The war on the Western Front was fought in trenches – long, narrow, deep, and muddy ditches. The Canadian infantry were rotated in and out of the trenches as it was the most dangerous place on earth to be, and it was extraordinarily uncomfortable. The soldiers lived with vermin such as rats, lice, maggots, and flies which created serious health risks. The trenches were also constantly exposed to the weather. Here is what a day in the trenches looked like for soldiers.
Unit 2: Follow Canada’s Last 100 Days
A Day in the Life of a Soldier
An Overview of the Canadian Uniforms
Each soldier carried a minimum of 60 pounds of equipment. Adding to that, the weight of mud collected on uniforms and equipment typically added another 60 pounds.
The Canadian Expeditionary Force soldiers wore the same uniform which was made from a thick wool and dyed in khaki. Wearing a drab color was a good way to camouflage on the battlefield.
Officers’ uniforms like this one on the left were slightly different from those worn by soldiers. Officers had a button shirt and a tie underneath a opened collar jacket. Their pants were not a straight cut but larger around the thighs and tighter around the calves. Officers were also allowed to carry certain objects with them such as a whistle, a camera and a handgun.
What’s an Officer ?
An officer has a wide range of responsibilities such as coming up with plans and being trusted with the execution of operations and daily activities. Officers are in command so they issue orders and lead soldiers to achieving the plans.
The Last Hundred Days? Well, 96 days.
Between August 8th, 1918 and November 11th, 1918, the Allied forces led a series of successful attacks on the Western Front. The Canadian Expeditionary Force contributed greatly to this last push and the event was nicknamed “The Hundred Days”.
German troops were pushed back from Amiens, France to Mons, Belgium in under 100 days by a fast-moving infantry force supported by tanks, aeroplanes and a well-coordinated artillery. The retreating German troops were unable to retaliate and their morale progressively worsened.
On November 11th, at 11:00 am the Armistice was signed and the combat stopped. It took six months to reach the Treaty of Versailles signed on June 28th, 1919.
Overview of WWI Medals
Virtually every country has a formal system to bestow honours on their citizens, and most also have specific honours reserved exclusively for members of their armed forces. Canada’s honour system is called the Order of Canada in which specific insignia are given to reward service or a valorous act.
1914-1915 Star
Criteria: This medal was awarded to servicemen and servicewomen who served overseas in the early stages of the Great War. It was given to those who enrolled between August 1914 and December 1915.
Appearance: The medal is a bronze four-pointed star with a Tudor Crown as the upper point of the star. In the center, a pair of sword are crossed over a wreath. A ribbon is in the center with inscription “1914-1915”
This medal was awarded to 71,150 Canadians
The Allied Victory Medal
Criteria: This medal was created to celebrate the end of World War I and the victory of the Allied Forces over the Central Powers. It was given to all who served in a theatre of war between August 5, 1914 and November 11, 1918.
Appearance: It is said that the concept of the medal came from the Marshal Foch, the leader of the Allied Forces. A winged figure is holding a branch symbolizing peace between the nations on the circular bronze medal. On this reserve, the inscription ”The Great War for Civilisation” can be read.
This medal was awarded to 351,289 Canadians
The British War Medal
Criteria: Created by King George V to underline the war effort of His Majesty’s Forces and war’s successful ending, this medal was awarded to all Canadians who served during World War I.
Appearance: The medal has a circular silver shape. On the obverse, there is a uncrowned portrait of the King Georges V and, on the reverse, a depiction of St. George, the patron saint of England, holding a sword on a horse.
This medal was awarded to 427,993 Canadians