How Much Do You Know About Canadian Wartime: The Remembrance Day Quiz

By: Ashley Linkletter
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
How Much Do You Know About Canadian Wartime: The Remembrance Day Quiz
Image: wwing / E+ / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Canada's military contributions have spanned across two world wars, the Korean War, the Gulf War and a long engagement in Afghanistan. The First World War demonstrated the horrors and losses associated with war — it also exemplified the importance of community and the hope of rebirth felt by Canadians across the nation. Canada's involvement in the Second World War showed the resiliency of its troops, including all of the incredible women and indigenous peoples who offered their knowledge and services to the war effort. Since then, Canadian forces have repeatedly and voluntarily stepped into the roles of soldier, peacekeeper and diplomat (sometimes wearing several hats at the same time.)

From the origins of the poppy and Remembrance Day to the importance of Canada's Nursing Sisters and code talkers, this quiz will test your knowledge of wartime trivia throughout the last century. Focusing on significant battles, awards and honours, heroic endeavours and special operations, you may need to go back to your history textbooks to get through these questions. Then again, if you're a Canadian military buff, you might not! Either way, you'll enjoy learning about the immense contributions (and mistakes) made by Canada's ground forces, air force and navy.

Remembrance Day is all about honouring the hard work and sacrifice done by our troops. Let's put your knowledge to the test and see what you can remember as you work through these questions!

Flowers
Jacky Parker Photography / Moment / Getty Images
What kind of flowers do Canadians wear every November 11 to remember those who died during wartime?
Daisies
Poppies
Roses
Marigolds
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Canadians proudly wear red poppies on Remembrance Day to pay respect to those who lost their lives in conflict. Poppies thrive on tilled, open and gravelly soil (such as the kind left over after heavy shelling.) Poppies were often the first flowers to grow out of the spoiled landscape after major fighting had taken place.

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In Flanders Fields
Lx 121 via WikiCommons
What is the name of the poem Canadians recite or read on Remembrance Day?
"A Red, Red Rose"
"An Irish Airman Foresees His Death"
"Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night"
"In Flanders Fields"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"In Flanders Fields" is an example of a rondeau poem (a type of poetry containing 10 to 13 lines, rhyming couplets and the opening words repeated twice throughout.) It was written by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, a Canadian doctor who composed the piece during the First World War after the death and burial of his friend Lieutenant Alexis Helmer.

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Canadian dollar
joshlaverty / E+ / Getty Images
Which of the following forms of Canadian currency has not been embellished with a Remembrance Day poppy?
Nickel
$10 bill
Quarter
Toonie
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 2004, the Royal Canadian Mint issued a limited number of quarters into circulation which featured a bright red poppy in the centre of the coin. Not only were the coins beautiful, but they were also the very first multi-coloured coin to enter circulation in the entire world (make sure you check your change; these coins are still around!)

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Canadian declaration of war
Mackenzie King to King George VI via WikiCommons
The Second World War officially began on September 1, 1939. When did Canada declare war against Germany?
September 1, 1939
November 11, 1940
January 1, 1944
September 10, 1939
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Following in the footsteps of France and England, Canada officially declared war against Germany on September 10, 1939. Acting quickly, Canada had troops in the United Kingdom within two months to give assistance to the British Expeditionary Forces.

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Canadian military women
Canadian Armed Forces via YouTube
How many Canadian women served in the military during the Second World War?
100,000
500
5,000
50,000
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Whether it was the Canadian Women's Army Corps, the Women's Canadian Naval Service, the Women's Division of the Royal Canadian Air Force or the Nursing Sisters, more than 50,000 women signed up to help with the war effort

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Canada's navy
Royal Navy official photographer via WikiCommons
Canada's navy was massive by the end of the Second World War. How did it rank in size compared to the other allied countries?
Second largest
Third largest
Fifth largest
Fourth largest
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1945, the Royal Canadian Navy was the third-largest navy in the world (outranked in size only by the United States Navy and the Royal Navy.) The RCN's main focus was on anti-submarine warfare and by the end of the war, it had more than 95,000 members and 434 vessels.

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The Scheldt Battle
Donald I. Grant (Dept. of National Defence) via WikiCommons
The Scheldt Battle is infamous for what?
Extremely poor geographical conditions
Aggressive air strikes
Canadian military code was broken
A massive fire
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Scheldt Battle occurred in 1944 when Canadian troops successfully liberated people from the Southern Netherlands and Northern Belgium. The troops were faced with flooded and extremely muddy terrain and as a result, the lives of many soldiers were lost. Despite these unprecedented barriers, the mission was considered a success.

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Canadian National Vimy Memorial
Anik Richard Photography / Moment Open / Getty Images
Where is the Canadian National Vimy Memorial located?
Poland
Italy
France
Canada
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

One of Canada's most important war memorials, the Vimy Memorial is located in France and commemorates the Battle of Vimy Ridge where 3,598 Canadians lost their lives. The memorial is also inscribed with the names of 11,285 Canadians who lost their lives fighting in France but who have no known final resting place.

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Indigenous Canadians
VeteransAffairsCa via YouTube
How many Indigenous Canadians are believed to have fought in the First World War?
4,000
300
575
2,500
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It is estimated that around 4,000 indigenous Canadians (approximately one-third of indigenous peoples aged 18 to 45 at the time) enlisted in the Canadian military during the First World War. At home, indigenous women contributed to the war effort as nurses, factory workers, and fundraisers.

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Molly Lamb Bobak
Library and Archives Canada via WikiCommons
Molly Lamb Bobak was an important figure in the Second World War. Who was she?
A nurse
An artist
A factory worker
A test pilot
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Molly Lamb Bobak was one of Canada's most important war artists during the Second World War. Bobak was the first Canadian woman to go to Europe as an official documentarian of the horrors of war, especially the efforts of the Canadian Women's Army Corps.

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The Wrens
BiblioArchives / LibraryArchives via WikiCommons
What faction of the Canadian military were nicknamed the Wrens?
Women's Royal Naval Sisters
The Nursing Sisters
Women's Canadian Air Force
Women's Royal Naval Service
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

During the Second World War, the Women's Royal Naval Service (acronym WRNS, also known as "Wrens") employed almost 7,000 women between October 1942 and August 1946. The incredible women in the Wrens took on 39 different trades, including cipher duties, switchboard operators and confidential book correctors.

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Victoria Cross
Unknown via WikiCommons
This honour is bestowed upon individuals who have shown "the most conspicuous bravery, a daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty, in the presence of the enemy." What is it called?
Victoria Cross
Order of Canada
Royal Victorian Order
General Service Medal
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

During the First and Second World Wars, the Victoria Cross was the highest award one could receive in the United Kingdom and the rest of the Commonwealth. Since then, Canada has adopted its own Victoria Cross award for valour and bravery.

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Code talker
Diderot~commonswiki via WikiCommons
What does the term "code talker" refer to?
The use of the Cree language to speak in code
Someone who speaks in riddles
A master code-breaker
A soldier who speaks in euphemisms
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The identity of many Indigenous code talkers from the Second World War remains a mystery to this day. One famous code breaker was named Charles Tomkins; he was a Metis soldier from Alberta and helped the Canadian Air Force by using his knowledge of the Cree language to speak in an unbreakable "code" to other soldiers.

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Remembrance Day
exxorian / DigitalVision Vectors / Getty Images
In what city is Canada's national Remembrance Day ceremony held?
Toronto, Ontario
Calgary, Alberta
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Ottawa, Ontario
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ottawa, the nation's capital, is home to the national Remembrance Day ceremony every November 11. The observance is held at the National War Memorial with the prime minister, veterans (and representatives of veteran's organizations), diplomats, dignitaries and members of the general public in attendance.

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Canadian troops
Unclear via WikiCommons
How many Canadians, Newfoundlanders and indigenous peoples served in the Second World War?
500
700,000
6,000
More than 1 million
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

More than 1 million Canadians, Newfoundlanders and indigenous peoples enlisted and served during the Second World War. Out of that number, more than 42,000 men and women lost their lives and 55,000 individuals were wounded in action.

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War Measures Act
Andrew Will via YouTube
When did the War Measures Act come into play?
1939
1943
1910
1914
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

After the First World War began, the Canadian Parliament initiated the War Measures Act on August 22, 1914. A controversial war measure, it gave the Canadian government the right to take away the civil liberties of its people during the First and Second World Wars.

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Korean War
U.S. Defense Department via WikiCommons
How many Canadian women served in the Korean War?
5,000
500
7,000
60
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

More than 5,000 Canadian women were enrolled in the Canadian military throughout the Korean War. This number includes 60 Nursing Sisters serving in Japan and Korea, and when the conflict was over, they were instrumental in the treatment of prisoners of war.

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War Measures Act protest
Andrew Will via YouTube
A stain on Canada's wartime history, this incident occurred in British Columbia during the Second World War because of the War Measures Act. What is the question referring to?
Japanese internment camps
Women having to leave the workforce
Espionage tactics
The assassination of an important political figure
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The War Measures Act gave the government full permission to strip away civil liberties of any person deemed an enemy of Canada. The government moved more than 2,000 Japanese Canadians living in British Columbia to internment camps, selling off their family homes and businesses in the process, where they were held until 1948.

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Canadian troops Battle of Amiens
Library and Archives Canada via WikiCommons
Which of the following battles was not fought by Canadian troops in the First World War?
Battle of Passchendaele
Battle of Amiens
Battle of the Bands
Battle of the Somme
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The following battles were fought by Canadian troops during the First World War: Amiens was fought in Amiens, France, in 1918, Passchendaele took place on the Western Front in 1917 and Somme was fought on either side of the River Somme, France, in 1916.

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The Devil's Brigade
Library and Archives Canada via WikiCommons
You may know this special military group as The Devil's Brigade. What is the group's actual name?
The Wrens
Royal Canadian Air Force
SEALS
First Special Service Force
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Joining teams with American operatives, the First Special Service Force was an elite commando unit under the command of the United States Army. Forming in 1942 and disbanding in 1944, the group was also referred to as The Black Devils and Freddie's Freighters.

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Nursing Sisters
Provincial Archives of Alberta via WikiCommons
These important wartime heroes were sometimes called "bluebirds." Who were they?
Wrens
Nursing Sisters
Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Navy
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Nursing Sisters of Canada were a critical part of the war effort, whether they were on home soil or overseas. By 1917, at the end of the First World War, there was a total of 2,030 Canadian nurses — including 1,886 working overseas.

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Poppy Campaign
Ashley L Duffus / Moment / Getty Images
When does the Poppy Campaign officially begin in Canada?
The last Friday in October
November 10
Mid-September
Labour Day
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The last Friday in October marks the kickoff of Canada's Poppy Campaign. Plastic poppies on pins are sold by veterans and cadets by donation and many stores and office buildings will have a small box of poppies for sale at the front desk.

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Poppy sales
Vince Brophy / Moment / Getty Images
How are the proceeds from poppy sales used?
To build more tanks
To buy fighter jets
To support veterans and their families
To keep RCMP horses well groomed
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A small percentage of money earned from poppy seeds is paid to the charities who help run the campaign. The remaining proceeds are allocated to veteran support services such as meal delivery, housing accommodation, community centres, emergency shelters and nursing support.

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The Dieppe Raid
German Federal Archive via WikiCommons
This Second World War raid was devastating for Canadian troops. What was it called?
The Dieppe Raid
The Air Raid
Operation Dieppe
The Battle of the Windsors
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

On August 19, 1942, more than 6,000 men — including 5,000 members of the Canadian military — attempted to raid the heavily guarded shoreline of Dieppe, France. The raid was a tragic failure, with more than 916 Canadian fatalities and 1,946 soldiers being taken and held as prisoners of war.

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Korean War soldiers
Naval History and Heritage Command via WikiCommons
How many Canadians served in the Korean War?
6,000
10,000
2,000
26,000
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

More than 26,000 Canadian military personnel served in the Korean War between 1950 and 1953. By the end of the war, 516 members of the Canadian military had lost their lives. The Canadian military presence in the Korean War included the air force, navy and troops on the ground.

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First Commonwealth Division
MrPenguin20 via WikiCommons
What was the First Commonwealth Division?
A wartime bank
A special division made up of Commonwealth countries
A type of division invented during the Korean War
The very first Commonwealth country
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The First Commonwealth Division was the name given to the collection of Commonwealth countries fighting together as of July 1951 in the Korean War. These countries included the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and India.

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Canadians in Korea
canmildoc via YouTube
After the armistice was declared at the end of the Korean War, how many Canadians stayed behind in a peacekeeping role?
4,000
89,00
7,000
700
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Approximately 7,000 Canadian troops stayed in Korea after a truce was declared in Panmunjom on July 27, 1953. The Canadian troops, with the addition of the Nursing Sisters, stayed in Korea as peacekeepers until 1957.

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The Canada Remembers Program
Jared Taylor via YouTube
This program encourages Canadians to learn about the achievements and sacrifices of the nation's military. What is it called?
The Canadian Poppy Fund
Lest We Forget
Never Forget, Canada
The Canada Remembers Program
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Run by Veterans Affairs Canada, the Canada Remembers Program seeks to educate Canadians on the achievements and sacrifices made by those who have served in the Canadian military. The Remembrance Day ceremonies performed each year across the country are a prime example of their hard work.

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The Nursing Sisters
University of Victoria Libraries via WikiCommons
The Nursing Sisters of Canada branched out into three separate divisions during which war?
Second World War
First World War
Korean War
Gulf War
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

During the Second World War, the Canadian military officially turned its nursing division into three branches: one for the navy, army and the air force. It was also during this time that the troops were officially required to address the nurses as "Ma'am" or "Sister" due to the fact that they were commissioned officers (and rightly so!)

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Canada in Afghanistan
ISAF Headquarters Public Affairs Office via WikiCommons
Which of the following events in Afghanistan was Canada not involved in?
Removal of landmines
Lending money to the citizens of Afghanistan
Trained members of the police force
Building skyscrapers in Kandahar
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Canadian military had a strong presence in Afghanistan following the events of 9/11 and up until 2014 (the last year two years were spent gradually withdrawing troops from the mission.) Between 2012 and 2014, Canadian troops trained members of the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police.

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Canadian Armed Forces in Afghanistan
Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Duran via WikiCommons
How many members of the Canadian Armed Forces served in Afghanistan?
4,000
40,000
15,000
5,000
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

More than 40,000 members of the Canadian Armed Forces served in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2014. A total of 159 Canadian soldiers lost their lives during this time period and seven Canadian civilians were also killed — a journalist, diplomat, contractor and four aid workers.

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The Memorial Cross
The London Free Press via YouTube
The Memorial Cross is awarded to whom?
The oldest living Canadian veteran at the time
A religious veteran
A field medic
A person who loses a member of their family due to military action
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Also called the Silver Cross, the Memorial Cross is bestowed upon a mother, widower, widow or next of kin who has lost a member of their immediate family to military action. This includes people who have died during peacekeeping missions, active service or other international operations.

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National Peacekeepers Day
Canadian Armed Forces via YouTube
August 9 is known as what day in Canada?
National Peacekeepers' Day
Second Remembrance Day
Armistice Day
Blue Poppy Day
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

National Peacekeepers' Day falls on August 9 every year in Canada. Established in 2008, the name of the day is based on the tragic deaths of nine Canadian peacekeepers, all of whom were shot down in a plane by Syrian missiles in 1974.

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Canadian Rangers
Wendy Gilmour via WikiCommons
Where do the Canadian Rangers patrol?
The prairies
Northern Canada
The Maritimes
The west coast
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Canadian Rangers — of which there are about 5,000 — provide a military presence for those living in the northernmost regions of Canada. The Rangers speak a total of 26 languages and dialects, many of which are indigenous languages. Their motto is "Vigilans," which translates to "The Watchers."

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Let'sGoCanada poster
Henri Eveleigh (Bureau of Public Information) via WikiCommons
When did Canadian soldiers first engage in active conflict during the Second World War?
1939
1940
1941
1942
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In December of 1941, Canada entered into battle for the first time when defending Hong Kong from the Japanese (Hong Kong was a British Colony at the time). Instead of surrendering, Canadian troops fought until they were either killed or captured by the Japanese.

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