The Second World War
War in the Pacific and South East Asia  - The Royal Canadian Navy and the Pacific Coast

The Royal Canadian Navy was active in operations along the Pacific coast from 1939 to 1945, patrolling British Columbia waters and helping to support the Allied war effort. West coast shipyards built ships for the navy and the merchant navy.

Prisoner of War Work Jacket

Crew from the captured German merchant ship Weser were issued conspicuous prisoner of war clothing after they were brought ashore at Esquimalt, British Columbia.

This denim jacket, worn by Kurt Gunzel, has a large red "target" circle sewn into the back, which could not be removed without leaving an obvious hole. Sent to a camp near Fredericton, New Brunswick, Gunzel spent six years interned in Canada. His experience was positive enough that he decided to return to Canada in 1951, spending 37 years as a groundskeeper at the Guild Inn in Scarborough, Ontario.

Work Dress Jacket
CWM 20070070-001