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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.

Ross Rifle Mk III with Bayonet
Ross Rifle Mk III with Bayonet

This Canadian-made Ross rifle, shown here with a hilted knife bayonet, was used by a Royal Marine detachment on the British battleship HMS Canada.

A useful target shooting and sniping rifle, the Ross was ill-suited for combat in the trenches, but was used throughout the war by sailors in the Royal Canadian Navy and some marines in Royal Navy ships. This particular weapon was issued to HMS Canada, a battleship ordered by Chile before the war and bought by the Royal Navy in 1914. Canada was sold to Chile in 1921, becoming the Almirante Latorre, which remained in service until 1958.

Rifle, Ross MK III
CWM 19880212-001
Hilted Knife Bayonet Mk II,
CWM 19750021-192





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