OUR CONTRIBUTION TO CANADA'S WAR EFFORTS
1900 – 1902
IODE was founded in 1900 by Margaret Polson Murray of Montreal who recognized a need for loyal support for Canadians departing to fight with the Empire forces in South Africa. IODE members raised funds to honour the 90 Canadian soldiers who gave their lives. A monument was unveiled in Bloemfontein, South Africa, and IODE funds have helped to maintain the graves in intervening years.
1919 and 1946 to the present
To honour Canadians who gave their lives or suffered disabilities in the two World Wars, two War Memorial Funds for education were established. Over four million dollars have been awarded from the Funds. Today, five scholarships of $15,000 are awarded annually as IODE War Memorial Doctoral Scholarships.
World War I and II
During the periods of World War I and II, $12,000,000 was raised by IODE members to purchase hospitals, hospital ships, ambulances, bomber and fighter aircraft and field comforts for Canadian service personnel. Relief to prisoners of war and refugee camps, libraries and canteens for servicemen and thousands of volunteer hours were among the many contributions in both wars.
1940
During World War II, IODE raised funds to purchase a Bolingbroke Bomber. The bomber, known as “Ida”, was flown by a Hamilton Squadron during the war, and was presented to the Canadian Government in 1940. IODE has contributed significant funds to the restoration of a “Boly”, which can be seen in the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, Mount Hope, Ontario.
1944
A unique wartime gift in 1944 was the shipment of 87 wedding outfits to Women’s Service Headquarters to be distributed to British service women.
1946 to 1950
Over $1,000,000 was raised during the period of 1946 to 1950. Massive quantities of clothes, medical supplies and food were sent for relief of displaced persons. $100,000 was raised across Canada by exhibiting a needlepoint carpet made by Queen Mary and was used to provide much needed dollars for Britain following the Second World War.
1950 to present
Since 1950, Canadian WWI and WWII veterans and/or their dependents living in Britain have been provided annually with a Christmas voucher.
2003
IODE established the IODE Juno Beach Centre Fund to assist with equipment for the Centre.
2007
IODE Canada donated $5000 for the Wall of Memory, Canadian War Museum.
2008 to present
IODE Canada created a calendar, IODE Honours Canada’s Armed Forces at Work 2009, with a message from the Minister of Defence, The Honourable Minister Peter MacKay, P.C., M.P.
IODE recognizes our members and their families who are serving or served with our Canadian Forces in a United Nations Peacekeeping Mission overseas with a UN Peace Keeper Bar.
Each year on Remembrance Day, wreaths are placed at the National Cenotaph in Ottawa and at the cenotaph in St. John’s, Newfoundland to remember and honour those who have fallen, while serving our country.
