Station 1: Image gallery – Canadians

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Mud-splattered Canadian soldiers returning from front line duty during the Battle of the Somme, November 1916.

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One of the roads to Bapaume. Battle of the Somme.

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Burial ground of many soldiers who died in the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

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Troops leaving trenches during the Battle of the Somme.

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Horse ambulance picking up wounded at advanced Dressing Station, close up behind front during the great battle. September 15, 1916.

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”No Man’s Land” in front of Canadian lines. Courcelette, France.

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A scene on the battlefield near Courcelette. October, 1916.

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Dug out on the Somme. Artist: Hamilton, Mary Riter, 1873-1954.

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Bombardment of Courcelette. September 1916.

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Battle of the Somme, pack horses transporting ammunition to the 20^th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery.

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Free Canadian coffee stall on the Somme. March, 1917.

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Canadian Artillery in Action
A Canadian 6-inch howitzer supports British troops in the attack on Thiepval on July 16, 1916, during the Somme offensive. The artist captures the exhaustion of the gunners, who appear to have been firing for hours. Prolonged exposure to the noise and shock artillery fire would rupture ear drums and ruin hearing. Most gunners suffered at least partial deafness as a result of their war service.

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Battle of Courcelette
Like the observer in the tree in the right foreground, painter Louis Weirter witnessed this Somme battle as a soldier. His painting depicts the chaos and complexity of fighting on the Western Front, and the use of combined arms tactics. The capture of the ruined town of Courcelette, France on September 15, 1916, was a significant Canadian victory. It was also the first time tanks (left foreground) were used in battle.

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Capture of the Sugar Factory
Canadian soldiers take cover behind a boiler as they storm the German stronghold at the sugar factory at Courcelette on September 15, 1916. Notice the close-quarters fighting, including the use of rifles, bayonets, and hand grenades. The Capture of the Sugar Refinery at Courcelette by the Canadians on September 15, 1916.

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Courcelette Memorial.

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Courcelette Canadian Memorial
On the granite block of the Courcelette Canadian Memorial is recorded the simple inscription:
THE CANADIAN CORPS BORE A VALIANT PART IN FORCING BACK THE GERMANS ON THESE SLOPES DURING THE BATTLES OF THE SOMME SEPT. 3RD - NOV. 18TH 1916