Learning
Introductory Essay
This short essay focuses on education within schools and universities during the Second World War in order to explore the relationship between war and learning. In elementary schools, high schools,…
Canada’s participation in the First World War has often been described as a coming-of-age – a trial by fire that transformed an immature colonial polity into an independent adult nation. Yet despite…
Snacks, ships and airplanes
These cards were distributed during the Second World War in packages of Golden Saratoga potato chips.
Airplanes with breakfast
These cards were distributed in packages of Toasted Prairie Nuts, Toasted Rice Nuts, and Bracer cereal.
Canada's flags in wartime
These images, distributed in boxes of cereal, showed some of the flags of the Commonwealth's war effort.
The Second Battle of Ypres
Silks were often included in cigarette packages as product premiums to be collected. These silks refers to villages near Ypres, where the Canadian Expeditionary Force first saw action in the spring of 1915.
Boston medium bomber
This image of a Douglas Boston medium bomber was probably distributed as a product premium during the Second World War.
Too young to be a soldier
During the First World War, it was quite common for children to dress in uniforms that had been tailor-made or cut down to fit them.
Buy starch, get airplanes
These illustrations of Allied aircraft were distributed by the Canada Starch Company as a product premium during the Second World War.
Decorations and ranks
These Second World War collector cards, distributed by Toronto candy maker Robertson Brothers, showed military honours and rank insignia: Order of St Michael and St George; Royal Red Cross; South African Medal; Conspicuous Gallantry Medal; Naval General Service Medal; Order of the British Empire; Distinguished Flying Cross; Long Service and Good Conduct Medal; Croix de Guerre; British Victory Medal; Medal for Distinguished Conduct in the Field; Distinguished Flying Medal; Order of Merit; Air Force Cross; Distinguished Service Medal.
Modern War Weapons series – Sweet Caporal Cigarettes
This First World War cigarette card illustrates the technology of the underwater anti-ship mine.
Chips and airplanes
Distributed with potato chips as a product premium during the Second World War, these cards depicted famous Allied aircraft: Hawker Hurricane: Supermarine Spitfire; Bristol Blenheim IV; Blackburn Skua; Curtiss P-40 Tomahawk; Bell Airacobra; Lockheed B-14 Hudson; North American NA-73; Bristol Beaufort; Sunderland Flying Boat; Avro Anson; Fairey Swordfish; Blackburn Roc; Consolidated B-24; Douglas DB-7 Boston; Vickers-Armstrong Wellington; Armstrong-Whitworth Whitley IV; North American Harvard; Westland Lysander; Vickers-Armstrong Stranraer; Lockheed P-38; Fairey Battle; Boeing B-17E; Brewste