Canadian Pacific Railway and War To those who fall, I say: “You will not die, but step into immortality.” Arthur Currie, Lieutenant-General, Canadian Army Corps (March 27, 1918) 1 CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY AND WAR hen conflict reaches an Wultimate impasse…war is the tragic result. And when Canada, the Ref. A.20173 Ref. NS.3003 British Empire, and even the United States of America, were embroiled in such conflict Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) was there from the get-go… contributing to the war efforts in North America and overseas. Not content to be just an Ref. NS.8135 economic and political tool Ref. NS.11220 linking Canada’s east and west, CPR was also a major Canadian, North American and world strategic weapon. Ref. A.15505 Ref. WAR.80.0 Ref. Ref. NS.3663 Ref. NS.4760 Jonathan B. Hanna Corporate Historian Canadian Pacific Railway 2 CPR AND THE RIEL REBELLION PR was not just an economic Aside from strategic benefits, CPR (half native and half French- Cand political tool to link actually helped quash an armed Canadian or Scottish-Canadian) Canada’s east and west in the insurrection at home on the were not. After all this was really 1880s. CPR was also a major Canadian Prairies. their land that was trading hands Canadian strategic weapon. As so quickly, easily and cheaply. So strange as it may sound, CPR Trouble started brewing soon after the natives worked on setting up actually served to keep Americans Canada was formed, July 1, 1867. reserves. And Métis leader Louis and their “manifest destiny” at bay The Hudson’s Bay Company (Hbc) Riel set up a whole province – below the 49th parallel. There was a sold a huge tract of land it owned Manitoba. Not as big as today’s definite move afoot in 19th Century in the Canadian northwest to the Manitoba, provincial status came United States of America to push Canadian government. In 1869, nevertheless to the province on the western international border Hbc sold the 1.5-million-square- July 15, 1870…only after a bitter between Canada and the US mile Rupert’s Land to the federal Riel-led insurrection. Riel’s northward. In the first half of the government for $1.5 million. This mistake was he decided to execute century, cries of “54-40 or fight” was almost twice the size of the upstart Ontario Orangeman and rang out in the US – in a bid to US’s Louisiana Purchase at only Red River settler, Thomas Scott. push the boundary as far north as one-tenth the cost. The feds were After Scott was shot, Riel managed 54 degrees, 40 minutes of latitude happy with their purchase from to sneak off un-prosecuted and in the northern hemisphere. The “The Bay.” The natives and Métis take refuge in the US. But, in the arrival of the CPR established a 1880s, civilization, and now the presence in the Canadian West. Canadian militia, en route to quash the CPR, again threatened the Métis’ “Riel Rebellion”, travel in relative comfort CPR linked British Columbia with on a CPR day coach. way of life. So Riel was back by Central and Eastern Canada, Ref. Canadian Pacific Railway Archives. invitation in Canada’s northwest to putting an end to all this talk. A.4253 “deliver his people.” 3 CANADIAN PACIFIC AND THE BOER WAR: STRATHCONA’S HORSE But this time his rebellion French Canadian nationalists, backfired. The CPR, epitomizing led by Henri Bourassa, saw eastern encroachment, helped growing British imperialism as quash the rebellion and save the a threat and backed the day…and it saved the CPR too. Afrikaners (or Boers). Wilfrid CPR was on the brink of Laurier’s government bankruptcy in 1885. Half a year reluctantly raised an initial before the last spike was driven, contingent of 1,000 Louis Riel teamed up with infantrymen to fight in the war. Gabriel Dumont, Poundmaker But British reversals of fortune, and Big Bear, and waged a injuries and casualties called on bloody battle at Duck Lake, on Canada to ante up a further March 26, 1885. His actions 6,000 volunteers. And then a proved the national security third contingent of 1,000 was benefit of the CPR. CPR came to sent to replace the Halifax the rescue with logistical reserves that were overseas. finesse, transporting troops Canada’s total wartime bill for from the east over its nearly all this? $2,830,965. completed main line, to the western hot spots. The 1885 This clearly was not enough for rebellion was quelled in a matter the Dominion of Canada – a of weeks. Whereas, back in 1870, loyal member of the British it took Colonel Wolseley three Empire. So CPR’s senior months just to get his troops to director, driver of the last spike Manitoba. One of the 400 “rough riders” Lord Strathcona recruited and, at that time, Canadian High in 1900 to go overseas and fight in the “Boer War”. Commissioner to London, Ref. Canadian Pacific Railway Archives. NS.11964 Donald Smith a.k.a. Lord Strathcona and Mont Royal, had n 1899, Canada got involved in an idea. He would raise, equip A statue commemorating “Strathcona’s Horse” erected Iits first overseas conflict. and fund…with his own in Montreal’s Dominion Square. For the first time since becoming Ref. Canadian Pacific Railway Archives. NS.10220 money…a mounted cavalry to a nation, Canada was involved in send off to South Africa to fight a conflict outside North America. in the war. On New Year’s Eve, It sent volunteers and troops to the day before 1899 became South Africa to fight in the South 1900, Lord Strathcona sent a African War – more commonly telegram to Prime Minister known as the Boer War (1899 - Wilfrid Laurier: 1902). Great Britain was in “Very confidential. Should like conflict with the two Afrikaner to provide and send to South republics of South Africa (or Africa my personal fund Transvaal) and the Orange Free squadron mounted men and State. Canadians were already officers say four hundred men split on whom to back. The and horses from North West, government and much of single men if possible. Force English Canada backed the Brits. will be Canadian but distinct 4 CANADIAN PACIFIC AND WORLD WAR I from Government contingent. Men must be expert marksmen, at home in saddle, and efficient as rough riders and rangers. I propose pay cost shipment similar that of Canadian contingent and transport if you approve proposal.” Laurier accepted immediately. And the contingent, though Strathcona wanted to remain anonymous, was called “Strathcona’s Horse.” Men and horses were recruited in Winnipeg, went east on CPR trains – the men in CPR tourist cars and the horses in CPR “palace horse cars” – and then overseas on a future CPR ship: the Monterey. The highly trained double squadron of 400 men and horses fought with distinction, under fabled Canadian hero Sam Steele, and returned home highly decorated – the decorated survivors traveling on CPR’s Imperial Limited transcontinental train. One riginally called the Great War, over, and the Armistice was signed, member, Sergeant Arthur O World War I was “great” only on November 11, 1918, a total of 32 Richardson, was awarded the for the great number of nations, nations had fought on both sides coveted Victoria Cross. people and resources involved – of the conflict, mobilizing over 65 And what was the CPR director’s and, alas, the great number of million soldiers. A mind-numbing personal tab for Strathcona’s Horse? casualties that resulted. Canada 8.5 million souls died as a result. Over $1 million…a huge sum in and Canadian Pacific Railway Canada’s share was an awesome those days! (CPR) were very much involved in 60,000. And CPR’s was an this world conflict. When all was appalling 1,116. CPR put the entire resources of the “world’s greatest travel system” at the empire’s disposal…this, during CPR’s heyday, when the Top: CPR troop train near Golden, B.C. railway was much more than just a 1916. Ref. Canadian Pacific Railway Archives. NS.3269 railway. Not only were the railway’s trains and tracks at the British Bottom: Requisitioned CPR ships in their Empire’s disposal, but also its bizarre World War I camouflage paint. ships, shops, hotels, telegraphs, Ref. Canadian Pacific Railway Archives. and, above all, its people. NS.25229 5 CANADIAN PACIFIC AND WORLD WAR I Women helping out during World War I, manufacturing munitions at our home shops. Ref. Canadian Pacific Railway Archives. A.15505 Aiding the war effort meant catastrophic 10 percent (1,116) At the time, CPR was the strongest transporting and billeting troops; were killed, and nearly 20 percent and most viable railway in Canada. building and supplying arms and (2,105) were wounded. Two CPR So it set up and formed the major munitions; arming, lending and employees received the coveted part of the Canadian Overseas selling ships. Fifty-two CPR ships Victoria Cross and 385 others were Railway Reconstruction Corps – a were pressed into service during decorated for valor and group of skilled railroaders and World War I, carrying more than a distinguished service. engineers who went overseas million troops and passengers and during and after World War I to four million tons of cargo. Twenty- CPR also helped the war effort with rebuild Europe’s railway seven survived and returned to money and jobs. CPR made loans infrastructure. CPR. Twelve sank, mostly and guarantees to the Allies to the torpedoed by U-boats; two sank by tune of $100 million.