Contemporary Accounts

La Guerre des Nations was an illustrated news magazine of the First World War that was published in Montreal. The issues feature numerous photographs of French-Canadian soldiers and arms and armaments, and short updates on the war as it progressed. 

"Pull Together, Canada!" is a motto found in theme songs, Victory Loan campaigns, and musical reviews. It is also the title of this handbook, edited and published to offer Canadians guidance as to what to do "in home, workshop, and community" to secure total victory. The illustrated handbook emphasizes the need for sound homes, teamwork in industry and a united nation that fights together in order to help the Allied forces defeat the Axis powers. 

The changes brought upon Canadian society by the outbreak of the Second World War were far-reaching in scope and intensity. These effects were felt by all Canadians, although some changes brought along more evident consequences. For example, the shift in Canadian demographic composition as a result of the thousands of men enlisting for military service was apparent. Other changes were just as significant even if less conspicuous, such as being unable to buy gas on Sundays or between 7pm and 7am. 

At the time of the Second World War, information was not as easily accessible as it is today. Any information pertaining to specifics of enemy military forces such as the Japanese Army, was even more obscure. For these reasons, the British War Office prepared this pamphlet, which was then reprinted in Canada for use by the Canadian Armed Forces.

This beautifully illustrated window decal would have been placed face out, overlooking a street to show the household's support for the Allied war efforts, exemplified by Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill's optimistic quotes. 

This very short but interesting newsletter in French features a game board, as well as several photographs including one of gun training, a visit by the Minister of National Defence of Canada J.L. Ralston to Camp Borden, and skiers on Mount Fitzgerald. 

La Bataille de Grande-Bretagne: Reportage préparé pour le ministère de l’Air sur l’époque grandiose comprise entre le 8 aout et le 31 octobre 1940 (Fonds de Secours de la Reine pour les Victimes des Raids Aériens, 1941). 

One of the many publications of Lord Beaverbrook's Canadian War Records Office, this magazine featured the work of Canada's official photographers, and was billed as both propaganda and history.

Distributed free to Canadians in uniform, this digest included snippets of news from across the country, with a healthy dose of sports.

This general-interest magazine, created by Polish-Canadian journalists in Toronto, was directed at Canadians whose ethnic heritage was neither English nor French.