Arts & Culture

On Remembrance Day we respectfully pause to reflect on the sacrifice of the military, their families, the victims, casualties and society as a whole make during War.

It's hard to understand today, 100 years after the start of "The War to End All Wars", how much technological changes radically influenced battles. The tank, poison gas, faster and longer reaching artillery and hand guns, trench warfare and the airplane were either introduced or exploited in World War I.

Below are several vintage WW I era aeronautics postcards from the collection of the Toronto Reference Library. 

This French military aeroplane colored lithograph was mailed in 1915 from Fredericton by George Elliott to his "Mamma" Mrs T. J. Elliott in St John New Brunswick.  The copyright is International News Service of NY but it has an acronym on the back W.C.A 145.

George sent the "German Dirigible Hansa arriving at Potsdam Harbor" to his sister Gertrude at the same time.  It's copyright is Underwood and Underwood and it has the same acronym W.C.A 145. I think there must have been a packet of different cards sold together that young George bought. 

The dirigible (more commonly known as Zeppelin) as a weapon was another WW I era innovation.

The dogfight was new in WW I with the advent of airplane duels in the sky and quickly caught the imagination of many. 

La Nation Glorieuse 1914 – 1915 Nos valeureaux Aviateurs combattant dans les airs. WW 1 postcard.

This French postcard from WW I shows a dogfight between a French aviator and a losing German pilot.   It's published at the time by E. Brocherioux of 33, rue du Docteur-Blanche Paris.  The artist is E. Ploix. 

I end with this comic card dated January 1st 1918, sent from a convalescent soldier, Reg, to his mother-in-law Mrs Charles Earl of 576 Pape Avenue, Toronto. It's published by J. Salmon of Sevenoaks England. We previously know Reg from his Silk postcard sent to Miss Nellie Earl, of the same address, in 1917.

Dear Irish, just a few lines trusting they will find you … a bon? as they leave me … a loo. Righto well Irish I am at a Convalescent Hospital at present but expect to leave here soon on my sick leave so hurry up and come over and we will have a time taking in the sights together. I expect to be on my way home soon. I have not heard from Eddie lately. Nighty Night your loving son in law Reg.  January 1st 1918 Kent England. Addressed to Mrs Charles Earl 576 Pape Ave. Toronto.

The new technology of airplanes caught on in Canada as well.  Below is a photo from 1916 of the Curtiss Flying School Toronto, showing a graduating class of young airmen – this image is from the Digital Archive of Toronto Public Library.   There is further information about the Curtiss school at this PDF.

If you're interested in Canadian aviation history you would likely enjoy the free program on Billy Bishop happening at North York Central Library on Tuesday November 11, 2014.  Join aviation historian Keith Hyde speaking on the life of pilot William Avery "Billy" Bishop, V.C. war hero and legend..6:30-8 pm.

The current show on at the TD Gallery, Main Level, Toronto Reference Library is called Four Families, One War from November 1, 2014 to January 15, 2015. It has a section on pioneer Canadian aviator Edward Rochfort Grange (1892-1988). When war broke out, he had just completed his degree in civil engineering, and was finishing up his summer job. He quickly returned home to Toronto, completed his aviation training, and signed on with the British Royal Naval Air Service. Rochfort served as a pilot until 1916, when he transferred to the newly formed Royal Canadian Air Force, becoming one of Canada’s first flying aces.  The show is a real treat to see. 

There is also a virtual exhibit that you can view online. The show features many World War One Canadian military posters. If this is an area of interest you can also see one of our earlier blog posts on this subject.  If you would like to see a broad selection of our WW1 posters please look at our Pinterest page – otherwise you can also look at our digital archive.   We also have an extensive collection of World War II posters.

For other Toronto Public Library blogs done to honour Remembrance Day see:

You may also enjoy the virtual exhibit of World War II posters and ephemera from the 2005 show "Canadians on Guard: The Home Front 1939 – 1945".

About 65,000 Canadians died in World War I. Canadian soldiers distinguished themselves in many military battles including Somme, Ypres, Vimy and Passchendaele.  Most of our dead are buried overseas in France. When the War was over soldiers returned to a warm welcome but the society they had left had changed and the scars they carried from the War often stayed with them.

Percy Waters florist, Danforth Ave., between Hampton & Logan Aves circa 1918.