Toronto Remembers the Home Front, 1939-1945, page 3
7th Victory Loan campaign, City Hall October 23, 1944 Photographer: John H. Boyd City of Toronto Archives Fonds 1266, Item 92936
War Savings Stamps booklet ca. 1939-1945 City of Toronto Archives Series 340, Subseries 8, File 58
War Savings Stamps booklet ca. 1939-1945 City of Toronto Archives Series 340, Subseries 8, File 7
War Savings Certificates advertisement ca. 1941-1945 City of Toronto Archives Series 340, Subseries 8, File 73
The federal government encouraged workers to spend at least 10% of their salaries on war bonds, certificates, and stamps. War savings provided money to the war effort, but also discouraged inflation, since less money was left over to spend on scarce consumer goods. Even children were encouraged to buy war savings stamps, at 25 cents each.
Bren gun carriers, Sunnyside, “Toronto Invasion” June 26, 1941 Photographer: John H. Boyd City of Toronto Archives Fonds 1266, Item 74619
The “Toronto Invasion” was an army training exercise in which troops from Borden Camp (near Barrie) had to “defend” Toronto from a plot to seize all power centres, waterworks, bridges, military headquarters, media outlets, and City Hall. The exercise took everyone by surprise, including the mayor, the chief of police, and the numerous citizens whose names were taken by the soldiers after they were not able to produce their National Registration identification cards.
CNE midway game August 23, 1940 Photographer: John H. Boyd City of Toronto Archives Fonds 1266, Item 68266
The war affected everything, even games at the CNE. This boy’s target is Benito Mussolini, leader of Italy when that country was allied with Hitler’s Germany. Note how the prize dolls are dressed: military uniforms for the male dolls, and nurses’ uniforms for the female dolls.
Demonstration of how to make tear gas, Army Week Open House at No. 2 District Depot July 3, 1942 Photographer: John H. Boyd City of Toronto Archives Fonds 1266, Item 80118
Walter Gardiner, war veteran March 8, 1946 Photographer: John H. Boyd City of Toronto Archives Fonds 1266, Item 102587
Job rally for veterans and laid-off munitions workers September 14, 1945 Photographer: John H. Boyd City of Toronto Archives Fonds 1266, Item 98981