Nov 17: British Columbians’ Second World War – The Home Front Experience on Canada’s West Coast

The Second World War looms large in the collective memory of Canadians as an important part of our history and identity. The same cannot be said for British Columbians, for whom the Second World War is largely a blank spot that has left little impression. The only exception is the appalling treatment of BC residents of Japanese descent, who were rounded up and interned for the remainder of the war. Even when Dr. Sheffield searched through the academic literature of this province, the war appears as little more than a distant rumble of guns. Yet the evidence suggests that the war years were incredibly important for many British Columbians and their communities and accelerated the development of our modern province.

Dr. R Scott Sheffield is an Associate Professor of History at the University of the Fraser Valley. He grew up in the East Kootenay, went to school at UVic, and returned to BC to teach at UVic, Camosun College, Thompson Rivers University, and finally UFV. Most of his career has been spent researching the military service and experience of Indigenous peoples in the Second World War and he is the author of several books and articles on that subject. In the last five years Dr. Sheffield has focused on the experiences of British Columbians who remained at home through the Second World War and the role that community played in shaping those experiences.
In person attendance by donation (suggested donation $5)
You can also register to join via Zoom : https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIldOutrj4vGtBKS7SQaBMhiDfPJ2xZQ50h

Date and Time: On Sun, 17 Nov 2024 14:00 – Sun, 17 Nov 2024 15:00

Venue details: Royal BC Museum, 675 Belleville Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 9W2, Canada

Category: Community | History