This exhibit showcases Canada’s significant contributions to the Second World War, highlighting the scale of military involvement and industrial production. The artifacts displayed reflect the immense effort and sacrifice made by over a million Canadians, both on the battlefield and the home front, in support of the Allied victory.
Cabinet
Artifacts
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Badges and Shoulder Flashes of Various Units
The Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers came into being officially on 15 May 1944, with the fusion of various elements from the Royal Canadian Engineers, Royal Canadian Army Service Corps and Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps, following the model of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. With the passing of the 1855 Militia Act, volunteer …
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Bibles
Military Bibles: There were over 40 million Bibles, Testaments and prayer books distributed by the British and Foreign Bible Society in the First World War. Most military Bibles and Testaments are small – the smaller the better, with many printed-on India paper to keep them lightweight and suitable for carrying in pockets and knapsacks. Canadian …
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Booklet, “Shoot to Kill”
The top photo is a Second World War Army military pamphlet/booklet known as “PART X BASIC & BATTLE PHYSICAL TRAINING “. ‘Shoot to Kill’ had long been a British Army slogan, appearing in numerous training films and pamphlets. In the late 70s and early 80s a new introductory pamphlet on marksmanship– ‘Shoot to Live’–replaced the …
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Boots, RCASC
The boots shown (two styles) in the photo are pairs of (First World War / Second World War) brown leather ankle boots worn by officers. Officers wore brown boots or shoes, either privately purchased, or more commonly, obtained from military stores. Brown ankle boots were worn with service dress or battledress. Heavier boots with buckles, sometimes double …
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Brass Button Stick
Although ‘stay bright’ (anodized) buttons were introduced to the Canadian Army in the mid-1950s, many units continued to use traditional brass buttons. Button sticks were used to clean them without getting polish on uniforms. The sticks were also useful for cleaning brass hat badges and other polished metal surfaces on kit. Button stick: A strip …
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British volunteer strips (chevrons)
These are WW 2 British volunteer stripes worn on the sleeve. Each red chevron denoted 12 months’ service in the Civil Defence Services after hostilities began on 3 September 1939. Introduced in February 1944, war service chevrons, which were identical to those awarded to army personnel, were worn on the lower right sleeve of the …
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Brush, Clothes
The absence of any residual shoe polish (boot polish) or other leather type dressing suggests this brush may have been used for lint and dust removal from uniforms. This brush type was likely used by an officer or aide to a Commissioned Officer to maintain the appearance of tunics, trousers etc. History: Clothes brushes were …
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Clicker
The device, about the size of a person’s thumb, made a metallic clicking sound, and was an essential bit of kit for those landing in Normandy on June 6, 1944, under the cover of darkness. Hollywood actor, John Wayne, helped the clicker become widely known from his dialogue in the 1962 film The Longest Day. …
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Combat Service Support in Battle WWII
Pictures top left – right, top -bottom Second World War Cabinet
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Compass, Fly-Button, Second World War (RAF – 1940s)
During the Second World War, escape compasses were an important piece of equipment developed by MI9, MI9 was a section of the British Military Intelligence that developed tools to assist with escape and evasion. These compasses were produced in a vast variety and issued as part of escape kits, hidden in uniforms, in buttons or …
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Compass, Lensatic
The compass is a magnetometer (used for measuring the Earth’s magnetic field), for navigation and orientation that shows direction. The structure of a compass consists of the compass rose, which displays the four main directions on it: East (E), South (S), West (W) and North (N). The angle increases in the clockwise position. North corresponds to 0°, so east is 90°, south is 180° and west is 270°. The history …
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Cup, Tin, Drinking, Green
The Government of India produced these mugs during the Second World War and possibly earlier. This example is made in green enamel by Bengal Enamel in May of 1944. Note the soldered seam along the handle as well as the raised rim on the base. In the field most soldiers eat ration packs or something …
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Eyeglasses, Combat
Gas masks posed a dilemma for soldiers wearing eyeglasses. The first gas masks were essentially flannel bags with mica lenses. The fit over glasses was often a problem. In addition, glasses tended to fog underneath these hoods. The soldier had the choice between fighting blind or being gassed. Fortunately, early in the Great War, conscripts …
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Flashes, Shoulder and Badges, Cap
Canadian Officers’ Training Corps The Canadian Officers’ Training Corps (COTC) was, from 1912 to 1968. Canada’s university officer training program was fashioned after the University Officers’ Training Corps (UOTC) in the United Kingdom. In World War Two the Canadian Army was able to produce quality officers because of the high standards of the COTC. Canadian Postal …
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Holster
This holster was made by Canadian manufacturer Zephyr Loom and Textile. Larger than the standard holster, and of a more rounded appearance, it was likely designed to fit the .455 Webley, (Colt 1911A1) and Browning 1935 pistol designs as well as the standard service issue .38 pistol. SPECIFICATION METRIC IMPERIAL Manufacturer Zephyr Loom and Textile …
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Housewife
What kind of sewing kit did soldiers use? Sewing Kit: This kit example from the First World War was called a “Housewife.” The typical sewing kit carried by Canadian soldiers included needles, thimble, buttons for Battle Dress and shirts, thread (both thin for badges and thick for darning socks, gloves, and other woolen items), and …
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Knife, Jack, British & Canadian Army
A Jackknife (Tools) is a knife with the blade pivoted to fold into a recess in the handle. The jack knife was issued to nearly all soldiers in the Second World War. It was a useful tool many kept after their return to civilian life. There are several variations on the jack knife depending on period, service and manufacturer, including examples with spikes for opening out ropes. The jack …
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Knife, Pocket/Pen, ‘Lucky’ Farthing
The photo shows a unique, vintage, key-shaped, ‘Lucky’ farthing pocket/ pen knife with a 1911 King’s Head farthing coin set into it. This novelty artifact was made by Richards, Sheffield England. There is a loop at the top where a keychain may be added. Knives were manufactured between 50’s -70’s with different coins used. Dimensions: …
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Lighter, Vintage Fire Lite Tu-Tone
This artifact is a Japan-made, Fire Lite, “Tu Tone” cigarette lighter, with a black and white plastic finish. It is quite scarce, produced only a handful of times with differing color schemes – in red/black, red/white and this white/black specimen. The lighter has several detailed product markings: The top of the thumb flint striker is …
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Masks, Gas
Gas masks were initially not considered an important piece of equipment in the First World War until poison gas attacks by Germany took the Allies on the Western Front by surprise, resulting in many casualties. The British small box respirator was first introduced to British soldiers in April 1916 – a few months before the Battle of the Somme. By …
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Medals, Second World War
Medal, The Africa Star: Second World War The Star was awarded for one or more day’s service in North Africa between 10 June, 1940 and 12 May, 1943, both dates inclusive. Navy and Merchant Navy – For any service at sea in the Mediterranean between 10 June, 1940 and 12 May, 1943. Army – The …
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Pin, lapel, Canadian General Service 2WW
This is a Canadian General Service 2WW lapel pin. It is marked Sterling on the back, along with an IMPRISONMENT CLAUSE. The front has a crown and maple leaf on a crest shape design. There is a number on the back. This is for Honor to Serve the Country and in the War for the …
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Powder, Foot – First World War to the Present
The gangrenous condition known as “trench foot” plagued many 1WW soldiers on both sides of the fight. Keeping one’s feet dry became a top priority for every front-line soldier. Foot powder assisted with this task by absorbing moisture away from the skin and helping to clean away debris and reinvigorate the skin. Foot powder was …
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Razor, Rolls
The product was a sophisticated safety-razor which promoted the slogan “The razor that is stropped and honed in its case.” Case: The case is a rigid, rectangular frame enclosed by two detachable lids; one lid carried a stone and the other a leather. The lids could not be interchanged. With a lid removed, a handle …
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Set, Telephone, F Mk l
Field telephones are telephones used for military communications. They can draw power from their own battery, from a telephone exchange (via a central battery known as cb), or from an external power source. Some need no battery, being sound-powered telephones. Historical information: Fields telephone were used in 2WW. Physical description: The military field telephone, with handset, is a portable instrument for army communications generally at a …
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Stick, Camouflage, Face Paint
Camouflage face paint sticks are comfortably sized and can easily fit into pockets and carried. These temporary paints are highly useful for individuals looking for camouflage for various uses. They can be applied and removed easily. This paint lasts for only a few hours and causes no damage to the skin. Face paint has been …
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Stove, Esbit and Fuel, Original 2WW, German
What were Esbit stoves used for? Prior to 1945 there were a few different types of these stoves offered, of which the most commonly encountered today is the Model 9. Esbit stoves were issued to German soldiers in 2WW and were also available for soldiers to buy. “Esbit” is a type of hexamine-based solid fuel invented in …
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Whistle, ACME Siren (England)
Whistles were mainly used by the army for signaling, in particular the infantry, artillery and cavalry units combined into ‘columns’ where signaling was essential. Dimensions: It is approx. 80mm long, 17mm wide and made from aged nickel plated brass. History: The British army was among the first to use whistles on the 1WW front and …
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Wireless Set, Radio, No. 19
The wireless Set No. 19 was a Second World War mobile radio transceiver designed for armored troops. Canadian-built No. 19’s saw continued service for many years with a variety of users. Purpose: Designed for tanks and armored vehicles, the radio provided three communication channels: The A set provided longer range communication within the squadron or …