THE CANADIANS AT YPRES, APRIL 22nd – 26th, 1915
For King & Empire, Vol. 1 (Revised Edition 2005)

In this volume the story of the first Canadians to fight in the Great War is told, starting from mobilization to the grim battlefields of Flanders. On Thursday, April 22nd, 1915 the Canadians would fight their first great battle against the Germans, and would face their secret weapon, poison gas. By the end of the weekend 2,000 Canadians would be dead and 4,000 wounded. It was a bloody introduction to the new war. None-the-less the Canadians performed courageously, and fought as no one thought they could. It was a “great day for Canada, Boys.” This volume includes an historical Overview of the Battle; a Battlefield Tour of 7 Points; a list of 18 Cemeteries and memorials where the Canadians killed in Battle are commemorated or buried. Asides in the book include; Technological Slaughter, and a detailed story of the writing of ‘In Flanders Fields’. Profusely illustrated with maps, photos and drawings, and includes a fold-out Tour map at the back of the book.

This volume was included in the TV series, For King & Empire, Eps 1. The DVD covers the battle like the book, and is literally a walking tour.

by Norm Christie