Learning
Introductory Essay
Patriotic notebooks
Schoolboy Clarence Geddes used these notebooks for History and Geometry classes. They probably date from early in the First World War.
A school play from 1917
Drill was very popular in Canadian schools before the First World War and became even more popular after 1914, when it was used as a vehicle for patriotic instruction.
Reduce, reuse, recycle
The Red Cross Conservation Department was responsible for saving waste material - everything from fat and bones to scrap metal - to be turned into weapons. Collecting such things was a popular activity for schoolchildren.
Collecting cards from cocoa
Children who collected these cards could trade them, or use them to learn semaphore.
The Kaiser's Last Will
This parody, probably printed at the end of the First World War, was typically of such humour that poked fun at the enemy. Once they had been defeated, Canadians could afford to take them less seriously.
The Empire's Roll of Valour
This keepsake was published after the First World War by a children's magazine, and gave youngsters a place to keep souvenir cards picturing such subjects as the Battle of Vimy Ridge and Victoria Cross-winners Billy Bishop and Tom Dinesen.
A children's book in wartime
First published in 1914 as a fund-raising venture in aid of refugee children in Belgium, it was later reprinted to aid the charitable work of the Comtesse de Suzannet.
Carrying the Tools to Britain
This game was designed, probably in 1942, by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation "to enable listeners of all ages to better visualize the mobilization of this country's vast resources in the gigantic war effort in which we are now engaged."
Air Raid Precautions - Protection of Schools and School Children
Part of a larger series, this booklet detailed the necessary steps in protecting schools from potential air raids.
An infantry hero
Earl McAllister was rejected as physically unfit by the Royal Canadian Air Force, but earned fame by capturing dozens of German soldiers during the campaign in Normandy in 1944.
A Yank in the RCAF
Oklahoma native Claude Weaver joined the Royal Canadian Air Force, became an ace, was shot down in Italy, and escaped from a German prison camp.
Battle in the Atlantic
This comic focused on the cooperation between Canadian airmen (in this case, the crew of a Sunderland flying boat) and British sailors of the destroyer HMS Drury in fighting the war against German U-Boats.
Splendid Aircraft
This book, which combined full-colour artwork and detailed technical drawings, must have been a delight to children raised in an era when aviation occupied such a prominent place in popular culture.
Mackenzie King, comic book hero
This comic, probably published in the United States early in 1942, introduced children to prime minister Mackenzie King and the war policies of his government.
Posters to collect
These posters, featuring graphic art by Ted Harris, were probably distributed as a product premium during the Second World War.
Fighting the war in schools
Like most children, the students of Lord Roberts School in London, Ontario, were deeply involved in supporting the war effort, through collecting scrap paper, raising money for the Canadian Red Cross Society, or donating money to buy airplanes.
Recognizing a child's contribution
Certificates like these were given to schoolchildren as a way to recognize their contribution to the war effort, and to ensure that they felt included in the struggle.
War in Canada's high schools
Courses in defence training were mandatory for boys and girls in most Canadian high schools during the Second World War, although certain elements of the course for girls (such as "Healthful Living, Rhythmics, Dances, etc") were not covered in this textbook.
Allied aircraft in action
Probably distributed as a product premium during the Second World War, these photographs show military aircraft that were in Canadian and British service: Bell Airacobra; Blackburn Skua; Boulton & Paul Defiant; Consolidated Liberator; Curtiss Kittyhawk; Douglas B19; Douglas DB7 Havoc; Hudson Bomber; Lockheed YP38; Spitfire; and Vultee Vanguard.
Fighting ships of the world
Like other sets in the Fighting Forces series (and the World in Arms series on which it was based), this one featured naval vessels from Allied as well as enemy fleets: US battleship "Mississippi"; French battleship "Dunkerque"; British torpedo boat "Hornet"; Japanese destroyer "Fubuki"; Italian cruiser "Zara"; German submarine; US heavy cruiser "Indianapolis"; Spanish cruiser "Canarias"; motor torpedo boat; Japanese aircraft carrier "Akagi"; British battleship "Rodney"; Italian M.A.S. boat.