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The 107th Battalion (Timber Wolf)
Thousands of Indigenous, Métis and Inuit people enlisted in the Canadian army during the Great War. In Europe, many of these men were scattered from one unit to another. In 1915, however, the Canadian government authorized the creation of a dedicated unit for indigenous people: the…
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Honorary Captains
In the Great War we have a tendency to focus on the men with weapons performing heroic deeds and facing the enemy. Our reminisce forget there were other people besides combatants in the War. The Canadian Army Service Corps (CASC), Canadian Forestry Corps (CFC), Canadian Army…
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Twice Sacrificed – Unaccounted Loyalty
Private Nuinosuke Joseph Okawa enlisted for the First World War in 1916 and fought at the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Although he proved his loyalty to Canada, his military service did not prevent him from the effects of the anti-Japanese policies of the Second World War.…
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Henry Thomas Shepherd: Canada’s first Black Regimental Sergeant Major
Henry Thomas Shepherd was a remarkable individual. A veteran of both world wars, Henry made history when he became Canada’s first Black Regimental Sergeant Major in 1935. Besides his military achievements, Henry continues to be remembered as a role model and a pillar of the Georgetown…
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The First World War in Asia (1914-1918)
The First World War was not just a European conflict. This first in a two-part series on the war outside Europe gives an overview of the various Asian fronts of this war.
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Charles Lightfoot Roman – A True Trailblazer
Father, distinguished surgeon, soldier, author, researcher, and lecturer: these are the many hats worn by Charles Lightfoot Roman, a man whose life was a remarkable journey.
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The Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Corps (1918-1919)
In 1919, with the outbreak of the Bolshevik revolution in Russia, Canada sent a large force of soldiers to combat this new perceived threat. However, the mission did not turn out as expected, as the Canadian soldiers, who thought they would be fighting Bolsheviks, found themselves…
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Len and Cub: An Uncovered 2SLGBTQ+ History of the First World War
The early 20th century was a time of severe persecution for 2SLGBTQ+ individuals. Homosexuality wasn’t decriminalized until 1969 and same-sex couples hid their affection in public in fear of being jailed or persecuted. For many individuals, it was difficult to speak openly about their experiences, even…
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The Courtney Brothers: A Case-Study on Enlistment of Black Soldiers in the First World War
Enlistment in the First World War did not come easy for most Black Canadian soldiers. Acceptance into the military was the responsibility of local recruitment officers, who had the power to deny individuals for service. Considered a “White Man’s War”, recruitment officers often prevented Black individuals…
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Food and the First World War
Have you ever heard the old saying “an army marches on its stomach”? During the First World War, Canada produced millions of pounds of food that was sent to the warfront. But how did this impact Canadian Kitchens? Let’s take a look at some of the…
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Indigenous Soldiers of the Great War (1914-1918)
Thousands of soldiers of Indigenous descent served in the Canadian Army during the Great War. This article provides a brief overview of their presence at the front and the many issues they faced, in addition to the war itself.
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The First World War in Sub-Saharan Africa
Major battles were waged in sub-Saharan Africa during the First World War. This second article in our two-part series on the non-European theatres of this war provides an overview of different military fronts in Africa.
