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Military heritage

Ontario's military heritage —
4. Second World War (Resources)

War and conflict

This narrative cannot possibly tell every story about the Second World War. Explore these resources for more information.

A woman operates heavy equipment along the long production line while men install the mechanical equipment of a ram tank. The Toronto Star published this image in 1942. (Photo: Toronto Public Library)
A woman operates heavy equipment along the long production line while men install the mechanical equipment of a ram tank. The Toronto Star published this image in 1942.
Photo: Toronto Public Library

Heritage Matters

Explore the Trust’s Heritage Matters e-magazine to learn more about Ontario’s past. In particular, check out the following articles related to the Second World War:

Doors Open Ontario resources

One of the more popular sites visited during Doors Open Whitby or Doors Open Oshawa is Camp X, a site where men and women were employed at the British Security Coordination spy training school and communications centre during the Second World War. Check out the video below to get an idea of the kind of spy training that was offered or visit their official website for photos. Or explore the CBC’s X Company web page to learn more about how the story of Camp X has been dramatized.

External resources

Une femme manœuvre un engin le long d’une grande ligne de production tandis que des hommes installent des équipements mécaniques sur un char Ram. Cette image a été publiée par le Toronto Star en 1942. (Photo : Toronto Public Library)
A woman operates heavy equipment along the long production line while men install the mechanical equipment of a ram tank. (Photo: Toronto Public Library)

You might also be interested in

Check out these other exhibits about the Second World War.

Ontario's military heritage — 4. Second World War (Military operations and experiences)

Wings Parade, 1944. Young Canadians who completed their fly training under the Commonwealth Air Training Plan. (Photo: Toronto Star Photograph Archive, Toronto Public Library, 12/28/1940)

By the summer of 1940, Nazi Germany had conquered most of continental Europe, and the United Kingdom was defending itself against the German Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain. During these trying times, Canada became the United Kingdom’s most important ally. To make a meaningful difference in the war, Canada’s military would require expansion and modernization.

Visit Ontario's military heritage — 4. Second World War (Military operations and experiences)

Ontario's military heritage — 4. Second World War (Industry and research)

An inside look at the nuclear research complex at Chalk River, 1945. (Photo: National Research Council Canada)

Ontario was a mineral-rich province that offered many strategic resources for military production. It also had a large population. According to the 1941 census, Ontario had 3.8 million residents, of which 62 per cent lived in urban areas. The combination of Ontario’s large population and mineral-rich land made it an ideal industrial hub for war production.

Visit Ontario's military heritage — 4. Second World War (Industry and research)