People Archives | Verdun in Wartime: An Engaged Community

Canada Day Celebrations

In July 1953, Branch 202 Crawford Park organized an activity day in Queen Elizabeth Park for the Canada Day celebrations (then referred to as Dominion Day). The photograph […]

Activities for Young Verdunites

Here is a photograph of a reception for young hockey players from the Crawford neighbourhood in the […]

A Parade to Commemorate the Battle of Ypres

This photograph, dated April 23, 1943, shows some of the 4000 soldiers and veterans who participated in the parade commemorating the Battle of Ypres. The crowd was marching […]

The Armistice Ceremony

Here is a photograph, dated November 7, 1937, of the ceremony at the cenotaph during the Armistice Day (now Remembrance Day) commemorations in Verdun. Servicemen form an honour […]

Veterans and the Housing Crisis

Verdun Branch no. 4 of the Canadian Legion identified the housing crisis as the main source of discontent among servicemen. This reproduction of a petition submitted by veterans […]

A Letter Revealing a Major Crisis

This reproduction of a letter written by a Verdunite evicted from her flat in 1945 clearly illustrates the devastating effect of the housing crisis and the frustration it […]

Committed Women

Following the wars, Verdun’s women continued their work on behalf of veterans and the community at large. They formed the Verdun Ladies’ Auxiliary in Branch 4 Verdun and […]

A Gathering Place

In 1929, the Great War Memorial Hall became a gathering place for the members of Branch 4 Verdun of the Canadian Legion. The idea of building a hall, […]

A Happy Family Reunion

The newspaper article features private Victor J. Myatt who was captured and imprisoned by the Japanese in Hong Kong from December 1941 until the end of the war. […]

A Much-Awaited Telegram

Telegram from Halifax sent on July 5, 1945, from Fernand Vachon to his family on Wellington Street, with the following message: “ARRIVED SAFE AND SOUND HOPE TO BE […]

Jane Leavitt

This article features Jane Leavitt, a British immigrant, born in London, who arrived in Verdun in 1913 with her family. She was chosen by the War Memorial Committee […]

George F. Beurling at the Verdun Auditorium

Pilot Officer George F. Beurling returned to Verdun on November 10, 1942, and was celebrated by some 6000 people at the Verdun Auditorium, the largest crowd gathered for […]