lid. This design is intended for Home Front propaganda and can …
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Bugle, Bugle Calls
The bugle was used primarily by infantry and cavalry to relay instructions from officers to soldiers during battle. It was also used at large training camps with service support units to coordinate activities. Description: A bugle is usually made of copper, gold, (brass) and silver-coloured metals. Origin: The bugle shown was manufactured by the Whaley …
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Buttons, First World War
Buttons, RCD, and Music Branch The Royal Canadian Dragoons (RCD) used 10 different patterns of buttons from 1893 to 2000. The Royal Canadian Dragoons is the most senior cavalry regiment in Canada having been formed on 21 December 1883. The regiment currently serves as a regular force armoured unit in the 4th Canadian Division, 2 …
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Camp Hughes
Camp Hughes, located near Carberry, MB from 1909 to 1934, was a prominent Militia and First World War military training site for prairie soldiers. During the First World War, approximately 38,000 soldiers were trained there for overseas service with the Canadian Expeditionary Force (C.E.F.). A training camp this large required significant logistics support which was …
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Camp Hughes Manitoba
Provincial Heritage Site No. 82, Camp Hughes Military Training Site NE 34-10-16 W, 10 kms west of Carberry, R.M. of North Cypress Established 1909 (used until 1934) National Historic Site of Canada, Designated in 2011 Camp Hughes was a Canadian military training camp. It was actively used for Army training from 1909 to 1934 and …
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Cap, Field Service (“wedge cap”), Royal Flying Corps (RFC) Cap Badge
The Field Service Cap (“wedge cap”) was officially introduced into the Canadian Army in 1939, when the new Battle Dress uniform was introduced. Wedge style caps had been worn by Canadians in the First World War, particularly by aviators (pilots), but its use was never widespread. The original Royal Flying Corps cap badges were manufactured in brass, …
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Cards, Post: Voices from Vimy: Manitobans on the Ridge
This is a sample of a Manitoban’s letter (post card) home from Vimy Ridge in the First World War. This post card is from The University of Manitoba archives and special collections. A picture of Frederick D. Baragar and Silver heels Feb. 17, 1917 is on the front. The following is from the back of …
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CEF General List Cap Badge
Description: The general list cap badge was a standard badge worn by soldiers of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) during the First World War. In principle, the general list cap badge distinguished Canadian soldiers from their British counterparts. In practice, however, most Canadian units and formations designed and purchased their own distinctive cap badges. Background: …
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Combat Service Support in Battle
This group of pictures represents Combat Service Support in Battle in the First World War. Pictures represent: (L-R,) From top to bottom First World War Cabinet
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Dog, Collar
What is a “collar dog” in the military? In the military, collar badges are worn as lapel badges on formal uniforms and are often called ‘collar dogs’. This section deals with collar dogs worn by enlisted soldiers, rather than Commissioned Officers. The 259th Battalion, Canadian Rifles, CEF (Siberia), was an infantry battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (Siberia) during the Great War. The 259th …
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Dress Regulations for the Canadian Militia 1907
A soldier must maintain a professional appearance to show a professional image, pride, and self discipline while maintaining a high standard of deportment to demonstrate their professionalism. The photo shows Dress Regulations for the Canadian Militia dated 1907. Military dress and designs have gone through many changes over the years. For service members and veterans, …
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Knuckles, Metal
Sometimes called “brass knuckles, knucks, brass knucks, knucklebusters. Knuckle dusters, an English punch or a classic”, knuckles were weapons used in hand-to-hand combat. The extended and rounded palm grip also spreads across the attacker’s palm to distribute the counter-force that would otherwise be absorbed primarily by the attacker’s fingers, reducing the likelihood of damage to …
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Lighter, Thorens – 1920s to 1930s
This lighter is Swiss made of the highest quality. Thorens was originally a music box maker who began that business in 1883. Their most sought-after lighter models are of the 1920s to 1930s era. The company moved into making record turntables, speakers, and other music items eventually. Their “Standard Original” model lighter was introduced in …
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Medal, 1914-1915 Star
Context: This First World War medal was authorized in December 1918. This medal was always issued with the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. Eligibility and Criteria: The 1914-1915 Star was awarded to all who saw service in any theatre of war against the central (axis) powers between 5 August 1914 and 31 December …
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Medal, British War
Context: This First World War medal was authorized on 26 July 1919. It was possible to receive this medal alone but all gallantry medals would include the British War Medal (BWM) and the Victory Medal (VM) as well. Eligibility and Criteria: The medal was awarded to all ranks of Canadian overseas military forces who deployed …
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Medal, Memorial Cross (Silver Cross)
The Memorial Cross (more often referred to as the Silver Cross) was first instituted by Order-in-Council 2374, dated December 1, 1919. It was awarded to mothers and widows (next of kin) of Canadian soldiers who died on active duty or whose death was consequently attributed to such duty. The crosses were sent automatically to mothers …
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Rank, Shoulder
Epaulettes are fastened to the shoulder by a shoulder strap or passenten, a small strap parallel to the shoulder seam, and the button near the collar. History: Louis XIV wore shoulder ribbons, an early type of epaulette of the late 17th century. From the 18th century on, epaulettes were used in the French and other …
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Roll, Nominal Canadian Expeditionary Force
Nominal Roll: A Nominal Roll is a list of the Officers, NCOs, and Men who served in a unit of the CEF at a specific point in time. They were often compiled prior to a unit embarking for England, and sometimes included embarkation information such as ship name embarkation port and the date of sailing. Information: A small list of some columns listed in the Roll Book were: Regimental …
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Spurs
Who Used Spurs? Mounted infantry were infantrymen who rode horses instead of marching. Spurs, First World War, Original Description: These objects are spurs. They are attached by a leather strap to the heel of a riding boot. A spur consists of a metal U shaped yoke with a protruding wheel of spikes that rotate. This is called a rowel. Spurs are …
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Spurs, Dress
Spurs are small pieces of riding equipment attached to the back of a rider’s boot heels. They allow for direct communication between a rider and the horse. These spurs are Box spurs date back to the wearing of overalls by the army. As breeches and boots were introduced to the cavalry uniform, the box spur …
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Stick, Button, First World War
A button stick is a strip of metal or wood slotted to allow a row of military tunic buttons to appear through the slit so the buttons may be polished without soiling the uniform cloth.This button stick example was found in England. It is from the Canadian Expeditionary Force, 27th (City of Winnipeg) Battalion. First …
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Sword and Socket Bayonets
In 1871 the British adopted the Martini-Henry rifle. The Martini-Henry was issued to The Royal Canadian Regiment but was not a general issue to the Militia. The Queen’s Own Rifles and the Royal Grenadiers—the main Toronto-based militia units mobilized for the conflict with Riel Rebellion (Resistance) in Rupert’s Land. The Mark IV Martini–Henry rifle was …
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Sword, Officer, George V
The sword shown was manufactured by J.R. Gaunt and Son Limited, Late Edward Thurkle, London and Birmingham, circa 1915. Description: This is an example of a George V style pattern Officer’s sword with steel swept three bar hilt and a wire bound shagreen (shagreen = rough surface of the sword) grip. It has a fullered …
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Titles, Shoulder, Canadian Army Service Corps
The Canadian Army Service Corps was established by General Order # 141 in the Non-Permanent Active Militia on 1 November 1901 and in the Permanent Active Militia in 1903. The Canadian Permanent Army Service Corps was redesignated The Royal Canadian Army Service Corps on 3 Nov 1919. The CASC was modelled directly off the British Army Service Corps to provide all transportation …
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Titles, Shoulder, Canadian Army, First World War
Definition: The Canada shoulder title is a metal device bearing the word “Canada” in uppercase letters, worn on both shoulder straps of the khaki service dress uniform by Canadian soldiers. The Canada shoulder titles distinguished Canadian soldiers from other British Empire troops. The “Canada” shoulder titles were produced by several manufacturers, such as William Scully …
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Watch, Trench
The trench watch (wristlet) was a type of watch used by the military during the First World War as pocket watches were not practical in combat. It was a transitional design between pocket watches and wrist watches, incorporating features of both. As timing in war became more important – so that artillery barrages, for example, could be synchronized – …