In late March 1939, in an attempt to curb Hitler's aggression in Europe, Britain and France ended their policy of appeasement by pledging to aid Poland in the event of a German attack. Five months later, after securing a non-intervention pact with the Soviet Union, Germany invaded Poland on 1 September. On 3 September, Britain and France declared war on Germany.
Unlike Canada's automatic entry into the First World War with Britain, this country entered the Second World War independently on 10 September following a decision by the Canadian Parliament. Over one million Canadians joined the armed forces between 1939 and 1945 and more than forty thousand gave their lives in the struggle.
In this photograph taken for the Vancouver Daily Province, four-year-old Warren Bernard runs to say goodbye to his father who is leaving for overseas.
