William F. Stewart, April 28, 2018 meeting

Posted on April 29, 2018 by info

Thanks to author Bill Stewart for a great talk on his new book, Canadians on the Somme. Bill spoke to members at the April 28, 2018 branch meeting, held at the R.S. McLaughlin Armoury. Continue reading →

Posted in Books on the CEF, Our WFA Chapter | Comments Off on William F. Stewart, April 28, 2018 meeting

Unsung heroes of the Medical Services from Montreal

Posted on February 1, 2018 by info

John McCrae – famous for his poem “In Flanders Fields”

Thanks to Will Taylor who’s Uncle Charlie was a Scout with the 87th Battalion from Montreal. Continue reading →

Posted in Medical Services | Comments Off on Unsung heroes of the Medical Services from Montreal

Anti-Aircraft Searchlight Company 1919

Posted on January 7, 2018 by info

From David Fuller – our intrepid Maple Leaf Editor

I have been researching my grandfather’s Anti-Aircraft Searchlight unit of the Canadian Engineers. Here is a photo taken in January 1919, probably in Bonn, but possibly Liege or Le Havre. Unfortunately, Cpl Bert Fuller is not among them, probably because his promotion to full Corporal didn’t come through until after this photo was taken. Continue reading →

Posted in My WW1 Relative | Comments Off on Anti-Aircraft Searchlight Company 1919

Can you help ID this man’s unit?

Posted on September 27, 2017 by David Fuller

I have recently been asked to identify the unit that this Canadian sergeant served with and I am wondering if any of our visitors can help. Continue reading →

Posted in Commonwealth Military, My WW1 Relative, Toronto | 1 Comment

Maps of the Western Front – what can you discover ?

Posted on September 7, 2017 by info

In several previous posts on mapping we have mentioned the use of Ozie Explorer. You can see all map posts here. You have a vast collection of maps at your disposal – if you can just access them. Continue reading →

Posted in Mapping, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Maps of the Western Front – what can you discover ?

Private John Joseph Belfontaine Regimental Number 111030

Posted on March 2, 2017 by info

by Chris Belfontaine

John (Jack) Belfontaine enlisted in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force in Halifax, Nova Scotia on his 17th birthday, June 21st 1915. According to family folklore the recruitment officer, in lieu of a birth certificate, had my Grandfather swear on a bible that he was 19 years of age and suitable for active service. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Private John Joseph Belfontaine Regimental Number 111030

Captain Alec Jack, 54th Battalion CEF, 1967 interviews on Vimy Ridge

Posted on January 22, 2017 by info

Transcribed by Sandy Wightman – grandson of Alec W Jack

Mr. Chapel’s two tape recorded undated Interview with Alec Jack – from the CBC Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Captain Alec Jack, 54th Battalion CEF, 1967 interviews on Vimy Ridge

Soldier’s identity discovered through research for The Maple Leaf

Posted on January 6, 2017 by David Fuller

Before and after photo of L/Cpl James Smart, 25th Bn Nova Scotia Rifles, winner of the light heavyweight wrestling championship at the Canadian Corps Championships, July 1, 1918.  Canada. Dept. of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada/PA-003505

When COBWFA member Rod Henderson turned in a story about the Canadian Corps Championships of 1918 for an upcoming edition of branch magazine The Maple Leaf, one of the photographs available to illustrate it was of an unnamed corporal of the 25th Battalion, Nova Scotia Rifles, who was described as the winner of the light heavyweight boxing title. As managing editor, I smelled a challenge and set about trying to identify the man whose striking photo I was marveling at for its sharpness and detail – along with his arresting gaze. There had to be a way to track him down. Continue reading →

Posted in Canadians in France, Government Archives | Comments Off on Soldier’s identity discovered through research for The Maple Leaf

Rudyard Kipling and the Great War – with a Canadian Flavour

Posted on October 10, 2016 by info

THE NEW ARMY IN TRAINING

BY RUDYARD KIPLING 
IV
CANADIANS IN CAMP
Before you hit the buffalo, find out where the rest of the herd is. – Proverb. Continue reading →

Posted in UK Camps used by Canadians, UK Training Sites | Comments Off on Rudyard Kipling and the Great War – with a Canadian Flavour

Building the Leadership of the CEF

Posted on October 1, 2016 by info

Canadian Army Journal article about how the battalion leadership was found and formed into a deadly fighting force. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Building the Leadership of the CEF