Canada's Naval History

The Second World War
War in the Pacific and South East Asia - The Pacific, the Indian Ocean, and Hong Kong

During the Second World War in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, some Canadians and Canadian ships served with Britain's Royal Navy fighting against Japan. After helping Canadian soldiers reinforce Hong Kong in 1941, the Royal Canadian Navy returned in 1945 and helped repatriate Canadian prisoners of war.

Artifact Record

Summer Service Dress Uniform, Commander Lorenzo Lysons Atwood

This white summer uniform belonged to Lorenzo Lysons Atwood, HMCS Prince Robert's executive officer at the time of the ship's arrival at Hong Kong in 1945.

Officers and sailors wore white uniforms like these during Prince Robert's time in Hong Kong. Like the more formal "dress whites" worn by officers during the First World War, they helped wearers cope with the stifling heat encountered in the Pacific theatre, but were difficult to keep clean. Atwood's rank of commander appears on the shoulder boards, while the Canada shoulder flashes represent the uniform's only distinctively Canadian element.

Summer Service Dress Uniform, Commander Lorenzo Lysons Atwood

Tropical Service Dress Shorts, CWM 19870211-020
Dress Shirt, CWM 19870211-022
Socks, CWM 19870211-178a