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The Early Cold War
Rebuilding and Transformation

The Canadian navy's main Cold War mission was anti-submarine warfare, as it had been in the two world wars. It sought to build a force of ships, personnel, and facilities to fulfill this mission, as well as to pursue other national objectives like sovereignty protection.

Wrens Recruiting Advertisement
Wrens Recruiting Advertisement

This 1958 newspaper advertisement targets women as recruits for the Wrens, the women's service of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN).

In addition to the primary image of a woman in uniform, the advertisement also uses a picture of one of the navy's new destroyers as a background. Originally established in 1942 during the Second World War, the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service had been disbanded in 1946. Initially re-established as part of the naval reserves in 1951, in 1955 the Wrens became part of the RCN's regular force.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19760601-003

Transcription
Transcription in PDF






Graveyard, Sorel, P.Q.
HMCS Micmac
HMCS Sussexvale
Twin 40mm Bofors Gun
HMCS Magnificent and Destroyer
Royal Canadian Navy Recruiting Advertisement
Canadian Ships in Halifax Harbour
Model, HMCS Mackenzie
Desktop Radar Model
Model, HMCS Provider
HMCS Assiniboine and Sea King Helicopter
Twin 3-Inch Naval Gun and Mount
Uniform, Rear Admiral Sturton Mathwin Davis
HMCS Porte St. Louis and HMCS Porte St. Jean
Ship's Crest, HMCS Porte de la Reine
HMCS Ontario in the Panama Canal
Life Ring, HMCS Quebec
Royal Canadian Navy Recruiting Poster
Master-at-Arms Ron Crawford, HMCS Cornwallis, 1953
Wrens Recruiting Advertisement
Naval Reserve Recruiting Poster
HMCS Malahat Crew, 1957
Naval Fire Fighting Training
Cadets in Summer Training