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When we first think of war service,
we often think about the horrifying and dangerous role of the soldier. Over 600,000 Canadians from
all walks of life enlisted for military service. There are as many different stories to discover
in the collections of the National Archives of Canada as there are different people who joined
the Canadian forces. Many Canadians of British heritage jumped at the chance to serve God, King
and Empire. Despite official fears over the acceptance of soldiers with non-Western European
origins in the Canadian military, men with East Indian, African and South American backgrounds
also served. As well, the proud role that volunteer
Native Canadian warriors played in
the First World War enlisting with the contingents bound for overseas should not be overlooked.
Their stories, and countless others, are waiting for you to find them!
As is seen by the valuable contributions of Canadian women, fighting
was not the only way that Canadians could serve. For a society unfamiliar with the destruction of
war, the First World War appeared to promise adventure for
Canada's youth. Some did join
the Canadian forces, while many others contributed at home in the farms and factories, or
participated in programs run by the YMCA or by the Boys Scouts of Canada.
Canada was an ideal nation for wartime production
and training. Separated by an ocean from the battle fields of Europe, wartime goods -- from shells to
blankets -- could be manufactured in relative safety. Men from all over the world also came to Canada
to train in the various arts of war. Perhaps one of the most interesting programs that was offered
in Canada was that of air warfare. In the Imperial Air
Training Schools young men learned
the new science airplane aviation which, for a select few, elevated the European conflict out of
the trenches and into the sky.
The crisis over mandatory military service,
or conscription, that Canada underwent shows that not all Canadians
were in favour of the War. Those who did not want to fight
were commonly seen as being lazy,
or unpatriotic. Some Canadian citizens were even imprisoned because the taking of life was against
their personal, or religious beliefs. It need not be said that the Canadian soldiers who fought in
the First World War showed incredible courage in the face of extreme horror. However, much courage
would have been needed, as well, to stand up for your beliefs knowing that their unpopularity
led to ridicule, abuse and possible imprisonment.
As you can see, Canadians served in many
different ways. Now it is your turn to see more on any of the above topics, or to research your own
story.
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