Imperial Munitions Board

The Imperial Munitions Board (IMB) was the Canadian branch of the British Ministry of Munitions, set up in Canada under the chairmanship of Joseph Wesley Flavelle. It was formed by the British War Cabinet to alleviate the Shell Crisis of 1915 during the First World War. The Board was mandated to arrange for the manufacture of war materials in Canada on behalf of the British government.

It was the general and exclusive purchasing agent on behalf of the War Office, the Admiralty, the British Timber Controller, the Department of Aeronautics and the Ministry of Munitions, and also acted as an agent for the United States Department of Ordnance.

Shortly after the outbreak of World War I, the War Office approached the Canadian Department of Militia and Defence as to the possibility of supplying shells. its Minister, Sam Hughes, appointed an honorary committee known as the Shell Committee to act as an agent on the War Office's behalf. When the contracts became mired in political patronage that led to profiteering,David Lloyd George sent Lord Rhondda to Canada to investigate. Lionel Hitchens and R.H. Brand then came over and approached Joseph Wesley Flavelle to form the IMB, and this move received the approval of Prime Minister Sir Robert Borden.Charles Blair Gordon was named as Vice-Chairman.

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