Canada's Great War

In 1918, a German U-Boat emerged from the waters of the North Atlantic and fired a torpedo at HHMS Llandovery Castle. It became one of the worst atrocities of the First World War. Thank you to Nate Hendley for chatting with me for this episode. You can find his book Atrocity on the Atlantic here: ⁠https://www.dundurn.com/books_/t22117/a9781459751347-atrocity-on-the-atlantic⁠ ORDER MY FIRST HISTORY...

During the First World War, over 2,800 Canadian women served as Nursing Sisters. They helped treat wounded soldiers and served as a bright light to many in a terrible and hellish time. In the war, 58 Nursing Sisters died. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/collections/canadian-history-ehx Donate: buymeacoffee.com/craigu Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: c...

While Tom Longboat is remembered as one of the greatest marathon runners in Canadian history, he also served Canada as a dispatch runner during the First World War. He dealt with racism, wounds and an imposter in the United States. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/collections/canadian-history-ehx Donate: buymeacoffee.com/craigu Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate)...

In 1916, Berlin, considered the German Capital of Canada, decided to change its name as anti-German hysteria gripped the nation during the First World War. This began a debate that deeply divided the community. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/collections/canadian-history-ehx Donate: buymeacoffee.com/craigu Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canada...

During the last half of the war, three men captured the history of the First World War, with a bit of embellishment to capture what was happening in France. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/collections/canadian-history-ehx Donate: buymeacoffee.com/craigu Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Threads: https...

A Member of Parliament, Lt. Col. Samuel Sharpe raised a battalion in his hometown and went overseas. He fought in some of the biggest battles of the war including Passchendaele, Hill 70 and Vimy Ridge. He returned home dealing with severe PTSD and ended his life in Montreal. He was mostly forgotten for a century until the 21st century when he was finally honoured for his sacrifice. Support: patreo...

Fought by Newfoundland troops, it was a muddy mess but it resulted in a victory for the Allies, but at the cost of many lives. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/collections/canadian-history-ehx Donate: buymeacoffee.com/craigu Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Threads: https://www.threads.net/@cdnhistory...

With casualty numbers mounting and recruit numbers declining, the government of Sir Robert Borden began to implement conscription. To do so, his government weighted the 1917 election in their favour, and nearly broke Canada into two over the Conscription Issue. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/collections/canadian-history-ehx Donate: buymeacoffee.com/craigu Donate...

It was one of the most important battle victories for the Canadians during the First World War, but it is often lost in the shadow of Vimy Ridge. The battle saw thousands of casualties, but was the first time the Canadian Corps were led by a Canadian general. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/collections/canadian-history-ehx Donate: buymeacoffee.com/craigu Donate:...

He rose from the lowest ranks of the militia to become one of the most famous, and greatest, Canadian general in history. While some called him a butcher, others called him a hero. This is the story of Sir Arthur Currie. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/collections/canadian-history-ehx Donate: buymeacoffee.com/craigu Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: cr...

About one-third of all Indigenous men aged 18 to 45 enlisted, or tried to enlist, in the Canadian Expeditionary Force to fight in the First World War. They fought bravely and became known throughout the front lines for their kills with rifles. Despite this, when they returned home they had their land taken away and given to other soldiers, and they were denied many of the benefits white soldiers r...

This battle is not remembered well today due to its close proximity in time to the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Nonetheless, Canada still suffered over 1,200 deaths but achieved their objective and held the village of Arleux. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/collections/canadian-history-ehx Donate: buymeacoffee.com/craigu Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: crai...

We are back for season 3! Kicking everything off is the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Rather than rehash the battle itself, which has been done a thousand times, I am looking at the lives of 20 Vimy Ridge soldiers. I will explore their lives before, during and after the momentous battle. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/collections/canadian-history-ehx Donate: buymeacoffe...

For the season finale of season 2, I am relating letters sent by Canadian soldiers back home, which were printed in newspapers in 1915 and 1916. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/collections/canadian-history-ehx Donate: buymeacoffee.com/craigu Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Threads: https://www.threa...

This battle, part of the larger Battle of the Somme, would see thousands of Canadian casualties as the troops attempted to take the important Regina Trench. It would also result in an amazing story of a Canadian soldier, the Victoria Cross and the 90 year search for his bagpipes. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/collections/canadian-history-ehx Donate: buymeacoffe...

Clandestine deals in international waters for submarines, ships that couldn't go into coastal waters, and millionaire yachts are all part of the story of the Royal Canadian Navy in the First World War. While the Royal Canadian Navy had a small impact on the First World War, it would go on to have a massive impact on the Second World War and beyond. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www...

Back from hiatus due to life events, I'm looking at the Soldiers of the Soil program. With farms in desperate need of workers, and crops needed for the war effort, the Soldiers of the Soil program was created. Over 22,000 teenage boys would sign up. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/collections/canadian-history-ehx Donate: buymeacoffee.com/craigu Donate: canadaehx....

This battle, fought in September 1916, would decimate several battalions as the Canadians fought to take a critical ridge with the British. As with many other battles for Canada, it came at a great cost. Thank you to Diane for sponsoring this episode with her donation. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/collections/canadian-history-ehx Donate: buymeacoffee.com/craig...

From 1914-1920, 8,579 Canadians, deemed "enemy aliens" were kept in internment camps where they worked hard labour. Harsh conditions, escapes and suicides were common. It would take almost 100 years for recognition of the intrenment to happen in Canada. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/collections/canadian-history-ehx Donate: buymeacoffee.com/craigu Donate: canada...

Canada had some of the greatest pilots of the First World War. They took to the skies and became icons, heroes and celebrities. These Flying Aces, or Knights of the Sky, have names still remembered today, including Billy Bishop and Wop May. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/collections/canadian-history-ehx Donate: buymeacoffee.com/craigu Donate: canadaehx.com (Clic...

We are back for Season 2! Fought for three days in September, Canada would have its first major battle during The Battle of the Somme. The battle would see heavy casualties, the first use of tanks and the creeping barrage. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/collections/canadian-history-ehx Donate: buymeacoffee.com/craigu Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail:...

In the space of 30 minutes on July 1, 1916, the Royal Newfoundland Regiment would go over the top of the trench & suffer 85 per cent casualties. Of the 721 who went over on July 1, 68 answered roll call the next day. It remains today, a defining moment in Newfoundland's history. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/collections/canadian-history-ehx Donate: buymeacoffee...

Today, I am looking at the Battle of Mont Sorrel, fought between June 1 and June 15, 1916. After losing a large stretch of land on June 1 & 2, 1916, the Canadians would reclaim the land over the next two weeks. While they got the land back, it came at the cost of over 8,000 killed, wounded or missing Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/collections/canadian-history-eh...

For two weeks in March/April 1916, Canadian troops held the line on several massive craters against the Germans. In the end, they would be forced to fall back after suffering 1,300 casualties. This battle would bring major changes that would change the course of the war for Canadians going forward. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/collections/canadian-history-ehx...

From knitting socks, to sending chocolate, to canvassing for the Red Cross and the Victory Bond Program, Canadians of all ages came together to aid the war effort through volunteerism, money and simple homemade goods for the soldiers overseas. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: https://www.ohcanadashop.com/collections/canadian-history-ehx Donate: buymeacoffee.com/craigu Donate: canadaehx.com (C...