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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2007-11-07, Page 15Wednesday,November 7, 2007 Times -Advocate 15 NOUR OUR VETERANS THE ARMED FORCES IN WORLD WAR I AND WORLD WAR II In 1914 Canada 's population was seven and half million people. The militia numbered some 57,000. Within three weeks of the outbreak of World War I, 45,000 citizens had volunteered for military service. On 3-4 October, 1914, the first 30,000 Canadian troops set sail aboard 33 ships from Gaspe Bay for England. The "Great War" lasted until the end of 1918. During this conflict the country began to emerge as a significant player on the world stage. Most histori- ans agree that as a result of the victory at Vimy Ridge, April 7, 1917, where Canadian led troops fought as Canadians and not as Imperial troops, Canada came of age. As time would tell, it was not the "war to end all wars" and the need to main- tain a military force began to grow in importance. Canada's army and navy were obliged to keep pace with the new technologies of warfare and the Royal Canadian Air Force was formed April 1, 1924. World War II, saw some 237,000 men and women serve in Northwest Europe, and 97,500 in Italy. At the time the Japanese commenced hostili- ties, there were 1,975 Canadian ser- vicemen stationed in Hong Kong and 557 were killed or died in prisoner of war camps. At a place called Dieppe on the Normandy coast of France, Canadians from all across this land shared the suffering of a terrible defeat. The contributions of the Canadian Navy, keeping the North Atlantic sea lanes open to Britain, and of the Air Force, participating in the air war in Europe and other areas, demonstrated that Canadians can be staunch allies and aggressive foes. THE MERCHANT NAVY At the outbreak of World War II, there were only 37 Canadian vessels registered for foreign voyages. Nearly half of them were lost to enemy attacks. Approximately 1,400 Canadian seamen served on those original ships. A 1941 Federal Government Order in Council called for the establishment of Merchant Seaman Manning Pools. It created training schools and facilities, and encouraged assistance for the welfare of sea- men in Canadian ports. Merchant Seaman Manning Pools were put into opera- tion in Halifax (September 1941), Montreal (January 1942), Vancouver (May 1942), and Saint John (July 1942). They admitted medically fit and trained sea- men for foreign service. It offered them a basic rate of pay for their rank, with full board and lodging, providing they agreed to accept assignment to Canadian ships with foreign destinations. This provided for the maintenance of a reserve of qualified personnel and offered its seamen continuous pay and a home between ship engagements. Eventually, Canada had the largest merchant fleet in the his- tory of the Dominion with approximately 180 ocean-going cargo vessels and some 14,000 skilled seamen. The contribution of the Merchant Navy cannot be overemphasized. It was their job to transport the cargo required to defeat the axis powers. The voyages were made in the North Atlantic Ocean, renowned for its fierce storms, against a most determined enemy fleet of submarines. The loss of life was horrific, but the materials needed got through. THE KOREAN WAR Canada provided military forces to support United Nations operations in Korea from 1950-1953. Some 20,000 army personnel served and three Royal Canadian Navy destroyers operated in Korean waters. The Royal Canadian Air Force 's 426 Squadron provided air transport support. THE GULF WAR In August 1990, following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, Canada joined with a host of other nations to provide military units to enforce UN sanctions against Iraq. This involvement extended to participation in the Gulf War from January to April 1991. PEACEKEEPING The concept of Peacekeeping was developed during the Suez crisis of 1956 and a former Prime Minister, Lester B.Pearson, is acknowledged as the person who urged its acceptance at the United Nations. His contribution received world wide notice and acknowledgement when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize by the King of Sweden for his efforts. The concept, although simple in design, can be difficult to implement. The goal is to interject military forces under the com- mand of the United Nations between two enemies who first must agree to the presence of these troops. The countries providing the forces must agree to place them under the command of the United Nations. The Canadian Forces have participated in virtually every United Nations peace- keeping operation since the Suez Crisis of 1956. Some of the major commitments include Cyprus, Egypt, the Congo, India - Pakistan, the former Yugoslavia, Rwanda and Somalia. Canadian troops have also served on various truce observation and monitoring teams such as in Vietnam in the 1970's. AT HOME The horror that Canadians faced at home was of a different kind, the kind that made people watch their front gate hoping that the telegraph boy did not appear with a message reporting that a husband, wife, son or daughter, had been killed. During the Second World War, more than 40,000 such telegrams arrived in Canadian homes. During the First World War, there were over 60,000. Concerns and worries about loved ones weren't the only hardships faced by the people who stayed at home when Canada went to war. Most people today probably have not heard of rationing, but it was very well-known during the war. Canada was a minor country when the Second World War started, and most of our factories were busy producing the arms, ammunition and ships for our armed forces. The requirement to pro- duce war material meant that there were not sufficient factories to prepare food, cars and other consumer goods. As these goods were scarce, the government decided the only way to ensure that people received their fair share was to ration them. Canadians were given coupons that allowed them to buy a certain amount of butter, gasoline and food each week. Without the coupons, prices would have risen drastically. Rationing meant that many of the things which had been taken for granted, such as Sunday drives or large meals, were no longer possible. There were also more serious inconveniences like problems getting to work or to a doctor. When World War II finally ended in 1945, there were huge celebrations in Toronto, Winnipeg and other cities. Why were people so happy? Because peace meant no more long casualty lists and no more sad telegrams, and because they knew that their lives could once more return to normal, and that the sacrifices of the war years were behind them. They could once again live in peace. In Canadian schoolrooms today there are students whose parents, or even they themselves, remember other wars. Some remember the terrible ordeal of escap- ing to freedom. To them the poppy can be a symbol of that freedom. It is impor- tant for all of us to remember that unity of Canadians in wartime enables all of us to enjoy freedom. The Royal Canadian Legion Teachers' Guide This Page is Brought to You by the Community -Minded Businesses Listed Below: FARMS LTD. CALL PETE ROWNTREE (519) 233-3218 Wean dab}Vv McCann 424 Main St. Exeter NOM 1S6 • 519-235-1331 TIMES -ADVOCATE R.R. 3 Dashwood 519-237-3647 E•X•E•T•E'RCOMPLETE COLLISION & RESTORATION SERVICES -• Steve Roy - • 24 HR. TOWING Owner/Operator . 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