Australia and Canada - A Shared History

Australians and Canadians have a shared experience forged in war. They have served together since the First World War, where they fought on the Somme and in Flanders on the Western Front. In the Second World War Australia and Canada contributed aircrew to the war in the skies over Europe and participated in D-Day operations during the Normandy campaign. Australians and Canadians fought together in Korea and in Afghanistan, and both continue to maintain a presence in peacekeeping operations throughout the world.

This shared experience forms the basis for a visit to Canada by the Australian Prime Minister, the Hon. Tony Abbott, and the Director of the Australian War Memorial, Dr Brendan Nelson, to commemorate the sacrifices of Australian and Canadian servicemen and servicewomen in theatres of war around the world.

Mr Abbott will travel to Canada and the US from Europe, where he will commemorate the D-Day landings and visit a number of First World War battle sites.

Dr Nelson said the Canadian visit will mark the centenary of the First World War and strengthen Australia’s close ties with Canada in times of war and peace over the past 100 years.

"In many ways, the Canadian experience of the First World War is the Australian experience. For our two peoples and for our New Zealand friends, the First World War played a significant role in shaping who we are and how we see ourselves in the world," Dr Nelson said.

"The Australian War Memorial is delighted to be working with the Canadian War Museum in telling the story of our shared experience during the centenary period.

"We will work together on projects to develop an exhibition on the dominions at war, underpinned by research and collection development that will help both institutions to better tell that story for our respective nations, and to reflect the bond we have formed."

Mr Abbott and Dr Nelson will meet and exchange gifts with officials and staff from the Canadian War Museum, including CWM Director General James Whitham. The Memorial will present a set of prints by First World War artist Will Dyson as well as the loan of a First World War trench sign, bearing the words "medicine hat trail", from a network of Canadian trenches at Messines.

The Memorial and CWM will also commit to working together on exhibitions, research, and collection development opportunites.

"I am grateful for the collegiality of Jim Whitham and the staff at the Canadian War Museum and for the support of the Australian High Commission in bringing this shared aspiration to reality," Dr Nelson said.