Volunteering

Introductory Essay

Volunteering was an integral part of the “total war” Canadians experienced during the First and Second World Wars, offering civilians a meaningful and practical way to contribute to the national war…

Songs for the Troops

This booklet was printed by the Salvation Army for use during wartime church services in Toronto. It includes many songs, both religious and patriotic, as well as prayers and Bible verses.

The A.R.P. Bulletin

The A.R.P Bulletin is published by the Office of Civil Air Raid Precautions as a short newspaper that covered regional and war-related topics.

Come on Canada!

This booklet, published by the Institution of Financial Education, encouraged Canadians to support their country by investing in War Savings stamps and certificates.

"This is a war to the death. Every dollar we can spare above our absolute needs must be loaned to our country." This message is illustrated using the short story, The Richest Man in Babylon Tells His System, which attributes one man's financial success to smart investments that earned good interest. 

Back Them Up!

Back Them Up! was a magazine published by the T. Eaton Company in 1942. The magazine lists the names and photos of Eaton employees who had enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces during the Second World War. This document aims to show appreciation for the men and women who enlisted, but it also served to persuade the readers at home to purchase victory bonds. "Seize Your Patriotic Opportunity Now and Buy Victory Bonds!" 

Buy Victory Bonds

This used ink blotter was distributed during one of the Victory Loan campaigns of the First World War.

Brantford's Hospital Ship Fund

On 9 August 1914, the city of Brantford, Ontario, kicked off its Old Home Week, which quickly turned into a fundraising opportunity for the war effort. The Brantford chapter of the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire (IODE) raised $500 during tag day for the Hospital Ship Fund.

Support for England from Lennoxville, Quebec

This ink blotter, distributed by the Beck Press in Lennoxville, Quebec, featured a short poem with an optimistic and valiant tone to support England during wartime. 

Junior Red Cross Calendar

This calendar, produced by the Canadian Red Cross Society, generated  proceeds for the care of "sick and crippled" children in Canada, as well as to help the efforts of the Junior Red Cross War Fund for Children overseas.

For War Brides from Britain

During and after the First World War, thousands of British war brides crossed the Atlantic to start new lives in Canada. During the Second World War this phenomenon continued, with thousands more newly-wedded women made the same journey to Canada.

Red Cross Life Membership

The Canadian Red Cross Society Sarnia branch presented this life membership certificate to Mrs. J.B (Alice) Pardee on 12 March, 1918. Born in 1874, Mrs. Pardee lived to the age of 87, and was buried in 1961 with her husband, Boer War veteran, John Pardee in Sarnia, Ontario.