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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.

"And it blew wondrous cold", Royal Naval Motor Boat Reserve
"And it blew wondrous cold", Royal Naval Motor Boat Reserve

Sub-Lieutenant Douglas Urry, huddled in his duffle coat and cold weather clothing, poses aboard a motor launch.

Urry was one of many Canadians who served in the Royal Navy's motor launches, which were uncomfortable vessels in any bad weather. In winter, freezing sea spray left motor launch sailors frigid above deck, and little better off when they sought some warmth below. Urry's caption for this photograph is inspired by Samuel Coleridge's poem Rime of the Ancient Mariner: "And now there came both mist and snow/ And it grew wondrous cold."

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 20030213-002_47





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