Greeting Cards

War trophies at Christmas

Mixing images from two wars, Bernie's Christmas card featured spiked German field guns from the First World War and the V for Victory Morse code sign from the Second World War.

An RFC cadet at Christmas

James Meston, training with the Royal Flying Corps in England, sent this card to his family in London, Ontario, from his billet at Jesus College, Oxford.

Christmas away from home

Thousands of Canadians in uniform spent Christmas 1939 in Britain - one sent home this card that is strongly reminscent of designs from the First World War.

Christmas wishes from the RCAMC

A member of 22 Canadian Field Ambulance, Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps, sent this Christmas card from England to his wife in Canada in 1941.

Christmas 1941.pdf (24.48 MB)

Christmas Greetings from the CEF

These cards were typical of the commercial greeting cards sold to Canadian soldiers in Britain during the First World War.

Happy Christmas Greetings

Typical First World War Christmas cards, highlighting patriotic themes and symbols.

Hitler’s Christmas Present

This card, saved by a Canadian soldier serving in the campaign in north-west Europe in 1944-45, is typical of the irreverent humour favoured by soldiers during the Second World War.

xmascardhitler.pdf (3.87 MB)

Merry Christmas - 1915 style

A couple of Chapleau, Ontario, chose an image of a British battle cruiser to adorn their 1915 Christmas card.

xmascardlion.pdf (1.24 MB)