Toys and Games

The Kaiser's Last Will

This parody, probably printed at the end of the First World War, was typically of such humour that poked fun at the enemy. Once they had been defeated, Canadians could afford to take them less seriously.

A children's book in wartime

First published in 1914 as a fund-raising venture in aid of refugee children in Belgium, it was later reprinted to aid the charitable work of the Comtesse de Suzannet.

Belgian Hare.pdf (36.29 MB)

Carrying the Tools to Britain

This game was designed, probably in 1942, by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation "to enable listeners of all ages to better visualize the mobilization of this country's vast resources in the gigantic war effort in which we are now engaged."

Battle in the Atlantic

This comic focused on the cooperation between Canadian airmen (in this case, the crew of a Sunderland flying boat) and British sailors of the destroyer HMS Drury in fighting the war against German U-Boats.

Sub busters.pdf (44.61 MB)

A Yank in the RCAF

Oklahoma native Claude Weaver joined the Royal Canadian Air Force, became an ace, was shot down in Italy, and escaped from a German prison camp.

An infantry hero

Earl McAllister was rejected as physically unfit by the Royal Canadian Air Force, but earned fame by capturing dozens of German soldiers during the campaign in Normandy in 1944.

Scotty Sent Us.pdf (46.66 MB)

Mackenzie King, comic book hero

This comic, probably published in the United States early in 1942, introduced children to prime minister Mackenzie King and the war policies of his government.

King of Canada.pdf (2.64 MB)

A patriotic card game

This postcard took the traditional card game Nap (or Napoleon), a simplified version of whist, and gave it patriotic overtones.

Women in uniform

During the First World War, it was quite common for women to pose for photographs while wearing a uniform that belonged to a loved one.

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.