Canada’s war efforts in the Second World War are often associated with Europe.
However, there was a Canadian war effort in the Pacific.
Currently on display at the Nanaimo Museum is the Ring of Fire: Canadians in the Pacific in the Second World War, a travelling exhibit that shares the stories of war veterans who served in the Pacific.
“Basically the Ring of Fire highlights the Pacific campaign … which a lot of veterans and historians feel is kind of the forgotten war,” said Aimee Greenaway, the museum’s interpretation curator.
Ring of Fire remains on display at the Nanaimo Museum until Nov. 16 and features a number of historical artifacts and stories of veterans.
“It really focuses on artifacts,” she said. “You will see a lot of veteran profiles as you’re going through this.”
One of those profiles is on George McCabe, who served in the Aleutian Islands.
McCabe, who has since died, was raised in Prince George. Following his time in the war he moved to Nanaimo, where he became a well-known chef at the Malaspina Hotel.
McCabe was also one of the bakers who made the world’s biggest cake in 1958 to celebrate the province’s centennial.
Ring of Fire runs until Nov. 16. For information visit www.nanaimomuseum.com.
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