The First World War in Colour project will consist of colourizing 150 images to commemorate both the 100th anniversary of the Armistice and the 150th anniversary of Canada’s Confederation.
These photos have been drawn from the vast archival collection at Library and Archives Canada as well as local archives across the country such as: the City of Toronto Archives, the Glenbow Museum and Archives, the City of Vancouver Archives, the Rooms in Newfoundland and the Nova Scotia Archives.
Please enjoy the virtual gallery of images below and stay tuned as additional photos will be added to our collection in the coming months!

"A Burial Service at the Front" Funeral of Major E.L. Knight, Eaton Motor Machine Gun Battery. October, 1916/PA-000652

Despatch Rider for His Majesty’s Pigeon Service leaving with birds for the trenches. November, 1917/PA-002069

Canadian wounded enjoying a cup of tea at Advanced Dressing Station during the advance East of Arras. October, 1918/PA-003192

Battle of Amiens. Tanks advancing. Prisoners bring in wounded wearing gas masks. August, 1918/PA-002951

Gen. Currie telling now Vimy Ridge was taken. Visit of Canadian Journalists to the Front. July, 1918/PA-002913

Three Canadian soldiers in a German dug-out captured during the Canadian advance east of Arras/PA-003201

Canadian Pioneers carrying trench mats with wounded and prisoners in background during the Battle of Passchendaele/PA-002084

Canadian and German wounded help one another through the mud during the capture of Passchendaele. November, 1917/PA-003737

Unable to ride his cycle through the mud caused by the recent storm, a Canadian messenger carries his “horse”. August, 1917/PA-001581

First World War veterans learning handicrafts under the Department of Soldiers' Civil Re-establishment. 1918-1919/PA-068115

Baseball game with bats in foreground and crowd of CEF members in background watching. Bottom right of left hand page. "a game of baseball at our Camp Smiths Lawn Sept 1, 1917 /PA-118481

Canadian and Imperial troops helping themselves to free coffee at Canadian Y.M.C.A. Advance East of Arras. Sept. 1918/PA-003125

A Canadian about to go on leave taking his tunic to the tailor's shop for alterations, Sept 1917/PA-001980

Pte. Tom Longboat the Indian long distance runner buying a paper from a little French newspaper boy. June, 1917/PA-001479

Casualty Clearing Station. Some wounded Canadians present a nurse with a dog brought out of the trenches with them. October 1916/PA-000931









































All photos courtesy of Library and Archives Canada (modified from the originals).
Colourizations by Canadian Colour.
Colourized versions of photographs, copyright, Vimy Foundation.
The Vimy Foundation grants royalty free permission to use colourized photos.
Please contact us for permission and other requirements.