Canadian War Museum visit, Ottawa, ON

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Being former RCN of course I was very interested in the RCN representation at the new CWM. Unfortunatley it was somewhat of a disappointment, but the displays that were shown were well done.

CGS Canada was the first ship in the yet to be formed RCN - it was a fisheries protection vessel that was lightly armed. Taken into service in 1910 upon the formation of the RCN, it became HMCS Canada & saw coastal service in 1WW.

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Ship's wheel of HMCS Rainbow, Canada's first warship. She arrived in Canada later than HMCS Niobe as she had to sail from UK around Cape Horn to Esquimalt.

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Not really RCN or RNCVR but an interesting display --

a porthole from RMS Lusitania, sunk off Ireland on May 7, 1915.

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The Halifax explosion of Dec 6, 1917 was probably the greatest maritime disaster suffered in Canada the north end of Halifax was totally destroyed &
approx 2,000 thousand people were killed with another 9,000 or injured in the explosion.

The explosion occured when merchant ships Imo & Mont Blanc collided in the Narrows, one leaving & one entering Halifax harbour early in the morning of Dec 6.
Imo was a Belgian relief ship carrying relief supplies for civilians affected by the the war, & Mont Blanc was a munitions ship loaded with picric acid & other volatile combustibles.

Mont Blanc was totally destroyed in the explosion. Imo drifted to the Dartmouth side & a photo of her is shown below.

2 Albert Medals were awarded to RN members, as well as two to RCN.RNCVR members for their efforts in trying to board the Mont Blanc after the collision.

All were posthumous except that to AB Becker RN.

I have shown a few photos of the devastation caused by the explosion, much more is available on the internet.

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The last display for the RCN/RNCVR during 1WW was a display case containing medals awarded to naval personnel for 1WW & a sailor's uniform & cap worn by Lionel Channing. There is no insignia on the uniform.

There is also in the case an RNCVR Officer cap badge & a Chief Petty Officer cap for an ERA who's name I missed.


The medal trio (1914-15 star, British War & Victory medals) were apparently
awarded to J.M. Paul, an officer of the RCN, hoever examination of the War & Victory medals shows naming of 2Lieut J.M. Paul - this being an Imperial (British) Army officer rank.
The star is apparently named H.M.C.S. Niobe with the remainder of the naming illegible.
There is no J.M. Paul shown in the "Navy List" or "Commissioned Officers of the RCN/RNCVR" booklet.

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Very little was on display for the naval effort in the 2WW, which was disappointing as the Battle of the Atlantic was a critical event of the war - what little there was I photographed.

A good example of an RCN/RCNR/RCNVR rating's uniform...

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The CGM & medals of CPO Max Berneys RCNR & RCN,
the only Canadian award of the CGM for 2WW.

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The summer uniform of Rear Admiral Kenneth Dyer, RCN who played a major part in the RCN during 2WW.

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Unfortunately very little uniform/insignia representation on display for the RCAF

A good display of cold weather flying gear which I thought impressive to have survived intact over 65 years...

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Same with Canadian Army units, & there were many that participated in
2WW -

The medal set of Serg't Major John Osborne VC, who served in the Winnipeg Grenadiers at Hong Kong I found very impressive....

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At this point I was pretty much out of time & thus missed the vehicles & aircraft displays in the lower level (LeBreton gallery),

& was unable to take photos in the Hall of Honour as it was just not good for taking photos.

Perhaps next visit I can obtain some more photos.

Hope the membership has enjoyed the "tour".........

RCN Bryan