Sackville's green maple leaf
During the First World War, the maple leaf was included in the badge of the Canadian Forces. Since 1920s, the Royal Arms of Canada have included three maple leaves as a distinctive Canadian emblem. During World War II, many Canadian servicemen used the maple leaf as a distinctive sign, displaying it on regimental badges and Canadian army and naval equipment. Later in the war someone painted a green maple leaf on a funnel to signify that his ship belonged to Canada. The practice spread and was at last authorized by Naval Headquarters and adopted by the whole fleet. Naval Headquarters files only disclose the date on which the maple leaf symbol as formally introduced into the Royal Canadian Navy. This was in a Naval order in September 1944, which followed a recommendation dated June 15, 1944, by the Canadian Naval Mission Overseas.
The practice of painting a maple leaf on the funnel had, however, already been put into practice unofficially by Canadian warships. After the war, for the sake of contrast, the colour of the maple leaf was changed from green to red and this continues today. The maple leaf remains in a secure and lasting position as a symbol for all to see that the ship that displays it is Canadian.
It was actually in 1957 that the colour of the maple leaves on the arms of Canada was changed from green to red, one of Canada’s official colours. On February 15, 1965, the red maple leaf flag was inaugurated as the National Flag of Canada.
Information Source:
http://canadasnavalmemorial.ca/green-maple-leaf/
The practice of painting a maple leaf on the funnel had, however, already been put into practice unofficially by Canadian warships. After the war, for the sake of contrast, the colour of the maple leaf was changed from green to red and this continues today. The maple leaf remains in a secure and lasting position as a symbol for all to see that the ship that displays it is Canadian.
It was actually in 1957 that the colour of the maple leaves on the arms of Canada was changed from green to red, one of Canada’s official colours. On February 15, 1965, the red maple leaf flag was inaugurated as the National Flag of Canada.
Information Source:
http://canadasnavalmemorial.ca/green-maple-leaf/