Life for a Returning Veteran
630,000 Canadian men and women served in The Great War, 425,000 of which went overseas. 60,661 of them never came back.
Canada contributed many invaluable men to battles in World War One, some battle campaigns are as follows:
Sam Hughes, Minister of Militia at the time, lead the effort to create a training base in Valcartier, near Quebec City. It was from this base that tens of thousands of Canadian volunteers received their training in preparation for the upcoming war. The British wanted the Canadians to be spread out through their army but Sam Hughes, strictly opposed the idea. So, four divisions of pure Canadian soldiers were created instead. Sam Hughes resigned from service after his choices lead to him being incompetent. One of these choices was his unwavering support for the Canadian-made Ross rifle, despite the soldiers' complaints that it was too heavy, too long and worst of all, constantly jamming. The Canadian forces contributed a great deal to the war. Even when things seemed impossible they stood loyal to their allies and made them possible. An example of their courage is during the Second Battle of Ypres. The Germans had introduced their poison gas to the battlefield and the Canadians were without masks. Despite having to deal with these circumstances, the Canadian troops prevented a German breakthrough. It was a defeat for Germany in the war and Canadians were no longer considered inferior to the British. All four divisions of pure Canadian forces united in the Battle of Vimy Ridge. It was a target that had eluded previous attacks from both the British and the French. Canada took the ridge in five days. Canada had a significant impact on the Great War and was a major assist for the Triple Entente (Great Britain, France and Russia). |
Despite it's many successes at war, Canada's soldiers returned disembodied and mentally stressed. They came home to everything they'd known having changed during the war. Jobs were now scarce as factories that had benefited from the war were closing down. Canada's economy was suffering and it struggled to handle the returning veterans and promises made before the war. Canada developed benefits schemes for the veterans but not all of them were eligible. Some had trouble convincing pension adjudicators that their conditions were related to war. This lead to many veterans being refused their pension. They made so many sacrifices for their country and this was their reward. The veterans pushed back against the government with labor actions, like partaking in the Winnipeg General Strike. Thousands of them came together in organizations. One of their refused demands was a two thousand dollar compensation for their income loss during the war. Veterans did however receive $100 to purchase clothing. They also received $7.50 per thirty days of service, with an additional 25 cents for every day overseas. Spouses of people killed in service received 75% of what a disabled veteran would have received and children of those that were killed received financial support to pursue a higher education. There were many acts/programs in place to help veterans readjust financially such as the Veterans' Land Act, which allowed veterans to buy land for their farm or business, the Veterans Rehabilitation Act, which financially aided veterans in going to university, the Veterans' Business and Professional Loans Act, which is pretty self explanatory and the War Veterans Allowance Program which gave $13 per week to married veterans and $9 per week to unmarried veterans. This program was for those that were having difficulties finding jobs. |
Canada's last WW1 veteran died in 2003 at the age of 109. Check out the link below for more information.
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Bibliography
Morton, Desmond. "First World War (WWI)." The Canadian Encyclopedia. http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/first-world-war-wwi/ (accessed July 6, 2014).
"WarMuseum.ca - History of the First World War - After the War." WarMuseum.ca - History of the First World War - After the War. http://www.warmuseum.ca/cwm/exhibitions/guerre/reintegration-e.aspx (accessed July 8, 2014).
"Back To Civvy Street: Post-War Veteran Re-Establishment - Historical Sheet - Second World War - History - Veterans Affairs Canada." Veterans Affairs Canada. http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/second-world-war/historical-sheets/civvy (accessed July 8, 2014).
News, CBC. "Canada's last WW I veteran dies." CBCnews. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/canada-s-last-ww-i-veteran-dies-1.909280 (accessed July 9, 2014).
Morton, Desmond. "First World War (WWI)." The Canadian Encyclopedia. http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/first-world-war-wwi/ (accessed July 6, 2014).
"WarMuseum.ca - History of the First World War - After the War." WarMuseum.ca - History of the First World War - After the War. http://www.warmuseum.ca/cwm/exhibitions/guerre/reintegration-e.aspx (accessed July 8, 2014).
"Back To Civvy Street: Post-War Veteran Re-Establishment - Historical Sheet - Second World War - History - Veterans Affairs Canada." Veterans Affairs Canada. http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/second-world-war/historical-sheets/civvy (accessed July 8, 2014).
News, CBC. "Canada's last WW I veteran dies." CBCnews. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/canada-s-last-ww-i-veteran-dies-1.909280 (accessed July 9, 2014).