Naval Traditions and Culture

Naval traditions and culture encompass a wide range of activities, events, and objects, often unique to naval service. Some, like the "crossing the line" (meaning, the equator) ceremony, are old and well-established, while others, such as gun shield art, related directly to Second World War experiences. Many reflect companionship, commemoration, recreation, or esprit de corps.

Concert Party, HMS Canada

Two members of the crew of the British battleship HMS Canada dress as women for a concert party held in 1918 or 1919.

Canadian midshipman Robert Brett kept this image of two shipmates, one a sailor and the other a sergeant-major in the Royal Marines, dressed as women for a concert party aboard the battleship HMS Canada. Elaborate entertainments like this were more likely on shore or in large warships like Canada rather than in smaller ships like destroyers or corvettes.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19800603-001_44