These photographs were taken by an unknown photographer from Department of National Deference Public Relations (Pacific Command) during the 1945 Polar Bear Exercise. This exercise was held in northern British Columbia in February and March 1945, using some 1,150 soldiers of the 6th Division. The intent of the exercise was to test the effects of "wet cold" conditions on military men and material. The scenario for the Polar Bear Exercise was that: "Action will be based on reports of a Japanese force having been landed at Bella Coola from submarines, having rendered useless RCAF installations at Bella Bella, and giving positive indication that this force is composed in great part of construction personnel with a comparatively small protective element; the assumption being that it will try to construct a useable road from Bella Coola to permit movement inland of a larger fighting force to follow at some later date". The exercise itself was conducted in three overlapping phases. Between 12 February and 5 March the force moved from Prince George to Anahim Lake, chiefly using an array of motor transport but with some pack horses. The second phase ran from 4 March to early April. This was a series of marches from Anahim Lake to Bella Coola and return; a secondary force of 19 men split off from the main body and, travelling by snowmobile and snowshoe, traversed the Rainbow Mountains to Bella Coola; on the return march this detachment was increased to 120 men and dubbed "Y" Force. The third phase was removal of all troops by vehicle from Anahim Lake to Williams Lake. These photographs are believed to document the return from Bella Coola.
File consists of two medals earned in World War 2 and a booklet describing medals.
Photograph depicts the 1945 Japanese war balloon chandelier with one bomb attached suspended in a tree, east of Fort Babine.
File consists of research materials pertaining to a Japanese war balloon that was found east of Fort Babine. Includes a 1993 booklet by Captain Charles A. East entitled "White Paper: Japanese Balloons of World War Two". Also includes two reprints of 1945 photographs that depict the Japanese war balloon chandelier with one bomb attached as well as Sergeant Smith east of Fort Babine beside the Japanese war balloon suspended in a tree.
File consists of clippings, notes, and reproductions relating to World War 2 in Prince George. Includes various clipped articles from the Prince George Citizen newspaper; "Wartime bldgs" handwritten notes by Kent Sedgwick (2005); and a John Bogle UNBC history course paper (1999). Also includes photographs taken in 2005 of various buildings and houses in Prince George.
File consists of two metal fasteners possibly used on uniforms in the Canadian military. Object originally stored in a box labelled: "Patches and flashes from A.B.'s uniform".
Photograph depicts two unidentified Corps officers working on a motorcycle, while three others look on. Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "No. 1 Provost Coy, England 1940". Stamped annotation on verso reads: "Negative No. 5730. Please quote when reordering."
Series consists of records and photographs relating to Judge William Ferry's life and career. Includes school records from Prince George Public School and the University of British Columbia, military photographs, and records, certificates and photographs relating to his his judicial career.
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Handwritten photo album caption below this photo reads: "Whitehorse 'Runway'". Photograph depicts three planes in distance on runway, one of them is parked in front of large building on left (hangar?). Two long unidentified buildings in background on left, trees and range of hills in background on right. See also items 2006.20.12.1 & 2006.20.12.43.
Sin títuloPhotograph depicts a group of Whitehorse citizens watching a military parade in front of a Canadian Bank of Commerce.
File consists of:
- Canadian Rail issue no. 447 (July-August 1995) which is devoted to Canada's Railways in World War II
- Article by David Davies, "Wartime Freight in BC in WWII, 1939-1945"
- Summary piece by David Davies, "What happened in British Columbia in WWII? 1939-1945: A Review of Military Events"
Handwritten photo album caption below this photo reads: "Whitehorse, & Alaska Highway, from below R.C.A.F. Barracks." Photograph depicts the cityscape of Whitehorse in valley. Alaska Highway can be seen in left foreground behind road railings in mountainside.
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Handwritten photo album caption below this photo reads: "Another view of Whitehorse Field from the Tower." Photograph depicts various unidentified buildings at what is believed to the Royal Canadian Air Force base in Whitehorse, YT. Small sign in foreground reads: "Taking Photographs Prohibited" (see also items 2006.20.12.1 & 2006.20.12.39). Mountains in background.
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Handwritten photo album caption below this photo reads: "Above the Rockies at 12 000 feet." Photograph depicts the Rocky Mountains from a distance. As the photograph was taken from the inside of an airplane, the plane's wing tip can be seen on the far right of the image. A sun circle is also visible in the top center.
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Photograph depicts a mountainous area between Bella Coola and Anahim Lake.
Handwritten photo album caption below this photo reads: "Another view from Tower at Whitehorse." Photograph depicts various unidentified buildings, vehicles, and machinery behind dirt road in mid ground. Power poles in foreground; trees, river, and mountains in background.
Sin títuloSubseries consists of correspondence and accompanying informational material related to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Records include news releases, maps, reports, memoranda, and speeches by Minister of Veteran Affairs Daniel MacDonald. Includes correspondence regarding medical services from the Canadian Pension Commission, Veterans Affairs offices in northern British Columbia. Veterans rights, the fiftieth anniversary of the Royal Canadian Legion, and veterans housing under the Veterans Land Act.
File consists of notes, clippings, and reproductions relating to veteran housing in Prince George. File predominantly consists of clipped and photocopied articles about a lack of housing for returning veterans from the Second World War. Also includes a photograph of a house in the Millar Addition.
Photograph depicts a row of utility poles between Bella Coola and Anahim Lake during the WWII Polar Bear training exercise.
Handwritten photo album caption below this photo reads: "Unloading at Watson Lake." Photograph depicts plane with the number "553"on its side landed in airstrip. Group of luggage, three men in uniform, and movable staircase in front of plane. Snow in foreground, trees in background.
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Photograph depicts the unloading of a jeep from a CMP truck between Bella Coola and Anahim Lake during the WWII Polar Bear training exercise.
Photograph depicts the unloading of a jeep from a CMP truck between Bella Coola and Anahim Lake during the WWII Polar Bear training exercise.
Photograph depicts a two soldiers in their undershirts by their tent, likely somewhere between Bella Coola and Anahim Lake during the WWII Polar Bear training exercise. Morning coffee supplies sit on a stump nearby. One of the soldiers is seated, trying on his snowshoes.
Photograph depicts a two soldiers in their undershirts by their tent, likely somewhere between Bella Coola and Anahim Lake during the WWII Polar Bear training exercise. Morning coffee supplies sit on a stump nearby. One of the soldiers is seated, trying on his snowshoes.
Handwritten photo album caption below this photo reads: “Ready for Work”. Photograph depicts two unidentified men in uniform, standing in front of military plane with the number "...53" on its side. Luggage in foreground, including two suitcases with red cross symbol on side.
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Handwritten photo album caption below this photo reads: “Going Out for the Evening.” Photograph depicts unidentified man from item 2006.20.12.18, arms linked and hands clasped with a second unidentified man. Both are dressed in uniform and standing on steps in front of doorway. Building speculated to be barracks at Fort St. John.
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Photograph depicts two unidentified Canadian Provost Corps officers driving in a jeep labelled "79 Provost." Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "No. 1 Provost Coy, England 1940". Stamped annotation on verso reads: "Negative No. 7272. Please quote when reordering."
Handwritten photo album caption below this photo reads: "Tower & Adm. Bldg, Ft. Nelson." Photograph depicts long white building with tower raised in middle, ladders and scaffolding in front. Trucks and groups of men in foreground, some on building itself. Power poles in foreground and background.
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Photograph taken at the United Nations Day Ceremonies in Esquimalt, B.C. Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "KEN IRVINE, TOM GREEN".
Formal portrait of a large group of older men standing outside an unidentified building. Snow is still visible in the foreground and men are displaying medals on the front of the heavy overcoats. Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "James Joseph Claxton third right, middle row"; "Toc H Kelowna" ; "Toc H?".
Photograph depicts a formal portrait of a large group of older men outside an unidentified building. Snow is still visible in the foreground and men are displaying medals on the front of the heavy overcoats. Handwritten annotation on verso reads: "Jim Claxton"; "JJC"; "Toc H Kelowna"
Photograph depicts a formal portrait of a group of eighteen men standing outside the Kelowna Branch of the Toc-H Headquarters. Handwritten annotation written on paper adhered to verso reads: "Toc H. Kelowna. Front Row: Bill Brown, Owen Jones, Ford Martin, Les Harrison, Paul Wayze. Middle: Bill Benmore, Ches Coles, Bill Bredin, Bill Talbot, Larry Kelly, Lee Weston, Abie Ablott, ? Known to police only. Back: Roy Pollard, Ward Rennie, Ray Stone, Bill Hughes-Games, Joe Barns. Photo by member Bill McEwan, 1930"
Photograph shows three soldiers standing beside a jeep.
Photograph depicts two men (one in uniform) standing in an airstrip under the nose of a military plane with the number "7632" on its side. A third man stands in uniform on far right, and a building can be seen in distance behind him on the flat horizon. Handwritten photo album caption below this photo reads: "MAJESTIC '32'." It is believed this photograph was taken at the military base in Whitehorse, YT.
Sin títuloFile consists of clippings, notes, and reproductions relating to the Royal Canadian Legion in Prince George. Includes various clipped articles from the Prince George Citizen newspaper.
Photograph depicts a tethered pack horses in makeshift log stalls between Bella Coola and Anahim Lake during the WWII Polar Bear training exercise.
Photograph depicts a tethered pack horse between Bella Coola and Anahim Lake during the WWII Polar Bear training exercise.
Handwritten photo album caption below this photo reads: "Teslin Lake and River, at 11 000 feet." Photograph depicts winding river below, mountain range in background.
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Handwritten photo album caption below this photo reads: "The above ship, after 'doing' a barrel-roll 50 feet above the runway." Photograph depicts three men in uniform bent over wreckage of plane crash in airstrip believed to be at Whitehorse, YT. Large group of men and vehicles in background on right, trees and hillside in background on left.
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Photograph depicts a large number of soldiers bearing packs walking in a line through a rancher's field, possibly somewhere between Bella Coola and Anahim Lake during the WWII Polar Bear training exercise.
Photograph depicts a soldiers with packs walking over a wooden log bridge, possibly somewhere between Bella Coola and Anahim Lake during the WWII Polar Bear training exercise.
Photograph depicts soldiers walking along road with children watching nearby, possibly somewhere between Bella Coola and Anahim Lake during the WWII Polar Bear training exercise.
Photograph depicts soldiers unloading an American military jeep from a military truck, possibly somewhere between Bella Coola and Anahim Lake during the WWII Polar Bear training exercise.
Photograph depicts soldiers trekking uphill with pack horses in mountainous terrain between Bella Coola and Anahim Lake during the WWII Polar Bear training exercise.
Photograph depicts soldiers trekking uphill in mountainous terrain between Bella Coola and Anahim Lake during the WWII Polar Bear training exercise.
Photograph depicts soldiers trekking through mountainous terrain between Bella Coola and Anahim Lake during the WWII Polar Bear training exercise.
Photograph depicts a line of soldiers hiking up switchbacks on a steep rocky slope between Bella Coola and Anahim Lake during the WWII Polar Bear training exercise.
Photograph depicts a line of soldiers hiking up switchbacks on a steep rocky slope between Bella Coola and Anahim Lake during the WWII Polar Bear training exercise.
Photograph depicts a soldiers transferring water from military truck water bag to a large water bag on the ground, possibly somewhere between Bella Coola and Anahim Lake during the WWII Polar Bear training exercise.