"It has been described as the largest invasionary force ever amassed.
On June 6th, 1944, ships "covered the sea" in the staging area between the Isle of Wight and Normandy, preparing to carry 150,000 American, Canadian and British troops to five key beachheads in France.
As the troops prepared for invasion, 11,000 planes began their bombing runs shortly after midnight, dropping nearly 1,800 tons of bombs on German positions. Paratroops, including the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, were dropped behind enemy lines, and 500 battleships moved into position to shell the Normandy coastline.
The Allied invasion of Europe, dubbed Operation Overlord, was originally scheduled for June 5th, but delayed by stormy weather. When meteorological reports suggested a break in the weather on the 6th, the invasion was ordered to go ahead - through seas so rough that most soldiers were seasick on the passage across the Channel.
The assault began at 6:30 a.a., on the beaches code-named Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. The 15,000 to 20,000 troops of the 3rd Canadian Division concentrated on Juno, and the villages of Vaux, Graye-sur-Mer, Courseulles-sur-Mer, Beiniere-sur-Mer, and St. Aubin-sur-Mer,
Shortly after 8 a.m., the Canadian forces hit the beaches. Some battalions met little resistance, finding that the way had been cleared by the earlier bombardment; others discovered that the enemy positions were still intact, and faced heavy fire.
Among the first to land were the Royal Canadian Engineers, called on to blast through the concrete seawalls and barbed wire that blocked the coast, clear minefields, and prepare roads for advancing forces; and the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps. Many of the Medics were killed while trying to assist wounded soldiers in that first assault.
By the end of the first day of fighting, 4,000 allied troops had been killed, 342 of them Canadians. But the beacheheads had been established, and the Canadians had penetrated as far as 11 km inland.
It was the beginning of the end for the Nazi war machine. Eleven months later, on May 7th, 1945, Germany surrendered.
"War is nothing but death, disease, destruction, disablement...and a terrible waste." - D-Day veteran."

Postcard and letters from the Ontario Fire Marshal's Office regarding fire wastage in war time.

Documents related to Government fish dealers for Bradford during World War One.

Includes:

1. Letter from the Ontario Fisheries - Sales Branch regarding food conservation
2. Letter also from the Sales Branch regarding the appointment of dealers to distribute Government fish for Bradford
3. Letter from George G. Green, Clerk of Bradford regarding the appointment of James A. Webb and M. J. Douglas as local fish dealers
4. Bradford Council motions and notes relating to the appointment of fish dealers

“Military Concert
On Friday last A and B companies of the 1st C.O.R. had to remain in Cookstown over night. On Friday evening a first class concert and minstrel show was given by them in the town hall. There was a very large and appreciative audience who enjoyed it very much. Pte. Harris was the star performer of the evening and won much applause. Several fine choruses were rendered by the men.

Church Parade
On Sunday morning the soldiers who had encamped for Sunday on the fair grounds held a church parade to St. John’s Anglican church. They were about four hundred and fifty strong. Rev. Walter Creswick, the rector, who had been appointed provisional chaplain, preached a sermon very appropriate to the occasion, which was much appreciated by the men.
Great Hospitality has been shown by the people of Cookstown to the soldiers. Besides providing them with pies every day many have entertained them in their homes.”

“Soldiers on the March
On Tuesday the first detachment of soldiers en route to Toronto arrived in Cookstown. About half-past two the citizens lined the streets to welcome the boys. At three o’clock, amidst great cheering, led be a band of pipers, the 48th Highlanders, after a bloodless skirmish with the Mounted Rifles of Hamilton, marched into town and encamped at the camp prepared for them by the C.A.S.C. on the Fair grounds. The ladies of Cookstown have undertaken to supply pies for the soldiers. On Tuesday everyone nobly responded, over one hundred and fifty pies were obtained.”

"Military Concert
A grand military concert was held in the Town Hall on Tuesday evening. This concert far surpassed anything Cookstown had seen before. The hall was crowded with a very enthusiastic audience, many of whom had to stand. Rev. W. Creswick presided, and Lieut. White at the piano. Some of the leading items on the programme were given by Pte. MacDonald, who imitated a brass band in his throat. Pte. Gant, slack wire artist, won great applause, and Pte. Pass, comedian, was very much enjoyed also. After the concert supper was given to the entertainers."

Letter about unproductive land and a copy of a bill passed by the Ontario Legislature regarding the cultivation of vacant land (mentioned as an enclosure in the letter).

Letters related to World War One victory bonds.

"The Canadian Government sold Victory Bonds to Canadian citizens, private corporations and various organizations in order to raise funds to pay for the war. The bonds were a loan to the government that could be redeemed with interest after 5,10, or 20 years and were released during 5 different campaigns between 1915 and 1919. In 1915 a hundred million dollars worth of Victory Bonds was issued and quickly purchased."

Letter about food shortages, dated March 18, 1918 and a copy of a proclamation made by the Lieutenant-Governor regarding food shortages (mentioned as an enclosure in the letter).

Letters about fuel conservation and control, dated 1918 and a copy of fuel regulations (mentioned as an enclosure in one of the letters).