Menus

Murray's Lunch published this Royal Canadian Navy special edition of its menu shortly after the end of the Second World War. Patrons could read and identify the different naval ranks, insignias, and badges of the R.C.N. 

On 25 December 1945 units of the Canadian Army Overseas enjoyed a Christmas Dinner aboard HMT Queen Elizabeth, the first Christmas following the end of the Second World War. The menu, featuring roast turkey, plum pudding, and Christmas cake among other delicious meal options, highlights the celebratory spirit among military service personnel. 

A menu from the reunion dinner of the 1st Survey Regiment in Newmarket, Ontario. Reunion dinners were common events for veterans and their families to gather and maintain the sense of camaraderie built during wartime service. 

The Chic-N-Coop Restaurant in Montreal, Quebec was well-known for its provocative placemats. During the Second World War, the restaurant would often depict caricatures of Hitler and war scenes on their placemats.

Nevertheless, some of the imagery on display also included stereotypes that are are inappropriate and offensive depictions of different racialized groups. In this way, one simple placemat offers insight on the wartime attitudes of society towards Canada's enemies, but also on society's biases and perceptions of race and culture.

The Canadian National Railways issued a series of menus during the Second World War featuring artful, color photographs of different Canadian landscapes. From Lion's Gate Bridge in British Columbia to Hopewell Rocks in New Brunswick, these menus highlighted the different regions of Canada, and the vastness of the country. Between options for sandwiches and salads, passengers would have seen the "V" for victory printed above a message that encouraged Canadians to buy war savings certificates and stamps. 

The menu was impressive, but the note at the bottom indicated that they might have to resort to tinned rations at the last minute.

With the war over, soldiers of the 5th Battalion enjoyed Christmas 1918 in Germany, where they were serving with the occupation forces.

To celebrate the holiday season in 1943, Number 26 Canadian Army (Basic) Training Centre in Orillia, Ontario, held a special dinner. This menu was saved by Trooper A.E. Stone.

It was not unusual for units to have banquets before they left for service overseas - although the illustration chosen by the sergeants of the 51st Battalion might seem a little odd.

The Toronto-raised 134th Battalion sailed to England in the early spring of 1916, and was eventually broken up to provide reinforcements for other units in the field.