The Times Advocate, 2008-11-05, Page 121 T PRODUCTS
12
Times -Advocate
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Ham;
VE `"ERANS
THE ARMED FORCES IN WORLD WAR 1 AND WORLD WAR 11
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 volun-
teered 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 historians 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 maintain 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 hostilities, there were 1,975 Canadian servicemen
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 suffer-
ing 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 establish-
ment of Merchant Seaman Manning Pools.
It created training schools and facilities,
and encouraged assistance for the welfare
of seamen in Canadian ports. Merchant
Seaman Manning Pools were put into oper-
ation in Halifax (September 1941),
Montreal (January 1942), Vancouver (May
1942), and Saint John (July 1942). They
admitted medically fit and trained seamen
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 per-
sonnel and offered its seamen continuous
pay and a home between ship engage-
ments. Eventually, Canada had the largest
merchant fleet in the history 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 sup-
port United Nations operations in Korea
from 1950-1953. Some 20,000 army per-
sonnel 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 command 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 peacekeeping oper-
ation 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 differ-
ent kind, the kind that made people watch their front gate
hoping that the telegraph boy did not appear with a mes-
sage 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 produce 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 ordealaping to free-
dom. To them the poppy can be a s of of that free-
dom. It is important for all of us to remember that unity
of Canadians in wartini • les all of us to enjoy free-
dom.
The Royal Canadian Legion eachers' Guide
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