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First World War (1914-1918)
Canadians in the Royal Navy

Many Canadians and Newfoundlanders served in the Royal Navy during the First World War, providing much needed personnel, and emphasizing the strong Imperial ties between both dominions and Great Britain.

Royal Navy Warships, Firth of Forth, Scotland
Royal Navy Warships, Firth of Forth, Scotland

This photograph, possibly taken from an airship like the one added in the upper left corner of the image, shows numerous Royal Navy warships in the Firth of Forth, near Edinburgh, Scotland.

The Royal Navy, the cornerstone of British imperial defence, required tens of thousands of sailors. During the war, the Royal Navy, with the approval of the dominion governments, attracted thousands of Canadian and Newfoundland recruits.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19940003-727





Royal Navy Warships, Firth of Forth, Scotland
The Night Patrol - Canadian Motor Torpedo Boats Entering Dover Harbour
Albert Medal, Chief Motor Mechanic Ernest Alfred Pooley
Cap Badge, Royal Naval Motor Boat Reserve
Sub-Lieutenant Douglas Urry, Royal Naval Canadian Volunteer Reserve
"And it blew wondrous cold", Royal Naval Motor Boat Reserve
Motor Launch ML 399, in Drydock, Grimsby
Reloading Motor Launch ML 139 with Depth Charges
Motor Launches Attack an Enemy Submarine
British Naval Mine
Motor Launch Rescues Crashed Seaplane
Sailor's Uniform, Leading Seaman Roland White
Canadians Serving in HMS Canada
Ross Rifle Mk III with Bayonet
Three Canadians in the Royal Navy