The 1936 Vimy Pilgrimage
Eric Brown and Tim Cook
anadians regard the Battle of poems have been produced about Choosing a Memorial CVimy Ridge as an iconic event Vimy as a central event in the in our nation’s history. The story of Canadian war effort. Individually he Great War killed an estimated Vimy has been taught to succeeding and collectively, these cultural Tten million combatants, of which generations in English Canada, to the products have shaped our memory Canada contributed more than 60,000 point where it has been embraced by of the battle. While almost every to that grim figure. As a result of many as one of our country’s founding component of the preparation and this sacrifice, and perhaps directly myths.1 The four Canadian divisions, fighting at Vimy has been dissected because of the agonizingly high consisting of soldiers from across the by historians, few have attempted to number of deaths, Canada was dominion, came together to attack the examine carefully the story of why said to have come of age during reputedly impregnable German-held Vimy Ridge matters to Canadians.3 the war. Canada was different after ridge in northern France over the How did a battle at the mid-point of the war, but these changes were Easter weekend of 9 to 12 April 1917. the Great War become a founding not immediately apparent. In 1919, Through meticulous preparation, myth that is now woven into our hundreds of thousands of veterans training, determination, and sacrifice, history and national identity? Vimy returned to a grief-riven and debt- the Canadians succeeded where both over time has become more than laden country plagued with social the British and French armies had a battle, because it represents to unrest. The conscription crisis had failed in the past. The Corps’ victory many Canadians, much like the 1915 revealed old and new fault lines with solidified its reputation among allies Gallipoli campaign for Australians, English pitted against French, labour and opponents as an elite fighting an event where the nation seemed against employers, farmers against force. But this was no glide to victory, to be fundamentally changed from urbanites. with the 100,000-strong Canadian a self-governing colony to a full- Corps suffering 10,602 casualties.2 fledged nation. In Canada, this is Countless newspaper articles, represented by the much-repeated Résumé : L’article analyse les activités histories, children’s books, phrase that Vimy was the “birth of a des membres du Corps expéditionnaire documentaries, novels, plays and nation.”4 This article seeks to unpack canadien pendant leurs temps libres en some of the strands of constructed Grande-Bretagne lors de la Première memory surrounding the battle and Guerre mondiale. Pour plusieurs de ces Abstract: This article explores soldats en poste outre-mer, ce pays the memorial. By examining the devint leur « chez-soi à l’étranger », et the significance of the 1936 Vimy pilgrimage to Vimy made by more Pilgrimage. More than 6,200 Canadian Londres, leur principal lieu de séjour. En veterans and their families voyaged than 6,200 Canadian veterans and dépit du fait que des milliers de soldats to France for the unveiling of Walter family members for the unveiling du Corps purent visiter la capitale britannique, les autorités canadiennes, Allward’s Vimy Memorial on 26 of the Vimy Memorial on 26 July fédérales et militaires, conservèrent une July 1936 by King Edward VIII. The 1936, we hope to shed light on how symbolism of the pilgrimage, along approche passive en ce qui avait trait the battle was infused with new with the messages presented during the aux activités des hommes en dehors de unveiling ceremony, played a key role in meaning, and perhaps how Vimy and leur service. Préoccupée de leur bien- establishing the importance of the Vimy the memorial became lodged firmly être, la philanthrope canadienne Julia Drummond mit sur pied le seul . Ridge memorial to Canadians. in the Canadian imagination.5
© Canadian Military History, Volume 20, Number 2, Spring 2011, pp.37-54. 37 The Vimy Memorial.
remaining six Canadian monuments, each one constructed from blocks of rectangular, grey Canadian granite,
Photo by Mike Bechthold Mike by Photo and bearing inscriptions related to the battle they commemorate. The CBMC had initially decided that Allward’s memorial was to be erected at Hill 60 in the Ypres salient, near the site of the June 1916 Battle of Mount Sorrel. While this was ground that offered a commanding view of the countryside, the battle itself was a costly draw at best, and certainly Because of the deep scars left of the late war to commemorate the not an inspiring victory. Vimy by the war, many Canadians felt gallantry of Canadian troops.” His Ridge was a better choice, although compelled to mark the nation’s motion received the unanimous not a universal one, because the sacrifice. Plaques, books and histories; support of the Commons.8 With CBMC selection committee believed, stained glass windows, statues and this vote, the House also agreed to strangely, that Allward’s memorial edifices; official medals, certificates the establishment of the Canadian “would be lost in the mass of the and awards – these and many other Battlefields Memorials Commission ridge.”13 Others agreed that Vimy forms of commemoration provided (CBMC), a seven-member body was not an ideal location for the meaning for Canadians.6 Memorials under the chairmanship of Sydney memorial. The influential Sir Arthur were erected in communities large Mewburn, a former minister of Currie had remarked in April 1922 and small, many with the names militia and defence.9 to a former Corps veteran – and also of the fallen engraved upon them. The CBMC was responsible for expressed this view to the members The Peace Tower of the Parliament drawing up the specifications for of the CBMC – that if Buildings and the National Cenotaph the proposed monuments, which, were commemorative structures, at that time, were conceived as they place the large memorial at but before their unveilings in 1927 stones of remembrance. The sites Vimy it will confirm for all time and 1939, there were also calls to were all significant Canadian Corps’ the impression which exists in the erect memorials on the battlefields battles: five in France, at Vimy Ridge, minds of the majority of the people of Europe. Bourlon Wood, Le Quesnel, Dury and of Canada that Vimy was the greatest Shortly after the Armistice on Coucelette, and three in Belgium, at battle fought by the Canadians in 11 November 1918, the commander St. Julien, Hill 62 (Sanctuary Wood) France. In my mind that is very of the Canadian Corps, Lieutenant- and Passchendaele.10 The public far from being a fact. We fought General Sir Arthur Currie, and a small competition for the design of the other battles where the moral and group of his officers met with British monuments was open to all Canadian material results were greater and military officials to select battle sites architects, designers, and sculptors.11 more far reaching than Vimy’s that were significant to the Canadian Two years later, during a sitting victory. There were other victories Corps, although not, it should be of the House in May 1922, Mewburn also that reflected to a greater degree noted, to those formations, like the informed members, and the nation, the training and efficiency of the Cavalry Brigade, that fought outside that the design of Walter Allward Corps. Vimy was a set piece for of the Corps. Eight sites were selected had been selected for the national which we had trained and rehearsed for monuments and recommended overseas memorial. 12 A second for weeks. It did not call for the same to the government in Ottawa.7 The memorial, designed by Regina degree of resource and initiative that minister of militia and defence, Hugh architect Frederick Clemesha, The were displayed in any of the three Guthrie, introduced a motion in the Brooding Soldier, was to be erected great battles of the last hundred days House of Commons on 21 April 1920, on the Second Ypres battlefield near - Amiens, Arras, Cambrai.14 “to consider and report upon the St. Julien where Canadians faced question of what memorials, if any, the first chlorine gas attack of the Although he was not alone in his should be erected on the battlefields war. Clemesha also designed the thinking, he nevertheless agreed that
38 the heights of Vimy Ridge would monument commemorating the shed their blood, was omitted from make an impressive setting. 1885 Northwest Rebellion. He was Allward’s conception, the monument It would appear, however, eighteen years old. This was followed would eventually be perceived as that the Canadian prime minister, by the stunning South African War not just a memorial for France and W. L. Mackenzie King, was the Memorial in Toronto, which was Canada, but as a memorial to the most influential champion for the erected in 1910.17 Upon being chosen sacrifices of an entire generation of Vimy Ridge site. While he had not to build the national monument, Canadians. While the construction fought in the war, and had never Allward was obliged to give up his and analysis of the memorial, with seen Vimy Ridge, King believed it work on several commissions already its many allegorical figures, is beyond was “hallowed ground” and that in progress, including Peterborough the scope of this article, Vimy is awe- Allward’s memorial should be placed and Brantford war memorials. After inspiring in conception, size, and there as “Canada’s altar on European selling his house and studio in design, and regarded by many as one soil.”15 These were inspiring, and Toronto, he moved with his family of finest war memorials of the Great perhaps surprising, words coming to London, England, during the War. from a politician who spent much of summer of 1922 where, in his words, his life countering criticism for not “my whole time [was] being given to donning a uniform during the Great Vimy.”18 Pilgrimages and Tours War. Allward later remarked that the The prime minister eventually vision of the Vimy memorial came ours to the Western Front had his way and after inter- to him while in a Toronto park. Tbattlefields began soon after the governmental negotiation with He sketched on an old envelope Armistice with veterans and civilians the French, which involved King’s two pylons, representing the from Britain making the short and personal intervention, Canada mourning nations of Canada and inexpensive trip across the English purchased and accepted donations of France.19 While it was an oversight Channel to France and Belgium. the land needed for the construction that Belgium, which had suffered They went for a number of reasons: of the six stone memorials and The grievously during the war and to find the grave of a loved one, to Brooding Soldier. In December 1922, where thousands of Canadians had accompany a veteran, or perhaps the French government ceded 248 acres [approximately 100 hectares] on and surrounding Vimy Ridge to Canada in perpetuity. Contained within this parcel of land were two military cemeteries, German and Canadian trenches, a series of underground tunnels, and tens of thousands of unexploded and buried bombs and shells.16 It was here, over the next decade and a half, that Walter Allward would construct the national memorial. Walter Seymour Allward was Library and Archives Canada (LAC) e002852543 Canada (LAC) Library and Archives already one of Canada’s most accomplished sculptors. Although his formal training as a sculptor and architect was not extensive, Allward’s ability and skill had won him his first commission in 1894 for the construction of Toronto’s
Walter Allward, the designer of the Vimy Memorial, stands beside his masterpiece as it is constructed.
39 to simply walk over the desolate made it impossible for the majority press and the House of Commons landscape before it flourished again of Newfoundland’s veterans to even over the delays, but Allward as farmland. Tour books, battlefield contemplate such a trip. Despite would not be rushed.27 Despite guides, and maps guided the curious pleas for support in newspapers the problems with the memorial and bereaved alike in the footsteps and veterans’ magazines, plans and the crushing Depression, the of the soldiers. Attesting to the for a 500-strong pilgrimage had pilgrimage proceeded, in the words Great War’s influence on British to be cancelled.22 Over the years, of decorated Great War veteran W.W. society, in 1919, for instance, about however, numerous Canadians and Murray, “quietly but with a dogged 60,000 visitors explored the Western Newfoundlanders did make the determination to see it realized.”28 Front.20 Yet these tourists were often journey overseas individually or in In the summer of 1934, there was derided by veterans for trivializing small, unofficial groups. In 1927, an enormous reunion of Canadian the war, sneered at as “curious and for example, 30 pilgrims from the veterans in Toronto. For three days disrespectful day-jaunters, sallying Maritimes made what is thought to and nights some 75,000 veterans out from their comfortable hotels be the first large group tour from gathered to meet old comrades, sing in fast motor cars,” buying gaudy Canada.23 However, this trip was familiar songs, and relive the best souvenirs, and generally demeaning overshadowed by the pilgrimage parts of the war.29 One veterans’ the war experience.21 The Western of 15,000 American veterans and pamphlet observed, “For those Front was not a place for mere sight- families to the Western Front that days of Ypres and Vimy Ridge seeing; too much blood had been same year.24 and the Somme are unforgettable. spilled. However, pilgrims were seen During the 1928 national As in shadowy procession they as far different, as they engaged in convention of the Canadian Legion, pass and re-pass, each awakens more solemn acts of remembrance. delegates passed a unanimous memories in the men who knew There was a sacred nature ascribed resolution asking that a pilgrimage them. And once more we travel down to their sojourns. They often travelled be organized to the Western Front a road that is twenty years away and with fellow grievers, stopping to battlefields.25 Partially inspired by share again its friendship, romance, place flowers or wreaths in the newly the Americans, but also no doubt laughter and tragedy.”30 The reunion created cemeteries, speaking of their miffed that the Yanks had carried was a celebration of service and an experiences in hushed voices. For it off first, the resolution instructed opportunity to embrace nostalgic mourning family members and war- the Legion’s Dominion Council to memories. While many Canadians, haunted veterans, these reverential approach railway and steamship veterans among them, decried the trips were about seeking answers and companies in Canada, Britain, and on war as a senseless slaughter, and finding closure. the continent to negotiate “the best this was captured in memoirs and It was much more difficult and rates which can be made available” novels that were published during expensive for pilgrims or visitors for those wishing to go, and, should this period, most veterans did not from Canada and Newfoundland there be subsequent interest, to make want to completely turn their backs to make the trans-Atlantic voyage. arrangements for a trip.26 The concept on the war.31 While there was much to Although many veterans and their of a pilgrimage – as it was soon lament about the terrible loss of life, families from the overseas dominions known – soon began to take form, the seemingly poor leadership, and felt compelled to visit the places and the Legion aimed to coordinate frequent hardship, the camaraderie and “imagined spaces” that they the pilgrimage with the unveiling of service remained an important had seen in photographs and films, of Allward’s memorial, which was bond that kept veterans together in and read about in newspapers or expected to take place sometime in the difficult postwar years. Twenty histories, many could not overcome 1931 or 1932. years on from the start of the greatest the obstacle of cost. In 1923, Thomas The stock market crash of 1929, cataclysm in modern history, and in Nangle, an ambitious former and the high unemployment and the midst of the Depression, veterans chaplain of the Royal Newfoundland financial uncertainty that followed refused to denigrate their service. The Regiment who had played a key role in the nearly decade-long depression, war could not be forgotten. in rallying political, business, and was a blow to the Legion’s hopes veterans’ support for the erection for wide participation in the of a memorial at Beaumont Hamel, pilgrimage. Allward’s memorial Organization attempted to organize a veterans’ had also been delayed, due in part pilgrimage to the unveiling of the site to the sculptor’s obsessive search he Legionary, the national in 1925. Unfortunately, the expense for the perfect stone. A series of Tmagazine of the Canadian Legion and the length of time away from jobs minor controversies flared in the of the British Empire Service League,
40 In 1934 an enormous reunion of veterans in Toronto showed that interest and remembrance of the war had not declined in the 20 years since the start of the conflict. Top right: This box-car carrying veterans from Montreal bears its correct quota of
40 men plus pipers – but no horses. Note Collection Photo LCMSDS how the veterans have marked the car with their wartime phrases and slang. Below right: Toronto had its first glimpse of the veterans in marching order when groups from each Canadian division and associated services paraded for the service of remembrance at the Toronto Cenotaph at noon on 4 August 1934. The photograph shows the parade coming southward on University Avenue and turning east on Queen Street.
finally put an end to years of rumours Collection Photo LCMSDS when it declared in its July 1934 issue, “that the Canadian Legion is definitely organizing and conducting a Pilgrimage to the Battlefields for all ex-Service men and women in Canada.”32 Although the exact date for the unveiling was still not set, the Dominion President of the Canadian Legion, Brigadier-General Alex Ross, invited former service men and women “to forward inquiries and tentative reservations to Legion Headquarters in Ottawa.”33 The Legion approached the A host of matters were addressed physical limitations; information organization of the pilgrimage as if it before any pilgrims set foot aboard had to be distributed on a timely were planning a military operation. Vimy-bound ships. To avoid basis across the country. Individual Without the 21st century advantages misunderstandings and ensure requests to visit specific cemeteries of email or teleconferencing, the necessary tasks were not overlooked, were arranged in conjunction with the organizers had to depend on air the Legion and the government Imperial War Graves Commission. mail and telegrams to pass plans established their respective The eventual gathering of over and ideas back and forth across responsibilities. Government 6,000 veterans from all parts of Canada, to England, and to Europe. responsibilities included the selection Canada, moving them over an ocean, The dominion organizer, or chief of the official delegation and the to join a comprehensive program planning officer, was Captain Ben program for the official unveiling of ceremonies, commemorations, Allen, and to him fell the day-to-day of the memorial. Organizing the and social events in Belgium and responsibilities of administration pilgrims, the most challenging aspect France, before partaking in the official and planning. He was ably assisted of the project, was the Legion’s task. unveiling ceremony on 26 July, to by the chief transportation office, a Each day had to be planned: when be then followed by more visits and former Great War intelligence and and where meals would be served; commemorations in Britain and staff officer, Lieutenant-Colonel accommodation was allocated France, and the return to homes in D.E. MacIntyre. The success of the taking into consideration families Canada, was an incredibly complex pilgrimage was unquestionably due or people travelling in groups; all undertaking. This would be the to them and their small staffs, who transportation arrangements needed largest ever peacetime movement of over two years gave unstintingly of to make allowances for veterans with people from Canada to Europe. their time to this project. disabilities or elderly parents with
41 The response from the veterans but the pilgrims had to pay for their engagement since the death of his across the country was immediate rail tickets (much reduced to one cent father, King George V, earlier in the and enthusiastic, with over 1,200 per mile) to Montreal.39 Five ships year. This was a significant gesture inquiries received by November were contracted for the round-trip on the part of His Majesty and it was 1934.34 Prominent Canadians and trans-Atlantic voyage; Canadian not lost on the veterans nor other Britons who had been associated Pacific Steamships provided the Canadians, raising significantly the with the Corps warmly supported Duchess of Bedford, Montrose, and profile of the event in Canada and the pilgrimage; Lady Currie, the Montcalm, and two ships, Antonia and throughout the Empire. However, widow of General Sir Arthur Currie, Ascania, came from the Cunard-White Mackenzie King had already made wrote to “wish the Legion all Star Line. the decision not to go to Vimy for success in its splendid enterprise,” Although the Legion’s plans were the unveiling. He felt “a little badly” while Sir Archibald Macdonell, the supported by sympathetic groups about not being “at this event,- but former commanding officer of the and governments, the veterans’ with my fatigued state I do not see 1st Canadian Division, “strongly organization emphasized that the how it is possible.”46 What King endorse[d] the Vimy Pilgrimage.”35 pilgrimage would be funded by left unsaid was that he was never Many of the Corps’ regimental its members without subsidies or comfortable around veterans and and unit associations expressed financial aid from the Canadian that his lack of war service left similar views. One of the most taxpayer. As one organizer wrote, him feeling that another of the welcome letters came from Lord “the Pilgrims would much prefer veterans in his cabinet should take Byng of Vimy, the Canadian Corps that the trip be organized and placed his place. The rancour caused by commander from May 1916 to June before the ex-soldier community on King’s harsh treatment of the then 1917, informing the Legion that he its own merits.”40 But the Canadian governor-general, Lord Byng (Baron hoped to stand shoulder to shoulder government assisted where it could. Byng of Vimy) during the political with his former comrades-in-arms For example, it waived the passport and constitutional crises of 1926, at the unveiling; alas, he died a year fees for pilgrims who were Canadian and especially the prime minister’s before the unveiling. 36 or British subjects, issued a special accusation that Byng was trying to To encourage veterans to join the Vimy pilgrimage passport, and re-impose imperial control over the pilgrimage, the Legion announced allowed veterans in the civil service Canadian parliament, caused many the memorial would be unveiled on to have an additional 11 days of paid veterans to despise King.47 Dominion Day, 1 July 1936. Having a leave.41 The corporate sector was specific date in mind, it was thought, involved too. The T. Eaton Company, would spur the undecided to action. a major Canadian department store The Voyage In truth, the government did not chain, granted time off to employee- know when the memorial would be veterans.42 Yet with about 30,000 he pilgrims were set to return to unveiled as they, too, were waiting veterans out of work, and tens of TEurope in the midst of another for word from Allward. The Legion thousands more suffering from the dark period. Germany, now firmly barrelled ahead. Succeeding issues devastating effects of the Depression, under Nazi control, had reoccupied of The Legionary urged members many veterans could not afford the the Rhineland in the spring of 1936, to plan for the once-in-a-lifetime costs.43 The Canadian Veteran lamented challenging the governments of event: “Cheer-io, boys – see you at that many ex-soldiers were denied France and Britain to push her out. Vimy!” was the Legion’s lighthearted the right to return to the battlefields Unprepared in all respects for another call, while another plea sought to because of “lean and empty purses war, the wartime allies offered no emphasis the “solemn pilgrimage which [made] it seem impossible for resistance beyond statements of to those hallowed places in France them to go.”44 outrage. Germany remained in place and Flanders where sleep the silent Speaking in the Commons near and Hitler was emboldened by his armies of fellow-Canadians and the end of April 1936, the minister of unpunished actions. That same year, 37
brother Britons we left behind.” national defence confirmed that the the fascist Italian army conquered Museum (CWM) 19820602-017 Canadian War By early 1935, the Legion had monument would be unveiled a few Ethiopia after a short war and once calculated the price of the 3½-week months later on 26 July. It was later again the toothless international trip would be $160 (this would announced that King Edward VIII community failed to confront naked be approximately $2,600 today38). would unveil the monument in the military aggression. The League of The sum included all meals, presence of the president of France, Nations seemed to be sleep walking accommodation, sea and land Albert Lebrun.45 The unveiling would towards its grave. In Spain, civil transportation and health insurance, be the King of Canada’s first official war erupted in July 1936, which
42 set fascists against communists, Olds, Alberta, a former member of infused the boisterous talk as old with countless innocents caught the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles, and comrades celebrated together after in between. With nations at war, his wife Dorothy, wrote accounts of nearly two decades. rearming, or intimidating neighbours, their pilgrimage, beginning with their Over the course of two days, few believed that the “war to end all departure from their home on 13 July. 6,200 veterans and their families wars” had done little more than set Dozens of trains carrying western boarded the ships waiting at the stage for another world-wide pilgrims arrived and were said to Montreal. The group included 50 conflict. hold over 2,000 veterans. The Kemps nursing sisters, some 60 to 75 French In mid-July, pilgrims from across and others marvelled at the spectacle Canadians, and a few Japanese the country boarded the special and scale of the event. “Three trains Canadians.53 There are no indications trains to Montreal. Coast to coast, left Winnipeg ahead of us at half hour that Aboriginal Canadians took part newspapers had for the last month intervals and ours was the fourth in the pilgrimage. On one ship alone been highlighting the unveiling then two after ours from Regina there were 50 Silver Cross mothers with breathless anticipation.48 “On and Edmonton.”51 For the Kemps, and widows, women who had lost to Vimy” had been the battle cry of and likely others, the enormity of sons or husbands in the war.54 Many veterans.49 R.W. Trowsdale wrote the trip seemed to overshadow its of them travelled alone. Also among “The Vimy Pilgrimage,” a poem for reverential nature. Frances Owen, the pilgrims were a number of his fellow pilgrims; it contained the a 7-year-old travelling with her journalists, many, if not all of whom, lines: parents, spent much of the train were veterans. The Toronto Star, ride looking for children her age, for instance, sent Gregory Clark, a Back once again to Vimy’s slopes, but she remembered that there was veteran and holder of the Military Where sculptured granites rear initially a mood of tense expectation Cross, and many of Clark’s stories A nation’s tribute to her sons – on the train. But within a few hours, were carried across the country.55 Our friends of yesteryear.50 the veterans began to move about The Montreal docks were lined the car, discover old friends, renew with thousands of well-wishers who Trowsdale believed the “nation’s acquaintances, and share stories.52 cheered and shouted, while bands soul was mirrored,” at the ridge and Wives and children were introduced; played and fireworks exploded above the memorial. Not everyone felt that tears of joy and sadness were shed. the wharf. Florence Murdoch, from same sacred call. Arthur Kemp, from There was a sense of nostalgia that Amherst, Nova Scotia, whose two
Passengers enroute to the unveiling of the Vimy Memorial relax on the deck of one of the luxury passengers liners that carried 6,200 veterans and their families to France, July 1936. Canadian War Museum (CWM) 19820602-017 Canadian War
43 Ephemera from the 1936 Vimy Pilgrimage. Clockwise from left: King Edward VIII’s Vimy Pilgrimage Medal. Each pilgrim received a medal that was worn on the right breast. The King’s medal was recently acquired by the Canadian War Museum; a beret issued to all pilgrims – khaki for the veterans and blue for the non-veterans (shown here); the Vimy Medallion; an armband indicating the bearer belonged to the 20th Battalion. CWM 20100131.001; CWM 20020070-003; CWM 19680100-002a; CWM 19680100-002; CWM 20020070-004
brothers Ward and Alfred had served badge), and a specially-prepared helpfulness and co-operation…”59 at the front, was a passenger on the guide book. The berets became prized Pilgrims were reminded of the need Antonia: “My, but what a send-off we possessions for most pilgrims and to honour the dead during their had. It was a ‘royal’ alright, but then the medal, worn on the right breast, hallowed trip. “The years have our whole trip was along the same opposite service medals and gallantry passed, but time has not obliterated line. Such crowds filled the sheds at awards, was displayed with pride. the memory of those who went Montreal, bands played, aeroplanes Kathleen Murdoch, sister of Florence, away and did not come back,” flew overhead, they threw flowers, felt it “an honour to wear the beret intoned Ross. “For all of us this visit streamers, and it was such a beautiful and we never had a hat on until we has special memories which are day.”56 At 11:00 a.m. on 16 July, the left the Pilgrimage. The old soldiers very dear and very sacred.”60 The Montcalm, Montrose, Antonia and and war nurses wore khaki berets hallowed nature of the trip would Ascana set sail, with the Duchess of with green maple leave on the sides, have weighed heavily on the minds of Bedford casting off four hours later. and we wore navy blue with green many, especially those parents who While the ships were making their maple leaves. Then we had a very were visiting the graves of sons or of way down the St. Lawrence River, lovely Vimy badge that we wore at veterans who steadied themselves HMCS Saguenay steamed along as all times and a white company pin.”57 for the reawakening of long buried their trans-Atlantic escort. The pilgrims were going to emotions. During the first day underway, Europe, wrote Legion president Yet the pilgrims refused to be pilgrimage kits were issued, Brigadier-General Alexander Ross, cloistered. Aboard the ships, the containing a haversack, a beret (khaki “as an Army of Peace, bearers of pilgrims talked and drank, shared for the veterans and blue for the a message of goodwill, bent on a old stories and told tall-tales. It was non-veterans), an identification disc sacred mission.”58 Ross implored a period of joyous reunion rather showing the ship’s letter and company the pilgrims to “re-capture the spirit than sombre pilgrimage, and all number, a Vimy Pilgrimage Medal of the Army, its comradeship and of the ships had issued autograph (also referred to as a membership good-will,…that spirit of mutual books with the names of fellow
44 pilgrims, so that old faces could be the landing: “The whole place was by rail and bus from multiple sites put to names.61 Among the pilgrims lighted with colored lights and every and finding enough accommodation rank seemed to dissolve, as all were ship in the harbour; really it just had required incredible planning, now veterans in a new army. One looked like a fairy land. Everyone got with veterans deposited in nine cities reporter observed that a wealthy up and listened to the bands and I for throughout much of Northern France ex-serviceman who could have one can never forget the picture.”66 and Belgium. There were problems afforded the best accommodation What did pilgrims hope to find with the 235 buses needed to move on the voyage, decided to forego his when they returned to Europe, and the pilgrims between hotels, the stately rooms to instead bunk “with ultimately to what remained of the ceremony, and the battlefield tours. his comrades as comfortable and Western Front? What was the inner The principal French contractor, happy as a lark.”62 Another pilgrim, call to explore a site of death and unable to fulfill his commitments, Japanese Canadian Saburo Shinobu, destruction? Many veterans might sub-contracted with a number wrote, have wished to forget, but the scars of smaller, poorly equipped bus were imprinted on the body and companies. Many of the drivers there was no such thing as an mind. Veteran W.W. Murray offered spoke no English, were unfamiliar officer or a private now – all were some insight into “the desire, which with the Vimy region, and had to ex-war buddies. There was one reposes wistfully in the heart of all be directed by the veterans to battle who, reunited with his platoon war veterans, to return to the scenes sites and memorials. Cemeteries commander, was hugging him with of their own achievements and the presented special challenges for the affection. There were an orderly graves of comrades. Memory is a drivers as Canadians were buried and his battalion commander who vibrant thing, and the veteran is filled at more than 300 sites along the had not seen each other for eighteen with remembrance.”67 Eighteen years Western Front. Surprisingly, there years now standing silent and staring on, the pilgrimage provided veterans are no accounts of veterans missing at each other with tears streaming an opportunity to make sense of the unveiling on 26 July.70 Some of the down their faces.63 the war for family members and pilgrims visiting the graves of loved themselves, to mourn and celebrate, ones carried Vetcraft-made wreaths, Adding to the nostalgic memories and perhaps to find some closure. created in Canada by wounded Great were good food and drink. Amid The pilgrims were met by bands, War veterans.71 The coming event such bonhomie, old and new friends cheering civilians, and honour was building towards a more sacred relaxed, played games, and danced. guards. Journalist Gregory Clark experience, as pilgrims moved ever The rusty soldiers practiced their recounted how he witnessed veterans closer to the ridge and the memorial. marching much to the amusement disembarking excitedly from the of guests who watched the smiling Antonia, but was moved by “the ranks and laughing veterans move in every of elderly mothers, women of 60 and The Unveiling, 26 July 1936 direction before their muscle memory 70, wearing berets on their heads and took over.64 One woman observed carrying haversacks slung from their unday, 26 July, was a warm, sunny how many of the “old soldiers sang shoulders, marching in fours to the Sday. Beginning soon after dawn, from morning until night,” reliving waiting trains on the quay. These, pilgrims converged on the ridge. their old camaraderie and basking the mothers of the men who died Marty Botel, who was travelling in the shared emotions of time long twenty years ago, marching in fours. with her veteran husband Harry, gone.65 If I wept I was not the only one.”68 and daughter Frances, wrote in her Mary Botel was equally stirred, as diary of the advance to the ridge: she rode in a train to Vimy, passing “The memorial on Vimy is a beautiful The Return the countryside and listening to and impressive structure. We saw it veterans “explain where important from various points of vantage as we ll of the ships docked during engagements were fought and places drove along the road, and gleaming Athe early hours of Saturday, 25 now historic where they were in white in the sunlight it seemed to July: Antonia, Ascania and Duchess of action or training or billeted during dominate the landscape for miles Bedford at le Havre, with Montcalm the war. Hard to believe that these and miles.”72 During the morning and Montrose at Antwerp. Most of beautifully cultivated fertile field had and early afternoon, the pilgrims the passengers were awake from the twenty years ago had been shell torn explored the ruined landscape, excited talk and expectation when desolate war territory.”69 still pitted and cratered from the the ships arrived around 5:00 am. A The logistical challenges were hundreds of thousands of shells that thrilled Florence Murdoch wrote of enormous. Moving 6,200 pilgrims had crashed into the terrain. Many
45 descended into the Grange Tunnel, guard from the HMCS Saguenay figures.76 The monument did not one of the 13 sheltering tunnels that were situated on the south side of glorify war nor trumpet victory; had been dug for the Canadians the pathway which runs across the it was a monument to loss and in the months before the assault. memorial, while a colour party of 120 remembrance. The tunnel had been restored in veterans were placed to the left of the Shortly before the King arrived at the late 1920s and it, along with sailors. The Royal Canadian Horse the monument, the Canadian Radio a series of trenches with concrete Artillery Band, a composite band Commission [CRC], the forerunner sandbags, allowed some visitors from Canadian highland regiments of the Canadian Broadcasting to reimagine the battle and the and buglers were also on parade. Corporation, began a one hour and environment.73 Other veterans had French army engineers, and French- thirty five minute live broadcast trouble reconciling the sea of mud Moroccan cavalry men (who had of the event. The CRC utilized the and corruption from the war with fought at Vimy in 1915), wearing shortwave facilities of the British green grass and growing vegetation their traditional blue and scarlet Broadcasting Corporation to transmit around the new memorial. Even the uniforms and mounted on white the ceremony to Canada for broadcast Legion’s official publication,The Epic Arabian horses, added to the pomp over the national radio network, of Vimy, recognized the regenerated and ceremony. Canadian and French while the British shortwave broadcast landscape: “from the monument one veterans bearing their national flags was heard worldwide. The broadcast looked back, searching for what had were placed on the monument’s enabled people in Canada to be once been landmarks; but failing to steps, facing the parade. “present not only in spirit but as find them.”74 Perhaps more poignant The monument rested on Hill auditors,” according to the Winnipeg were the Canadian and German 145, the ridge’s highest feature and Free Press.77 cemeteries that lay as mute testimony site of ferocious and bloody fighting At 2:15 pm King Edward, to the terrible sacrifice. until it was captured. The base of accompanied by Ernest Lapointe, the With an estimated 50,000 to the monument covered 2,000 square minister of justice, and Philippe Roy, 100,000 French civilians arriving at feet, and it seemed to emerge from the head of the Canadian Legation in the site, the pilgrims were escorted the ridge and reach skyward, the Paris, arrived at the Canadian park forward to a privileged spot in the pylons rising to a height of 138 feet. and proceeded to the monument large amphitheatre in front of the The 6,000 tons of white limestone, to be greeted by Ian Mackenzie, memorial.75 Companies of veterans quarried from a 3rd century mine the minister of national defence, formed up here, with tall, numbered near Split, Croatia, had a warm, and Charles Power, the minister of banners and emblems to guide almost ghostly quality. Along the pensions and national health. With veterans to their pre-arranged groups. base of the memorial were the names the playing of “God Save the King” The khaki beret-wearing veterans of 11,285 Canadian soldiers who followed by “O Canada,” and a 21-gun were placed in front of the memorial, were killed in France and who have salute, the King inspected the guards while civilian-pilgrims stood on no known graves, and throughout of honour. He also stopped to speak the veterans’ flanks. An honour the memorial were 20 allegorical with a number of the bemedalled former warriors as he made his way down the ranks. After the inspection, he walked back to the monument to be introduced to distinguished pilgrims, such as Lady Byng, Lady Currie, Sir Robert Borden, and Walter LAC PA 803940 PA LAC Allward. Mrs. Katherine de la Bruère Girouard, whose husband was a Legion official and the designer of the Vimy Pilgrimage Medal, was seated on the monument with the special guests and official parties. From her vantage point she thought it was “a
Pilgrims explore the restored trench lines at Vimy, 26 July 1936.
46 LAC PA 148873 PA LAC
A large crowd of pilgrims and French onlookers gather at Vimy for the dedication of the monument, 26 July 1936. marvellous sight to look down and succumbed to war-injuries. Holding The ceremony began with prayers see the thousands of navy and khaki her hand as they talked, the King offered by the three pilgrimage berets.”78 said, “I wish your sons were all here.” chaplains representing the Church His formal duties done for the Excitement and sorrow were both of England, the United Church of moment, the King then walked evident as she spoke haltingly to the Canada, and the Roman Catholic down into the amphitheatre to meet King: “Oh, Sir, I have been looking Church. Colonel the Right Reverend the veterans. Although the waiting at the trenches and I just can’t figure A.E. Deschamps of the Catholic Canadians heard the anthems and out why our boys had to go through Church spoke of the “unfailing the artillery salute when he arrived, that.” His response was like a prayer: gratitude” owed by all Canadians they had not yet seen their monarch. “Please God, Mrs. Wood, it shall to the sacrifice made by the dead; Upon his appearance, the veterans, never happen again.”80 “of the necessity for making of the according to one eye witness, offered King Edward spent about half an 1914-1918 sacrifice a pathway leading “such a roar you never heard in war hour walking among the companies to permanent peace.”81 Together or peace.”79 The parade came to of veterans and meeting some of the the padres spoke of the strength of attention and the colour party dipped assembled families. Waving to the the Canadian nation, her soldiers’ its standards and raised them again. French veterans standing at the rear sacrifice, and the duty the survivors The King walked among the pilgrims of the Canadian companies, he then had to ensure everlasting peace. stopping for a few minutes to talk turned and walked to the west side of These were fitting words for a sacred with a group of disabled and blinded the monument to greet the president day, although few could not help veterans. of France, Albert Lebrun. Following but reflect upon their incongruity One of the most poignant the two national anthems and another with the recent warlike behaviour moments of the day was when the artillery salute, the two men walked of Germany and Italy, as well as King stopped to talk with Mrs. C.S. to the monument to take their places. Europe’s rearmament. Woods, a Silver Cross mother from At this moment, four squadrons Ernest Lapointe, the minister Winnipeg. Mrs. Woods’ had eleven from the Royal Air Force and French of justice and leader of the official sons serve in Canadian and British Air Force flew over the monument, delegation, spoke after the chaplains. forces, five of whom were buried dipping their wings in salute, before The Vimy memorial would, in his in France. Three other sons later flying away towards Douai. words, “preach a new ideal of
47 A sea of people surround the memorial shortly after the figure of “Canada mourning her dead” was unveiled by King Edward VIII. humanity in which recourse to force Canadian initiative of aggressive all time part of Canada.” Invoking shall be abolished before the cries sanctions against Italy for its invasion gallant sentiments, the King intoned of mothers, the revolt of conscience of Ethiopia, another in a series of that the world “will long remember” and the right of the weak. Humanity blows to the League of Nations.83 what happened here, “and Canada suffered too much during the War… Lapointe was more forthright in his can never forget.” The Dominion Humanity desires…justice and truth, claim that Vimy had forced the young during the war stood shoulder to and is eager for a Peace founded dominion to step forward like never shoulder with France and Britain, in conscience and international before, and “in their hour of testing as an equal: with this monument, solidarity, on the will of nations to the souls of Canadians revealed “Canada shall stand forever.”85 co-operate for the greatest good of themselves gloriously at the summit Not to be outdone in language the greatest number of men and of their national ascendancy.”84 The that invoked the solemn or the peoples.”82 Canada, he concluded, Canadian soul, Lapointe claimed, had transformative impact of the war on would devote “her energies and her been forged at Vimy. Canada, President Lebrun stepped to unalterable endeavours, whatever Following his ministers, King the dais and addressed the veterans may be the obstacles which appear Edward began his address in halting and the memory of the dominion’s to retard its realization,” a statement French, thanking President Lebrun “60,000 sons who fell fighting far that was suitably unclear and for attending the ceremony and for from their homeland, and in honour oblique, especially since it had been the welcome France had given the of the Canadian army corps… which Lapointe’s influence that had driven pilgrims. Turning then to English, in 1917 took Vimy Ridge in action the King government, a few months he spoke of the memorial “crowning as glorious as it was bloody.”86 earlier, to reverse its stand on the the hill of Vimy [that] is now and for The memorial to the dead was “a
48 triumphal hymn,” which would forever remind French and Canadian citizens of the bond between the two nations. In the King’s and the president’s speeches was evidence of Canada having stepped on to the
world stage and having made its 148880 PA LAC LAC PA 183544 PA LAC name through service and sacrifice. Yet what did the veterans think about the event? Most were staring in rapt attention, straining to hear the speeches. Others likely reflected upon the war or the battle. The Canadian Veteran wrote that during the ceremony
the mists of time momentarily [lifted], and once again [veterans stood] in the jumping off trenches waiting for the zero hour.... Even the soft splash of snow and rain on steel helmets [could] be heard – then that crashing crescendo of a tornado of bursting shells, with the obligation of a thousand machine-guns the attack [began].87
The above passage seems a bit dramatic, but no doubt some veterans were drawn back to the battle as they stood on that same ground, which the speakers described, over and over again, as being haunted by the war dead. Yet at the close of the ceremony, as the King and president departed, there was a reported cacophony of cheers from the enormous crowd, with thousands of veterans breaking into a spontaneous “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.”88 The veterans’ reaction, in the presence of their King, was one of celebration mixed with pride, although with perhaps a darker more poignant undercurrent
Top right: The union jack falls away as the King unveils the figure of “Canada CWM 19900066-015_p43 mourning her dead.” Bottom right : The King inspects a group of former nursing sisters.
49 Above: Four squadrons of aircraft from the British Royal Air Force and the French Armée de l’Air performed a flyover of Vimy during the ceremony. Left: King Edward VIII descends from Vimy Memorial to greet Canadian pilgrims at the unveiling ceremony. 1–Brigadier-General Alex Ross, President, Canadian Legion; 2–Major-General S.H. Burstall, wartime commander of 2nd Canadian Division; 3–King Edward VIII; 4– Ernest Lapointe, minister of justice; 5–Charles Power, minister of pensions and national health; 6– Ian Mackenzie, minister of national defence; 7–Lieutenant-General Sir Richard Turner, VC; 8–Major-General Sir Archibald Macdonell, wartime commander of 1st Canadian Division; 9–Prince Arthur of Connaught; 10–Philippe Roy, Canadian minister to France.
of feeling running through many hearts and souls. When the dignitaries departed and the official ceremony came 10 to a close, veterans had their 8 7 9 own opportunities to lay wreaths 5 and inspect the memorial. Many 4 6 Canadians looked for the names of the missing engraved on the 2 3 memorial, running their hands over 1 the carved letters that represented comrades, friends, uncles, sons, and fathers. The names of the fallen in
CWM 19900066-015_p31 many cases had replaced the bodies that had been destroyed.89 Here was a chance at emotional closure. There was immense power in those names, and pilgrims took photographs or
50 made tracings of the characters, to bring home and cherish. It was an emotional and draining day, yet one also steeped in celebration and pride. LAC PA 148872 PA LAC One pilgrim, W.K. Fraser, 183540 PA LAC summed up the unveiling in his diary: “Wonderful ceremony at Vimy – huge crowds. Beautiful view. Long day… Some fainted. Number of nice wreaths.... Everybody is tired out, awful rush.”90 Archdeacon F.G. Scott, the former 1st Division padre, was more articulate and likely captured the mood of most veterans when he wrote that the “heart thrilled with memories as we passed over the ground so long associated in our minds with grim hatred, suffering and death.”91 The battle had been remade, and forged into something anew. LAC PA 183536 PA LAC Aftermath
he pilgrimage did not end on T26 July, although that day was surely the highlight of the tour. Buses transported veterans to the battlefields, with most of the pilgrims moving north to Ypres, visiting cemeteries on the way. For Sir Robert Borden, Canada’s wartime prime minister, he found the visits to the Top: King Edward VIII inspects the guard of honour; Above: King Edward VIII is surrounded war graves “much more solemn and by a group of adoring pilgrims during the garden party held at Buckingham Palace in impressive and moved me more London following the dedication ceremony at Vimy. deeply than the unveiling ceremony at Vimy.”92 Yet not all could stomach the return to the killing fields. Stuart by trains. British veterans waiting no doubt welcomed by many in the Armour recounted that he refused to at the railway stations gave them Canadian Legion, but that imperial return to the site of the 1916 “blood a hearty welcome. This portion message was all but absent from bath” in which he had fought. His of the trip was organized by the formal discourse surrounding the experience as a company commander British Legion, which missed no pilgrimage, and gives insight into the on the Somme had “wearied [him] opportunity to highlight the unity of many competing messages at play. of it forever.”93 At Ypres, thousands the Empire. Our Empire, the British A reception at Westminster Hall, of pilgrims took part in the Last Post Legion’s magazine, honoured the an address by British Prime Minister ceremony at the Menin Gate, and pilgrims of the “Second Canadian Stanley Baldwin, and a garden party then searched among the names of Expeditionary Force,” observing at Buckingham Palace captured the almost 7,000 Canadians inscribed on that this act of commemoration and festive mood which prevailed on the gate, who died on Belgian soil and unity would “rebind the Imperial these final days. For many veterans, who have no known graves. brotherhood in awakened memories this might be the last trip to Britain, After the Western Front tours, of a common sacrifice,” and that and so the events and receptions the pilgrims crossed the Channel to with the coming war, “they can do often had additional family and England and were taken to London it again.”94 Such sentiments were friends attending and supporting
51 the pilgrims. The official pilgrimage Other pilgrims turned to scrapbooks Vimy in reverential poetry and ended in Britain, with about a third of to preserve this once-in-a-lifetime doggerel.101 The Vimy victory was the the pilgrims leaving for Canada on 1 experience, with elaborate binders central theme for a Canadian official August, while a larger portion of the and books containing a collage of photography exhibition in London veterans returned to France as guests souvenirs, postcards, letters, and in July 1917, with tens of thousands of the government for another week published material.97 An official viewing photographs of the “historic of travel before going home. film of the unveiling ceremony was battle.”102 Vimy was the first tangible In France and Britain there was released in 1937. The Vimy passports, and obvious victory of the war for intense interest in the pilgrimage. medals, and berets were archived and the Canadians, and, perhaps most Newspapers covered all the events in treasured. importantly, it delivered a geographic great detail, recording the memories On the first anniversary of the position that could be observed and experiences of veterans in pilgrimage, Harold Davidson claimed clearly from kilometres away. Many interviews. Canadians were no that the pilgrimage had “caught the British formations attacking to the less enthralled by the unveiling, imagination of every Canadian.”98 south on the 9 April 1917 advanced as the memorial, and the pilgrims. That was too grandiose a claim, but far as the Canadians, but they simply Hundreds of thousands had listened the pilgrimage, the King’s speech, captured more devastated farm land, to it live on the radio. Many millions the pomp of the unveiling, and the and were eventually driven back. more read about it in newspapers that magnificent memorial had been The Canadians captured a ridge that highlighted the accomplishments of reported upon extensively. Another overlooked the German lines, and, the Canadians, their sacrifice for the veteran and pilgrim, Bill Garvock, considering the flat terrain, it might mother countries, and the nation’s wrote that while standing before the almost have been a mountain. There coming of age. The French and monument, one could not help feel is no doubt that the commanding Canadian post offices issued special that “the name ‘Vimy’ will have an heights of Vimy added to the value of stamps to mark the occasion. The imperishable place in the hearts of all the prize. So, too, was the importance pilgrims came back to Canada and Canadians and in the proud annals of a battle on Easter weekend to were invited to speak at dinners, of the Dominion.”99 The souvenir a Christian army and society. In churches, and clubs. Archdeacon F.G. booklet of the pilgrimage stated Vimy’s aftermath, and even up to Scott was one of the most honoured quite simply that “for many years to the unveiling in July 1936, most of the pilgrims. He spoke at the come...this will be a sacred place of Canadians would have recognized Empire Club of Canada in October pilgrimage.”100 Indeed that is the case, that the name “Vimy” stood for 1936, describing the “unveiling of and each year thousands of Canadians something important. the monument and all that was travel to Vimy, to find themselves, to Yet it took time for Vimy to connected with it … [as] really pay their respects, and perhaps to become the icon that it is often something more than the simple gain a better understanding of their described as today – the crucible display of a great memorial. It has country. upon which a nation was forged on a tremendous bearing on our whole the field of battle. This is captured in national development.”95 the myth surrounding Vimy, with In the aftermath of the visit, Meaning and Memory the battle becoming a condensed, the Legion ran competitions to find even conflated event, which seems the most “interesting” photographs imy Ridge was a site of death to represent in short-hand the war taken by pilgrims, were be published Vand destruction, where Canada effort for the nation. How Vimy in a souvenir book, The Epic of Vimy.96 had suffered grievously in four days evolved into that mythical battle The pilgrims continued to contribute of withering battle. It was also the of imagination remains almost to how the unveiling, the monument, place where many believed that impossible to quantify, although and the memory of Vimy would the nation had come of age. Even it can be suggested that the minor be constructed, as they actively though Vimy was just one battle disagreement over where to put created the visual record through in a long series of engagements the memorial seems to indicate their published photographs. The and campaigns, its capture was that Vimy had not yet achieved souvenir book was available less than portrayed as something significant. mythical status in the early 1920s. three months after the triumphant This was “Canada’s Easter Gift” Allward’s slow work on constructing return of the pilgrims and the first to France, claimed several French the memorial was commented upon run of 3,000 copies sold out before papers. Canadian soldiers of the by some in Canada, but the delays the first book had been shipped. day, and afterwards, wrote about and cost overruns did not engender
52 fierce debate among veterans to veteran Perce Lamont testified years of a Report of the Committee of the Privy Council, approved by His Excellency the the extent that the equally delayed after the event that it was not until the Governor General on the 21st November multi-volume official history of unveiling of the memorial in 1936 that 1919.” (PC 2334). the war excited commentary about he “had a sense of Canada becoming 10. Canadian Battlefields Memorials 105 Committee. Accessed at:
53 as Novelist: Literature, History and 59. Hundevad, To Vimy And The Battlefields, 82. Murray, The Epic of Vimy, pp.93-4. the Great War,” Canadian Literature: A p.15. 83. Murray, The Epic of Vimy, pp.93-4. For Quarterly of Criticism and Review 179 60. The Legionary 12, no.1 (August 1936), p.4. Lapointe in the crisis, see Lita-Rose (Winter 2003), pp.22-37. 61. CWM, MHRC, Pilgrimage to the Betcherman, Ernest Lapointe: Mackenzie 32. The Legionary 9, no.7 (July 1934), p.9. Battlefields, List of Passengers,Montcalm King’s Great Quebec Lieutenant (Toronto: 33. Ibid; and Debates, 1934, Vol. II, p. 1560; (nd. [ca. 1936]). University of Toronto Press, 2002). Debates, 1934, Vol. III, p.3007. 62. Toronto Star, 25 July 1936, p.2. 84. Murray, The Epic of Vimy, p.94. 34. The Legionary 9, no.11 (November 1934), 63. Young, “Being ‘Over There,’” p.45. 85. The Legionary 12, no.1 (August 1936), p.1. p.6. 64. For scenes of marching on the ship, see 86. Murray, The Epic of Vimy, 97. 35. Ibid. CWM, 20070063-001, Oliver Blais, Vimy 87. The Canadian Veteran 4, no.8. (July 1936), 36. The Legionary 10, no.2 (February 1935), p.9. Pilgrimage, 1936 (37 min. 45 sec.: silent, p.3. 37. The Legionary 9, no.8 (August 1934), p.13; n.d. [16 July to early August, 1936]. 88. The Legionary 12, no.1 (August 1936), p.1. The Legionary 10, no.2 (February 1935), 65. Beatty, The Vimy Pilgrimage 1936, p.64. For 89. See Thomas Laqueur, “Names, bodies, p.9. the importance of songs to soldiers, see and the anxiety of erasure,” Theodore 38. Bank of Canada Inflation Calculator Tim Cook, “The Singing War: Soldiers’ R. Schatzki and Wolfgang Natter, eds.,
54