An Update

I am happy to announce some significant additions to this site. When I first started this site for a Digital History course back in 2013(!), I had always hoped on turning it into a resource for individuals interested in learning more about Canadian Internment Operations during the Second World War. For the last few yearContinue reading “An Update”

Why Were You Spared? – Remembrance Day 1946

On November 10, 1946, the day before Remembrance Day, the German prisoners of war in Camp 133 (Lethbridge) held a memorial service to honour their dead. With the war over and most of the camp’s population transferred to the United Kingdom, the remaining 1,300 POWs in camp knew their time left in Canada was short.Continue reading “Why Were You Spared? – Remembrance Day 1946”

Changing of the Guard: The Veterans Guard of Canada in Ottawa

Today, May 24, 2023, marks the eighty-third anniversary of the establishment of the Veterans’ Home Guard, which was later renamed the Veterans’ Guard of Canada. As such, here’s a short post looking back at the first anniversary of the Veterans’ Guard in 1941. When Canada declared war on Nazi Germany on September 10, 1939, theContinue reading “Changing of the Guard: The Veterans Guard of Canada in Ottawa”

Waiting Out the War on the Shore of Lake Superior: Camp 100 (Virtual Lecture)

For those who missed my virtual lecture for the Thunder Bay Museum, my presentation on the history of Camp 100 (Neys) is now available for streaming. If the embedded video is not working, you can access it here: https://vimeo.com/791187355 A special thanks to Michael Dejong and the Thunder Bay Museum for hosting and to allContinue reading “Waiting Out the War on the Shore of Lake Superior: Camp 100 (Virtual Lecture)”

London Calling: The Veterans Guard in Great Britain

In October 1941, the General Duty Company of the Veterans Guard of Canada arrived in Great Britain, becoming the first men of Veterans Guards to serve on foreign soil. The General Duty Company, later known as the No. 1 General Duty Company, was established in mid-1941 with the intention of sending representatives of the VeteransContinue reading “London Calling: The Veterans Guard in Great Britain”

No. 27 Company, Veterans Guard of Canada

Likely taken in the Summer of 1943, this photograph shows No. 27 Company of the Veterans Guard of Canada. The photo was taken in front of Hillcrest Hall, Ross Barracks, while the company was training in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Ross Barracks, formerly Ross School, was converted into a barracks during the Second World War andContinue reading “No. 27 Company, Veterans Guard of Canada”

All Bottled Up – Ships in Bottles Revisited

Seven years ago, I posted an article about ships in bottles made by German POWs in Canada. Since then, I’ve added more examples to my collection and thought I would revisit the topic share some of them and to share what I have learned about the manufacture of these unique items. Following their arrival inContinue reading “All Bottled Up – Ships in Bottles Revisited”

Lest We Forget

Canada’s National War Memorial was officially unveiled in Ottawa in 1939 to commemorate Canadians who served in the First World War. This photo, originally from the collection of an unidentified member of No. 9 Company, Veterans Guard of Canada, was taken at a service sometime between 1939 and 1945. Remembrance Day may be very differentContinue reading “Lest We Forget”

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”

“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””