Canadian Servicewomen: Picture Thread

[Pylon1357]

My observations....the first photo, showing the three women walking together...the one on the left is a Nursing Sister, the middle is CWAC Canadian Womens Army Corps, and the gal on the right is a wub-dub Womans Division of the RCAF.

[Pylon1357]

Originally Posted by Whiterook

Interesting background on that...see the reviewing stand and the two styles of salute. You know, I never thought of this previously, but, did the Canadian Army use the same style salute as the British Army? ANd are those American sailors?

We Canadians did salute in the same manner as the British did in WWII. We now salute in a similar way to the Americans. I don't wish to cause any grief here on the forums but I feel that we have 'lost' something in regards to the manner our current CF members salute.

In this photo, Please note, the white suits do appear to me to be US as No Canadian would ever have saluted like that during WWII. It was until sometime in the late 80's IIRC that Canadians stopped saluting the Brish way. Also NOTE who is doing the saluting upon passing the Salute Base. It is the men on the Base who are saluting, not the CWAC saluting. I find this fact interesting as during any parade I ever took part in, we saluted the Base.

[Biscuit]

Originally Posted by Pylon1357

My observations....the first photo, showing the three women walking together...the one on the left is a Nursing Sister, the middle is CWAC Canadian Womens Army Corps, and the gal on the right is a wub-dub Womans Division of the RCAF.

Thanks for that mate! Glad someone came along who could answer that.

[PatBC]

Originally Posted by Pylon1357

We Canadians did salute in the same manner as the British did in WWII. We now salute in a similar way to the Americans. I don't wish to cause any grief here on the forums but I feel that we have 'lost' something in regards to the manner our current CF members salute.

In this photo, Please note, the white suits do appear to me to be US as No Canadian would ever have saluted like that during WWII. It was until sometime in the late 80's IIRC that Canadians stopped saluting the Brish way. Also NOTE who is doing the saluting upon passing the Salute Base. It is the men on the Base who are saluting, not the CWAC saluting. I find this fact interesting as during any parade I ever took part in, we saluted the Base.

It was before late 70's since saluting has not changed during my career. I wonder if the change might have come with unication in 68.

[Pylon1357]

Originally Posted by PatBC

It was before late 70's since saluting has not changed during my career. I wonder if the change might have come with unication in 68.

Let me first start this reply with an apology. I have made what I believe to be a major mistake.

I suspect you are very correct in that the Canadian Forces changing their salute from the British influence to our current way would have been at time of Unification, when many traditions were dropped or adapted to fit the three Service Branches.

I made the assumption based on my last year in Cadets (1980) we saluted the traditional way with the British influence.

Many of us,within my circle, myself included have called this the American way of Saluting, this is in error for sure. Our Navy was saluting in a manner similar to the American way even during WWII. I suspect the Navy may have always saluted that way.

Again I must appoligize for this very misleading and totally WRONG information. I have no clue as to what I was thinking when I posted my reply last night.

Thinking back as well, our Navy also wore a White Dress uniform so that accompanied with the salute in this photo, it is incorrect for me to say these Navy men on the Saluting Base were American. I would say they are in fact Canadian Navy Personell.

[PatBC]

It is not a problem I think we got the correct answer now. I will check with my Dad who was RCAF and later CF to see when it changed and why.

[Pylon1357]

Originally Posted by PatBC

It is not a problem I think we got the correct answer now. I will check with my Dad who was RCAF and later CF to see when it changed and why.

I hope your fathers memory is better than my fathers. My dad also served RCAF from 1950 to 1982. He retired as a Major. I have to wonder if I let him down somewhat as my main interest is Army and not Air Force.

[Whiterook]

Thanks all! You know, I never thought to ask my dad, who served in the Canadian Army in WWII. It just neve came up. In the few photos I have of him during that time, none were of him saluting. Good answers mates!

[PatBC]

DOH
I forgot I talked to my dad on the weekend. Here is what he said

The current Canadian salute does indeed date for the unficataion in 1968. It based on the old RCN salute with a change. The elbow is not held as close to the body as the RCN salute was. But they otherwise are very similar.

THe old Canadian Army salute as you see in British army movies. Arm brought up straight out to side until the arm reaches should height at which point the elbow is bent bring it around to hat palm facing out. The arm travels in reverse back down.

The RCAF salute was the same on the way up. Down the straight down with the hand held close against the body.


The link below has a fun story about the salute

Detail Page - Veterans Affairs Canada

[Whiterook]

Very cool! Thanks for that Pat!