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Although the war was an unhappy time, it was also a time of prosperity. Everyone's participation was required to help the Allies to win the war, and there were jobs for all who wanted them, which was quite a contrast from the Depression they had just experienced.
Many Canadian men and women joined the Armed Forces while others
worked on farms or in factories to produce the food and supplies that
were needed. Canadians joining the armed forces served in all theaters
of the war as members of The Canadian Army, The Royal Canadian Navy and
The Royal Canadian Air Force.
Canadian airmen fought in many air battles over Europe, Africa,
Italy, and in the Pacific areas. The Air Force also patrolled
Canada's borders in case of enemy attack at home. Some women joined
the Armed Forces but the majority remained at home to work in
the factories.
People had to give up some of their possessions for the war effort
and many items were rationed, such as food and gasoline, which was then
sent overseas. People at home also helped the war effort by saving everything from bacon fat and meat bones (to make explosives) to aluminum
pots and pans, which were used in the manufacture of aircraft.
World War II was a time of hardship - for the men and women in the
forces and for their families and friends at home. It was a time of loneliness, suffering and sorrow. Many Canadians were wounded or lost
their lives in the conflict. But the war wasn't all hardship as they
found many things to do in their leisure time; making new friendships
that would last a lifetime, traveling about the British Isles, and
later Europe, and all the on-base activities. For the people back home
it was a time to enjoy dances, radio programs, attending the theater and
entertaining the trainees of the various BCATP schools. The main thing
that the war did was to bring people together to strive for a common
effort to help anyone and everyone that they could.
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