THE WORLD AT WAR, 1939-45

This fall marks 85 years since the start of the Second World War. On 1 September 1939, troops, tanks, and aircraft of Nazi Germany crossed the Polish border and threw the world into six years of turmoil and devastation. On 3 September, Britain and France declared war on Germany, as they had promised Poland; other countries followed suit, including Canada (10 September). In December 1939, Canada’s first contingent of volunteer troops sailed for Britain. From a population of 11 million, Canada would send about 1 million men and women – many from Peterborough and its surrounding region – to fight in all parts of the globe except Antarctica.

Peterborough area residents enlisted in the Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), and the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Not all returned home – there are 281 names listed on the Peterborough City and County Citizens’ War Memorial as killed in the 1939-45 conflict. Other local men and women contributed in such ways as workers in local industries supplying the war effort, as farmers, or as transporters of essential goods and materials.

The Peterborough Museum & Archives (PMA) has a large number of Second World War items in its archival and artifact holdings (but not on regular display): uniforms and personal kit; communication equipment; personal weapons; flags and pennants; correspondence; photographs; medals; insignia; captured enemy “souvenirs”; Prisoner of War items; and more. One of my favourite collections deals with RCN Corvette K342 – better known as HMCS PETERBOROUGH. Included are such items as: its ensigns (flags); commissioning and crew photographs; a silver tea/coffee service, presented by then Peterborough M.P. Gordon Fraser; and a set of transcribed communications and orders sent to the ship on and around V-E Day in 1945 by the Admiralty and Canadian Prime Minister King. (Note: the ship’s inscribed bell is displayed permanently in the lobby of the Peterborough Memorial Centre.)

The PMA’s Second World War holdings do not celebrate war, but they do commemorate and honour men and women from this community who joined that international battle against evil and tyranny, and ensure that their participation and sacrifices are not forgotten.

By: Don Willcock,

The Peterborough Museum & Archives,

300 Hunter St E, Peterborough 705-743-5180

www.peterboroughmuseumandarchives.ca

For photo credits: all the PMA photos were taken by Don, and the HMCS PETERBOROUGH is from the Library and Archives Canada (LAC) collection.