Canada's Great War

A Member of Parliament, Lt. Col. Samuel Sharpe raised a battalion in his hometown and went overseas. He fought in some of the biggest battles of the war including Passchendaele, Hill 70 and Vimy Ridge. He returned home dealing with severe PTSD and ended his life in Montreal. He was mostly forgotten for a century until the 21st century when he was finally honoured for his sacrifice. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Want to send me something? Craig Baird PO Box 2384 Stony Plain PO Main, Alberta T7Z1X8 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fought by Newfoundland troops, it was a muddy mess but it resulted in a victory for the Allies, but at the cost of many lives. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Want to send me something? Craig Baird PO Box 2384 Stony Plain PO Main, Alberta T7Z1X8 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With casualty numbers mounting and recruit numbers declining, the government of Sir Robert Borden began to implement conscription. To do so, his government weighted the 1917 election in their favour, and nearly broke Canada into two over the Conscription Issue. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Want to send me something? Craig Baird PO Box 2384 Stony Plain PO Main, Alberta T7Z1X8 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It was one of the most important battle victories for the Canadians during the First World War, but it is often lost in the shadow of Vimy Ridge. The battle saw thousands of casualties, but was the first time the Canadian Corps were led by a Canadian general. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Want to send me something? Craig Baird PO Box 2384 Stony Plain PO Main, Alberta T7Z1X8 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

He rose from the lowest ranks of the militia to become one of the most famous, and greatest, Canadian general in history. While some called him a butcher, others called him a hero. This is the story of Sir Arthur Currie. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Want to send me something? Craig Baird PO Box 2384 Stony Plain PO Main, Alberta T7Z1X8 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

About one-third of all Indigenous men aged 18 to 45 enlisted, or tried to enlist, in the Canadian Expeditionary Force to fight in the First World War. They fought bravely and became known throughout the front lines for their kills with rifles. Despite this, when they returned home they had their land taken away and given to other soldiers, and they were denied many of the benefits white soldiers received. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Want to send me something? Craig Baird PO Box 2384 Stony Plain PO Main, Alberta T7Z1X8 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This battle is not remembered well today due to its close proximity in time to the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Nonetheless, Canada still suffered over 1,200 deaths but achieved their objective and held the village of Arleux. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Want to send me something? Craig Baird PO Box 2384 Stony Plain PO Main, Alberta T7Z1X8 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are back for season 3! Kicking everything off is the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Rather than rehash the battle itself, which has been done a thousand times, I am looking at the lives of 20 Vimy Ridge soldiers. I will explore their lives before, during and after the momentous battle. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Want to send me something? Craig Baird PO Box 2384 Stony Plain PO Main, Alberta T7Z1X8 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I've launched a new podcast called Canada: A Yearly Journey, which will look at every year in Canada's history, beginning with 1867.The first episode dropped last week, with 1868 coming Thursday.Episodes release every Thursday. Find it on all your podcast platforms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the season finale of season 2, I am relating letters sent by Canadian soldiers back home, which were printed in newspapers in 1915 and 1916. Season 3 will debut after season 3 of Pucks and Cups finishes. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This battle, part of the larger Battle of the Somme, would see thousands of Canadian casualties as the troops attempted to take the important Regina Trench. It would also result in an amazing story of a Canadian soldier, the Victoria Cross and the 90 year search for his bagpipes. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clandestine deals in international waters for submarines, ships that couldn't go into coastal waters, and millionaire yachts are all part of the story of the Royal Canadian Navy in the First World War. While the Royal Canadian Navy had a small impact on the First World War, it would go on to have a massive impact on the Second World War and beyond. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Back from hiatus due to life events, I'm looking at the Soldiers of the Soil program. With farms in desperate need of workers, and crops needed for the war effort, the Soldiers of the Soil program was created. Over 22,000 teenage boys would sign up. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This battle, fought in September 1916, would decimate several battalions as the Canadians fought to take a critical ridge with the British. As with many other battles for Canada, it came at a great cost. Thank you to Diane for sponsoring this episode with her donation. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From 1914-1920, 8,579 Canadians, deemed "enemy aliens" were kept in internment camps where they worked hard labour. Harsh conditions, escapes and suicides were common. It would take almost 100 years for recognition of the intrenment to happen in Canada. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Canada had some of the greatest pilots of the First World War. They took to the skies and became icons, heroes and celebrities. These Flying Aces, or Knights of the Sky, have names still remembered today, including Billy Bishop and Wop May. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are back for Season 2! Fought for three days in September, Canada would have its first major battle during The Battle of the Somme. The battle would see heavy casualties, the first use of tanks and the creeping barrage. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the space of 30 minutes on July 1, 1916, the Royal Newfoundland Regiment would go over the top of the trench & suffer 85 per cent casualties. Of the 721 who went over on July 1, 68 answered roll call the next day. It remains today, a defining moment in Newfoundland's history. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, I am looking at the Battle of Mont Sorrel, fought between June 1 and June 15, 1916. After losing a large stretch of land on June 1 & 2, 1916, the Canadians would reclaim the land over the next two weeks. While they got the land back, it came at the cost of over 8,000 killed, wounded or missing Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I have been awarded a grant from the government to spend August travelling around Alberta visiting rural historical sites. I will be making podcast episodes and YouTube videos about the sites. As a result, with being on the road all month, I can't make new episodes of the show. So, instead I am going to release best of episodes of Canadian History Ehx. New episodes will be back at the end of August! Support: www.patreon.com/canadaehx Donate: www.canadaehx.com E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/craigbaird Instagram: @Bairdo37 YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices