A machine gun emplacement on the crest of Vimy Ridge and the men who drove
the Huns from it.  April, 1917.  Photograph taken during the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
Public Archives of Canada

World War I - 1914-1918

In 1986, there were only very few of First World War veterans still living, out of a total of 178 who served. Most soldiers of this area enlisted in the Army, with 2% enrolling in the Navy and 10.3% in the American forces. The great majority enlisted in the 105 Bn. of the CEF "which was organized as a Highland regiment in December, 1915 and was up to strength (1250 officers and men) by March 1916". (The Acadians of P.E.I. by J.-Henri Blanchard). A few enlisted and served in the Acadian Regiment which was formed in 1916 and trained at Valcartier, Quebec. A good percentage (17.2%) enlisted in the Veterans Guard of Canada formed in 1940 through the Canadian Legion in an effort to provide Canada's First War veterans an opportunity to serve their country once more. As related in the book: "Story of Canadian Legion" by Clifford Bowring - 1960 - the Veteran Home Guard placed the country in a much greater state of preparedness against the possibility of sabotage. Recruits had to be 50 years or under and physically fit. The government established a Reserve Corps of Veterans in addition to Active Guard Corps to be comprised of Coy's attached to Regiments of the Non-Permanent Active Militia and subject to mobilization for service whenever necessary.

World War I statistics indicate that 650,000 Canadians enlisted (1/10 of the Canadian population of the time) and that 66,661 gave their lives, a little over 10%.

A survey of World War I servicemen from the Wellington Legion area reveal that 17.8% were killed in battle and that 11.5% were wounded.

Veterans of World War I we salute you!