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First World War (1914-1918)
Canadians in the Royal Navy

Many Canadians and Newfoundlanders served in the Royal Navy during the First World War, providing much needed personnel, and emphasizing the strong Imperial ties between both dominions and Great Britain.

Canadians Serving in HMS Canada
Canadians Serving in HMS Canada

This 1918 photograph shows Canadian sailors serving in the British battleship HMS Canada.

Several sailors wear an "RN Canadian VR" cap tally, indicating service in the Royal Navy Canadian Volunteer Reserve. The one in the middle of the front row also holds a gun tampion, or muzzle cover, bearing a moose head, part of the ship's badge. R.B. Brett (second row, fourth from left) was one of the Canadian midshipmen training aboard HMS Canada in 1918. The Canadian contingent was just a small fraction of the more than 1000 sailors needed to crew the ship.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19800603-001_38





Royal Navy Warships, Firth of Forth, Scotland
The Night Patrol - Canadian Motor Torpedo Boats Entering Dover Harbour
Albert Medal, Chief Motor Mechanic Ernest Alfred Pooley
Cap Badge, Royal Naval Motor Boat Reserve
Sub-Lieutenant Douglas Urry, Royal Naval Canadian Volunteer Reserve
"And it blew wondrous cold", Royal Naval Motor Boat Reserve
Motor Launch ML 399, in Drydock, Grimsby
Reloading Motor Launch ML 139 with Depth Charges
Motor Launches Attack an Enemy Submarine
British Naval Mine
Motor Launch Rescues Crashed Seaplane
Sailor's Uniform, Leading Seaman Roland White
Canadians Serving in HMS Canada
Ross Rifle Mk III with Bayonet
Three Canadians in the Royal Navy