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Second World War
The Navy Ashore  - The Navy and the Home Front

The Royal Canadian Navy became a strong presence on Canada's home front during the Second World War. Naval imagery appeared in fundraising and propaganda materials, while Canadians built equipment for the navy, or were encouraged to support it through volunteer work.

Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve Pillow Cover
Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve Pillow Cover

This pillowcase showing a Canadian sailor blowing a bugle, is an example of naval-themed goods sold in Canada during the Second World War.

The artwork refers to the RCNVR (Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve), and also features a maple leaf with the slogan "delivering the goods from Canada" (bottom left). Battleships (right) are a traditional image of naval might, but never formed a part of Canada's navy. With the rapid wartime expansion of the Royal Canadian Navy, manufacturers produced decorative and souvenir articles like these to sell to members of the navy and their families.

Pillowcase
CWM 19870232-006





$90 Killed this U-Boat!
Fifth Victory Loan, 1943
Seventh Victory Loan, Halifax, 1944
Careless Words may cause Disaster!
Censored Photograph, HMCS Wentworth
What would you do if I quit?
Manufacturing Naval Guns and Mountings
Torpedo Depth and Roll Recorder
Send the boys good Books and magazines
Knit for the Navy and Merchant Navy
Ditty Bags for Sailors
Sailor's Fur Vest
"Meet the Navy" Program
"Meet the Navy" Program
Royal Canadian Navy Certificate of Acknowledgement
Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve Pillow Cover
Cut-Out Allied Naval Units
The Canadian Navy Paint Book
V-E Day, St. John's, Newfoundland
Bedford Magazine Explosion, 1945