4 November (1918)…

| November 4, 2021

Sergeant Alfred Norris M.M. and Bar 438822 1st Battalion Canadian Machine Gun Corps For Bravery in the Field…a twice decorated soldier who was awarded the Military Medal and a bar, representing a second award of this honour. Alfred Norris received recognition for his coolness and courage at Fresnoy, France and again for conspicuous gallantry at Passchendaele […]

Willing Hands

| April 24, 2020

All the Following Days The tale of two soldiers…both runners (messengers) with the 72nd Canadian Infantry Battalion (Seaforth Highlanders of Canada). Some days prior to the famed attack, whilst in the line near Vimy Ridge, Privates Alexander Broadfoot (130245) and James Mucklow (160827) stood near. Private Mucklow was on duty this day, 1 April 1917, […]

Song Above Machine Guns

| April 10, 2020

The Soldier 410457 George Gabriel Boland What’s he going to do this soldier – 410457? He was born in Wrexham, North Wales…served briefly in the U.S. Army…once was a sailor…with a Goddess of Liberty tattoo inked on his left arm. He stood 5’ 3.5”. At the time of his enlistment, in March 1915, George Gabriel […]

Here the Pipes Will Lay Beside Me

| June 10, 2018

Someday Here We Will Meet Again …a while ago I have stood here many times, brought others to you and wondered who you are…and yet for all the time that has passed – today you have spoken. Who are you Piper John MacLeod? …this day I have walked this place of memory since the late […]

Gallantry and the Third Battle of Ypres

| October 21, 2017

The 16th Battalion C.E.F. (The Canadian Scottish) at Passchendaele Ridge In mid-October 1917 the Canadian Expeditionary Force was ordered to move towards Passchendaele Ridge, Belgium in relief of troops from Australia and New Zealand. The first attack, by Canadians at Passchendaele, occurred 26 October 1917. By mid-November when the Ridge was captured by the C.E.F. they […]