Base and Unit Newspapers

News from the Brockville OTC

The Officers' Training Centre in Brockville, Ontario, commanded by First World War Victoria Cross winner Milton Gregg, prided itself on very high standards - and celebrated its achievements in its monthly magazine The BMA Blitz.

BMA Blitz.pdf (19.53 MB)

The Grampian Gossip

The H.M.T Grampian was a troop steam ship owned by Allan Line Steam Ships Company Limited. It was used to ship Canadian troops to and from Europe, this issue of the "Grampian Gossip" was likely collected by a soldier on his first trip overseas in 1916.

The Kiltie

The Kiltie was the magazine of the 134th Canadian Infantry Battalion, which had been raised by the 48th Highlanders from Toronto, Ontario. This edition was published for Christmas 1917, their second overseas.

The Kiltie.pdf (16.65 MB)

The Forty-Niner

The Forty-Niner was a regiment magazine for the 49th Battalion CEF, Edmonton regiment, published in the field. This issue published in January 1919, featured many comical caricatures of army officials and soldiers.

The Fortyniner.pdf (28.49 MB)

The Maple Leaf Magazine for Canadian Forces Abroad

The Maple Leaf was a newspaper created for the Canadian Forces in Europe. Featured here is the Brussels, Belgium edition with the headline "Canadian Army in New Surge" highlighting the successful advance of Canadian forces over the Lower Rhine, particularly near the German town of Kleve. The newsletter makes mention of the significant importance of Soviet action as well. 

Another day at Ipperwash

Part II Orders dealt with personnel matters - appointments, hospitalizations, leaves, absences, courts martial, and any other change in status involving an individual in camp.

A29 CITC.pdf (1.89 MB)

Hockey dominates the news pages

The newspaper of HMCS York, billed as "Canada's No. 1 Navy Weekly", was dominated by sports news, with war bulletins and political news items thrown in for good measure.

Yorker.pdf (3.06 MB)

From Montreal to the Western Front

The formal group portrait was a ritual of service during the First World War. This draft of artillerymen, destined to reinforce units at the front, includes a number of men who appear far too young, and perhaps under the height restrictions, for military service.

Training airmen in BC

Patricia Bay was the wartime home of the Royal Air Force's 32 Operational Training Unit, which trained airmen from Britain, Australia, and New Zealand, an RCAF training unit, and a seaplane base. "The Patrician" was the publication of the RAF community.

Patrician.pdf (69.58 MB)

Welcome to Carberry

During the Second World War, Carberry, Manitoba, hosted a Service Flying Training School of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. This book was published to introduce incoming students to the town and its people, and to recognize their contribution to the Allied war effort.