Canada's Naval History

Second World War (1939-1945)
The Navy in European Waters - The Arctic Convoys and Scandinavia

Following the Soviet Union's entry into the war against Germany, the western Allies established convoys carrying much-needed supplies to Soviet Arctic ports, most notably Murmansk. Canadian ships participated in these convoys, and also visited Scandinavian countries in the wake of Germany's surrender.

Artifact Record

Canadian Blue Ensign

This Canadian Blue Ensign was given to Edouard Gagnon, a Canadian who served in Arctic convoys for two years.

At the time he received the flag, Gagnon, a member of the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve, was on loan to the Royal Navy aboard the aircraft carrier HMS Trumpeter. A sailor from an unidentified Canadian merchant ship recognized Gagnon as a fellow Canadian, and gave him the flag. While Canadian merchant ships usually flew the Red Ensign, those where a captain and some of the crew were officers in the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve were authorized to fly Blue Ensigns like this one.

Blue Ensign
CWM 19980083-001