Royal Canadian Air Force personnel work with carrier pigeons in the Ottawa area in 1931. [LAC/3388456]

From the archives: Winged war messengers

​​​​​​​STORY BY LEGION MAGAZINE

This story appeared in a February 1941 issue of The Legionary, the predecessor for Legion Magazine that celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. The piece has been left mostly as it was originally published, with only minor copy edits to correct typos or glaring omissions.​​​​​​​

From May to November 1940, 320 messages were sent from British Royal Air Force (RAF) aircraft by pigeon, and 307 were delivered.

One of the messages brought news from Holland to the East Midlands, England, in four hours ten minutes. An exceptionally good performance was that of two pigeons which were released 340 miles from home in an entirely strange direction. They had to cross two countries and a sea, but both homed, the first in 11 flying hours.

READ MORE

Latest Stories

• From the archives: Dead man appears to old comrade
• Con Air
• Vignettes from the life of a young woman in wartime Halifax

Women workers at B.C.’s Coldstream Ranch are trucked to orchards and fields in 1946. [courtesy Museum and Archives of Vernon]

Historian Kelsey M. Lonie on WW II’s Prairie Farmerettes in B.C.

STORY BY ALEX BOWERS

“We often generalize the participation of women in the Second World War,” said historian Kelsey M. Lonie, “but in a country as large as Canada, regional differences contributed significantly to the opportunities and willingness of women to volunteer.”

Such was the case of Prairie women and girls, many of whom sought service in B.C.’s agricultural sector, plugging gaps left by men and, moreover, the province’s own female workers who often pursued alternative war industries.

Now, their exploits have been highlighted in Lonie’s latest book, A Vacation for Victory: An Illustrated History of the Women’s Land Army in Canada. So named because of recruitment drives that occasionally framed the role as a holiday rather than strenuous labour, the new publication—scheduled to be released on May 19, 2026—offers a comprehensive yet nuanced exploration of these farmerettes, all against the backdrop of the broader food story in WW II.

READ MORE

More from The Briefing

• An armchair tour of Canada’s only airworthy Lancaster bomber, Part 2
• An armchair tour of Canada’s only airworthy Lancaster bomber, Part 1
• Roméo Dallaire at peace in a turbulent time

Member Benefit Partner

Deep, restorative sleep is key to improved mental and physical health.

RCL members can now save on Sleep Products!

• 25% Off Pillows and Sheets
• $100 Off Mattresses, Adjustable Base Bundles, and Lift Chairs

Call 1-800-373-8887 or visit https://ultramaticsleep.com/

Learn More