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Canada in the Second World War

Canadian WWII Museums
Normandy Tourist Information

WWII Museums in Normandy

Guided Tours in Normandy
Researching Canadian Soldiers

 

 

 

 

CANADA IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR

Canada in WWII - Visit the Juno Beach Centre's online museum about the Canadian Second World War effort.

Veterans Affairs Canada - Features a great deal of information for everyone, such as history links, news stories, guides to the Canadian war memorials, a youth page and teacher resources.

Canadian Virtual War Memorial - This web site, built and maintained by Veterans Affairs Canada, contains information about more than 116,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders who have lost their lives in major conflicts since 1884. In addition to being a tribute to the men and women who served and gave their lives for Canada, the web site has a searchable database and the facility for members of the public to contribute to the memorial by submitting images, letters and other memorabilia.

Veterans Affairs Canada 60th Anniversary of D-Day

Canadian War Museum - The Canadian War Museum in Ottawa is "dedicated to both education and remembrance." The Gallery Tour takes you through the Colonial Period, the Victorian Era, the First and Second World Wars, right up to modern-day Canadian peacekeeping missions. The information is presented in easy-to-read, bite-sized chunks that allow you to move through the site quickly. The essence of this museum is captured well online. Take a look at an early camouflage uniform from the Canadian Expedition to the Nile in 1884 or trench signs from the First World War.

The Canadian Battlefields Foundation - This Foundation was established in 1992 to educate and actively promote public awareness of Canada's role in both World Wars. The Foundation has established and maintains a Memorial Garden, on the grounds of Le Mémorial, in Caen, France, to recall the Canadian participation in the Battle of Normandy. Two battlefield viewing areas and memorial sites have also been established in Normandy: one at Point 67 south of Caen and one at St. Lambert-sur-Dives. Visit the CBF website to learn more about the foundation's objectives and their annual European battlefield study tour for university students.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission - The British Commonwealth War Graves Commission, established by Royal Charter in 1917, marks and maintains the graves of the members of the forces of the Commonwealth who were killed in the two world wars, builds memorials to those who have no known grave, and maintains records and registers. The register can also be searched for details of the 67,000 Commonwealth civilians who died as a result of enemy action in the Second World War. Visitors can search the database for details of grave site, date of death, age, etc. of a family member.

Details of 1.7 million members of UK and Commonwealth forces who died in the 1st and 2nd World Wars and other wars, and 60,000 civilian casualties of WWII. Gives details of grave site, date of death, age, usually parents/widow's address.

National Archives of Canada: War - A substantial and sophisticated site, with virtual exhibitions, on-line publications, and the on-line research tool called ArchiviaNet, which provides access to finding aids and thematic guides to manuscripts and government records.

Royal Canadian Legion - Canada's largest veterans', ex-service persons' and community service organization with more than 500,000 members and more than 1,600 branches in Canada, the USA (21) and Germany (3).

Remembrances: Canada and the Second World War (Virtual Museum of Canada) - Trivia and Games, Canada's role in the Second World War, 3D Corvette Virtual Tour. . .

Canadian Department of National Defence - Provides a comprehensive study of Canada's involvement in major wars, as well as peacekeeping initiatives.

CBC - Videos of the Juno Beach Centre Inauguration and D-Day - CBC's website has some excellent information on D-Day and the Battle of Normandy. Most interesting are the newsreel footage and clips on the Juno Beach Centre opening on June 6, 2003.

The Canadian Letters & Images Project - The Canadian Letters and Images Project is an online archive of the Canadian war experience, from any war, as told through the letters and images of Canadians themselves. The objective of the Canadian Letters and Images Project is to let Canadians tell their own story in their own words and images by creating a permanent online archive which preserves Canada's wartime correspondence, photographs, and other personal materials, from the battlefront and from the homefront.

Canada at War (Canada's Digital Collections) - This website offers links to other websites with information on various aspects of Canada at War.

Testaments of Honour - The Testaments of Honour project is a non-profit project dedicated to the preservation of veterans' oral histories on digital video. The website has hundreds of video clips on numerous topics and themes on the Second World War.

Canadian Military Journal - Canadian Military Journal is the official professional journal of the Canadian Forces and the Department of National Defence.

Canadian Military History Gateway - An online service that provides access to websites and digitized resources about Canada's military history.

The Canadian Wartime Experience: The Documentary Legacy of Canada at War - This site is maintained by the University of Manitoba. It provides free access to a collection of several thousand digitised pimary source materials: such as documents, newspaper articles, letters, photographs and prints relating to the experience of Canada and Canadians during various wars from 1899-1970s. They include the Boer War (1899-1903); First World War (1914-1918), Second World War (1939-1945); Korean War (1950-1953) and Vietnam War (1957-1975). They cover information relating to military movements, battles and training well as oral history accounts from soldiers and servicemen/women. The site also includes a section for educators with suggested classroom activities. Rights information is available from the web site.

Courage Remembered - This site presents the role Canadian soldiers played in the wars of 1914-1918 and 1939-1945, as shown through personal memoirs, photography, art work by Canadian war artists and the documented exploits of Canadian George Cross and Victoria Cross recipients.

Heroes Remember - Heroes Remember is a special website that offers Canadians and others of all ages the chance to learn about history through the eyes of those who lived it. On the site, you'll find video and audio conversations recorded with hundreds of Canadian Veterans over the past 30 years.

Wings for Freedom - RCAF - Learn about the history of Canada's Air Force on this website.

The Memory Project - A campaign to support the efforts of Canadian veterans to share their experiences. The Veterans Archives contain stories about Canadians whose lives were touched by war. The Memory Project is a print and Internet initiative of the Dominion Institute.

Democracy at War: Canadian Newspapers and the Second World War - Culled from more than 140,000 newspaper articles, this archive collection at the Canadian War Museum website paints a picture of the Second World War in a pre-TV, pre-Internet world.

Comrades and Colleagues - Database of those who served in 5938 military Units in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

Canada's Military Heritage - Chronology of war, photos & facts, dispatches from the front, educational resources and operation legacy.

Camp X Historical Society - Established in recognition of the courageous men and women who were trained in subversive warfare and covert techniques, those who fought behind enemy lines, who lived in the shadows, or who served at Camp X.

An Interactive History of the Canadian Navy

Allied Merchant Navy of the Second World War - Articles about the role of the Merchant Navy, including CPR ships, in the Second World War; stories and anecdotes from merchant sailors; notices and news for veterans; message board and related links.

Canada's Air Force - Learn all about the history of Canada's Air Force.

Victoria Cross Reference - Includes details on all 94 Canadian recipients.

The Valour and the Horror: Canada at War - Enormous compendium of materials regarding Canada's participation in the Allied World War II effort. Devotes one of its three major sections to the Normandy Invasion, including: a chronology of the invasion through Germany's surrender; a superior background overview concerning the participation and planning of Canada, the Allies, and Germany; stories of numerous participants; photographs, documents, and maps; and technical data and specifications. Examines related issues and historical controversies, including the considerable criticism of the original television series associated with this presentation. Online forums, a thoughtful book service, and an excellent selection of links round out this exceptional, if controversial, resource.

CANADIAN WWII MUSEUMS

British Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum (Brandon, Manitoba)
Virtual tour and history of Manitoba museum dedicated to the Second World War. Song and video tribute to these veterans.

The Canadian War Museum (Ottawa, Ontario)
The museum’s various exhibits aim to preserve and commemorate Canadian military history as well as to educate the general public regarding the role military activities have played in Canada’s history. Visit the website to learn more about the new Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.

NORMANDY TOURIST INFORMATION

Courseulles-sur-Mer (French only) - To learn more about the seaside town of Courseulles-sur-Mer where the Juno Beach Centre is located, please visit the town's official website. You will also find information on the local government, upcoming events, hotels, restaurants, etc.

Normandy Tourist Board Official Website - Visit this site to find a hotel, map, calendar of events and for other practical information about Normandy.

Bayeux-Bessin Tourist Office - Visit this website for tourist information (maps, restaurants, hotels, etc.) for Bayeux and the Bessin region.

Caen Tourist Office - Visit this website for tourist information for the Caen area.

Label Normandie Qualité TourismeNormandie Qualité Tourisme - The Juno Beach Centre recently obtained the "Label Normandie Qualité Tourisme" which is awarded by the Normandy Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Visit their website to discover the hotels, restaurants, campgrounds and tourist sites that have been awarded this prestigious prize for the quality of the reception, services and tourist information offered to visitors.

Gites de France - Visit this website to find a Bed & Breakfast in the Normandy region.

Mapquest - Visit this website to get directions to Courseulles-sur-Mer, Normandy and the Juno Beach Centre.

Normandie PassNormandie MémoireNormandie Mémoire - Website of the Association, whose purpose is to further develop understanding of the events of June 6th and of the Battle of Normandy and to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the D-Day landings. It displays an annual program of events and helps you to prepare your visit to the historic sites and museums in Lower Normandy.

 

WWII MUSEUMS IN NORMANDY

Memorial Pegasus - Inaugurated on 4th June 2000 by H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, the Memorial Pegasus is dedicated to the men of the 6th Airborne Division and their heroic actions during the Battle of Normandy 1944. Inside are many artifacts, uniforms, weapons and vehicles connected with the fighting, as well as an excellent film show. The highlight of the visit is being able to walk across the original Pegasus Bridge, which is preserved in the grounds of the museum, after it was replaced some years ago.

Arroanches Landing Museum - "The permanent Landing exhibition" at ARROMANCHES was created in 1953 and has been recently renovated. It boasts an excellent collection of artifacts, and displays.

GUIDED VISITS IN NORMANDY - There are numerous Normandy-area companies that operate tours of the D-Day beaches and Battle of Normandy sites. Most companies are based in Bayeux or Caen and some have developed special tours for Canadians (see below). While there are many tour companies in Canada, France, England and other countries offering tours of the Normandy battlefields and D-Day sites, only a few offer battlefield tours of Juno Beach and the Canadian sector with stops at the Juno Beach Centre. Below, is a list of tour companies we recommend to visitors looking for tours of Normandy and the Canadian sector:

Battlebus WWII Battlefield Tours - This company is based out of Bayeux and specialise in tours of the D-Day beaches; although other areas of the Normandy battlefields are are also covered. Owned by an Englishman, who is a well known WW2 re-enactor, tours are conducted in an eight seater minibus. Pick-ups in Bayeux. Full details of availability and prices on the company's excellent website. Reservation advised.

Normandy Sightseeing Tours - This Normandy-based company now offers a tour of the Canadian sites in Normandy. Daily tours start from Bayeux near the tourist office and, upon request, other pick up locations are available. Reservation advised.

Normandy Travel - This travel company, based out of Bayeux, Normandy, offers many packages and tours throughout Normandy including a 3 day/2 night "Following the steps of the Canadian troops" D-Day tour. They work in collaboration with Normandy Sightseeing Tours (see above).

Kingshead Adventures - This British-based company offers battlefield tours to First and Second World War battlefield sites in France for individuals, families or small groups. They also offer personalised tours which can be arranged to meet individual needs and travel requirements.

Battle Honours Ltd. - Battle Honours Ltd brings history alive through bespoke presentations and high quality battlefield tours of the Great War and World War 2. This British-based company offers tailor-made tours for individuals, small groups and clubs, as well as coach battlefield tours which allow you to join a group of like-minded people wishing to visit the battlefields in North West Europe. All tours are led by expert guides and use quality transportation and accommodations. They welcome clients from all over the world. Have a look at their website for more information.

D-Day Tours (Perception Travel Co. Ltd) - D-DayTours.com offers in-depth private D-Day Normandy tours directed in English by Michael Phillips, a professional English guide. This company caters to travellers looking for personalized service and customized tours. Visit their website for sample tour itineraries and additional information.

Holts Tours - This British-based company with over 30 years of experience offers History and Battlefield Tours for adult groups as well as school groups. Their tours are carefully designed and cover World War I, World War II and Napoleonic History. Visit their website for sample tour itineraries and additional information.

D-DAY Academy

RESEARCHING CANADIAN SOLDIER MILITARY RECORDS

Library and Archives Canada - Canadian Military Personnel Records
Library and Archives Canada - Online Research Tool - Search for Regimental War Diaries

Association of Liberation Children
- The Association of Liberation Children, founded in 1984, renders assistance to the descendants of soldiers from the Second World War in the search for their biological father and / or relatives. Apart from searches in the home country the association coordinates searching in countries like the USA, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Scotland, Ireland and Belgium.

Project Roots - Project Roots is a unique, humanitarian Detective Agency that helps find the long-lost Canadian fathers of British and European War Children who were born to single, unwed mothers in the aftermath of World War Two. Project Roots has successfully reunited 2500 War Children with the Canadian fathers who left them behind at the end of World War Two.

Canadian War Brides - The authoritative source of information on the Canadian war brides of WWII.
The story of the Canadian war brides and their journey to Canada is one of the most fascinating and romantic of World War Two. Why nearly 45,000 British and European women would leave behind everything that was familiar to start a new life in post-war Canada is a story worth telling. This website draws together the various components of the Canadian War Bride story to provide a compelling portrait of the human experience.

(The Juno Beach Centre does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external websites. Each link opens in a new window.)