With Remembrance Day on November 11 this article is about Canada's involvement in WW1. I know very little about Canada's early history, being born and raised in another country and realized there are many others in the same position.
Remembrance Day is a day to remember family, loved ones and the multitudes who have died for their countries since WWI. Earlier this year I found a very old discarded photographic "journal" of Canada's participation in WW1. The book began with the following dedication:
DEDICATED
to
"CANADA"
to all those Canadians who putting
self aside, donned khaki and joined
The Great Crusade
World War 1
This information (with links) is for those who wish to know or learn more on this topic.
- Here are "key Dates "Key Canadian Events" from the War Museum
- Information on the Royal Flying Corps during WW1
- 'The Battle of the Somme at Beaumont-Hamel' (1916) "The scale of the fighting and the shocking toll it took still makes the Battle of the Somme synonymous with the horrors of the First World War for many people"
Canada's "Ace of Aces" Lt Col W.A. Bishop V.C., D.S.O., D.F.C.,
Canadian Light Horse and R.A.F.
"In Flanders Fields"
This well known poem was written by Colonel John McCrae who was a Canadian Army doctor in WW1 (1872 - 1918)
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
In Closing
I can only quote what I have written before: We have these people who sacrificed their lives to thank for the many freedoms we have today. November 11, Remembrance Day, is a time to remember and be thankful.
Lest we forget - lest we forget!
Links & References:
- "Billy Bishop, Victoria Cross – the top Canadian and British Empire Ace of all Time – 72 Air Victories" Detailed information from Air Power Asia
- Col. John McCrae, The Canadian Encyclopedia (2016)
- "In Flanders Fields"
- "Lest We Forget" Recessional by Rudyard Kipling 1897
- Thoughts on Remembrance Day - November 11 CAP (2016)
- "We will Remember Them" CAP (2014)
Please Note: The photos in this article were copied from a pamphlet called "Canada Victory souvenir" which is more than 104 years old.
