Salvaging Metals and Materials
As the war went on, Canada began to run low on certain supplies that powered the Allied war machine. The Canadian government reached out to Canadians on the home front to contribute materials directly to the war effort. National salvaging campaigns began and across the country salvage drives were organized to collect metals and other materials.
Common items collected in salvage drives were metals, rubber, and rags. Drives were often held at schools and kids were encouraged to contribute. Bev Falconer from Powell River remembers that during the war cars, stoves, and refrigerators were not being manufactured so more metal could be used to build ships and planes. Falconer and her peers were encouraged to bring in tinfoil from gun wrappers and cigarettes, toothpaste tubes, and even aluminum pots and pans to their school’s salvage drive. She recalls that her father didn’t use cigarettes, so she had less tinfoil to contribute and felt unpatriotic.
CHILDREN COLLECTING RUBBER. IMAGE SOURCE: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Rubber was one of the most important items collected in salvage drives. Much of the rubber supply for the Allies came from the East Indies, but these became inaccessible as Japan entered the war and occupied the areas. The Canadian government then turn to its citizenry on the home front to help make up the difference and help supplement rubber stocks. The Department of Munitions & Supply reported that Canada was building a synthetic rubber plant, but it would not be operational until 1943. In the meantime, people were encouraged to give rubber to the war effort to be reclaimed and repurposed into war materiel. Household objects like tires, toys, hot water bottles, and footwear could all be reclaimed and put toward the war effort. All scraps of rubber were to be surrendered to the government; it was illegal to burn or destroy rubber products during this time.
Salvaging metals and other materials that could be converted into war materiel was another way that people on the home front could contribute to the war. Furthermore, this was a direct contribution that made people feel like they were making a real difference. As seen through Bev Falconer’s experiences at her school’s salvage drive, providing materials to drives was intrinsically related to patriotism. Canadians were encouraged to do their part to fuel the war machine.
World War II was a total war, which meant that everyone, including civilians, was affected by the conflict. Many Canadians served overseas, and those at home went in droves to new wartime industries. However, Canadians felt the effects of war in other ways as well. Every Canadian, regardless if they worked in a wartime industry or had a loved one overseas, was impacted by rationing. During the war, supplies like food, fabric, metals, and rubber, were in high demand for war material or feeding soldiers and allies. For example, gasoline was rationed and the purchase of gasoline required coupons from the ration booklet. This blog series will focus on rationed goods, how Canadians supplemented their personal food sources, and how Canada organized supplies to provide relief to their allies.