Second World War
The Navy Ashore  - The Navy and the Home Front

The Royal Canadian Navy became a strong presence on Canada's home front during the Second World War. Naval imagery appeared in fundraising and propaganda materials, while Canadians built equipment for the navy, or were encouraged to support it through volunteer work.

Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve Pillow Cover

This pillowcase showing a Canadian sailor blowing a bugle, is an example of naval-themed goods sold in Canada during the Second World War.

The artwork refers to the RCNVR (Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve), and also features a maple leaf with the slogan "delivering the goods from Canada" (bottom left). Battleships (right) are a traditional image of naval might, but never formed a part of Canada's navy. With the rapid wartime expansion of the Royal Canadian Navy, manufacturers produced decorative and souvenir articles like these to sell to members of the navy and their families.

Pillowcase
CWM 19870232-006