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Voices of Vimy
501 Plays1 year ago
The victory at Vimy Ridge, France, remains Canada’s most storied attack of the First World War. Beginning on April 9, 1917, all four Canadian divisions advanced side-by-side for the first time in a single attack. But the victory came at a cost: During four days of fighting, Canada suffered more than ten thousand casualties. Today, war letters offer a window on that long-ago time. Here, in their own words, are the stories of the soldiers who fought, and the loved ones back home who cherished them.
Music credits:
- Stories Behind the History theme music: "The Red River Jig" performed by Alex Kusturok, licensed from the artist.
- Opening Theme: “The Planets, Op. 32; Jupiter,” by Gustav Holst, 1914–1916
- William Bell: “Keep the Home Fires Burning,” by Ivor Novello, lyrics by Lena Guilbert Ford, 1914
- B.R. Empey: “Symphony No. 3; A Pastoral Symphony,” by Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1922
- Maurice Bracewell: “The Planets, Op. 32; Saturn,” by Gustav Holst, 1914–1916
- George Broome / Violet Moyer: “Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95; From the New World,” by Antonín Dvořák, 1893
- Sydney Winterbottom: “Good Luck to the Boys of the Allies,” by Morris Manley, 1915
- Sydney Winterbottom: “Scotland the Brave” – Traditional, Early twentieth century
- Frank J. Whiting: “Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36; Var. IX – Nimrod,” by Edward Elgar, 1898–1899
- Frank J. Whiting: “The Last Post” – Military, seventeenth century
- End Credits: “The Lark Ascending,” by Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1914 (Revised 1920)
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction to Vimy Ridge Special
00:00:05
Speaker
Welcome to Stories Behind the History. I'm Kate Chaimit, Senior Editor of Canada's History Magazine. In this podcast, I speak with leading historians and witnesses to history to discover the people and events that shaped our nation. In this special episode, my colleagues at Canada's History Society bring you the voices of some of the 100,000 Canadian soldiers who served in the First World War's Battle of Vimy Ridge. Here is Voices of Vimy.
Significance of Vimy Ridge
00:00:40
Speaker
The victory at Vimy Ridge in France 100 years ago remains Canada's most storied attack of the First World War. Beginning on April 9, 1917, all four Canadian divisions advanced side by side for the first time in a single attack.
00:00:57
Speaker
but the victory came at a cost. During four days of fighting, Canada suffered more than 10,000 casualties. While the success at Vimy filled most Canadians with national pride, it left many families to mourn the loss of their loved ones. The memory of the battle and the impact it had on the country continued to resonate.
00:01:17
Speaker
Today, war letters offer a window on that long ago time. Here, in their own words, are the stories of the soldiers who fought and the loved ones back home who cherished them.
William Bell's Last Letter
00:01:35
Speaker
On April 7th, 1917, William Bell of Innisfree, Alberta wrote his mother to reassure her he was doing fine.
00:01:45
Speaker
He described the intense shelling that was pummeling the German lines at Vimy Ridge, prior to the actual battle. Dear Mother, Well, I guess it's about time I wrote you a few lines to let you know I'm still alive and kicking. We are out of the trenches training to go over the top, but we'll be doing the real thing in a couple of days. But I don't think we'll have much fighting, because the Germans are coming over and giving themselves up. They say our shell fire is hellish. They can't get anything to eat, and their troops can't get up to relieve them.
00:02:15
Speaker
But Fritz ain't sitting back and taking it all. He has our trenches, and the mud is up to a fella's waist. It is sure some mess. It is getting a little better now here. The sun has been shining a couple times this last week. The sun is a kind of stranger here. That's about all I can say just now. Bill.
00:02:36
Speaker
Sadly, by the time the letter reached home, Bill was already dead, killed on April 10th, the second day of fighting at Vimy Ridge. A telegram from the Great Northwestern Telegraph Company broke the terrible news. Deeply regret to inform you, Private William Henry Bell, infantry, previously reported wounded, now officially reported killed in action.
00:03:09
Speaker
On May 13th, a Mrs. B. R. Ampey wrote a letter to Bill's mother expressing her condolences.
Condolences from Mrs. Empey
00:03:18
Speaker
Dear friend, Mrs. Bell, I would like to send a line or two of sympathy to you for the loss of your boy.
00:03:25
Speaker
It's hard to find words to help heal a broken heart, and I'm sure your heart feels like that at this time. It seems so hard to think he had to meet death in that way. But so many mothers have lost more than one boy in this way. When we stop to think of it, it does seem so cruel to have the best of manhood taken from our country. They are brave lads to try to save our country by giving their life to save it.
00:03:51
Speaker
May these few lines be the language of your heart and mine. Goodbye from your true friend, Mrs. B.R. Empey.
Failed Gas Attack Recap
00:04:07
Speaker
Maurice Bracewell of Vancouver was a stretcher-bearer at Vimy Ridge. In his memoir, he described a gas attack, meant to wear down the German defenses, that went horribly wrong in weeks prior to the Vimy offensive.
00:04:22
Speaker
It was known as the March 1st gas raid. When the time planned for the raid arrived, wind conditions were unfavorable, so it was postponed. At the end of the time, the weather was still unfavorable, so a further delay of two days was made. When the third time set arrived, the weather was terrible. The wind was blowing very strongly, rating to our own lines. The army brass ruled, however, that the attack must go as planned, irrespective of what happened. The German staff knew all about the impending attack and were sitting waiting for it.
00:04:51
Speaker
The gas was turned on prior to the start of the artillery barrage, and the men stood in it, in their gas masks. Most of them were cut down as soon as they started out. Needless to say, our men were wiped out. What had happened was tragic indeed. We worked night and day on burial parties and even traded dead with the German burial parties too. Such as war.
Broome's Tragic Fate
00:05:17
Speaker
Thousands of soldiers were wounded at Vimy Ridge. On the first day of fighting, George Broome of Melford, Saskatchewan was shot in the spine. He survived and was sent to a hospital in England. On April 21st, Broome's father sent a letter to a woman named Millie, updating her on George's condition. My dear Mill, I expect you have heard by this time that poor Georgie was wounded at Vimy Ridge on Easter Monday, April the 9th.
00:05:46
Speaker
I'm sorry to say it is rather a serious case. At present the bullet is still in his spine but they hope to operate on Monday. One comfort I can give you is that everything that can be done for him is being done. He looks very well indeed and is so bright and cheerful. It is such hard luck for him, only 20. We are all very, very sorry indeed, dear Mill.
00:06:11
Speaker
Life in England is not very bright nowadays. All over the place you see wounded soldiers and the price of things is terrible. We have to go. The medical team managed to remove the bullet, but Broome was left paralyzed. Sadly, he died seven months later. A telegram to his family explained that his death occurred after he fell dangerously ill and was re-hospitalized.
Violet's Unaware Grief
00:06:37
Speaker
Like all soldiers, Jay Moyer of Toronto loved getting care packages from home. On April 13th, 1917, Moyer's sister Violet wrote Jay to express her happiness over receiving a letter from him earlier in March. Dear Jay, my word, but it is good to get your letters. I have been home for the holidays, supposed to be studying for my exams, which begin on Monday, but it seems to me I have put in most of my time waiting for the postman.
00:07:06
Speaker
I am awfully glad you got the box with the pies, and you can look for another soon after this letter. We were awfully glad for the picture last week. We picked you out alright, and if the likeness doesn't flatter you, at least you don't look starving. Much to Mother's relief. I suppose it's your Quaker Oats and such that keep you nice and fat. Mother and Arthur went to the country yesterday, and are staying till Monday. Mother did not want to go, as she was worrying about you since the fighting on Vimy Ridge.
00:07:37
Speaker
I wonder if you have been in the big doings. Oh, I have thousands of questions I could ask you if only I had the chance. I'll write again the day my exams finish. I hope you get this and don't get too gay in this spring advance. Remember the mince pies coming. Love, Violet. Little did Violet know that as she was writing her letter, her brother was already dead, killed on the first day of fighting at Vimy Ridge.
Winterbottom's Story
00:08:14
Speaker
Sydney Winterbottom of Kamloops, British Columbia, fought at Vimy Ridge, and on April 23, sent a letter to his parents describing the attack. Dearest Mom and Dad, well, I suppose you have guessed by now, I went over the top on the first day of the big push. Our battalion were very lucky as regards the casualties, only 16 killed. Of course, there were quite a few others wounded.
00:08:42
Speaker
Well, I will try to describe this push. On the evening of the 8th of April, we moved into the jumping off trenches, and everyone was cheerful as a picnic, although it was pretty cold and raw waiting. Pretty soon, our artillery opened up the barrage. The Holy Moses, it was a wonderful sight. Thousands of guns of every size were roaring at once. The air hit you in the face as if someone was thumping with a towel.
00:09:10
Speaker
Four tanks suddenly crawled up out of somewhere and started off in Heine's direction. They looked rather funny. These tanks, however, were not able to keep up very much for the indescribable mud. Around five in the morning, the First Division of Canadians went over the top. We went over around eight o'clock. You should have seen how Fritz's trenches were smashed up by our gunfire. Have you ever seen the old ocean torn about with a gale? Well, that is just what the trenches look like.
00:09:37
Speaker
We kept going, always behind our barrage of shrapnel. All we had to do was follow up the barrage. It did the work. Our gun section went over the whole course without a single casualty. A whizbang almost got me. I felt all through it that I was Jake, because I knew you all at home and the relatives that prayed for my safety. Therefore I knew I was finding Dandy.
00:09:59
Speaker
If I return home, don't expect to see the lad who left you, as I have changed. A little older looking, I guess. I also enjoy a good cigar and a drink of beer once in a while, but otherwise I'm the same. Oh yes, I chew tobacco when in the line. You have to do something when you can't smoke or you would go bug house. I hope to be back home towards September to have that deer hunt. Therefore, Dad, don't go and die before I return for the love of Peter. I'll never forgive you. With fondest love, lovingly, Sid.
00:10:30
Speaker
Winterbottom never got to have that deer hunt. He died on November 6th, 1917 at the age of 22. His death was front page news back in Kamloops. The local paper mentioned that Sydney's death was a shock to the entire community and a sad blow to the family.
Whitting's Letter of Comfort
00:10:55
Speaker
Today, it's hard to fathom how the soldiers of the Great War managed to cope and survive under such horrific conditions. In the end, it was because they were fighting for each other, their trenchmates, for the men to their left and their right as they all went over the top together.
00:11:17
Speaker
On May 8th, 1917, Frank Whitting spoke of these bonds of friendship in a letter of condolence sent to the mother of his friend, Charles Richardson of Grenfell, Saskatchewan. Dear Madam, no doubt the authorities will have notified you long ere this of the death of your son. I would have written sooner, but it was not until this morning that I could get the few details I wanted.
00:11:43
Speaker
Dick, as we called him at college and in the regiment, was with his company when they made their heroic charge on Vimy Ridge on April 9th. They took the first three lines of trenches, and had got as far as the fully wood on the crest of the ridge when a German shell landed, killing two outright, and mortally wounding Dick. Though badly hit, he walked part way to the dressing station, but was unable to complete the journey, and had to be carried on a stretcher.
00:12:09
Speaker
He seemed in great pain for a time, though he said little and only asked for a doctor. Half an hour or so later, the pain went away, and he seemed to fall asleep. This gently passed into unconsciousness, in which state he died. That night he was buried in the wood, and a white cross with his name and regiment marks the spot.
00:12:32
Speaker
To me, Dick was something more than my senior at college, or comrade in arms. I'm a better man through having known him, and many others can say the same. He was pure gold right through. In writing these few feeble lines, I've tried to convey to you the place your son held in the hearts of all who knew him. You, his mother, will appreciate him best, I know, and grieve the most. But there are many of us who claim the honor to share that feeling.
00:13:01
Speaker
If it should be that I am spared to return to Canada, I should deem it a high privilege to meet and grasp the hand of the mother of Dick, Prince of Men. Believe me, I remain yours in deepest sympathy. Frank J. Whitting.
Closing and Call to Action
00:13:21
Speaker
Voices of Vimy was produced by Canada's History Society. Concept, research and script by Mark Colin Reed. Audio production by Andrew Workman. Narrator, Jessica Knapp. Voice acting by James Gillespie, Mike Helm, Tanya Hutter, Alison Nudge, Nell Osterham, Joel Ralph, Mark Colin Reed and Andrew Workman. For music credits, please see our show notes.
00:13:48
Speaker
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the podcast or leave a review as it helps others to find us. I'm Kate Jamit. Thanks for joining me.