On first glance, it may seem a simple photo of a hockey game and soldiers looking on. But on a closer look, something stands out – the soldiers are not Canadian. They are German. This picture, which I was very pleased to add to my collection, is a relatively rare photo of German POWs atContinue reading “POWs and “the good ol’ hockey game””
Category Archives: World War II
Remembrance Day, 1945
Remembrance Day – and our thoughts go back 27 years to 11 o’clock on the 11th November 1918. Those of us who are Veterans of two wars can never forget that day; even tough another bloody struggle has just ended, and “VE” Day and “VJ” Day have come and gone. Remembrance Day – and whatContinue reading “Remembrance Day, 1945”
“Manitoba Snow Too Severe – 19 Germans Return to Camp”
On November 1, 1943 – 75 years ago – newspapers across the country announced a mass escape from a POW camp in Manitoba’s Riding Mountain National Park. On October 31, 1943 – only five days after their arrival – nineteen German Prisoners of War (POWs) were found missing from the newly completed camp in Manitoba’sContinue reading ““Manitoba Snow Too Severe – 19 Germans Return to Camp””
Easter, 1945
Happy Easter! Here is the menu card for Easter, 1945 at Camp 23 (Monteith, Ontario). “Aschinger” was the name of the dining hall, named after a famous Berlin restaurant.
Christmas at Camp 70 – Fredericton
The sketch above was submitted to War Prisoners’ Aid for consideration of being printed as one of the annual Christmas cards produced by the organization and distributed to PoWs in Canada. The artist, Rudi Boege, was a civilian internee at Camp 70 (Fredericton, NB) and, as the spokesman described, one of the most gifted artistsContinue reading “Christmas at Camp 70 – Fredericton”
“Veterans”
“Veterans” By Alan Horwood These men knew war: In youth and strength they went Forth into battle, when the world was rent By conflict, born of arrogance and hate; To force all nations to a vassal state. They bore the burden, blood, and sweat, and tears, Of strife, and toil, and sorrow, through the yearsContinue reading ““Veterans””
Snapshot from Neys
While picture postcards of German prisoners of war in Canada are not particularly uncommon, examples from certain camps can prove more difficult to find (for more on PoW picture postcards, see my earlier post here). In my experience, images from Camp 100 at Neys, Ontario are among those harder to find. I was therefore quiteContinue reading “Snapshot from Neys”
Prisoner of War Canoes
Today (June 26) marks National Canoe Day so what better way to celebrate than a post on PoW-made canoes! In May 1943, the Canadian government approved the use of prisoner of war labour to help boost the struggling lumber and agricultural industries. From 1943 to 1946, thousands of German PoWs, Enemy Merchant Seamen (EMS), andContinue reading “Prisoner of War Canoes”
Requesting Canadian WWII Service Records
Originally published May 2017. Updated May 2024 One of the more popular emails I receive is from individuals wanting to know more about their relative’s service in the Second World War so I thought I’d write a short post on how to do so. There are two methods: the Formal Request and the Informal RequestContinue reading “Requesting Canadian WWII Service Records”
Ernest and Harry Proven, 100 Years Later
One hundred years ago today, on April 12, 1917, my great-great uncle Private Ernest Albert Proven, succumbed to wounds received during the assault on Vimy Ridge three days prior. His brother, Lance Corporal (later Sergeant) Harry Proven survived the attack but was killed a year-and-a-half later, on September 29, 1918. Today, I’m happy to announceContinue reading “Ernest and Harry Proven, 100 Years Later”
POWs in Canada 