Canada Remembers
Commemorating Canada’s Monumental War Effort
It’s over 50 years since our men and women—a million strong— rushed to the aid of a Europe being strangled by the Nazi/Fascist yoke. Within weeks of Canada’s declaration of war against Germany, hundreds of Canadian merchant vessels loaded with food and arms began crossing the North Atlantic, saving Britain—the last stronghold—from starvation and surrender.
Within month, Canadian flyers made up a quarter of the British Royal Air Force, and Canadian Army troops shipped out for Britain and France. The Royal Canadian Navy, which ahd only six destroyers and five mine sweepers when war was declared, began escorting the merchant convoys, which were being attacked by German U-boats. In an amazingly short time, workers in Canadian shipyards built an anti-submarine force totaling hundreds of ships that was given total responsibility for protecting the Northwest Atlantic.
As more and more men and women volunteered for the armed forces, there was a shortage of workers throughout Canada. So college students donned overalls and went to work the farms in Canada’s “bread-basket,” while young women—proud to be called “Rosie the Riveter”—worked in munitions plants, shipyards, and aircraft factories. Canada became the “arsenal of democracy,” working around the clock to supply the needs of Allied fighting forces. Indeed, so many worked night shifts that window posters cautioned daytime passerby, “Please—A WAR WORKER IS SLEEPING,” and a hit song of the ‘40s was “Milkman, Keep Those Bottles Quiet.”
1939 to 1945: six long, tiring, and grief-stricken years for Canada. And yet, most who remember those days will say the sacrifices they made were well worth it, for their lives were filled with the generosity, neighbourliness and pride that springs from a “Can-Do” spirit. Above all, their efforts were instrumental in winning the war. Now, renowned Canadian artist David Craig depicts the WWII heroes that people in every province were working so hard to support, the members of Canada’s armed forces. Each painting in the evocative Canada Remembers series features extraordinary portraits set in a fascinating montage of war events. Each of the services will be honoured, including the thousands who served in the women’s divisions. Together, these plates commemorate a time that Canada—and an appreciative free world—will never forget.
“We Stand on Guard”
As we look back fifty years, we reflect on the tremendous contribution of Canadian armed forces in World War II. We fought for more that two years before the United States entered the war. And when they did, the U.S was compelled to move most of its ships to the Pacific in the war against Japan. Shipping on the Atlantic coast was ravaged as German U-boats crossed the ocean in force. Subs were spotted off Halifax, and even brazenly creeping up the St. Lawrence. The Royal Canadian Navy raced to build more and better patrol ships while the RCAF provided more and more air cover with its Lancaster bombers. Thanks to Canada, the Allies at last gained the upper hand in the Battle of the Atlantic.
But Canada’s role in the war was far from over. The 1st Canadian Division, as part of the British Army, was deployed to the Mediterranean landing in Sicily the Canadians fought doggedly up Italy’s “boot” in places we’d scarcely heard of: Sangro, Casa Berardi, Ortona, Anzio. Finally on May 23, 1944, the 1st Canadian breached the Hitler line in Italy.
Less than two weeks later 15,000 members of the Canadian Army, 37 squadrons of the RCAF and 60 vessels of the Royal Canadian Navy took part in the D-Day landings in Normandy. And the Canadian victories continued right up to the war’s end. Caen, a major objective in Normandy, was taken, then Dieppe and the Scheldt, opening the crucial port of Antwerp. Supplies could once again reach Allied troops, and Canadians joined other Allies pushing east int he Rhineland Campaign, liberating Holland and isolating German forces. The end was but weeks away, and no fighting force had more reason to celebrated and be congratulated on VE Day than the Canadians.
“We Stand on Guard,” Plate One in the Canada Remembers limited edition plate collection, is a compelling montage by artist David Craig, inspired by his own father’s wartime service. (Mr. Craig’s mother, who was British, also served—in the women’s division of the RAF.) On the left is an Atlantic convoy of Canadian merchant ships, one of which has just been torpedoed by a German U-boat. On the right are the ruins of Ortona, Italy, where the Canadian Army fought one oft he most heroic battles of the war.
In the center, Mr. Craig salutes each of the services with striking portraits of a Royal Canadian Air Force pilot (the artist’s father), a sailor from the Royal Canadian Navy, and a soldier fromt he Canadian Army. In the background we see the former Canadian red ensign waving proudly as Lancasters and Spitfires of the famed RCAF soar overhead. Dramatic battle scenes, extraordinary portraiture…”We Stand on Guard” is a stunning commemorative tribute to Canada’s massive—and vital—war effort. - ©The Bradford Exchange
