Military or Armed Forces

The following cover contains Scott # 1075 depicting RCN naval personnel at various periods in its 75 year history.


Postal Administration: Canada

Title: The Navy

Denomination: 34¢

Date of Issue: 8 November 1985

© Canada Post Corporation
Documents related to this stamp
Series: Canadian Forces
Series Year (inclusive dates):
1983-1985

Printer/Quantity:
Canadian Bank Note Company, Limited
18 700 000
Perforation: 13.5 x 13

Creator(s):

Designed by Ralph Tibbles
Based on an illustration by William Southern

Historical Notice:
The Royal Canadian Navy was formed in 1910, at the time of the Anglo-German naval arms race. The Canadian parliament looked to the new navy to help preserve "the security of commerce, the safety of the empire, and the peace of the world." In the face of German naval expansion, the Royal Navy began to concentrate its strength in European waters between 1880 and 1906. Gradually naval duties in Canadian waters had to be taken over by vessels of the Department of Marine and Fisheries. In 1902 Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier stated his intention of creating a Canadian navy, but not until the Dreadnought crisis of 1906-08 did circumstances favour development of the idea. The British-designed dreadnought battleships had unmatched firepower, but the German navy quickly developed ships of comparable capabilities. It was clear that German would soon equal Britain in this category, and when German dreadnought construction began to outstrip that of Britain, pressure mounted in the Dominions to lend the mother country a hand. The debate in the Canadian Parliament revealed deep divisions of opinion. Some urged a cash donation to allow the British to build more dreadnoughts. Others advocated what their opponents scornfully called a "tin-pot-navy" of small ships like those in the fisheries protection fleet. Another group feared that a Canadian navy would cause Canada to become embroiled, as in the Boer War, with Britain's imperial conflicts. Although these differences would help to defeat the Liberals in the election of 1911, Sir Wilfrid Laurier's government successfully brought in the Naval Service Act. It received royal assent on 4 May 1910, and the Royal Canadian Navy's first warship, the old British cruiser Niobe, entered Halifax Harbour on 21 October 1910. The Navy stamp was designed by Toronto illustrator William Southern and graphic designer Ralph Tibbles. The design features naval personnel from three time periods: a gunner's mate from HMCS Niobe; a World War II officer in duffel coat; and an enlisted person in the new summer-white dress uniform.
Canada Post Corporation.

This cover contains a Canadian Remembrance Day stamp (Scott #2341) that was issued Oct. 19, 2009.


Postal Administration: Canada

Title: Lest We Forget

Denomination: P

Date of Issue: 19 October 2009

© Canada Post Corporation
Documents related to this stamp

Printer/Quantity:
Lowe-Martin Company Inc.
6 450 000
Perforation: Simulated perforation = Dentelure simulée; 12.5

Creator(s):
Design: Lionel Gadoury (Context Creative)
Design: Michael Wandelmaier (Context Creative)
Design: Vernon March
Photography: Peter Bregg (iStockphoto)

Historical Notice:
In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amidst the guns below... Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, "In Flanders Fields" (1915) Every year on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we share a moment of silence to honour the memory of the men and women of Canada’s Armed Forces who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our country. This tradition provides an opportunity to express our collective sense of sorrow for the loss that war produces, as well as a chance to rejoice in the legacy of peace and freedom that our soldiers have defended and preserved. This fall, the spirit of remembrance will be captured on a commemorative stamp. Designed by the Toronto-based graphic design group Context Creative, the stamp features a close-up photograph of the National War Memorial in Ottawa. "We really seized the opportunity to revisit this wonderful sculpture," says Creative Director Lionel Gadoury. "It conveys a strong sense of humanity, with people coming together from all walks of life and sacrificing for what they believe in. The sculptor, Vernon March, was very clear that it was not to be a monument to the glory of war, but to the commitment of Canada’s soldiers. We sought to convey this message on the stamp." Gadoury elaborates, "Standing together, the two figures shown speak to the camaraderie that is the very nature of peacekeeping efforts. And by focusing on their faces instead of their armour and uniforms (which are reminiscent of the First World War), the image transcends the ages, allowing the human character of the work to shine through. Their upward glances are forward-looking and express a sense of hope - of pride in a strong nation and belief in a peaceful future." Vibrant red poppies are given prominence on the stamp and inside the booklet. "Thanks to Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae and his well-known poem, "In Flanders Fields," the poppy and Remembrance Day are deeply linked in the minds of Canadians," notes the project’s lead designer, Michael Wandelmaier. "We decided to infuse a new sense of vitality into this traditional emblem by showing real poppy flowers instead of felt pins," he elaborates. "As a fresh, organic element, the poppy captures the feeling of renewal and hope we sought to convey. The way they’re shown blowing in the wind inside the booklet, on the other hand, speaks to the transience and fragility of life." This dual symbolism, at play throughout the design, attests to the design group’s deep awareness of the complex nature of the subject matter they were conveying. The signature "V" for "Victory" in the stamp’s background (also featured on Canadian nickels from 1943 to 1945) expands on the theme of hope and pride. Gadoury explains, "This graphic element is a reminder that Canada’s wartime efforts have not been a fruitless struggle; much benefit has come from our military involvement in the world." The colour palette was also chosen with careful attention to the subject matter: red and white are the official Canadian colours, while blue brings a spiritual, contemplative quality to the design. The booklet cover, souvenir sheet and first day cover feature photographs of the National War Memorial from various perspectives. "The monument is extremely complex; it’s as if each angle tells its own story," notes Wandelmaier. "What results is a collection of human stories of courage and sacrifice - a phenomenal tribute to the soldiers whose commitment has made Canada the strong, respected nation it is today." To learn more about Canada’s National War Memorial, visit www.canadapost.ca/foundation.
Canada Post Corporation.

The following cover contains Scott # 1260/1262 depicting scenes of Canada entering WWII.


Postal Administration: Canada

Title: The Army mobilizes

Denomination: 38¢

Date of Issue: 10 November 1989

© Canada Post Corporation
Documents related to this stamp
Series: The Second World War, 1939, Reluctantly at War Again
Series Year (inclusive dates):
1989-1995

Printer/Quantity:
Canadian Bank Note Company, Limited
3 614 000
Perforation: 13.5

Creator(s):
Designed by Pierre-Yves Pelletier
Based on an illustration by Jean-Pierre Armanville

Historical Notice:
Fifty years ago, Canada made its first independent declaration of war and joined the Allied Forces. Canada Post Corporation begins a new series of commemoratives stamps to recognize Canada's achievements and sacrifices during the Second World War. The first set of four se tenant stamps focuses on significant political or military actions taken by Canada in 1939. The involvement of Canada's army, air force and navy is represented on the stamps. A Souvenir Edition will also be available. Montreal designer Pierre-Yves Pelletier created the stamps using illustrations by Jean-Pierre Armanville, also of Montreal. These stamps focus on how people were affected by the declaration of war and present realistic scenes which evoke memories of the experience of ordinary Canadians during that time period. A background of vignetted metallic colours highlighting the year of war being commemorated is a common feature to appear on these stamps and future issues on the series.
Canada Post Corporation

This cover contains Scott # 1503/1506 and shows scenes of the tide turning in 1943 in favour of the allies.


Postal Administration: Canada

Title: Bomber Forces

Denomination: 43¢

Date of Issue: 8 November 1993

© Canada Post Corporation
Documents related to this stamp
Series: The Second World War, 1943, The Tide Begins to Turn
Series Year (inclusive dates):
1989-1995

Printer/Quantity:
Canadian Bank Note Company, Limited
2 500 000
Perforation: 13.5

Creator(s):
Based on an illustration by Jean-Pierre Armanville
Designed by Pierre-Yves Pelletier

Historical Notice:
Canada Post Corporation's tribute to the Canadian war effort continues with four stamps issued on November 8, 1993 to mark the 50th anniversary of the tide turning in the Allies favour. Mackenzie King' hope of avoiding large casualties with resulting cries for conscription had been largely responsible for his support of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) and the strategic bombing offensive. Under terms of the BCATP, Canadian graduates were supposed to serve in RCAF squadrons. But the British viewed the RAF as a Commonwealth force and integrated squadrons. This policy was unacceptable to the Canadian government which pursued "Canadianization", resulting in the creation on January 1, 1943 of No. 6 Bomber Group (RCAF). Canada's Air Minister Chubby Power fought hard for this RCAF group, even though they could expect to get the worst available equipment. No. 6 found itself stationed in Yorkshire, further away from Germany than the RAF and USAAF which had been previously allocated bases closer to the continent. In addition to longer flying times, 6 Group flew obsolete twin-engined Wellingtons and four-engined Halifaxes that had lower ceilings, providing less chance of avoiding German anti-aircraft fire. It was August 1943 before the first Lancaster bombers came in to 6 Group. Due to longer flying times, older aircraft and inexperience, the Group's casualties were initially high, but with the acquisition of better aircraft, by 1944 the loss rate had decreased and morale improved. Total Canadian casualties on the bomber offensive included 8,290 aircrew lost on operations. Among those was 6 Group's Pilot Officer Andy Mynarski of Winnipeg whose Lancaster was hit on June 12, 1994. His clothing and parachute caught fire while he was attempting to free the trapped rear gunner. Engulfed in flames, he jumped from the plane only to die on the ground. The trapped gunner survived the crash and Mynarski's heroics gave 6 Group its sole Victoria Cross. The Italian Campaign shows an infantry assault through a village, while a surfaced U-boat appears on the foreground of the Battle of the Atlantic stamp. The night scene background depicts an Allied convoy under attack as a Canadian corvette has opened fire on the sub. The Bomber Forces stamps illustrates a "bombing up" - the groundcrew loading bombs on a Halifax heavy bomber, while stevedores load supplies for Russia on the Aid to Allies stamp.
Canada Post Corporation.

The stamp on this cover is Scott #2043 and commemorates the 60th anniversary of the landing of Canadian troops on the beaches of Normandy.



Postal Administration: Canada

Title: D-Day, 06.06.44, Juno Beach, Normandy

Denomination: 49¢

Date of Issue: 6 June 2004

© Canada Post Corporation
Documents related to this stamp

Printer/Quantity:
Lowe-Martin Company Inc.
3 000 000
Perforation: 13 x 12.5

Creator(s):
Designed by Derwyn Goodall
Based on a painting by Orville Norman Fisher
Original Artwork:

Orville Norman Fisher, "D-Day - the Assault",
1945
Canadian War Museum, Ottawa, Ontario

Historical Notice:
Lest we forget, it has been sixty years since Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy. Canadian forces were there on D-Day to begin the liberation of western Europe. "Our intention is to honour the survivors and their fallen colleagues while the events of June 6, 1944 remain within living memory," says Bill Danard, Design Manager of Stamp Products. Canada Post is issuing a single domestic rate (49¢) commemorative stamp on the sixtieth anniversary of D-Day, to coincide with memorials across the country. It's not the first time the Normandy landings have been remembered philatelically. In 1994, for their fiftieth anniversary, Canada Post issued three stamps commemorating both the D-Day landings and the Normandy campaign that followed under the title The Second World War, 1944, Victory in Sight. "We have a slightly different focus for this sixtieth anniversary stamp," says Danard. "Our visual imagery for this stamp concentrates on the initial landings and the Juno Beach sectors of the Normandy coastline. We're specifically honouring those Canadian troops who participated in the June 6 operation." It's significant that the first landings are not represented with a candid, action photograph taken during these pivotal moments. The 1994 stamp features a photograph of a later stage of the D-Day operation, once the beaches had been secured. "Neither the British nor the Canadian governments would allow combat photographers to accompany the troops for the very first stages of the landings," says Danard. The Normandy coastline was chosen for the Allied landings because it was less heavily fortified than areas such as the Pas de Calais, where the English Channel narrows. After five years of war, the German forces occupying France had created an "Atlantic Wall". The Allied plan for breaching it involved ground forces from Canada, Britain and the United States working together with naval and air support in the largest combined operation in history. The Canadian landing site was code-named Juno Beach. By midday on June 6, 1944, the beachhead had been won, and by nightfall, Canadians had penetrated further inland than any other Allied seaborne forces. But on that single day, there were over a thousand Canadian casualties, including 359 dead. "With the imagery of this stamp we aimed to capture the experience of the very first Canadian troops to land on Juno Beach that day," says Danard. "We tried to balance a sense of the victory achieved with an acknowledgment of the human price."
Canada Post Corporation

The following NZ stamp was issued in May, 1968 and is Scott # 409:

The following NZ stamp was issued in May, 1968 and is Scott # 411:

The following NZ stamp was issued in Nov., 1984 and is Scott # 812:

The following NZ stamp was issued in Nov., 1984 and is Scott # 814: