Tag Archives: World War I

“Ten long years for me to be without my boy”

In the past, I’ve posted some of my family’s ties to the First World War but today, in honour of the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, I thought I’d share a brief, new perspective, looking at the war and its impact as my great-great grandfather, James Proven, recorded in hisContinue reading ““Ten long years for me to be without my boy””

Remembrance Day, 1945

Remembrance Day – and our thoughts go back 27 years to 11 o’clock on the 11th November 1918. Those of us who are Veterans of two wars can never forget that day; even tough another bloody struggle has just ended, and “VE” Day and “VJ” Day have come and gone. Remembrance Day – and whatContinue reading “Remembrance Day, 1945”

“Veterans”

“Veterans” By Alan Horwood These men knew war: In youth and strength they went Forth into battle, when the world was rent By conflict, born of arrogance and hate; To force all nations to a vassal state. They bore the burden, blood, and sweat, and tears, Of strife, and toil, and sorrow, through the yearsContinue reading ““Veterans””

Ernest and Harry Proven, 100 Years Later

One hundred years ago today, on April 12, 1917, my great-great uncle Private Ernest Albert Proven, succumbed to wounds received during the assault on Vimy Ridge three days prior. His brother, Lance Corporal (later Sergeant) Harry Proven survived the attack but was killed a year-and-a-half later, on September 29, 1918. Today, I’m happy to announceContinue reading “Ernest and Harry Proven, 100 Years Later”

“Men of Vimy”

  “They were the men of the Canadian Veterans’ Guards. Old soldiers who had not faded away but who have returned to serve with their sons.” An appropriate video considering the 98th anniversary of Vimy Ridge on April 9. The Canadian Army Newsreels series was produced by the Canadian Army Film Unit during the warContinue reading ““Men of Vimy””

Mother’s Day – 1918

I haven’t been able to do any further research but apparently the YMCA produced stationery specifically for soldiers writing home for Mother’s Day. I can’t imagine the YMCA thought that this would be used by a Canadian Forestry Corps company to record some productions statistics but it looks like they used anything on hand. Anyways,Continue reading “Mother’s Day – 1918”

Pte. Ernest Albert Proven, 1895-1917

Today marks the 97th anniversary of the Canadian assault on Vimy Ridge. Among the thousands of Canadian soldiers who went “over-the-top” that fateful morning were two of my great-great uncles, Harry and Ernest Proven. While Harry survived the attack (read more about him here), his younger brother was not so lucky. On December 13, 1895,Continue reading “Pte. Ernest Albert Proven, 1895-1917”

Mapping the Canadian Forestry Corps in Keppernach (Scotland)

One of my more recent interests is the work of the Canadian Forestry Corps (CFC) during the First World War. The CFC was raised specifically to supply the Allied armies with a desperately-needed resource: timber. Whether it was to needed to support dugouts, hold barbed-wire, or aircraft frames, wood became one of the most basicContinue reading “Mapping the Canadian Forestry Corps in Keppernach (Scotland)”