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War Weariness in the Canadian Corps in the First World War

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War Weariness in the Canadian Corps in the First World War Western University Scholarship@Western Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository 3-8-2019 1:30 PM "For Weariness Cannot but Fill our Men after so long a Period of Hardship and Endurance:" War Weariness in the Canadian Corps in the First World War Jordan Chase The University of Western Ontario Supervisor Vance, Jonathan F. The University of Western Ontario Graduate Program in History A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the equirr ements for the degree in Doctor of Philosophy © Jordan Chase 2019 Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd Part of the Canadian History Commons, History of Science, Technology, and Medicine Commons, and the Military History Commons Recommended Citation Chase, Jordan, ""For Weariness Cannot but Fill our Men after so long a Period of Hardship and Endurance:" War Weariness in the Canadian Corps in the First World War" (2019). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 6095. https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/6095 This Dissertation/Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by Scholarship@Western. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository by an authorized administrator of Scholarship@Western. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Abstract and Keywords My project explores war weariness in the First World War, especially as it pertains to the Canadian Corps. My first two chapters on the legal, disciplinary, and medical systems encountered by the Canadians in the war look at the army policies, structures and personnel in place to deal with morale, discipline, endurance, motivation, and medical problems. These structures served to 'measure' the problems facing individual soldiers and their units, and attempted to address these issues before they became more widespread and intractable. Policies were also put in place to mitigate emerging problems and to ensure that sufficient troops were in the line and able to perform their duties adequately. Unfortunately, these systems were often insufficient to deal with these emerging problems, and thus my next two chapters explore how these problems played out for the Canadian Corps in two periods: April-August 1917, and July- November 1918. These periods provide much insight into the contributing factors to the onset, development, and negative consequences of individual and collective war weariness, as well as mitigating factors that helped offset it. These two periods were also chosen to highlight the comparative nature of this project, whereby the experience of the Canadian Corps was juxtaposed with other major armies on the Western Front, as well as with Canadian forces over the course of the second half of the war. Just as other armies were suffering 'wear and tear' and indicating manifestations of incipient breakdown, the Canadians were able to carry on without substantial reductions in fighting effectiveness or large-scale indiscipline. The reasons why the Corps was able to prevail despite the emerging and collective war weariness will be explored in this project. Keywords: war weariness, morale, discipline, combat motivation, endurance, combat effectiveness, shell shock, psychiatric casualties, PTSD, war neurosis, military medicine, military law, inability, reluctance, unwillingness, Western Front, Canadian Corps, Canadian Expeditionary Force, campaigns, Vimy Ridge, Hundred Days Campaign, mitigation, Western Front ii Epigraph “…war isn’t worth the sacrifice…no war! It’s hell and I often say to myself why does God allow all this?...I hope and trust that He will work wonders before many more weeks have gone, and that the war will end before our brave men who are in the trenches are doomed…We all want to see Germany crushed. That is so, but I hope and trust that something will happen that the struggle will be finished without much more bloodshed.” -Private Bert Cooke, First World War Diary, 159-160 “I can’t truthfully say that I felt any great sorrow at leaving the old bunch as there were very few of the old mob left due to casualties, also the food is much better and the quarters more comfortable…besides, in my opinion, I had already put in enough time ‘up the line.’” -Gunner Frank Byron Ferguson, Diary, 153 iii Dedication This project is dedicated to my grandfather, Arnold James Chase, who was born on 19 March 1927, and passed away on 29 August 2017 while I was still working on this dissertation. It is also dedicated to Dr. Brock Millman - a great educator, historian, and man. iv Acknowledgments A project such as this, which has taken over half a decade to complete, would not be possible without the support and assistance from many different people along the way. It is thus my responsibility to recognise those who have helped me complete this dissertation, in ways both large and small. First of all, I would like to thank my supervisor Dr. Jonathan Vance. Dr. Vance has been a supportive and inspirational force; he has provided me with guidance, given me confidence in my abilities, and acted as a role model in my years at Western. In a more practical way, he has helped me become a better writer and better able to communicate my (often disjointed) ideas. Dr. Vance is the consummate professional, academic, historian, and teacher. His passion for and expertise in the history of Canada, social memory, and the war and society perspective are unparalleled. Dr. Vance is also a great person, who is very generous with his time, cheery, and good to talk to about junior hockey and music, amongst other topics. I also need to thank professors and supervisors from my previous institutions. Historical learning is a cumulative process, and I have grown as both an historian and a person from all my years learning from some of the best in the field. From my years at Dalhousie University, I wish to thank: Drs. Jerry Bannister, Gregory Hanlon, Justin Roberts, and Sarah Jane-Corke. From the University of Calgary, I wish to thank: Drs. Ken MacMillan, Betsy Jameson, Holger Herwig, and my former-supervisor Pat Brennan. Some of you might not remember me, but I have taken lasting lessons from all of you in different ways. I think it also important to recognise the professors who have helped me in myriad ways here at Western. Professor Geoff Stewart helped me with my comprehensive examinations, and was also great to chat about the Leafs with over a beer. Professors Reynard and Nathans helped me become a better TA and better historian in the process. Dr. Nathans also provided valuable and timely advice as I neared the completion of this current project; without his support and encouragement, my despair might have been substantial. Professor McKellar provided important feedback on the medical aspects of my dissertation, especially during my proposal defence, and Dr. Sendzikas gracefully agreed to act as second reader after the sudden passing of Dr. Millman. Professor v Millman was a consummate professional, and helped me develop as an historian in the capacity of course professor, TA supervisor, comprehensive examination supervisor, and ultimately second reader. His final email to me, even while battling cancer, provided valuable feedback, encouraged my work, and reaffirmed his interest in my subject matter, despite his health problems. He will be missed. I also need to recognise the excellent work of the staff and administration of the history department. Chris Speed, though since retired, was invaluable to me in adjusting to Western. Heidi van Galen and especially Kara Brown have allowed me to concentrate on my own work and kept me organised and on top of things. Thank you for being so patient with my enquiries and annoyances. I could not have done it without you. Thanks also to the staff at the Weldon Library and other services on campus. And finally, I need to thank and acknowledge my friends, family, and those in my personal life for all their help along the way. My parents, Pat and Vern, are veterinarians, lifelong learners, and just plain good people. They have supported me in myriad ways and encouraged me to follow my dreams. I know it was not always easy, but you helped me get through it and I could never thank you enough. My sisters, Andrea and Vanessa, with their spouses Georges and Ken, have also been crucial in my personal and professional development. Andrea and Georges gave me a place to stay while doing research in Ottawa, and always encouraged my academic development. I will remember the meals and house music, without a doubt. Vanessa and Ken were also very encouraging, gave me a place to stay, engaged me in good conversation, and challenged me to think of the world and my perspectives in new ways. My family has been an inspiration to me. My friends have also helped me maintain my sanity, and were there for me when I needed them. McCurdy, TP, Ayo, Cayley and Jamison, Chris, AT, Jony, Zeid and all the rest – thank you so much. And last but certainly not least, I need to thank my partner and fiancée, Danell. You were and continue to be always there for me, a solid foundation upon which I came to rely. You are such a great woman for putting up with me and my endless ramblings about the First World War. I love you. It perhaps need not be stated that I would be unable to complete a project such as this without the unfailing support of those acknowledged above. And to paraphrase the vi prolific American novelist Stephen King, ‘for the good stuff, credit them, but for the mistakes, blame me.’ Thank you. vii Table of Contents Abstract and Keywords ___________________________________________________
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