This section brings together the approximately 700 objects and photographs used in Canada's Naval History. Use this section to directly access objects and photographs grouped by type, as shown below, or use the search function above to search through them by title.

Unit Office, Naval Headquarters, Ottawa

Pegi Nicol MacLeod's vibrant watercolour depicts members of the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service (WRCNS) at work at naval headquarters in Ottawa.

A variety of duties were open to members of the WRCNS, including administrative work like that seen here. Widespread attitudes and beliefs at the time, however, confined Wrens to non-combat duties and service ashore, since these were regarded as appropriate roles for women. Despite the limits imposed upon them, Wrens and other wartime women represented a major change to the military's mostly all-male composition, and made an important contribution to allied victory.

Unit Office, Naval Headquarters, Ottawa
Painted by Pegi Nicol MacLeod in 1944
Beaverbrook Collection of War Art
CWM 19710261-5819