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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.

Ruth Harrison served as a Nursing Sister 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.

Sam Doggart served in the Canadian Armoured 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.

Sadie Watts served in the Canadian Women's Army 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.

Ruth St. Clair (née Jarvis) served as a WREN in the British Women's Royal Naval Service 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.

Ruth Masters served in the Royal Canadian Air Force, Women's Division during the Second World War. She was stationed at RCAF Station Uplands in Ottawa before being posted to Britain.

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.

In the summer of 1942, Ruth Bergstrom joined the Canadian Women's Army Corps (CWAC) and was a member of the first group of CWACs trained at Vermilion, Alberta. She was then posted to National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario in a clerical position at Headquarters, Royal Canadian Corps of Signals. By the end of the Second World War, she ended up as staff sergeant in the classified message centre.

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.

 Ruth Werbin was a WREN, serving in the Women's Royal Canadian 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.

Ruth Hurley served in the Canadian Women’s Army 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.

Ruth McMillan served in the Women's Royal Canadian 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.

During the Second World War, Ruth Kinread went to Nova Scotia to work for a company that supplied Navy ships. 

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.

Ruth Pauline Michener joined the Women’s Division of the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War. She served in clerk operations, plotting aircraft in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.

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.

Ruth Shirley Johnson served as a dietitian in the Canadian Army Medical 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.

Ruth Aitken (née Windus) 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.

William Elliott served with the Royal Canadian Army Service 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.

William Barrett served in 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.

William Booth served with the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals during the Second World War. He was responsible for maintaining communication equipment, working in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany.

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.

William Kilbourne served in Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry 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.

William McGee served in the First Special Service Force of the Royal Canadian Regiment during the Second World War. He served in the Armed Forces from 1941 until 1964.

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.

William Parker served as an assistant cook in the Merchant Navy 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.