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"Gosh, I wonder if it could be possible? So I asked her a question and she says, yes. Well, I said, you’re looking at him. And she started crying. I’m pretty proud about what I did."

Albert Joseph Thomas served in the army during the Second World War. See below for Mr. Thomas' entire testimony.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

"A lot of children die in wars. We have to find a way to solve problems without killing on some battlefield, where the innocent become casualties."

Alec MacInnis served in the army during the Second World War. See below for Mr. MacInnis' entire testimony.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

Herbert Lim was one of around 150 Chinese Canadians to serve with Force 136 of the British Special Operations Executive (SOE) during the Second World War. After completing his basic training with the Royal Canadian Engineers he was asked to join to join the SOE, working as wireless operator.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

General (ret’d) Ramsey Withers is a graduate of both Royal Roads Military College and the Royal Military College of Canada. Commissioned as a lieutenant with the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals (RCCS), he went to Korea as a replacement signals officer with 1st Battalion, Le Royal 22e Regiment. When the battalion rotated out of theatre, Withers was assigned to the 1st Commonwealth Division Battle School in Japan and trained incoming soldiers in preparation for the field in Korea. Following the Korean War, Withers had a long career in the armed forces, including as Chief of the Defence Staff (1980-1983).

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

Ray Bartlett served with the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals during the Second World War. During his service he participated in the Normandy Landings on D-Day and organized communications for his regiment. 

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

Ralph Dael served with Belgian United Nations Command during the Korean War. As a machine gunner in a heavy weapons platoon, Dael supported patrols and guarded against enemy night attacks.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

Una May Miklos served with the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service during the Second World War. She was stationed at the HMCS Shelburne in Nova Scotia.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

Val Rimer served as a gunner operator with the Army during the Second World War. He was part of the Canadian force that took part in the Italian Campaign.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

Una Sinclair Golding served with the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps during the Second World War.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

Vernon Barr served in the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals during the Second World War. 

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

Valerie "Val" Crisp Langdon served with the Royal Canadian Air Force, Women’s Division during the Second World War. She was stationed in Ontario and Quebec, working as a photographer.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

Vivian Phillips was stationed in Newfoundland with the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

Vera Peel served with the Royal Canadian Air Force, Women's Division during the Second World War. 

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

Vivia Stewart served in Scotland with the British Women's Royal Naval Service during the Second World War. 

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

Alex Polowin was a Lithuanian-Jewish Canadian who served in the Royal Canadian Navy on HMCS Huron, a Tribal class destroyer. Polowin escorted convoys to Murmasnk to supply the Soviets, hunted down the battleship Scharnhorst, and supported the amphibious invasion of Normandy in 1944. Listen to Polowin describe his motivations for enlisting in the Navy and the operations in which he took part.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

Stella Barter (née Zarowny) served in the Royal Canadian Air Force, Women’s Division as a typist during the Second World War. 

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

Stella Pierce served as a meteorological assistant in the British Women’s Auxiliary Air Force during the Second World War

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

Sytske Drijber Brandsma served with the Koninklijk Nederlands Indisch Leger (KNIL) (The Royal Netherlands East Indies Army) during the Second World War.

Content warning: This article contains content which some may find offensive or disturbing.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

Ruby Boersma recounts her experiences as a child passenger on board the SS ATHENIA, a ship that was torpedoed on the first day of the Second World War, 3 September 1939. She describes where she was on board the ship, how she managed to get on a life boat, the conditions on board the life boat, and her ultimate rescue and return to Canada.

Content warning: This article contains content which some may find offensive or disturbing.

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.