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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.

British Naval Mine
British Naval Mine

Thousands of British naval mines like this were laid underwater to counter German surface ships and submarines.

Small wheels on the base allowed the mine to be rolled off the stern of ships laying minefields. Britain's Royal Navy used thousands of mines to create barriers intended to damage or sink German surface ships and submarines, or to deter them from entering areas where minefields were known to exist. In the English Channel, mines formed part of extensive anti-submarine barriers that also used nets and were supported by motor launches and larger vessels.

Naval Mine, British Type "H", Mk IV
CWM 19390002-837





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