iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Jeff Noakes

The Tattooed Historian @tattooedhistorian.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

"Most conversations about the ethics of war footage have focused on who should watch it and how. This case suggests that we also need to ask who else is watching and what are they going to do with it." Read my first article for The Conversation now! theconversation.com/russian-team...

theconversation.com

Russian team ‘misused’ Claude AI to train a killer drone on scraped Ukrainian war footage

Visual footage — even that created by journalists and civilians to document conflict and hold nations accountable — can now become raw material for weapons development.

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Thank you! The discrepancy may be the result of the cemetery map provided onsite, which is easy to use in an incorrect orientation. The cemetery burial records are also not readily available. Fortunately one of the photos available online gave enough context to be able to locate the headstone.

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

A number of online sources place his grave in Section K, but it looks like he may actually be in section W or section NN. This third photo gives an idea of the grave’s approximate location. 2/2

Map with photograph pin showing approximate location of Frank McGee’s grave within Camp Hill Cemetery.

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Titanic victims’ graves in Halifax are well-known, but some related burials get less attention. Among them: Dr. Francis Edward (“Frank”) McGee, ship’s surgeon aboard RMS Carpathia, who died in Halifax in 1933 and was buried in Camp Hill Cemetery. #Titanic #history #NavalHistory #Halifax 1/2

Colour photograph of the grave marker for Frank McGee, with a carved stone cross atop a three-step pyramid base. Trees and other headstones are in the background.

Colour photograph of the inscription on Frank McGee’s headstone. From top to bottom: In loving memory of Francis E. McGee of Southampton, Died at Halifax, 1877-1933.

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

This was apparently related to a Commonwealth-wide enquiry by the UK government about the official designation of the war, particularly in connection with official histories. I should take a look at the explanatory note at some point, presuming it's survived along with various Cabinet memoranda.

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

I’ve seen copies of the memo, and can likely conjure one up once I’m back from vacation. There was a 1947 Cabinet decision to use "Second World War," which is also relevant: central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.redirect?ap...

central.bac-lac.gc.ca

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Thinking of launching a professional networking website for armoured fighting vehicles. It’ll be called LynxedIn. M113 ½ Lynx Command & Reconnaissance Vehicle at the Canadian War Museum earlier today. #Museums #MilitaryHistory #DadJokes

Colour photograph of a green Lynx Command & Reconnaissance Vehicle, seen from its right side. It has tracks. There are concrete barriers and fences in the foreground. Trees and blue sky are in the background, and a building is on the right.

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Reposted by Jeff Noakes

Rebecca R Helm @rebeccarhelm.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Today is the day the story There Will Come Soft Rain is set. An amazing and heartbreaking work of fiction for our modern age. Read it here:

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

It is quite detailed, and that also helps figure out likely dates. There are references to SAGE, and to a nearby GATR site, for instance. Most buildings are numbered, but unfortunately the legend may not have survived.

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Spotted at the Whitney Pier Museum: a homemade 3-D map of RCAF Station Sydney/CFS Sydney, complete with aeronautically appropriate street names (Sabre, Mustang, Hurricane, Siskin). #CdnHist #History #Radar #MilitaryHistory #RCAF #Museum

Colour photograph of a painted wooden 3-D model of RCAF Station Sydney/CFS Sydney, showing roads and structures. Main roads include Sabre, Mustang, and Hurricane Avenues, and Siskin Road. Inscription at lower right indicates it was built by Bucky Muldoon.

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

During a travel stop-over: the tunnel at Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport where Greg Curnoe’s “Homage to the R 34” was briefly installed in 1968, before it was removed. Details here: www.aci-iac.ca/art-books/gr... #CdnHist #History #ArtHistory #GregCurnoe #Censorship

Colour photograph of a tunnel with a pathway down the middle and pedestrian movers on either side.

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Archival research success this past week: tracking down an original print of a certain photograph, @library-archives.canada.ca. Bonus points for identifying the subject matter without looking up the archival reference. #CanadianHistory #history #CdnHist

Colour photograph of an archival box (centre) with a colour photograph in the foreground and windows in the background.

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Oh, dear: bioethics performativity pumpkin-spiced zone out guilt trip

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Reposted by Jeff Noakes

New-Cleckit Dominie @ncdominie.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

This is just to say I have OCRed the text thet was in tne arch:ve and whicb yov were prabaldy seamhing for "breahtast" Fargme ms fheg mem debo:w5 sb ?mccf mmb 5c oc1b

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Part of what Mowat and the Canadian War Museum collection team acquired: a 17 cm Kanone 18, crated V-2, and partially-crated Molch miniature submarine just after their arrival in Montreal, November 1945. Source: La Patrie, 16 November 1945, 2, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec

Black and white newspaper photographs, showing top to bottom a German field gun, a V-2 rocket in a wooden crate lying on a trailer, and a miniature submarine with wooden crating around its conning tower and its stern, on the right.

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

A bit of archival photographic research this afternoon, @library-archives.canada.ca

Colour photograph taken indoors, with a lightbox in the foreground supporting two envelopes and a 35mm transparency. White archival box in medium distance, with windows and cloudy sky in background.

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

For those in the Ottawa area this weekend, there will be a free screening of the documentary “We Lend a Hand: The Forgotten Story of Ontario Farmerettes”, followed by a panel discussion on women in agriculture that includes my colleague, Dr. Stacey Barker. Details here: welendahand.ca/events/

welendahand.ca

Events – We Lend a Hand

Time to see the Farmerettes on a big screen.

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Merge two movies: Watership Down and Out in Beverly Hills

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

I have apparently been spelling "history" incorrectly for much of my life. That may help explain some things. #history #histery

A screenshot of Google being asked "how many es are in the word history"? The AI overview claims there are two es in the word history, and spells it h i s t e r y

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

Yet another not-fun fact that I’ve shared a few times over the past couple of years: We are now further away from Breakfast Club Day (24 March 1984) than it was from the end of the Second World War.

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Call for applications: 2026-27 Canadian War Museum Research Fellowship. It funds on-site work by a postgraduate scholar to conduct research based on the Museum’s collection. Details available through link here: www.warmuseum.ca/get-involved... #CdnHist #CanadianHistory #History

warmuseum.ca

Career opportunities

VIew our career opportunities and join an exceptional team who help ensure the success of Canada’s most prestigious and visited museums.

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Reposted by Jeff Noakes

J. Connell Stryker @jconnellstryker.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Just two more days before the SWAAN Project's Workshop on Women and the Sea! Check out our amazing program of speakers and sign up online! The first of two events focused on women and other marginalized identities in seafaring, past and present. #maritimehistory #skystorians www.swaan.org/program

swaan.org

Women and the Sea Workshop — SWAAN

SWAAN will host the Woman and the Sea Workship on 29 April to 1 May 2026 at Memorial University's Maritime History Archive in St. John's NL. To imagine a future for women in maritime industries, we mu...

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

I've just been reminded that the Juno Beach Centre Association (JBCA) is looking for two students to work as Museum Project Assistants for the summer of 2026. Eligibility and application details are linked below. The deadline is 27 March. www.junobeach.org/were-hiring-... #CdnHist #CanadianHistory

junobeach.org

We’re Hiring Summer Students! : Juno Beach Centre

Welcome to

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

The North American Society for Oceanic History will again offer the James C. Bradford Memorial Dissertation Research Fellowship for 2026. Closing date for application is April 1 2026. Full details and the application process are here: nasoh.org/bradford-fel... #NavalHistory #MaritimeHistory

nasoh.org

North American Society for Oceanic History

Welcome to North American Society for Oceanic History

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

The nominal list in the May 1945 war diary for the North Nova Scotia Highlanders lists Towne as having been wounded on 8 July 1944, likely during the bloody fighting for Authie on that day. See page 67 of the May 1945 PDF (5/5): recherche-collection-search.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/home/rec...

recherche-collection-search.bac-lac.gc.ca

North Nova Scotia Highlanders (Machine Gun) (12 digital object(s)) Archives / Collections and Fonds

Application Description

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

Other documents confirm the same hospital car (No. 98) was transporting Clarence Towne, wounded while fighting with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders in Normandy (4/5): heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm....

Alt: Black-and-white scan of microfilmed nominal roll listing patients being repatriated to Canada, listed by service number, rank, name, and unit Information on PULHELMS classification, remarks on the category of patient (stretcher case, etc.), and diagnosis are provided.

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

Along with Randolph Winslow, Sam Morgan, and James E. Thompson, Maurice was one of four Canadian Pacific Railway porters chosen in 1944 to work in hospital cars. All were veterans who had been wounded in service, and their selection for these roles was reported in Canadian newspapers (3/5):

Black-and-white photograph of four porters in dark uniforms, standing in front of a map of Europe. Left to right: Jean-Napoléon Maurice, James E. Thompson, Randolph Winslow, and Sam Morgan. Headline text: Wounded Veterans Staff C.P,R. Hospital Cars. Caption: Assigned to regular hospital car service by the Canadian Pacific Railway these four porters, standing in front of the ever-changing map of the Battle of Europe in the Windsor Station at Montreal, have a record of 22 years of service and wounds form seven actions in two wars. Left to right the four who have the bond of a common experience with the wounded servicemen they look after on the coast-to-coast runs of hospital trains are Jean Napoleon Maurice, Montreal, wounded at Dieppe and in Italy; James E. Thompson, Montreal, casualty of the London Blitz; R. Winslow, Montreal, wounded at Vimy Ridge and Amiens; Sam Morgan, Verdun, veteran of this war and the last one, wounded at Second Ypres and Dieppe. Source: Porcupine Advance (Timmins, ON), 31 August 1944, p. 8, via Timmins Public Library.

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

This invoice turned up too late for inclusion, but confirms that Maurice worked on Canadian Pacific Railway hospital car 98. It's also one of few documents mentioning porters' names. When I posted last year, I accidentally linked to the wrong document (2/5): heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm....

Black-and-white image of an invoice from the Canadian Pacific Railway, identifying porters working in hospital cars 97, 97, 98, and 99, and listing days and hours worked. Top to bottom, they are Randolph Winslow, Sam Morgan, Jean-Napoléon Maurice, and James E. Thompson. Image source: Library and Archives Canada, RG24, microfilm reel C-5587, file HQS 61-207C, "Trains - Hospital Cars - Accounts"

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

Reposting & updating a blog post of mine from 2025 as part of Library and Archives Canada's Black Porter Perspectives series. Pic of porter & veteran Jean-Napoléon Maurice & Private Clarence Towne as entry to archival sources (1/5): thediscoverblog.com/2025/02/18/b... #BlackHistoryMonth #CdnHist

Black and white photograph of a porter (on the right, with white jacket and dark cap) leaning over to light the cigarette of a patient lying in the bed on the left. Image source: Library and Archives Canada, e011871941.

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 27/12/2025

Like @tattooedhistorian.bsky.social says, the clock is ticking for abstract submissions. We’re looking forward to hearing from you - details in the link: drive.google.com/file/d/163rt...

drive.google.com

Call for Chapters - Ethical Conflict Studies Volume.pdf

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 21/12/2025

As John says, the deadline for abstracts is January 1, and we're looking forward to your submissions! This volume will explore how ethics can be re-engaged as a living, contested, and transformative force in the study of conflict. More information is available through the link:

drive.google.com

Call for Chapters - Ethical Conflict Studies Volume.pdf

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

Since it’s #InternationalMountainDay, (and also #ThrowbackThursday), here’s a view of Giant from Rocky Peak Ridge, taken last winter.

Colour photograph, with white snow and grey rocks in foreground. A person with their back to the camera is in the middle distance at centre. In the distance at centre is a large mountain with snow and dark trees. The horizon is at the middle of the image, with a blue sky above it.

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

An E.J. Hughes work "Ten Minutes Rest during Route March on Kiska," depicting Canadians on Kiska during the Aleutian campaign just sold at auction for $133,250 CAD; estimate was $25-$35,000 CAD. Link to lot details at Heffel are in the third post. (1/3) #WarArt #CdnHist #MilitaryHistory

Black and white drawing of a group of soldiers against a snowy background. Ocean is visible on the left, and a mountain peak in the distance at centre. To the right, a tracked tractor pulls a trailer full of soldiers. Track marks are visible in the snow running from the tractor towards the bottom right.

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 29/11/2025

Oh, most definitely. I can recall seeing one later-war photograph, but the digitized version was relatively small and Shawinigan was so iced up that it's hard to see many details.

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

Can't usefully comment on generals, but I can also mention Sir William Palliser, for his innovations (Palliser shot, rifled muzzle loading conversions for smooth-bore guns), and Sir Alexander Moncrieff, who developed a useful "disappearing carriage" (largely used for coast defence artillery).

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

Burgeo's master failed to report that Shawinigan was not off Port-aux-Basques the following morning, only notifying naval authorities when the ship reached Sydney. The ensuing search turned up fuel oil and wreckage, some of which is seen here, as well as the bodies of six ratings. 2/2

Black and white photograph of a rectangular wooden panel composed of vertical tongue and groove with a frame and a horizontal brace across the middle. Dark stains on lower half may be fuel oil. Image from board of inquiry into loss of HMCS Shawinigan, Library and Archives Canada, RG24, volume 4108, file 1156-331/93.

Black and white photograph of a life raft with semi-circular ends leaning against a wall. Centre of raft has horizontal wooden slats, and five open boxes. Image from board of inquiry into loss of HMCS Shawinigan, Library and Archives Canada, RG24, volume 4108, file 1156-331/93.

Black and white photograph of a life raft with semi-circular ends lying on a flat surface. Image from board of inquiry into loss of HMCS Shawinigan, Library and Archives Canada, RG24, volume 4108, file 1156-331/93.

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

On the night of 24-25 November 1944, U-1228 sank the corvette HMCS Shawinigan off Port-aux-Basques, Newfoundland. The corvette had been escorting the ferry SS Burgeo, and was on patrol off the coast while Burgeo was in port. 1/2 #CdnHist #NavalHistory

Black and white photograph of the port side of HMCS Shawinigan, with ship's bow (front) at left. Ship is silhouetted agains the sky, with a gun at left, and superstructure including the bridge and a funnel at centre. Pennant number "K136" is painted on the hull. RCN image MC-2921, Ken Macpherson, Naval Museum of Alberta, via Wikimedia Commons.

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

Henry Shrapnel, who developed the shell that was named after him.

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

Scan to PDF is a wonderful function to have. I also appreciate microfilm digitization projects. I printed out thousands of pages of microfilm for my MA research in the 90s because the relevant reels could only be borrowed for two weeks, and digital output wasn’t an option. It’s now available online.

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

Dusting off the past millennium’s technology. Glad to know I still recall how to load and operate a microfilm reader, complete with flashbacks to grad school. Did anyone else have a favourite microfilm reader at their archives? #history #CdnHist #CanadianHistory

Colour photograph of a beige microfilm reader with a light-coloured page displayed on its screen. A grey concrete wall with vertical textured markings is in the background

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 15/11/2025

At work this morning to give a talk about Canada’s naval war from 1939-1945, including Hannah Baird, whose name is often mentioned, but whose face is seldom seen. #CdnHist #History #NavalHistory

Colour photograph of a room with chairs and a projection screen at centre. Image on screen has title of “Canada’s Naval War”, and a picture of part of the Canadian War Museum.

Colour photograph of a room with chairs and a projection screen at centre. Screen has black and white photograph of a woman with glasses on the left, and the name Hannah Baird on the right.

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

Team member Roy Weatherdon accompanied Mowat on the voyage. The collection, including a V-2 rocket, a piloted V-1, and a range of other weapons and equipment, featured in contemporary news reports. Blommersdijk's cargo included German chemical weapons, Canadian Army equipment, and tulip bulbs. (2/2)

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

80 years ago, 13 Nov 1945: Dutch freighter Blommersdijk arrived in Montreal, with German equipment collected by the 1st Canadian War Museum Collection Team headed by Farley Mowat. This Molch miniature sub drew attention, ultimately becoming part of the museum’s collection. #CdnHist #History (1/2)

Colour image of a three-quarter view of a black-hulled miniature submarine, pointing towards the viewer. A small conning tower and periscope are visible towards its rear, on the right. A silver bomb-shaped variable depth sonar is in the right background.

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 01/11/2025

Also visible in the photograph, just right of centre: the tubular shape of the pulse jet engine of the Fieseler Fi 103R Reichenberg, a piloted version of the V-1 flying bomb. It was another one of the team's prized acquisitions. (3/3)

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 01/11/2025

The sub was part of the massive collection of German weapons and equipment assembled by the team, most of which was aboard. Two other Canadians and nine civilians also made the voyage, along with German chemical weapons, Canadian army equipment destined for postwar use, and tulip bulbs. (2/3)

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Jeff Noakes @jeffnoakes.bsky.social · 01/11/2025

80 years ago #OTD (1 Nov 45), this German Molch submarine, now at the Canadian War Museum, left Antwerp aboard the Montreal-bound Dutch freighter Blommersdijk. Also aboard were Farley Mowat, who commanded the 1st Canadian War Museum Collection Team, and Roy Weatherdon, one of its members. (1/3)

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