Just under 4,500 visitors attended the highly successful War Machines Weekend in 2026, where the Friends of the Canadian War Museum played a key role in showcasing their vital support initiatives.Key Highlights of the EventHigh Attendance: The museum welcomed just shy of 4,500 history enthusiasts.Community Engagement: Members connected directly with visitors to show how donor funds directly impact museum preservation and education.Featured Support InitiativesThe Book Room: Opened specially for visitors to browse and purchase rare or…
See and hear history come alive as powerful military vehicles rumble into action and special exhibits, displays and activities await exploration! Historic military vehicles that once rolled across battlefields and negotiated difficult environments and terrain, now expertly restored by the Museum’s team, will be back in action on the demo track. Static vehicle displays, collections of militaria, scale models, tank talks, family art station and a special screening of a film on Operation SNOWGOOSE highlight…
2026 Adopt-a-Book Launch The books adopted during this campaign will play a crucial role in ensuring that the Military History Research Centre’s library remains the premier collection of Canadian military history titles globally. This year’s offering includes 58 books in both English and French, featuring the latest literature in the field while also addressing existing gaps in the library’s subject matter for a comprehensive overview of military history.
Pay of the Guards: When Canadian Service Meant a Dollar Per Day Per Man Perhaps The promise of one dollar a day for private soldiers, slightly more for corporals and sergeants and small family allowances speaks volumes about the economic sacrifices ordinary Canadians were prepared to make to wear the uniform. This was a time when the Canadian Grenadier Guards and other units relied on posters like this to fill their ranks, appealing not just…
As the 2025 Adopt-a-Book program draws to a close, we wish to send a big thank you to all who participated. This year, there were 87 titles added to the collections of the Military History Research Centre of the Canadian War Museum.The labels have been added to the books indicating the name of the sponsor and to whom it is dedicated, where applicable.
G-Wagen’s Grit: IED Survival in Kandahar 2005 Canadian soldiers deployed Mercedes-Benz AG Gelandewagens (also called G-Wagens) to Afghanistan in 2004, replacing older Iltis vehicles for patrols. On 12 December 2005, an IED struck a G-Wagen commanded by Captain Manuel Panchana-Moya about 90 km from Kandahar, hurling the engine seven meters away but sparing the lives of Panchana-Moya, two soldiers and a journalist due to the vehicle’s armour. This artifact preserved at the Canadian War Museum,…
February 15th National Flag Day A promise, a request, a historic opportunity During the 1963 federal election, Lester B. Pearson campaigned on a promise to deliver a new national flag for Canada. Following his election as Prime Minister, during an address to Parliament on 15 June 1964 that initiated the flag discussion, he stated that an exclusively Canadian flag “…will bring us closer together, give us a greater feeling of national identity and unity.” He emphasized…
A Rare Acquisition Thanks to Donor Support Thanks to generous support from the Friends of the Canadian War Museum and individuals from across Canada, an extraordinary new artifact has arrived at the Museum — one that’s both rare and rich in history. The M4A2 Sherman Beach Armoured Recovery Vehicle (BARV) is a specialized armoured vehicle that can be used to help tell Canada’s D-Day story. Only five of these vehicles are known to exist, and this will…
Season’s Greetings FromThe Friends of the Canadian War Museum As we approach the end of another year, we invite you to reflect on the stories of sacrifice, resilience, and bravery that underpin our shared history. The Friends of the Canadian War Museum extend our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support and commitment to preserving Canada’s military heritage. This holiday season, let us honour those who have served and remember the lessons of the past. Wishing…
In what has become a tradition, FCWM President Linda Colwell, in a ceremony at the Canadian War Museum on November 10th, presented a lifetime membership and plaque to the Silver Cross Mother, Mrs. Payne, on behalf of the FCWM.The Friends salute the courage and fortitude of Mrs. Nancy Payne and honour her son, Corporal Randy Joseph Payne.
FCWM Book Room Fresh “barn” find! Boxes upon boxes of fascinating books detailing every facet of the Vietnam War: Discover the Friends of the Canadian War Museum Book Room at the Canadian War Museum! Located adjacent to the Research Library, our Book Room offers a rich selection of historical military books and biographies, all curated by knowledgeable and passionate volunteers. By visiting, you not only expand your knowledge but also support our fundraising efforts, helping preserve Canada’s…
The Friends AnnounceThe 2025/26 Adopt-a-Book Program What is this program? Each year, the Military History Research Centre of the Canadian War Museum submits a list of desired titles to the Friends charity. These titles are intended to enhance the Centre’s research capabilities but fall outside its budget allocation. This initiative aims to secure funding or support for acquiring valuable resources that will aid in military history research, enabling the Centre to better serve researchers, historians, and the…
