Canadian War History Tours
P.o. Box 237 T0L 1H0 Longview, AB, Canada

Love this! What a great story. How have I never heard of Sergeant Bill?

In March 1918 when the German army launched their last ferocious offensive Operation Michael, British Field Marshal Haig wanted to break up the 100,000 strong Canadian forces piecemeal to shore up British defences here and there. Canadian Corps Commander Arthur Currie would not allow it which infuriated Haig. In the meantime in their secure area in and around Vimy Ridge which the Canadians had been instrumental in conquering the previous spring of 1917, the corps was allowed ...to rest, train and take up gardening on a large scale. They planted and produced a huge yield of potatoes, cabbages, kale, beets, carrots, turnips and other vegetables. They worked with local French farmers also to restore crops. They were called the "The Gardeners of Vimy." By August of 1918 the Canadian Corps were well fed, rested and ready to launch the massive offensive that led to the end of the Great War and 100 days to victory. Photo is of Canadian Cavalry harrowing and plowing near Vimy Ridge in preparation for planting spuds. See more

And this one too...Fantastic day it was.

Seems like a good day.... -25 here, to share this video I shot in 2015 at Frezenberg. Loved it when the crowd began to sing Tipperary.

Yes! A legit case. I know people who were with him. Absolutely deserves the VC. He counted not the cost at the time, but he has since paid one hell of a price for his service.

Canucks "pretend skating." Had to make their fun where they could.

Photo from a Belgian friend, Nick Mol, of a bird nesting inside an old, rusted-solid roll of WWI barbed wire. No one's breaking in there!

Garfield, the 87 year old WWII veteran (Lake Superior Regiment) I brought over here in 2010, was a celebrity with these soldiers from India making a pilgrimage from India to England on Royal Enfield 500s. They were following the trail of their own Great War ancestors. They had to have their photo taken with him in the square of Ypres. Garfield's father had fought in Ypres and Vimy so we started our journey here first, following some of his father's footsteps, before travelling to his own former AOs in Belgium and Holland. He found the Last Post ceremony under the Menin Gate very moving, especially when we met an Australian woman whose dad had been in WWII, and grandad in the Great War. A few tears were shed. He was a great character and slipped away peacefully just before his 90th birthday in 2013.

Few photos I've seen of WWI funerals in the field capture the sadness like this one. Men of the Canadian Eaton Motor Machine Gun Battery burying two men, including their major, E.L.Knight. The two men are buried side by side in Bapaume Post Cemetery. The other man is Private Joseph William Robinson of the Canadian Pioneers.

The priceless Canadian Pioneers doing their level best to make the ground traversable and habitable in the Battle of Passchendaele. They're carrying "duckboards" AKA trench mats, so men and horses could move across the swampy, deadly ground. A man or a horse could slip into the mud and just disappear. They also built the "corduroy roads" of logs laid side by side so wagons and trucks could travel, just like in the wilds of Canada. Major General Sir Edward Morrison GOC Canadian Artillery could not praise them highly enough.

French girls and women selling fruit to Canucks on the move near Hill 70.

Every Christmas eve since the end of WWII children of Holten in the Netherlands place a candle on the grave of each Canadian soldier in the Holten Canadian War Cemetery, all 1393 of them. This was last night, 2020. The tradition of a grateful nation continues. Remember them.

Canadian soldiers celebrate Christmas in Ortona, Italy 25 December 1943.

When we think of the Battle of the Somme, most people have July 1, 1916 in mind. But the Canadians entered the battle in the fall of 1916 and fought to the bloody, bitter end - about 18 November, in the worst conditions imaginable. Not only the endless mud, but bitter cold, freezing rain, frozen ground. Here they are, filthy and exhausted, finally being brought out about this time in 1916. Remember them.

John McCrae was born on this day in Guelph, Ontario in 1872. Who knew what a legacy he would leave? Here he's in his artillery dress uniform in 1901 after returning from the South African War.

Amazing and sad story.

It was nice to wake up to these appreciative words about "Morrison" this morning from a reader in Woodstock, ON. "I just wanted to send along a note to thank you for writing Morrison. What a great contribution to Canadian history. I found the book a revelation in many ways; since retiring I’ve devoted much of my time to reading books on Canadian history and Canada at war in particular. I found Morrison’s book particularly compelling because he lived what he wrote about ...and you can tell. I loved his wit in particular! The line about the General being appalled at the amount of shells fired is a classic." Morrison was raked over the coals for his expenditure of shells by a British general who was appalled by it. Morrison retorted, "So are the Germans!" I didn't write it btw. Just some light editing and the real heavy lifting was done by my friend, and artillery Major (ret'd) Marc George who added about a million valuable footnotes explaining people, terminology etc. It's a great gift for the history buff in the family. Just sayin.'

How lovely to receive this review this morning of my book, "John McCrae - Beyond Flanders Fields." "I have just finished reading your book on John McCrae and again wanted to commend you on an excellent read. (When he says "again" he had also favourably reviewed "Morrison.") I must admit I was a bit reluctant to purchase the book as I thought I already knew much about John McCrae. Much to my surprise I loved the book and learned much more about this great man. You are an extr...emely talented writer! What an easy, informative and pleasurable read it was. Well done!" John Byrne Woodstock, ON

Great old film of the PPCLI returning to Canada in February 1919 to a massive welcome in Ottawa. I'm not sure if my subject would have been able to march with them. He was still recovering from serious wounds to both legs. Hamilton Gault, who founded the regiment, marches smartly along with a stick and his artificial leg. How those soldiers loved him.

I'm proud to know the first man featured here, Paul Henderson, who is an "Elder Warrior" and goes on to serve in new ways and is devoted to veterans healing and well being.

Recent history - So mean. But still funny. Ha ha ha

About this time in 1918, the citizens of Denain, France ecstatically celebrated liberation by the Canadians at their church. Left to right, General Arthur Currie, HRH Prince of Wales - who, despite their best efforts they could not keep away from the front lines, General Edward Morrison commanding all Canadian artillery and General David Watson commanding the 2nd Div. Not far to go now until Mons was liberated and the war came to an end at long last.

So, we're discovering history under our noses in Longview, Alberta. This has been on the wall in a dark corner for awhile, like 80+ years, but no one had really looked at it for decades or really knew what it was. Here is a wonderful cartoon of hockey star, PPCLI veteran of Vimy Ridge, and builder of the Twin Cities Hotel in Longview, AB, Mervyn "Red" Dutton, getting ready for a Stanley Cup final against the Leafs. The note at the bottom says it's from the NY Post sports staff. It will be in a new display in the hotel about its builders. Dutton was, fittingly, the bouncer on the hotel's opening night, 2 September 1938.

Great review from this month's trip!

103 years ago right about now. Major-General Edward Morrison and his Passchendaele staff. Front row Left to Right - Captain Herbert Fripp, Major Andrew McNaughton, Morrison, Major Alan Brooke, Captain Lawrence Moore Cosgrave. Cosgrave took Japan's surrender on behalf of Canada in WWII. McNaughton and Brooke commanded in WWII also, and thoroughly despised each other. Shaun Fripp, son of Herbert, had Morrison's 300 page unpublished memoir in his possession, and allowed me to get it published.

Generals Currie (at left) and Morrison followed by Canadian Cavalry, ride into Germany after the Armistice.

Take a tour of the British Grenadier Bookshop in the heart of Ypres/Ieper, Belgium.

I'm working on a book about a PPCLI guy in the Great War. This is a fantastic resource, "The Letters of Agar Adamson." Also very funny in places. Next time you're under Vimy Ridge walking through the Grange Tunnel remember, that's where Lt. Col. Adamson's PPCLI HQ was during that battle. He wrote a series of unvarnished letters to his wife Mabel that are fantastic in their detail.

Here's me doing a reading from Jacqueline's Carmichael's new book, "Heard Amid the Guns." It's from an actual soldier from Calgary writing home to his wife.

Fall at secluded Maple Copse Cemetery, November 7, 2007. I was over for the 90th of the Battle of Passchendaele. In June of 1916 there was a battle in two phases near here, the Battle of Mont Sorrel. The first phase was a massacre. The highest ranking Canadian killed in the Great War died here - Major General Malcolm Mercer. Remnants of a trench can still be seen. I brought clients here in 2019 whose uncle went missing and presumed dead. His Service Record states that he disappeared in or around Maple Copse. It was meaningful for them to walk through this cemetery. His name with the Canadian Mounted Rifles, is on the Menin Gate. MGen Mercer is buried in the Lijssenthoek Cemetery near Poperinge, BE.

Reading a Calgary soldier's WWI letters home, from Jacqueline Carmichael's new book, "Heard Amid the Guns."

Elders of ANTIFA.

Tommy Prince was a remarkable hero of both WWII and Korea. He was with the "Devils Brigade," in WWII.

Gorgeous photo of Vimy by my friend Nick Mol, taken this month.

Bourlon Wood, France. The last Canadian monument before Mons, and victory. The peaceful setting belies the ferocious battle that led to the Canadians taking this fortified wood, and hill and pushing the enemy out, and again east. Horrendous casualties were taken here about this time in 1918.

My niece took this photo today on an early morning bike ride on Memorial Drive along the Bow River in Calgary. Love this memorial of Remembrance.

When you say, "the Battle of the Somme," most people think - July 1st, 1916. But for the Canadians, it began in the fall and lasted until the freezing, bitter end about 18 November. About this time in 1916, William Edwin Schwab (whose stone is front and centre here) of the 58th Battalion was killed near Regina Trench on 8 October, 1916. He was a carpenter from Grimsby, Ontario and had only arrived "in the field" on the 12th of September 1916 for his first taste of combat. His tour of duty lasted less than a month before he was killed on the 8th of October. He is buried in the Adanac Cemetery near Miraumont, France with many of his regiment. He was 19. Remember them.

103 years ago right about now, Battle of Passchendaele 1917. "I had Hughes by the arm and fairly dragged him through the mire." They came to a man sitting on a wall and asked him if they could have a drink of water. Although uninjured, he appeared not to hear them. Will Bird took his water bottle and gave a drink to two of his mates, and then returned it to the man, who did not react in any way. "...absolutely everything in his mind was dead." Bird, Mickey and Hughes went on ...down the road until they were showered by whizz-bangs. "As the last soul-tearing smash crashed in my ears I saw Mickey spin and fall. I let go of Hughes and jumped to him. He had been hit in several places and could not live ten minutes." "...I called his name and raised him up and he nestled to me like a child." "I'm through," he said, "I don't want to kill people anyway. Tell my mother...." From Will Bird's powerful Great War memoir, "Ghosts Have Warm Hands." Bird was with the 42nd Battalion, Black Watch of Canada. We are incapable of truly imagining what they went through in those conditions, Passchendaele or Battle of 3rd Ypres, July 31 - November 10, 1917 Remember them. See more

Further to my recent post about the British Grenadier Bookshop in Ieper, Belgium, the owner Steve Douglas has been wonderfully supportive of my books and his shop is literally part of the "Heartbeat of Ypres." It's the first place I go when I come over and that is the same for myriad English speaking tourists touring and staying in the area. Photo is of me in his shop beside some of my books in what he was calling "Sue Corner." :-) I've sent and brought many people to Ieper ...and that shop, including whole families, in this case the Sintons from Longview, Alberta. The bearded guy is Steve, the owner. It's not only a fantastic shop for books, artifacts, and quality souvenirs, but he also runs excellent historical tours as well. Please write the Mayor of Ieper at [email protected] if you're so inclined, and ask her to help this special shop survive until things pick up. Steve has totally gone the extra mile for me, ie. providing me with a chair at the Last Post under the Menin Gate for a 92 year old client. Things like that. See more

How it played out in October 1918.

In October as the Canadians advanced and the German army fled east, it was scorched earth all the way as the enemy burned and destroyed everything in their path, including the beautiful French city of Cambrai. In this photo Canadian soldiers cross the Grande Place with the smoking, and in many places, still burning ruins all around them. They would fight their way to Mons from here and arrive on 11/11/1918 to liberate that city and celebrate the end of the Great War at last.

Lancaster rear gunner Dave Mould's activities in WWII started to literally heat up in October, 1944. This excerpt in his log book where he notes, looking down on the fires of Bremen, "Hot! Hell Burned Through," is an indication. I named my book about him after that note. If you're interested in Dave Mould, his experience and the art he created depicting it, you can order the book, "Hell Burned Through" from the Bomber Command Museum of Canada in Nanton, Alberta. www.bombercommandmuseum.ca

Hey Flanders tourists, my friend Steve Douglas's shop, seen here, is struggling. If you're a fan of this amazing shop, please write the Mayor of Ieper, Emmily Talpe, and ask her to help with rent until things pick up. This is certainly one of the best bookshops anywhere in the WWI areas of Belgium and France, and is also full of fantastic artifacts and quality souvenirs. You can write her at [email protected] I've told her she'll be a hero to many if she helps.

This is adorable and funny. Tommeke, the little donkey across from Polygon Wood cemetery near Zonnebeke, Belgium sings along with the Last Post.

This will be a fun and interesting event, and book launch for Jacqueline Carmichael's new book, "Heard Amid the Guns."

Who new? Such an amazing character. Survived the Battle of Vimy Ridge and a shrapnel-mangled leg to become an NHL star.

The Canadians came into the Battle of the Somme in the fall of 1916 and fought until the bitter end of that, almost 5 month long bloodbath which finished about 18 November.

Gorgeous roses in Passchendaele New British Cemetery Zonnebeke, Belgium.

102 years ago - Alexander Picton Brereton was awarded the Victoria Cross for heroic actions on August 9th, 1918. He had sprinted at a machine gun nest, one of 6 lining a field near Warvillers, France, killed the operator and returned alone with 9 prisoners at gunpoint. His men were so inspired by this that they took out the remaining 5 nests. He fought on into the 100 days until another close call on Friday, September 13th, 1918 that could have ended him. He was shot in the chest. The bullet went through a small black leather notebook that he carried throughout the war, and lodged in his paybook which was behind it. He told his children, "Don't ever let anyone tell you Friday the 13th is an unlucky day!" Brereton is buried in Elnora, Alberta. He lived into his 80s.

Just part of the massive field of honour in the Burnsland Cemetery in Calgary, Alberta.