Veterans’ Week Special Edition - November 5 to 11, 2015 Gas Attack! This year marks the 100th anniversary Newfoundlanders at Gallipoli of the 2nd Battle of Ypres in Belgium during the First World War. On the deadly front lines swept by machine When Britain declared war in August gun and artillery fire, the Germans 1914, Newfoundland, which was introduced a terrible new weapon a colony of Britain at the time and on April 22, 1915—poison gas. The not yet a part of , responded Allied troops beside the Canadians’ quickly and began recruiting men for positions took the worst of the thick overseas service. clouds of yellow-green chlorine, forcing them back and leaving a The fighting in the First World War large gap in the defences. occurred in more places than just Western Europe. On September 20, st The Germans pressed forward, 1915, the 1 Newfoundland Regiment threatening a massive breakthrough. landed on Turkey’s Gallipoli All through the night and into the peninsula, joining British, French, next day, the Canadians fought to Australian and New Zealand troops close the gap and also drive the already there. Gallipoli would be the enemy out of nearby Kitcheners’ Newfoundlanders’ first experience Public domain Photo: of the horrors of trench warfare— Wood. Little ground was regained Soldiers in the trenches at Gallipoli. and casualties were heavy, but these artillery fire, snipers, punishing heat actions bought some precious time and cold, and disease caused by living after the animal that represented for the Allies to recover. in such harsh conditions. January 1916. Approximately 40 their regiment. These soldiers later Newfoundlanders had died there, a successfully covered the withdrawal On April 24, the Germans launched In November they earned their grim taste of the great casualties the of Allied troops from the region, another gas attack—and this time the first battle honour when they regiment would soon suffer on the being among the last to leave in Canadians would be hit squarely. In captured “Caribou Hill”—named Western Front. a nightmare of fighting that saw the Canadians gasping for air through soaked and muddy handkerchiefs, they held on against all odds until A Ukrainian-Canadian War Hero reinforcements arrived. Filip Konowal was born in the in 1888 and immigrated to Canada In their first major action of the war, shortly before the First World War. our soldiers had begun building a When the conflict erupted, he enlisted remarkable reputation for skill and in the Canadian Expeditionary Force valour on the battlefield. It came at and served with the 47th (British a steep cost, however, as more than Image: 19710261-0161 Image: Art. War of Collection Beaverbrook © CWM Columbia) Battalion. During the 2,000 Canadians were killed and ‘The Second Battle of Ypres, 22 April to near Lens, 4,000 wounded. 25 May 1915’ painting by Richard Jack. in , Corporal Konowal was leading soldiers in attacks when he courageously charged German

machine gun positions that were 19710261-0410 Beaverbrook Image: © CWM Art. War of Collection taking a heavy toll on his men. Portrait of Filip Konowal by Arthur Ambrose McEvoy. Armed with his gun, bayonet and explosives, he personally took out 16 for valour that a Canadian could In Flanders Fields receive. Konowal died in Hull, of the enemy in these efforts before being seriously wounded himself. For , in 1959 and is still The famous poem “In Flanders To you from failing hands we his great courage, he was awarded admired as a true hero by many Fields,” widely recited every throw the , the highest award proud . Remembrance Day, was written The torch, be yours to hold it high. a hundred years ago. Lieutenant- Colonel John McCrae, born and raised in Guelph, Ontario, A Royal Canadian Navy Pioneer was a doctor in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the Victor Brodeur was born in Beloeil, Quebec, Brodeur retired in 1946 after 37 years in First World War. He was inspired in 1892. He enlisted in 1909 and became the navy and was honoured by being named to put pen to paper after being part of the first group of cadets in the newly- a Commander of the British Empire. The shaken by the battlefield death of formed Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). École Victor-Brodeur school in Esquimalt a close friend. During the First World War he served on is named in honour of this Francophone British warships in the Caribbean Sea and naval pioneer. Despite the passage of time, his the waters off Europe, later becoming a words have remained relevant to gunnery specialist. every conflict since it was written in May 1915. The evocative He returned to Canada where he was poetry pulls at the heart strings, stationed at naval headquarters in reminding us of the loss of those before taking command of his first ship who served. It also challenges the in 1929, HMCS Champlain. He would command other ships on the West Coast

living to remember their sacrifice, LibraryPhoto: C-046284 Canada and Archives as seen in the powerful words from in the 1930s and eventually take charge of Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae all destroyers based in Esquimalt, British the poem’s final verse: and his dog Bonneau. Columbia.

Shortly before the start of the Second World War, he helped create the Fishermen’s Reserve to patrol the West Coast. In 1940, Brodeur became the RCN representative in Washington, D.C. before returning to the Library e002505830 Canada Image: and Archives Pacific in 1943 to command naval forces Portrait of Rear Admiral Victor Brodeur A Strong Bond there. in 1945 by Irwin Crosthwait.

Jack Munroe was born in Nova back and earned what was called Munroe would write Mopping Up, Scotia and travelled widely before “the first Princess Pat’s victory a unique war story written through settling in Ontario. He was a of the war!” A strong fighter, just his dog’s eyes. In the book, he celebrated heavyweight boxer in like his master, he was named the wrote: the early 1900s. regiment’s mascot. “I had wondered what war was. Now At the outbreak of the First World Munroe went to France and was I knew. It had been war when I had War, he enlisted at age 41 in the severely wounded by a sniper’s been at the throat of the mongrel who Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light bullet in June 1915, losing the use had so wickedly assaulted me when I Infantry. Accompanying him was of his right arm. He would spend had not harmed him […] Somewhere, his faithful collie, Bobbie Burns— more than a year recovering in a some big mongrels of men must have smuggled in a potato sack. While hospital in England, where his old attacked littler dogs of nations, and at Camp Valcartier in Quebec, pal Bobbie had special visitation we were going to fight for the little Bobbie was attacked by a dog privileges. dogs!” twice his size. Bobbie had to fight Public domain Photo: Jack Munroe and his faithful friend.

canada.ca/rememberthem 2 A Deadly Passage The Liberation of the

Murmansk Netherlands

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands during the Second World War. In late USSR 1944 and early 1945, the Canadians Canada battled to push the Germans from Great the country they had occupied Britain Europe since the spring of 1940. With its LibraryPhoto: Canada and Archives PA-116668 challenging terrain of canals, dikes Canadians being welcomed in Rotterdam Atlantic and floodlands, the Netherlands was in May 1945. Ocean a tough place to fight. It was a memorable period, as one Dutch teenager at the time recalled: After opening battles in the fall of One of the most dangerous routes From 1941 to 1945, more than 40 1944, including the bitter Battle of “As the (Canadian) tank came nearer sailed by the Merchant Navy during the convoys sailed, transporting millions the Scheldt, bad weather brought […] there was a big hush over all the Second World War was the notorious of tons of supplies, such as aircraft, the Allied offensives there to a halt. people and it was suddenly broken by a Murmansk Run. Despite constant tanks, jeeps, locomotives, flatcars, That winter was a terrible time for big scream, as if it was out of the earth. German attack and extreme weather guns, ammunition, food, fuel and the Dutch—food and fuel supply And the people climbed on the tank […] conditions, supplies were shipped to millions of pairs of boots. This reserves were gone; people ate tulip and they were crying. And we were the Arctic port of Murmansk to assist support helped the Soviet Union to bulbs and scavenged through garbage running with the tanks and the jeeps all to survive. Thousands starved or the way into the city.” the Soviet Union in its fight against continue fighting Germany on the froze to death. Germany. It was so dangerous that if Eastern Front, thus preventing the Helping liberate the Netherlands was a ship was sunk, other vessels were not Germans from concentrating all Early in the new year, the push began a proud achievement for our country allowed to stop to help the survivors their forces against the Allies in the anew to liberate the entire country and one which the Dutch people still because they too could have become West. and finally end the war in Europe. remember today with great gratitude. an easy target for attack. The Canadian troops were cheered Sadly more than 7,600 Canadians as one town after another was freed. died in the effort. Victory at Long Last Hooray for Hermie! The Canadian Army Film and Photo Unit was established in 1941 to record our country’s involvement in the Second World War.

The unit was made up of people familiar with photography and filmmaking. They were a unique bunch, with backgrounds ranging from movie directors to Hollywood stuntmen! Standing out in this group, however, was Photo: Veterans Affairs Canada Veterans Photo:

one female photographer. Against LibraryPhoto: Canada and Archives R112-1842-0-E Canadians in a Japanese prisoner of war camp. great odds, she eventually found Sergeant Karen Hermiston with her During the Second World War, Many other Canadians also saw action a place in a field traditionally Speed Graphic Camera. approximately 10,000 Canadians in Asia during the war, including filled by men. Her name was Sergeant Karen Hermiston, and members. During that time she served in Asia. Almost 2,000 thousands of Royal Canadian Air she was the first (and only) female also gradually took on additional Force airmen who served in the soldiers from ’s Winnipeg photographer in the Canadian assignments like those done by the Grenadiers and Quebec’s Royal Burma Campaign as radar operators Army during the war. male photographers. Rifles of Canada set sail for Hong and members of bomber, transport, Kong, in late October 1941, to help reconnaissance and fighter squadrons. “Hermie,” as she was known, spent Whatever it would take to find the defend the British Crown Colony. more than four years in uniform right angle, this trailblazer’s shots Squadron Leader Leonard Birchall snapping pictures of her fellow were picture perfect. The Japanese invaded on December of Ontario was even dubbed “the Canadian Women’s Army Corps 8, 1941. Badly outnumbered, the Saviour of Ceylon” by British Prime defenders fought bravely before Minister Winston Churchill after being forced to surrender on his plane spotted a Japanese invasion Christmas Day. Approximately 290 fleet in the Indian Ocean that was A Living History Lesson Canadians were killed and almost heading for the island of Ceylon 500 wounded. The survivors’ ordeal (now known as Sri Lanka). were fighting in a village in France called was just beginning. Over the next Bretteville-sur-Laize when they were four years, more than 260 would Japan surrendered on August 15, ambushed by the Germans. To escape the also die as a result of malnutrition, 1945, after atomic bombs were hail of fire, Brown and a fellow soldier beatings by prison camp guards and dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. ran for the cover of a nearby tank but, forced labour. Ronald Routledge of sadly, his comrade was killed at his side. Saskatchewan was there: V-J (Victory over Japan) Day marked the end of years of fighting in the Brown was wounded in the face and knee, “Well, I went down to a hundred Second World War. The Canadian however there would also be invisible pounds, you know. I was maybe a prisoners of war were finally liberated scars from what he had experienced. hundred and eighty odd pounds when and returned home. He survived the war, married and raised I was my normal weight, but I was a family, but would long be haunted by down to about a hundred pounds.” nightmares about that horrific day before

Photo: The Memory Project, Historica Canada The MemoryProject, Photo: passing away at the age of 92.

Lester Brown in uniform in 1944. Listening to the stories of Veterans Lester Brown was a Canadian Second who were there can help us begin to A Showdown in the Skies World War soldier who came ashore at understand the hardships that happen Juno Beach on D-Day on June 6, 1944, in war. Search online for the Memory and fought in the Battle of Normandy. Project (thememoryproject.com) or explore the Heroes Remember collection Twenty-three-year-old Private Brown of (veterans.gc.ca) to hear more touching the Queen’s Own Rifles and his platoon first-person wartime accounts.

The Battle of Britain raged 75 years It was a crucial turning point that ago in the late summer and fall of would allow the Allies to maintain 1940. The German air force attacked a foothold in Western Europe and the in an effort to eventually return to the occupied gain control of the skies and pave the continent and help liberate its people way for an invasion during the Second in 1944 and 1945.

World War. In the words of British Prime Minister Against great odds, the outnumbered Winston Churchill about these brave Allied airmen—including hundreds heroes of the sky, “Never was so much of Canadians—successfully defended owed by so many to so few.” Photo: Public domain Photo: the island nation and beat back the pilots in the United Kingdom in October 1940. determined enemy.

canada.ca/rememberthem 3

The Korean War – 65 Years Later A Train Tragedy

The Korean War erupted in the Far East, 65 years ago, when North Korean troops poured over the border into South Korea on June 25, 1950, touching off over three years of bitter fighting. More than 26,000 Canadians would courageously serve with United Nations forces on land, Photo: LibraryPhoto: PA-128280 Canada and Archives at sea and in the air during this The 2nd Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery in action in Korea. conflict. Alberta’s Ray Nickerson enlisted in the Canadian Army The dangers of serving in times of war accidentally collided head-on with at age 16 and served in Korea. are not only the obvious ones of guns another train that was on the same

He remembers his first encounter LibraryPhoto: PA-128817 Canada and Archives and bombs. Often the risks can begin track. The engine and front passenger with enlistment and training. The cars derailed and slid down an with the enemy: Canadian soldiers in snowy Korea in nd 1951. tragedy that struck the 2 Regiment, embankment. Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, 65 “[...] We took an attack at night When an armistice was finally signed years ago during the Korean War, Some of the unhurt soldiers frantically [...] one wave and another wave on July 27, 1953, the border was back shows how true this is. dug out the injured and dead from the behind and another wave behind, close to where it had been before the wreckage, using their rifles to pry the like, it seemed like they had endless, war. Canada had helped restore peace On November 21, 1950, the soldiers twisted debris to get their comrades and freedom to the people of South were on their way from Camp free. Sadly, 12 soldiers died in the endless, endless men. [...] And it was Shilo in Manitoba, to Fort Lewis crash and another five would die of pretty damn scary when the flares Korea—a peace paid for in part by in Washington State for additional their injuries soon after. The names were going up and you could see all the 516 Canadian servicemen who preparation and then shipping of these men can be found among these, it looked like a bunch of ants died during the war. No formal peace out for Korea. Near Canoe River, the 516 Canadians inscribed in the crawling around, coming up the hills treaty was ever signed, however, and , their troop train Korean War Book of Remembrance. [...] it was scary, but you knew you tensions along the border between had a job to do and you had to do it, North and South Korea remain high you know.” today. Did You Know?

The Books of Remembrance, which list the more than 118,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders who have given their lives in service for our country since Confederation, are located in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. In November 2014, striking new Canadians in the carved altars were unveiled on which books are now displayed. Congo The year 2015 marks the 55th anniversary of Canada’s first An Ojibwa military efforts in the Congo to try to help bring peace and stability to the troubled African country. Hundreds of Canadians would Airman serve there as part of a large-scale United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission that ran from 1960 to 1964. Flies High

It would be very challenging duty More than 3,000 Aboriginal- for those tasked with peacekeeping Canadians volunteered from every in a place with so little peace to Defence Department UNC63-39-5 of National Photo: region of the country to serve in the keep. Weapons and violence were Second World War. One of those widespread in a country that had courageous individuals was Willard Photo courtesy of the Bolduc family been virtually reduced to chaos Bolduc, an Ojibwa man from Chapleau, Flying Officer Willard Bolduc, after the former Belgian colony Ontario. DFC. had gained its independence. Canadian soldier bandages a child’s leg in the Congo in 1963. Bolduc’s father, Telesfore, had lost his Pilot Officer Bolduc served with the life while serving with the Canadian Royal Air Force’s No. 15 Squadron, Despite some successes, in the Railway Troops during the First flying dangerous bombing missions end the UN troops were unable to Unfortunately, the situation in the World War. Willard followed this over occupied Europe. As a gunner, he stop the greater forces of upheaval Congo has remained troubled and family tradition of service and joined helped repel enemy fighter attacks on rocking the Congo and they a small the Royal Canadian Air Force during his aircraft during missions to targets departed in 1964. Two Canadian contingent has again been serving the Second World War. He trained like Cologne and Nuremberg. Bolduc soldiers died during the mission. in the country in recent years. in Mont-Joli, Quebec, at the No. 9 was awarded the Distinguished Flying Bombing and Gunnery School and Cross in 1944 for his courage under graduated in September 1942. fire. Sam Sharpe - A Man of Duty

Samuel Simpson Sharpe was born Invisible psychological wounds like in 1873 in Zephyr, Ontario. He those suffered by Sharpe were not as became a lawyer in Uxbridge and understood back then. Fortunately was first elected to represent the many strides have been made and A Dangerous Northern area in the House of Commons in more help is available today for 1908. He also served in the militia Canadian Armed Forces members and when the First World War who have suffered operational stress broke out he helped recruit the injuries in our country’s more recent Rescue 116th (Ontario County) Battalion military efforts. in which he would also serve. When ships run into problems Lieutenant-Colonel Sharpe served at sea or aircraft go down in bravely in a number of actions remote areas, Canadian Armed like the and Forces members are often first Passchendaele and was awarded the on the scene to aid those in Distinguished Service Order. distress. These missions can be very dangerous and challenging, In 1918, remarkably, he would like when a Hercules military also be re-elected to Parliament in transport plane went down absentia while overseas, the only near CFS Alert in the High federal politician to do so. Arctic in October 1991. In a raging blizzard, search and The strain of the battlefield took rescue technicians were sent to a great toll, however, and Sharpe’s parachute down to the crash mental health began to suffer. site at night. Sadly, five on the He was sent back to Canada and downed plane had died but the hospitalized for nervous shock. rescuers helped save the lives of Defence Department IS2010-3015-02 of National Photo: Tragically, he took his own life in a 13 survivors. Inuksuk near CFS Alert in Nunavut. Montréal hospital on May 25, 1918. Photo: Public domain Photo: Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Sharpe, DSO during the war. canada.ca/rememberthem 4

Modern Day Operation Remembering Hot Spots Gratitude Afghanistan

Our country’s military efforts in Carl Willms of Charlottetown, Afghanistan came to an end in 2014, Prince Edward Island, served in after more than 12 years of dangerous the Royal Canadian Air Force service. Unrest continues in many during the Second World War. parts of the world, however, and our In November 2013, he and 12 men and women in uniform have other Veterans residing in a local answered the call to join our allies in nursing home were honoured missions in other hot spots since then. by grade seven students from Operation Impact, in the Middle East, Birchwood Intermediate School has seen Royal Canadian Air Force in ‘Operation Gratitude’. warplanes conducting operations against insurgents in Iraq, including aerial surveillance, refueling duties and ground strikes against enemy targets. Photo: Department of National Defence TN2007-0761-03 Defence Department of National Photo: The Highway of Heroes in November 2007. The Guardian

Photo: Photo: Remembrance Day is a special time to reflect on those who have lost their lives in military service and thank our Veterans, young and old alike. Second World War Veteran Carl Willms For some people, unfortunately, remembrance can hit home with painful emotion on a daily basis. One hundred and fifty-eight (158) members of the

Photo: Department of National Defence Department of National Photo: HS2014-0747-013 After marching into the Canadian Armed Forces from across the country died during our country’s retirement facility accompanied efforts in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2014. The bodies of the fallen HMCS departing Halifax to serve as part of Operation Reassurance by a bagpiper, students shared were returned to Canada for a formal repatriation ceremony, then carried in July 2014. their ‘Gratitude Rock Garden’ down the Highway of Heroes before being returned to their families. The that contained personal messages Canadian flags that were waved along the Highway of Heroes are now put Canadian Armed Forces members on of remembrance. They then away and our nation is beginning to heal. The friends and families of the land, at sea and in the air have also presented a special certificate fallen, however, continue to quietly bear their deep loss. The wounds of been active in Operation Reassurance, to each of these true Canadian Afghanistan live on in other ways, too. Many soldiers returned home with supporting North Atlantic Treaty heroes. injuries to body and mind that, for some, will last a lifetime. Organization (NATO) efforts in response to the troubling Russian Willms and the other Veteran Canada is remembering those who served in Afghanistan in many ways. actions in the Ukraine. From our recipients were very touched to see The Government of Canada recognized and supported the friends and navy frigates in the waters of the young people who cared so much families of the fallen with a “National Day of Honour” on May 9, 2014. On Mediterranean and the Black Sea to for them. Mission accomplished Remembrance Day 2014, there was a formal rededication of the National our warplanes and soldiers in Eastern for Operation Gratitude! War Memorial to add the dates of the Afghanistan mission. Other Europe, Canada had continued to memorials, like the Afghanistan Vigil that has travelled across the country stand up for peace and freedom. recently, have also been unveiled and more will be in the years to come.

Newspaper Word Shuffle MUR GO LI

Use the syllables in the boxes to answer each clue related to stories in the HER FI CON newspaper. Once complete, piece together the leftover syllables to solve the question at the bottom. BRO DEUR NO Turkish peninsula where Newfoundlanders served. African country where Canadian peacekeepers served. KO PO MIS Difficult naval supply route in the Second World War. GAL MANSK LIP Naval officer who served in both world wars. Female war photographer. WAL TON LI

Which Canadian earned a Victoria Cross at the Battle of Hill 70 in 1917? Memorials from Coast to Coast to Coast There are more than 6,000 memorials across the country dedicated to different wars and various branches of the military. Explore the map below to see some of them and identify the province or territory where each is found. Use social media to share photos of war memorials in your community to show you remember.

Dawson City Fort Smith Iqaluit Grand Falls Charlottetown Musgrave Harbour

Territory ______Province ______Fort Smith War Memorial Fort Smith War Memorial Iqaluit RCL # 168 War Cenotaph Grand Falls Monument Boer War Banting Memorial Park

Photo: RCL, Dawson City Branch # 1 Memorial Dawson City War Photo: DND Photo: Doreen Follett Province ______Photo: Torbenbrinker Territory ______Territory______Photo: VAC Photo: VAC Province ______

Calgary Lunenburg Lunenburg Norwegian Monument Photo: www.cdli.ca/monuments

Signal Hill (Battalion Park) Province ______Photo: Google Earth Province ______

Port Alberni Batoche Brandon Brampton Montréal Photo: Bill Hillman - Volunteer Museum Webmaster Photo: Bill Hillman - Volunteer Canadian Merchant Navy War Canadian Merchant Navy War Memorial Memorial Monument Métis Veterans Memorial – BCATP RCAF Photo: DND The Korea Veterans National The Korea Veterans of Remembrance Wall Photo: Peter Beszterda © Gabriel Dumont Institute Photo: DND Photo: MattiPaavola

Province ______Province ______Province ______Province ______Province ______Sailors Memorial Clock Tower Editor’s Note: Veterans Affairs Canada recognizes that names and spellings of some countries/locations may have changed. For historical accuracy, we have used the name current at the time of the event(s). This publication is available upon request in other formats. © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of Veterans Affairs, 2015 Catalogue No: V32-180/1924-9209 Printed in Canada Affairs, This publication is available upon request in other formats. © Her Majesty the Queen Right of Canada, represented by Minister Veterans we have used the name current at time of event(s). Canada recognizes that names and spellings of some countries/locations may have changed. For historical accuracy, Affairs Editor’s Note: Veterans canada.ca/rememberthem