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A Nation Is Born: Canada in World War I

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A Nation Is Born: Canada in World War I
On August 4th 1914, Great Britain declared war on Germany. “When Britain is at war, Canada is at war,” said Prime Minister of Canada Sir Wilfred Laurier in 1910.[1] His comments reflected the view of most Canadians at the time; an identity firmly planted in British sovereignty. Canadians did their part and made their contribution initially consisting of one division, later followed by three more, creating the first Canadian Corps. The performance of the Canadian Corps at the battles of Ypres and Somme during the war, instilled pride in soldiers, and that of the Nation they fought gallantly for. The battle of Vimy Ridge in particular “symbolized Canada’s coming of age as a Nation.”[2] Canada saw the evolution of its army from a single division under the command of the British to a remarkable fighting Corps under the command of one of her own people. The performance of her militia as well as the experiences and contributions made by Canada during the war, inspired the transformation of the colony to a proud Nation. In 1914 Prime Minister Laurier spoke on behalf of a great many Canadians when he said: “It is our duty to let Great Britain know and to let the friends and foes of Great Britain know that there is in Canada but one mind and one heart that all Canadians are behind the Mother Country.”[3] The Canadians considered themselves a colony of Britain, and showed immediate support for Britain as they went to war. With a contingent of 3,110 men the Canadian expeditionary force was off to Britain. After an accelerated training during the winter of 1915, the Canadians deployed to France with a false sense of preparedness. The battle fields as they had pictured it and the glory they had dreamt about, quickly faded as they embraced the cruel reality of the cold and muddy French battlefields. On April 22 1915, during the second battle of ypres, the 1st Canadian division under the command of a British general were given the difficult task of reclaiming a


References: Barris, Ted (2007). Victory at Vimy: Canada Comes of Age, April 9-12 1917. Toronto: Thomas Allen Publishers. Cook, Tim (2008). Shock Troops: Canadians fighting the Great War, 1917-1918. Toronto: Viking. Keshen A. J, Durflinger S.M. (2007). War and Society in Post-Confederation Canada. Nelson Thomson. Morton, Desmond (1985). A Military History of Canada. McCleland & Stewart. Pierce, John (1992). “Constructing Memory: The Vimy Memorial.” Laurier Centre for Military Strategic and Disarmament studies. Unknown Author (1982). Canada and the First World War. Veterans Affairs Canada. http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/history/firstwar/canada, accessed 2012 Nov 03. ----------------------- [1] Morton, Desmond (1985) [2] Pierce, John (1992). “Constructing Memory: The Vimy Memorial.” Laurier Centre for Military Strategic and Disarmament studies. P5 [3] Unknown Author (1982) [4] Cook, Tim (2008). Shock Troops: Canadians fighting the Great War, 1917-1918. Toronto: Viking. P80 [5] ibid p89 [6] Cook, Tim (2008). Shock Troops: Canadians fighting the Great War, 1917-1918. Toronto: Viking. P101 [7] ibid p102 [8] ibid p102 [9] Unknown Author (1982) [10] Keshen A. J, Durflinger S.M. (2007). War and Society in Post-Confederation Canada. Nelson Thomson. P86 [11] Keshen A [12] ibid p87 [13] Barris, Ted (2007)
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