The Patriotic Consensus: Winnipeg, 1939-1945 by Jody C. Perrun, B.Ed, M.A. A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Manitoba, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy History Department University of Manitoba Winnipeg Copyright ©2008 J.C. Perrun Abstract Historians have established the framework of Canada’s general political, economic, and military participation in the Second World War, but there has been little research into the ways that the national war effort affected individuals or local communities. This dissertation explores the wartime experience of ordinary Winnipeggers through their responses to recruiting, the treatment of minorities, war finance publicity, participation in voluntary community service, and the adjustments made necessary by family separation. It questions the prevailing narrative of the war as a unifying national experience, focusing on issues like civilian morale and the relationship between citizens and the state. In some ways, the depth of the patriotic consensus was remarkable in a city that was far removed from any real enemy threat. The population was highly polyethnic, with strong class divisions and a vibrant tradition of political protest. Both factors meant a greater number of potential fault lines. But the large number of ethnic groups in Winnipeg and the Left’s relative lack of political power also meant that there was no dominant minority to seriously challenge the interpretation of the war expressed by the city’s charter group. Social cohesion was enhanced in Winnipeg despite the absence of real danger for a number of reasons: the connection of ethnic communities to occupied or threatened homelands, like Poland or the United Kingdom; the effectiveness of both official and unofficial information management, such as Victory Loan publicity; and the strong identification people maintained with family and friends in the armed forces, war industries, or state institutions. The war effort affected people as individuals and as members of families and the wider community. Its impact was at times unjust and destructive yet most hardships were ultimately accepted as necessary for the war’s successful prosecution. ii Acknowledgments This dissertation is the product of seven years of study and it owes a lot to the people who have assisted me in the process of researching and writing it. Without the encouragement of Stephen Harris at the Directorate of History and Heritage, National Defence Headquarters, and Carman Bickerton at Carleton University, I probably would not have decided to pursue a doctorate in the first place. Steve in particular has been a friend, mentor, and sounding board since I worked with him on my Master’s degree. My advisor at the University of Manitoba, Barry Ferguson, has been a source of constant support through a number of ups and downs since I returned home in 2001 and has been a great help in forging something coherent in the pages that follow. Thanks must go to my field supervisors, Jack Bumsted, Michael Kinnear, and Ravi Vaitheespara for getting me through the big hurdle and also helping me to see history and the Second World War a little differently. Barbara Kelcey provided advice to an undergraduate whose career path might have turned another way, and then brought Laurie Wilmot’s papers, a key primary source, to my attention some years later. Every graduate student owes a big debt to their department’s administrative personnel, so thank you, Carol Adam and Sandra Ferguson. Michael Whitby, Bob Caldwell, Carl Christie, and Ben Bond have offered friendship and an ongoing interest in my comings and goings. I also want to thank my examination committee, Jeffrey Keshen, Paul Thomas, Gerald Friesen, and Esyllt Jones, whose comments helped strengthen this work have probably saved me some future embarrassment. Needless to say, any flaws that remain are my own fault. Generous financial support from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the Faculty of Graduate Studies, the Faculty of Arts, the Alumni Association, the Departments of History and Economics at the University of Manitoba, Dr. James Burns, and Berdie and Irvin Cohen has made this research possible. I also want to thank the staffs at the Archives of Manitoba, the Manitoba Legislative Library, the University of Manitoba Archives and the Elizabeth Dafoe Library, the Fort Garry Horse Regimental Archives and Museum, Library and Archives Canada, the Bank of Canada Archives, the United Church Archives, the City of Winnipeg Archives, and the Winnipeg Free Press Archives for their assistance. No doubt there are others I have forgotten to mention, and I beg their pardon. Finally, I want to thank my Mom and Dad, Robin, Darrel, and Shelley, for all their support, free meals, and home repairs. Another family member has lived with this dissertation almost as long and intimately as I have. I met my wife at the start of this journey and she has hung on throughout the ride, with admirable patience despite the endless hours spent separated by a closed office door and the constant uncertainty of life with a graduate student. When a project takes this long to complete it is probably natural to wonder on occasion whether the end will ever be reached. Misty’s unflagging belief in me helped keep those moments few and far between. Looks like we made it! iii To Emily, my Little One, for whom I have such high hopes . iv Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................... i i Acknowledgments....................................................... iii Table of Contents.........................................................v List of Tables........................................................... v i List of Illustrations...................................................... vii List of Maps........................................................... viii List of Copyrighted Material............................................... i x Abbreviations........................................................... x Research Note. ........................................................ xii Introduction.............................................................1 Chapter 1: The Limited Patriotic Consensus. 2 7 Chapter 2: The Limits of Democracy I. ......................................8 4 Chapter 3: The Limits of Democracy II......................................120 Chapter 4: Investing in Victory I...........................................158 Chapter 5: Investing in Victory II..........................................214 Chapter 6: The Spirit of Service...........................................258 Chapter 7: The Family’s Material Welfare. 304 Chapter 8: Responses to Family Separation. 360 Conclusion............................................................409 Appendices ...........................................................416 Bibliography...........................................................430 v List of Tables Table 2.1: Conscription Plebiscite results, 27 April 1942. 119 Table 3.1: Japanese Evacuees from British Columbia. 157 Table 5.1: Victory Loan Slogans and Symbols.. 250 Table 5.2: War and Victory Loan Drives, National Totals, 1940-1945. 251 Table 5.3: Victory Loan Drives, Manitoba Totals, 1941-1945.. 252 Table 5.4: Victory Loan Drives, Winnipeg Totals, 1941-1945 . 253 Table 7.1: Family Budget Requirements Specified in Marsh Report . 355 Table 7.2: Army Pay Scale ...............................................356 Table 7.3: Dependents’ Allowance Rates By Rank, Exclusive of Assigned Pay . 357 Table 7.4: Supplements to Dependents’ Allowance for Children . 357 Table 7.5: Assigned Pay and Dependents’ Allowance, Basic Rates, No Children . 358 Table 7.6: Total Annual Family Service Income, Basic Rates, No Children . 358 Table 7.7: Housing in Winnipeg, 1939-1946 .. 359 vi List of Illustrations Figure 1.1: Winnipeg Grenadiers parade .....................................8 1 Figure 1.2: BCATP training over Fort Rouge . 8 1 Figure 1.3: Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders depart for training. 8 2 Figure 1.4: Eaton’s Decorated for VE-Day . 8 2 Figure 1.5: Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery . 8 3 Figure 4.1: To Have and to Hold! .........................................201 Figure 4.2: Help Finish the Job ...........................................202 Figure 4.3: “Some Chicken . Some Neck!” . 203 Figure 4.4: “Mr. Churchill Himself” .......................................204 Figure 4.5: Keep These Hands Off! ........................................205 Figure 4.6: “You’ll have to do the signing, Mister” . 206 Figure 4.7: Choose your “Bonds” . ........................................207 Figure 4.8: For Victory . ................................................208 Figure 4.9: Canada Got it First! ...........................................209 Figure 4.10: “I’m dreaming of a modern kitchen . !” . 210 Figure 4.11: Save to Beat the Devil! .......................................211 Figure 4.12: All Canada is United .........................................212 Figure 4.13: Blackout Instructions .........................................213 Figure 5.1: It Can’t Happen Here ..........................................254 Figure 5.2: Raising the swastika at Lower Fort Garry . ...........................255 Figure 5.3: Premier Bracken and cabinet ministers interned at Lower Fort Garry . .......255 Figure 5.4: Burning books outside the Carnegie Library .. 256 Figure 5.5: “Nazis” parade down “Adolf Hitler Strasse” (Portage