Rosemary Giles

My broad research interests lie in Canadian, medical, and military histories. At present, I have two ongoing projects. Firstly, my dissertation focuses on the history of a novel tuberculosis treatment centre opened in London, Ontario at the end of the Second World War. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs opened Western Counties Veterans’ Lodge to meet the tuberculosis treatment needs of veterans and address the social problems of their rehabilitation. As such, my research focuses on their unique approach to treatment, as well as the overall effectiveness of the centre.

Secondly, I am researching conscientious objectors who served in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps and Canadian Dental Corps during the Second World War. Under terms of restricted enlistment, these individuals were able to serve without completing weapons training either in Canada or overseas. My work looks at the creation of this policy, personal experiences with service, and the challenges - both within communities and the military - of pacifist enlistment.

Giles, Rosemary. “All Dressed Up and Nowhere to Go: A Visual Representation of Rehabilitation and Masculinity in Yosemite National Park.” In Recognizing Environmental History When We See It, Introduction by Andrew Watson. NiCHE (2021).

“‘Another little Army within the Canadian Army’: Understanding Restricted Enlistment During the Second World War,” 1945/2025: Reflections on the Second World War, University of Edinburgh, May 2025
“Forgotten Twice Over: Situating Second World War Conscientious Objectors in Service and Memory,” History, Memory, and Heritage in Global Perspective, Royal Military College of Canada, September 2024
“The Conscientious Objector Experience in the RCAMC and CDC, 1943-45,” 34^th Military History Colloquium, Laurier Centre for the Study of Canada, May 2024.
“‘In accordance with basic training syllabus for conscientious objectors’: The CO Experience in the CAMC, 1943-1945,” McCaffrey Seminar, Western University, March 2024.
“War and Wilderness: Intersections with Patriotism and Masculinity in Canadian Second World War Alternative Service Work,” Rethinking War: A Virtual Interdisciplinary Conference, University of Pittsburgh, April 2023.
“‘Opportunities Unlimited’: Western Counties Health and Rehabilitation Centre and the Rehabilitation of Canadian Second World War Veterans,” 31^st Military History Colloquium, Laurier Centre for Military Strategic and Disarmament Studies, May 2021.
“That ‘70s Class, Teaching Energy During Canada’s Energy Crisis,” Between Postwar and Present Day: Canada, 1970-2000 – Local, National, Global, University of Guelph, May 2021.