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The Second World War
The Merchant Navy  - Serving with the Merchant Navy

During the Second World War, Canadian and Allied merchant mariners faced the constant hard work of operating and maintaining their ships, the threat of enemy attack, and the dangers of accidents and storms.

Identity Bracelet, Robert Bush
Identity Bracelet, Robert Bush

This sterling silver identity bracelet belonged to Robert Bush, who spent much of the Second World War serving in Canada's merchant navy.

The bracelet bears the merchant navy crest (top centre) as well as Bush's name (bottom). In the first years of the war, Bush served in two British ships that were torpedoed, another one that was attacked by aircraft, and a fourth that was sunk by a mine. After transferring to Canada's merchant navy in 1941, he served in the SS Lady Rodney, as well as in the hospital ship Lady Nelson, and remained a merchant mariner on the Great Lakes until 1948.

Identity Bracelet
CWM 20080094-007





Merchant Navy War Service Badge, Somer Oscar James
Painting a Life Raft, SS Temagami Park
Engine Room, SS Kelowna Park (CAN)
Shaft Tunnel, SS Kelowna Park (CAN)
Merchant Navy Uniform, Clovis Ira Bordeleau
Balaclava, Clovis Ira Bordeleau
Christmas Card, SS Lady Rodney
Identity Bracelet, Robert Bush
Torpedoed, North Atlantic
Burning Oil Tanker
Torpedo Damage, SS Samtucky
Torpedo Damage, MS Kronprinsen
Storm Damage, SS Joel R. Poinsett
MV Nipiwan Park
Memorial Cross, Third Engineer Alfred Henry Perry, SS Fort Longueuil
Rescuing Survivors
HMCS Longueuil Rescues Survivors
Port of New York Identity Card, Ernest Shackleton
Ordinary Seaman Somer Oscar James
Telegram, Percy Kelly, SS Lady Hawkins
Chief Officer Percy Kelly