Jeff Noakes
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jeffnoakes.bsky.social
Jeff Noakes
@jeffnoakes.bsky.social
330 followers 290 following 91 posts
Historian, among other things. Posts are my own, unless otherwise stated.
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jeffnoakes.bsky.social
At work this morning to give a talk about Canada’s naval war from 1939-1945, including Hannah Baird, whose name is often mentioned, but whose face is seldom seen. #CdnHist #History #NavalHistory
Colour photograph of a room with chairs and a projection screen at centre. Image on screen has title of “Canada’s Naval War”, and a picture of part of the Canadian War Museum. Colour photograph of a room with chairs and a projection screen at centre. Screen has black and white photograph of a woman with glasses on the left, and the name Hannah Baird on the right.
November 15, 2025 at 1:56 PM
jeffnoakes.bsky.social
80 years ago, 13 Nov 1945: Dutch freighter Blommersdijk arrived in Montreal, with German equipment collected by the 1st Canadian War Museum Collection Team headed by Farley Mowat. This Molch miniature sub drew attention, ultimately becoming part of the museum’s collection. #CdnHist #History (1/2)
Black and white newspaper photograph showing a miniature submarine in profile, suspended by cables from a crane. The submarine is pointing from right to left, with a light-coloured nose on the left. The conning tower and tail on the right are enclosed by wooden structures, and the submarine is on a road trailer with wheels. Below the trailer is the railway flatcar it is being loaded onto. Workers stand in various locations to help load the submarine onto the flatcar. Photograph is from the Huntingdon Gleaner, 5 December 1945, page 7, via Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Colour image of a three-quarter view of a black-hulled miniature submarine, pointing towards the viewer. A small conning tower and periscope are visible towards its rear, on the right. A silver bomb-shaped variable depth sonar is in the right background.
November 13, 2025 at 11:26 PM
jeffnoakes.bsky.social
80 years ago #OTD (1 Nov 45), this German Molch submarine, now at the Canadian War Museum, left Antwerp aboard the Montreal-bound Dutch freighter Blommersdijk. Also aboard were Farley Mowat, who commanded the 1st Canadian War Museum Collection Team, and Roy Weatherdon, one of its members.
(1/3)
Colour image of a three-quarter view of a black-hulled miniature submarine, pointing towards the viewer. A small conning tower and periscope are visible towards its rear, on the right. A silver bomb-shaped variable depth sonar is in the right background. A horizontal red cylinder near centre is the pulse-jet engine of a piloted V-1 cruise missile.
November 1, 2025 at 4:16 PM
jeffnoakes.bsky.social
#OTD 82 years ago (22 October 1943): German sub U-537 arrived at Martin Bay in northern Nunatsiavut/Labrador, & installed automated weather station WFL-26, aka "Kurt". It functioned for a short time before it stopped transmitting. Recovered in 1981, it's now at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.
Black and white photograph showing the silhouette of a submarine (U-537) in a bay. Snow covered hills are in the background. Source: George Metcalf Archival Collection, Canadian War Museum 20030149-001_2 Black and white photograph showing the after deck of U-537 as seen from the conning tower. An officer is in the foreground. In the background, sailors stand on the deck with two inflatable rubber boats. Source: George Metcalf Archival Collection, Canadian War Museum 20030149-001_3 Retouched black and white photograph showing Kurt after installation. Dark-coloured vertical metal cylinders, a tall antenna, and a shorter pole with weather-measuring instruments are visible against a snow-covered background. Source: George Metcalf Archival Collection, Canadian War Museum 20030149-001_5 Colour photograph of the restored Kurt weather station at the Canadian War Museum, showing a series of vertical dark metal cylinders with irregular white painted markings. One cylinder is painted grey. The station's antenna is just left of centre. Other artifacts and parts of the museum are in the background.
October 22, 2025 at 10:25 PM
jeffnoakes.bsky.social
On around this day in 1950 US and/or Republic of Korea forces located Soviet torpedoes near the airfield at Wŏnsan, North Korea. This is possibly one; it was captured in the area, after which it ultimately came to the Canadian War Museum. Find out more here: tnm.journals.yorku.ca/index.php/de...
The torpedo on display in the Canadian War Museum courtyard at 330 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, July 1998. Colour photograph shows the torpedo with a red warhead (left) and silver metal body, lying horizontally on a series of stands. Various booths and a stone wall with windows are visible in the background. Credit: Canadian War Museum, CWM2023-0015-0001-N
October 20, 2025 at 2:13 AM
jeffnoakes.bsky.social
104 years ago yesterday, 17 October 1921: second race of the elimination trials to select Nova Scotia's contender for the International Fishermen's Trophy. Photos taken by C.H.J. Snider aboard the victorious #Bluenose during the race, Archives of Ontario F1194-4
View of sailors on the slanting deck of a schooner, facing away from the viewer. Rigging is visible beyond them. Upper caption: Scenes in Race that settled Nova Scotia Championship, Oct. 17, 1921. Lower caption: "Ready About!" - Passing the balloon-sheet. View of men in dark clothes and caps sitting on a hatch. A mast and a boom are behind them, along with sailors on the deck in the background. Caption: "Happy on the hatch."
October 18, 2025 at 11:04 PM
jeffnoakes.bsky.social
There's a wonderful hand-drawn map of this evacuation route in the war diary for the 20th Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers, showing the area. It's available on digitized microfilm: heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.... (1/2)
Black and white hand-drawn map showing the area around the Driel ferry, including routes used to evacuate Allied airborne personnel and locations of German machine guns and snipers. Title: "Enlargement - Squares 6876 & 6875, reference map Arnhem, sheet 6 NW/W, 1:50000". Legend at bottom gives details. Source: Library and Archives Canada, RG24-C-3, volume 14748, microfilm reel T-18399, file 818, No. 20 Field Company, Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers.
September 27, 2025 at 7:17 PM
jeffnoakes.bsky.social
Why yes, I am editing an article and trying without success to comment on a footnote.
(If memory serves, back in the days of Clippy it was possible to do this.)
Image of Clippy, the former Microsoft desktop assistant, who took the form of a paperclip with eyes, against a backdrop of a yellow piece of paper. Speech bubble says "It looks like you're trying to comment on a footnote." Yes and no options are available.
September 22, 2025 at 1:03 AM
jeffnoakes.bsky.social
Seen today at the Naval Museum of Halifax: this thank-you plaque from the survivors of the crew of the Duchess of York to the officers and ship’s company of HMCS Iroquois.
Photo of silver plaque with inscription “This plaque is presented to HMCS Iroquois in grateful appreciation of gallantry in life saving and kindness extended by her officers and ship’s company to survivors of the crew of SS Duchess of York, 11th July 1943.” Naval Museum of Halifax collection.
July 18, 2025 at 9:58 PM
jeffnoakes.bsky.social
#OTD 80 years ago (18-19 July 1945): Bedford Magazine explosion destroyed much of site, killing 1. Parts of Halifax were evacuated amid fears of larger explosions. Albert Cloutier's watercolour view from Dartmouth shows 1st blast. Canadian War Museum 19710261-1757. #CanadianHistory #NavalHistory
A watercolour painting showing person in foreground with wharf and boats to the left. Hill in middle distance in right. In the background, a large mushroom cloud rises up into the sky, with a dark cloud at the top. Inscription bottom right: "Halifax Explosion - 18 July. The first blast 6:37 PM. Cloutier, Dartmouth." Beaverbrook Collection of War Art, Canadian War Museum 19710261-1757.
July 18, 2025 at 11:11 AM
jeffnoakes.bsky.social
I’ll vote for the Squid. This one’s at the Canadian War Museum.
Colour photograph of a Squid anti-submarine mortar. Grey metal structure supports three barrels angled upwards towards the right. Canadian War Museum 19760561-026.
July 9, 2025 at 7:59 PM
jeffnoakes.bsky.social
8/11: Destroyed Vehicles Near Xanten, Germany (painted 10 March 1945), CWM 19710261-2056: www.warmuseum.ca/collections/...
Watercolour of destroyed Canadian military vehicles. A damaged Staghound armoured car is on the centre and right, leaning down toward the right and away from the viewer. An angular vehicle is in the background left with a white star, and may be an armoured bulldozer. A telephone pole with dangling wires is in the left background.
July 5, 2025 at 3:07 PM
jeffnoakes.bsky.social
7/11: Shattered Landscape, Cleve (painted 19 February 1945), CWM 19710261-2116: www.warmuseum.ca/collections/...
Watercolour in shades of green and brown showing infantry at lower right walking through the devastated city of Cleve. Two trees rise up towards the top of the painting. Broken walls and rubble from collapsed buildings are in the lower background.
July 5, 2025 at 3:07 PM
jeffnoakes.bsky.social
6/11: All of the paintings visible in the series survived the war and are now part of the Beaverbrook Collection of War Art at the Canadian War Museum. In no particular order, they are: Farmyard, Germany (painted 9 March 1945), CWM 19710261-2060: www.warmuseum.ca/collections/...
Watercolour in shades of green and brown depicting a damaged farmyard in Germany. Part of a house is visible at left, with a wagon, tree, and an Archer self-propelled anti-tank gun at centre. A damaged barn with a motorcycle and wrecked vehicle are on the right. There is an open foundation at lower right.
July 5, 2025 at 3:07 PM
jeffnoakes.bsky.social
5/11: Army 47966: Lt. D.A. Colville, Amherst, N.S., War Artist, and Lt. D.L. Almast, Toronto, Ont., of the 3rd RCCS and the Artist's drawings.
Black and white photograph of Alex Colville, sitting at centre, showing his watercolours "Farmyard, Germany," "Destroyed Vehicles Near Xanten, Germany," and "Shattered Landscape, Cleve" to an officer sitting on the right. Library and Archives Canada, Army Numerical photo 47966, North West Europe, Album 88 of 110, page 78
July 5, 2025 at 3:07 PM
jeffnoakes.bsky.social
4/11: Army 47965: Lt. D.A. Colville, Amherst, N.S., War Artist, and Capt. J.A. Morris, Chesterville, Ont., of the C.H. of O, L.O. to 3 Div.
Black and white photograph of Alex Colville, kneeling at left, showing his watercolour "Farmyard, Germany" to a Canadian officer sitting on the right. Library and Archives Canada, Army Numerical photo 47965, North West Europe, Album 88 of 110, page 78
July 5, 2025 at 3:07 PM
jeffnoakes.bsky.social
3/11: Army 47964: Lt. D.A. Colville, Amherst, N.S., War Artist, 3 Div Historical Section, shows some of his drawings to friends in the forest south of Cleve.
Alt: Black and white photograph of Alex Colville, kneeling at left, showing his watercolour "Farmyard, Germany" to two Canadian military personnel sitting on the right. Library and Archives Canada, Army Numerical photo 47964, North West Europe, Album 88 of 110, page 78
July 5, 2025 at 3:07 PM
jeffnoakes.bsky.social
2/11: All photos taken 15 March 1945, by Donald I. Grant of the Canadian Army Film and Photo Unit, south of Cleve. Original caption source at end. Army 47963: Lt. D.A. Colville, Amherst, N.S., War Artist, 3 Div Historical Section, shows some of his drawings to friends in the forest south of Cleve.
Black and white photograph of a group of Canadian military personnel in uniforms in a wooded location, looking at artwork held by artist Alex Colville, at lower right. Library and Archives Canada, Army Numerical photo 47963, North West Europe, Album 88 of 110, page 78
July 5, 2025 at 3:07 PM
jeffnoakes.bsky.social
1/11: A thread: photos of Canadian war artist Alex Colville, spotted during research. #MilHist #History #ArtHistory #WarArt #CdnHist. Library and Archives Canada, Army Album 88 of 110, page 78; Colville also appears elsewhere, (page 14), as do other artists: central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.redirect?ap...
Group of four black and white photographs (2 over 2) showing Canadian military personnel in uniforms in a wooded location, looking at artwork held by artist Alex Colville. Library and Archives Canada, Army Numerical photos 47963-47966, North West Europe, Album 88 of 110, page 78
July 5, 2025 at 3:07 PM
jeffnoakes.bsky.social
For those who have ever wondered what part of the contents of Second World War emergency rations in Royal Canadian Navy lifeboats and life rafts looked like. These were in the larger grey metal boxes, along with tins of water and packages of biscuits. #NavalHistory #CanadianHistory
Colour photograph of a gold-coloured tin on the left and an opened tin with contents of biscuits and tablets on the right. Label on tin reads: "FOOD CONTAINER" CONTENTS 12 BISCUIT RATION 2 CHOCOLATE RATION 12 MILK CHOCOLATE TABLET RATION. THIS IS CONCENTRATED FOOD & SHOULD BE EATEN SLOWLY. PROCESSED BY W. CLARK LIMITED MONTREAL, CANADA R.C.N.- G.S.W. 45 Label on contents reads: Ration Biscuits Processed by HARRISON BROTHERS LIMITED, Montreal
May 29, 2025 at 11:33 PM
jeffnoakes.bsky.social
At the 35th Canadian Military History Colloquium, with @normagraham.bsky.social talking about “From Varsity to Wismar: 1 Can Para and the Race to the Baltic”. #milhist #cdnhist #CanadianHistory #sww #ww2 #wwii
Colour photograph of @normagraham.bsky.social at left and a screen with a presentation at right, against a green wall.
May 9, 2025 at 7:35 PM
jeffnoakes.bsky.social
In Waterloo, @wilfridlaurieruni.bsky.social, for the 35th Canadian Military History Colloquium, talking about one of the all-too-frequent hospital ship and train returns of Canadians from overseas during the Second War. More info studyofcanada.ca/events/confe... #milhist #History #CanadianHistory
Black and white photograph looking down on people carrying a wounded person off the hospital ship Lady Nelson on a stretcher at middle left. At top, a row of people leaning on a railing look down at the scene. Source: Ingenium Archives, CN Images of Canada Collection, X-17122, http://collection.ingeniumcanada.org/en/id/X-17122/
May 9, 2025 at 2:41 AM
jeffnoakes.bsky.social
I’ll add the story of the teddy bear that Aileen Rogers gave to her father Lawrence in 1915. It’s now part of the collections of the Canadian War Museum, where it’s on display:
www.warmuseum.ca/remembrance-...
Colour photograph of a beige teddy bear, missing its eyes and legs. The fabric is worn in many places.
April 11, 2025 at 9:42 PM
jeffnoakes.bsky.social
Foundation Pilot, Georges Island, and Siem Confucius with Atlantic Cedar and Atlantic Ash in the distance, Kjipuktuk/Halifax, 12 March 2025.
Colour photograph of a yellow and white pilot boat in left foreground on blue water. Green and brown island in middle distance, with white lighthouse on the middle right. Rectangular white ship in right distance.
March 12, 2025 at 8:24 PM
jeffnoakes.bsky.social
Other documents confirm the same hospital car (No. 98) was transporting Clarence Towne, wounded while fighting with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders in Normandy (4/5):

heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm....
Black-and-white scan of microfilmed nominal roll listing patients being repatriated to Canada, listed by service number, rank, name, and unit Information on PULHELMS classification, remarks on the category of patient (stretcher case, etc.), and diagnosis are provided.
February 18, 2025 at 10:39 PM