Postal History Corner

Friday, February 18, 2011

Armed Forces Slogans
1954 - 1966

Slogans used to celebrate anniversaries and promote the Canadian Armed Forces during the Wilding and Cameo periods (1954-1966) are shown in this article.

1. Anniversaries

NAVY LEAGUE
OF CANADA
DIAMOND JUBILEE
1895 -1955

The Navy League of Canada was founded in 1895 to promote maritime issues to Canadians. Beginning in 1895, the Navy League lobbied for the creation of a Naval Service for Canada. Having realized that goal in 1910, the Navy League continued to support the Navy and promote the welfare of sailors. During both World Wars, and into the late 60s, the Navy League operated numerous hostels and Sailor’s Homes, on both coasts.

Toronto, October 12, 1955

A slogan was used in 1945 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Navy League:

GOLDEN
JUBILEE YEAR
NAVY LEAGUE

Hamilton, August 30, 1945

WWII Ditty Bags

The Navy League Ditty Bag, (a small gift bag full of clothing, food and sundries) was a welcome comfort to sailors throughout this time. Volunteers made or purchased items to fill these bags, following a list of suggested items useful for daily life aboard ship. The Navy League arranged for the distribution of these bags to members of the navy and merchant navy.

Two sailors unpack "ditty bags" containing a variety of comforts like knitted socks, books, and chewing gum. (Canadian War Museum)

FILL
A DITTY
BAG

Hamilton, September 11, 1943

ROYAL CANADIAN
NAVY
50TH ANNIVERSARY
1910 - 1960

The slogan was in use at all main post offices from late April to June.

Slogan Die
Canadian Postal Museum

Edmonton, May 17, 1960

ROYAL CANADIAN
ARMY SERVICE CORPS
DIAMOND JUBILEE
1901 - 1961

The Royal Canadian Army Service Corps was an administrative and transport corps of the Canadian Army formed in 1901.

ROYAL CANADIAN
ORDNANCE CORPS
DIAMOND JUBILEE
1903 -1963

The Ordnace Corps function was to provision troops with uniforms, weapons, and equipment. The Corps was organized on July 1, 1903, as the Ordnance Stores Corps and redesignated in 1907 as the Canadian Ordnance Corps.

Toronto, June 4 1963

60E ANNIVERSAIRE
DU CORPS DES
TRANSMISSIONS
ROYAL CANADIENNE

The Royal Canadian Corps of Signals was a corps of the Canadian Army established in 1903.

Montreal, October 10, 1963
The French slogan was used in Montreal and Quebec City

The English Slogan "ROYAL CANADIAN SIGNALS DIAMOND JUBILEE 1903-1963"was used at Charlottetown, Halifax, Kingston, Toronto, Moncton, and Ottawa.

P.P.C.L.I.
JUBILEE
1914-1964

Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) is one of Canada's most famous infantry regiments. The regiment was founded in 1914 and named after Princess Patricia of Connaught, the daughter of the Governor General at that time. The PPCLI was the first Canadian unit to serve overseas in WWI, earning distinction at the Battle of Freezenberg by holding a fragile line against a determined German attack.

Ottawa, August 17, 1964

The PPCLI will be celebrating its 100th anniversary in 1914:

ROYAL 22E REGIMENT
1914-1964
50IEME
ANNIVERSAIRE

The Royal 22^e Régiment originated in Saint-Jean-sur- Richelieu, Quebec on 7 November 1914, when the '22nd (French Canadian) Battalion, CEF' was authorized to be formed. It is the most famous francophone organization of the Canadian Forces. The 22nd went to France as part of the 5th Canadian Brigade and the 2nd Canadian Division in September 1915, and fought with distinction in every major Canadian engagement until the end of the war.

Ottawa, October 8, 1964
The slogan was used at Ottawa, Quebec, St. Jean, Sherbrooke, and Montreal

The Royal 22^e Régiment will be celebrating its 100th Anniversary in 1914.

TOR. SCOTS REGT.
50TH ANNIVERSARY
JUNE 1965

The Toronto Scottish Regiment was raised in 1915 as the 75th Battalion. The Battalion served in France and Belgium during WWI, winning a total of 18 Battle Honours. Following the war, the 75th Battalion became The Mississauga Regiment in the post-war Canadian Militia and then in the early 1920s The Toronto Scottish Regiment. With the outbreak of war in 1939, The Toronto Scottish mobilized as a machine-gun unit. Twenty-one battle honours were awarded to the regiment for WWII.

Toronto, June 9, 1965

C. PRO. C.
SILVER JUBILEE
1940 - 1965

The Canadian Provost Corps (C Pro C) was the military police corps of the Canadian Army. C Pro C was authorized on 15 Jun 1940 and ceased to exist in 1969 upon the unification of the armed forces.

Toronto, June 9, 1965

2. Events

NATO
MINISTERIAL
MEETING
OTTAWA, MAY 1963
The Council of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) held its regular semiannual ministerial meeting at Ottawa on May 22–24, 1963. According to the communique released at the end of the meeting, the Ministers emphasized that the enduring character of the North Atlantic alliance, founded on the principles of interdependence and common defense, constituted a basic guarantee for the maintenance of peace.