Showing 2339 results

Photograph depicts Rags, one of the mascots for the 143rd Battalion (B.C. Bantams). Rags appears to be sitting on a bench at Beacon Hill Park.

Photograph depicts the arrival of soldiers from the Canadian Mounted Rifles (battalion unspecified, but likely the 2nd CMR as per formation patches on many soldiers' uniforms), many of whom would have been recruited through the British Columbia Horse. Looking closely at the soldiers, their uniforms shows divisional patches (also called formation patches or battle patches), wound stripes and overseas chevrons. The ship is the CPR's SS Princess Adelaide and the Empress Hotel can be seen in the background.

Photograph depicts the arrival of soldiers from the Canadian Mounted Rifles (battalion unspecified, but likely the 2nd CMR as per formation patches on many soldiers' uniforms), many of whom would have been recruited through the British Columbia Horse. Looking closely at the soldiers, their uniforms shows divisional patches (also called formation patches or battle patches), wound stripes and overseas chevrons. They have assembled on the docks near the CPR station where they are reunited with friends and family. It is interesting to observe that the leather Oliver equipment and Ross rifles they left Victoria with in 1915 have since been replaced with webbing equipment and Lee-Enfield rifles.

Photograph depicts soldiers and civilians in front of the Parliament buildings in Victoria. The soldiers have just arrived home after service in the Great War. On the steps of the building are several politicians and military officers including Premier John Oliver and General Officer Commanding of Military District 11 Major-General Leckie.

Photograph depicts a group of newly arrived soldiers, returned home after their service in the Great War. They are standing outside the Men's Quarters at what appears to be Willows Camp. Soldiers wear formation patches (also known as 'battle patches' or 'division patches') from the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles and the 3rd Division Canadian Engineers. The Engineer standing on the board walk to the left of the stairs has a German helmet (Pickelhaube) hanging from his jacket, a possible 'souvenir' from the war.

Photograph depicts a group of soldiers who have recently disembarked at Victoria. According to formation patches on their sleeves (also known as 'battle' or 'divisional' patches), the troops are mainly from the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles with some soldiers from the 3rd Division Canadian Engineers. Many civilians have joined them in front of the parliament where they wait for a special address from the premier and other dignataries.

Photograph depicts newly returned troops who served in the Great War marching in Victoria. Some family members were permitted to walk beside them. Near the back of the first group, a small boy holds hands with his father who he would have not seen for almost four years.

Photograph depicts a group of soldiers who have recently disembarked at Victoria. Many civilians have joined them in front of the parliament where they wait for a special address from the premier and other dignataries.

Photograph depicts the ocean liner RMS Empress of Asia docking at Victoria. Onboard are troops returning from service in the Great War.

Photograph depicts the ocean liner RMS Empress of Asia docking at Victoria. Onboard are troops returning from service in the Great War.

Photograph depicts the ocean liner RMS Empress of Asia arriving at R. P. Rithet & Co., Ltd. Outer Wharves in Victoria. On the docks and beyond in the streets are thousands of civilians welcoming the troops back home from service in the Great War.

Photograph depicts a view from inside the boat as the ocean liner RMS Empress of Asia approaches Victoria. Onboard are troops returning from service in the Great War.

Photograph depicts a scene from the Peace Day Parade in 1919. This event was organized to celebrate the signing of the Treaty of Versailles which took place a few weeks before. The event was hugely successful with an estimated 30,000 people in attendance. This particular snapshot was taken on the corners of Belleville and Government streets. The float in this picture was known as the 'Soldiers' Tribute Float' and is a memorial to the lost soldiers in the Great War. It features a plain broken column.

Photograph depicts crowds of civilians outside the provincial parliament in Victoria. They are gathered to celebrate the signing of the Treaty of Versailles which happened a few weeks prior. The front of the parliament buildings are decorated with the flags of the Allies (Canada Red Ensign, Belgium, France, United Kingdom, United States, Italy and Japan). A special sign above the entrance to parliament also reads "PEACE WITH HONOR".

Photograph depicts soldiers from Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry ready to board the Princess Mary at the CPR station in Victoria's harbour. This group would be part of Canada's 2nd Contingent. They are joined by many civilians sending them off.

Photograph depicts a scene on the docks in Victoria in which newly returned soldiers mingle with family and friends. It is unknown which battalion(s) or regiment(s) are pictured in this photograph.

Photograph depicts the SS Princess Patricia entering the CPR station at Victoria's Inner Harbour. The troops on board are returning home after having served abroad in the Great War. It is unknown which battalion(s) or regiment(s) are pictured in this photograph.

Photograph depicts a scene on the CPR station docks in Victoria. Newly returned soldiers mingle with family and friends for the first time since leaving to serve in the Great War. It is unknown which battalion(s) or regiment(s) are pictured in this photograph.

Photograph depicts a soldier from the Canadian Engineers at Willows Camp shortly after arriving home following his service in the Great War. Four overseas chevrons are visible on his right sleeve, representing four years of service in the Great War (1915-1919). The Canadian Engineers patch (CE) is also visible at the top of his sleeve. He also wears a brassard which is little more difficult to identify, however it likely represents a specialization in the Engineer corps such as signalling.

Photograph depicts General Officer Commanding of Military District 11 Major-General Leckie addressing troops newly arrived in Victoria. They are on the pier surrounding the CPR station in Victoria. Family and friends wait on the sidelines before they can reunite with the soldiers, some of whom had been away for years fighting in the Great War.

Photograph depicts the RMS Empress of Asia at sea. The ship is carrying soldiers returning from the Great War.

Photograph depicts soldiers aboard the RMS Empress of Asia on their way home to Victoria following the Great War. The soldiers are from various regiments and units.

Photograph depicts the CPR ocean liner RMS Empress of Asia carrying soldiers who have just returned from service in the Great War. They are on their way to Victoria, B.C.

Photograph depicts the CPR ocean liner RMS Empress of Asia. This ship is carrying soldiers returning to Victoria following their participation in the Great War.

Photograph depicts the corner of Government and Belleville streets during the Peace Day Parade celebrating the signing of the Treaty of Versailles which took place a few weeks before. The event was attended by some 30,000 people. This snapshot features members of the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire participating in the parade. About a dozen cars carrying members of different chapters participated in the parade. The cars are decorated with laurel crowns that hang off British flags.

Photograph depicts the corner of Government and Belleville streets during the Peace Day celebrations of 1919. This event celebrated the signing of the Treaty of Versailles which took place a few weeks prior. In this particular snapshot, floats related to agriculture make their way down the parade street. The Daily Colonist newspaper (20-07-1919) wrote: "The vacant lot cultivation float of Victoria City was a good indication of the work done to increase production. Every description of produce grown on the Island was displayed, and posters gave details of the work done."

Photograph depicts the corner of Belleville and Government streets during the Peace Day celebrations of 1919. This event celebrated the signing of the Treaty of Versailles which took place a few weeks prior. In this particular picture, veteran soldiers march in the parade.

Photograph depicts a marching band followed by soldiers from the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles parading in front of the Provincial Legislature after finally returning home to Victoria following the events of the First World War.