Relaxing

Canadian chaplains serving in France distributed these cards to their troops at Easter in 1915 - some of them would spend the next five Easters away from their families.

A police unit of the Royal Canadian Air Force celebrated the end of the Second World War in Europe in style - with a dance and buffet.

It was only 1942, but high schools students in Arthur, Ontario, decided to begin their evening's dance program with a Victory Dance.

This patriotic postcard of the Second World War used a line from Vera Lynn's famous song. Other cards in the series offered equally stirring images.

An unidentified British Columbia soldier gives his reasons for enlisting in the 50th Regiment, Gordon Highlanders, describes his training with the British Columbia Horse, and mentions attacks on German-owned businesses in Victoria.

Elmer McKnight of the Winnipeg Grenadiers was one of three brothers captured by the Japanese in Hong Kong in December 1941. Later, they formed a band in captivity and their rendition of this song was played during a Japanese propaganda radio broadcast. It was heard in Canada, where Gordon Thompson eventually published it, with all proceeds going into a trust fund for the McKnight brothers when they returned to Winnipeg after the war.

Sadly, nothing is known about this piece of music or the woman who registered it in Canada for copyright purposes in 1941.

This jaunty song paid tribute to the sailors of the Royal Navy, whose constant protection meant that "Canada has never had to fear war's alarm."

This arrangement expressed the unity of the Allied nations by combining the national songs of Ireland, France, Scotland, Russia, Italy, Wales, Belgium, Canada, and Britain

This booklet commemorates the composition of "Oh Canada!" and its new importance during the Second World War.