Remembrance Day 2020 - Animal Heroes

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Remembrance Day 2019

Sir Isaac Brock died during the battle of Queenston Heights, aged 43. He was tall, standing 6 foot 2 inches, and was a commanding figure.
He is considered a Canadian hero, especially in the Niagara region. An ambitious man, he rose through the ranks from ensign at age 15 to major-general when he died. Many of his promotions were during peacetime, an unusual feat.
His elevation to a knighthood was in recognition of his role in the capture of Detroit. Sadly, he died before he knew of this promption. His legendary hat had been ordered from Britain and arrived after his death.
Here is a depiction of him before the battle, surveying the situation.

I found this figure at a garage sale, minus sword and hat. Made something for him to stand on, furnished him with a weapon from my stash, and made him a replica of his famous hat.

Remembrance Day 2018

This year is the centenary of the Armistice signalling the end of the Great War, with hopes that this kind of carnage would never happen again. Well, we know how that went!

This is an excellent article explaining what reality was like on the battlefield. Imagine not being able to tend to your wounded friend, who would have to wait for the stretcher bearers! Attack at all cost!
Many conscientious objectors were allowed to play in a non-combatant role as  a stretcher bearer, not participating in the slaughter, but providing aid and comfort to the wounded.
http://guysboroughgreatwarveterans.blogspot.com/2013/07/stretcher-bearers.html

The bravery and dedication of the stretcher bearers who risked life and limb to rescue wounded and dying soldiers is recognized in this painting by Brian Lorimer.

http://www.projectremembrance.ca/in-flanders/

https://www.brianlorimer.com/project-remembrance/

This is a room box with poppies in the foreground using Brian Lorimer’s painting as backdrop.

In Flanders, Remembrance Day 2017

In 1914, the war-torn fields of Western Europe became a natural breeding ground for the Papaver rhoeas or poppy, as it is more commonly known. It was in these fields that Canadian soldier John McCrae wrote “In Flanders Fields”, probably the most widely known poem of the First World War. It was McCrae’s words that turned the poppy into a powerful war emblem and the symbol of Remembrance Day.

In what has become the signature piece of Brian Lorimer’s Project Remembrance collection, In Flanders carries on the tradition of the poppy. Depicting a moment of calm before the quiet field is transformed into a battlefield, the painting hints at the destruction to come; the soldiers who stand waist deep in the scarlet poppies will soon stand in the blood of their fallen brethren.

http://www.projectremembrance.ca/in-flanders/

https://www.brianlorimer.com/project-remembrance/

This is a room box with poppies in the foreground using Brian Lorimer’s painting as backdrop.

Remembrance Day 2016

The battle of the Somme, WW1 was a tragic day for the  Newfoundland Regiment, fighting near Beaumont-Hamel in France.
This tiny self- governing country, (Newfoundland did not join Canada until 1949) sent 801 soldiers into battle on July 1, 1916. The next day, only 68 were able to answer roll call.
The Beaumont-Hamel memorial is perched up on a rocky promontory, suitably echoing  the country's nickname -"The Rock". There are other memorials to the Newfoundlanders and labradorians across Belgium and France.

Have a look at the CBC documentary, TheTrail of the Caribou, a depiction of how this war affected the people of Newfoundland for generations to come, and may even have played a part in making them a province in the Confederation of Canada, because so many young men had perished during this brutal war.

Read about of The Danger Tree : Memory, War and the Search for a Family's Past by David Macfarlane.

Remembrance Day 2015 - When Duty Calls

In time of war, family and sweethearts bid goodbye to so many young men. 

Being a Dominion of Britain, Canada was automatically brought into the war between Britain and Germany, although there was a choice of how deep the involvement would be.

Canadians of British descent widely supported fighting for "the Motherland", and propaganda encouraged young men to sign up.

French Canadians were considerably less enthusiastic, since they did not have the same genealogical and patriotic connections to Britain. When conscription was passed into law by PM Borden, it met with a great deal of resistance from Quebec and other French speaking communities. Resentment which has bubbled up through the political arena to this day.

Saying goodbye to "your boy", your husband, brother or father is gut-wrenching and so many women did so, enduring the uncertainty and fear for their loved ones while battling on the home front. What is Jenny thinking as she bids farewell to Joe?

How am I going to live without you?

Don't get hurt, don't get hurt, I love you, I love you.. 

How can I keep the family going?

How can I earn a living? 

What will become of us?

Remembrance Day 2014 - Farmerettes

WW1 led to many changes in the social fabric all countries involved. In Canada, the boys were shipped overseas to fight, leaving the women to take over the various chores they left behind.
Before the war, women had few rights - they could not vote or hold political office, only a few worked outside the house,
Only 14 years before the War, the Marriage Property Act made ti possible for a woman to control her own property and wages separately from her spouse, while being jointly responsible for child support. Teaching was the only profession which provided a pension.  See this reference for milestones for women in Canada.
One of the most important supportive tasks which needed to be maintained was in agriculture. While women did train to become nurses and went overseas, others remained at home and assumed the farming duties needed t maintain the civilian population at home and the fighting men overseas. June Hitchcox describes her experience as a member of the Farm Service Force.in Ontario.

Taken from

Library and Archives Canada, “Canada and the First World War: We Were There,” Government of Canada, 7 November 2008

Remembrance Day 2013

Remember Snoopy and his fights with the Red Baron? (Manfred von Richthofen)  One of the famous Canadian aces of the WW1 era was Billy Bishop.

Although it has been said Billy was not the best pilot, he was a crack marksman, which prompted the Germans to put a price on his head.
There is a musical in his honour,  Billy Bishop Goes to War

 

The small Billy Bishop airport located on the Toronto Islands at the base of the city of Toronto The airport is used by civil aviation, air ambulances, and regional airlines using turboprop planes. 

Also well known during WW1 was William Barker.

Remembrance Day 2012

This year in the Niagara Region, both north and south of the border, marks the Bicentennial for the war of 1812-14.

The International Boundary which divides the United States and Canada is the longest international border in the world shared by the same countries. The War of 1812 was the last time there was conflict between the two nations. The Americans burned Niagara on the Lake and the Canadians  returned the favour and burned the White House! Both sides believe they won. And in a way they did, because the Bicentennial celebrates 200 years of peace between our two nations.

The Battle of Queenston Heights was the first major battle of the war, and resulted in the death of the hero of Upper Canada , Sir Isaac Brock.. 

following picture from Barbara Martin 

 Here is a picture of Brock  on his horse, Alfred. from War of 1812 War Prints

One of the artifacts in the NOTL museum is the hat Brock ordered from England and which did not arrive until after his death at the Battle of Queenston Heights.

This is a representation of Brock's hat and that of the preacher who conducted the burial service.

Remembrance Day

This year, we are remembering the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 2011.

Norman Bethune was a figure larger than life. He faced death from TB, recovered and went on to fight for his beliefs and for the good of all.

Bethune – Who was he?

· Traitor?

· Hero, revered in China and Spain?

· Womanizer?

· Skilled surgeon, dedicated teacher?

· Communist, socialist?

· Champion of universal Health Care

· First to use transfusions on the battlefield?

· First Doctor without Borders?

Died of septicemia after cutting himself while operating without gloves on a soldier on the battlefront.

Norman Bethune remains a true hero of the modern era, a model of internationalism, courage, devotion, and determination. For these qualities, this illustrious Montréaler is remembered and celebrated around the world,

See more at

Montreal - Hommage to Norman Bethune

Famous Canadian Physicians - Library and Archives Canada

Bethune - National Film Board

Remembrance Day

John McCrae is pictured with his horse Bonfire and his dog Bonneau. His WW1 poem was memorized by many Canadian "boomers", whose parents had vivid memories and experience with a second "War to end all wars".







John McCrae's War  - Films from the National Film Board, WW1 from a Canadian perspective.

Clare Gass from Nova Scotia served as a battlefield nurse with John McCrae, who shared his poem with her. She wrote a diary of her experiences.

Angels of Mercy

Canadian Nurses in WW1 wore blue uniforms and were dubbed "bluebirds".

Tribute to Canadian Bluebirds

In my sweet little Alice Blue gown,

When I first came to Birmingham town.

I had had a bad trip, in a nasty old ship

And the cold in my billet, just gave me the pip.

We came out to nurse our own troops,

But were greeted with measles and whoops.(whooping cough)

I was happy and gay, to have served with MacRae (in Flanders Field the Poppies grow)

In my sweet little Alice Blue gown.

A part of No 1 Canadian General Hospital

Nursing Sisters' Theme Song
http://pw20c.mcmaster.ca/case-study/angels-mercy-canada-s-nursing-sisters-world-war-i-and-ii


A total of 3,141 Nursing Sisters served in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps and 2,504 of those served overseas in England, France and the Eastern Mediterranean at Gallipoli, Alexandria and Salonika. By the end of the First World War, approximately 45 Nursing Sisters had given their lives, dying from enemy attacks including the bombing of a hospital and the sinking of a hospital ship, or from disease. The beautiful Nursing Sisters’ memorial in the Hall of Honour in the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa is a loving tribute to their service, sacrifice and heroism.

Nurses and wives of men serving overseas during WW1 were the first to ba able to vote.

Remembrance Day 2009 Quiz on PhotoPeach




Remembrance Day Canada 2009 slideshow on PhotoPeach
This is a followup show, providing backup information about the questions in the quiz.



Have you seen Paul Gross' movie Passchendale? WW1 from the Canadian perspective.