Youth Remember the 100^th Anniversary of Canada’s Hundred Days
Remembrance Dog Tags

Aim

To increase youth awareness of the Canadians who served during the last 3 months of the First World War, a period known as the Last Hundred Days or as Canada’s Hundred Days, and remember those who died.

Objectives

Through this activity, youth will:

• have a better understanding of the contributions made by Canadians who served in the military during the First World War, especially during the last 3 months of the war, from August to November 1918;
• learn more about military “dog tags”; and
• develop an awareness of the importance of remembering the sacrifices and achievements of the Canadian men and women who have died in military service over the years.

Target Audience

This activity is suitable for ages 12 to 18.

Activity sequence and expected duration [approximately 75 minutes]

(The activity can be modified to fit the amount of time available.)

• Introductory discussion [15 minutes]
• Research and preparation [15 minutes]
• Presentations [30 minutes]
• Wrap-up discussion [15 minutes]
• Possible extension activity [variable]

Materials

• Canada Remembers The Last Hundred Days historical sheet
• The Last Hundred Days web feature
• Remembrance dog tags for Canadians who have died during “Canada’s Hundred Days” (PDF)
• Computer with Internet access
• Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Introductory Discussion [15 minutes]

When the First World War started in August 1914, some people rushed to enlist because they feared the war would be over before Christmas and they wanted to be part of the adventure. After four years of bitter fighting, however, the war was still raging in the summer of 1918 and nobody could predict the outcome yet. The Allies, reinforced by the American troops who had begun to arrive on the Western Front in large numbers a few months before, were preparing what they hoped would be a major push to end the war. Canadians had earned a reputation of being elite troops with their battlefield successes in places like Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele and they were used to spearhead many attacks during the final three months of the war. It was a testament to the great respect that our soldiers had earned, but this meant major losses for the Canadian Corps.

Ask the students what they know about the First World War. Are they aware of the important role that Canadian soldiers played in the battles leading up to the end of the conflict?

To help youth better understand Canada’s role in the final months of the war, ask them to read The Last Hundred Days historical sheet. They can also browse The Last Hundred Days web feature as an introduction to this activity.

From August 8 to November 11, 1918, the Canadian Corps gained 130 kilometres and captured thousands of German prisoners. More than 100,000 Canadians saw action during this period and, sadly, almost 46,000 were killed or wounded. This learning activity highlights only 96 of our fallen, a small fraction of the some 6,800 soldiers from our country who lost their lives during Canada’s Hundred Days. Taking a few moments to think about these individuals is a way to remember all those who served.

What is a military dog tag?

Ask the students if they know what a military dog tag is. Have they ever seen one?

A dog tag is a piece of formal identification designed for military personnel. Soldiers must wear them when they are on duty. The term “dog tag” comes from its similarity to the tags used to identify dogs. Officially, it is called an “identity disc” or “ID tag.” The tag bears important information about the person wearing it, such as the person’s name, rank, service number, blood type and religion (so the appropriate clergy person can be called in case of injury or death).

Canadian troops have been wearing identification tags since the First World War. Canadian tags are now designed to be broken into two pieces in the event of the person’s death; one piece stays with the deceased and the other piece is sent to the Department of National Defence. 

Remembrance dog tags were developed to help youth to “put a face on remembrance.” Canada’s efforts over the years have cost the lives of so many Canadian men and women. Since Confederation in 1867, more than 118,000 people have died while serving in uniform.

Research and Preparation [15 minutes]

Using card-stock paper for added strength, print the dog tags of Canadians who have died during “Canada’s Hundred Days”. This document includes information on 96 men and women from all across the country who died in the final months of the First World War. The dog tags are ordered chronologically by date of death from August 8 to November 11, 1918, with one fallen Canadian representing each day.

• Cut out each dog tag. Laminate them if you would like to reuse them
• Punch two holes in each of the dog tags and insert a piece of string or a metal chain through the holes.
• Hand out the dog tags.
• Have students research the individuals using the Canadian Virtual War Memorial. Ask them to add the service number and age of the fallen directly on the dog tag. Students can also search how many other Canadians died in service on the same day as the individual on their dog tag.
• The students can search the Internet to find more personal information about the individual, such as the hometown, place of enlistment, the places served, cause of death and place oof burial, which they can include in their presentation.

What is the Canadian Virtual War Memorial?

The Canadian Virtual War Memorial is a registry of information about the graves and memorials of more than 118,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders who served valiantly and gave their lives for their country. It also has digital images of photographs and the personal memorabilia of Canadians. The purpose of this registry is to remember the men and women who served Canada in the defence of freedom and who, in so doing, contributed to the development of Canada as a nation.

For further research

For an individual who died during the First World War, you can suggest that the student use Library and Archives Canada’s Personnel Records of the First World War online database. Please note that the enlistment papers and military service records of the men and women who served in the First World War are not all available. The digitization of First World War service records is currently underway and new files will be added every two weeks.

Presentations [30 minutes]

Ask each student to present his or her individual who died in service.

Wrap-Up Class Discussion [15 minutes]

Lead a discussion on the dog tag activity by asking questions:

• Do the students have a better appreciation of the contributions made by Canadians who died in service?
• Are there other ways of using the dog tags to honour those who have served? (For example, wearing the dog tag during remembrance ceremonies.)
• Is it still relevant to take the time to remember Canadian men and women who died at war, whether it was one hundred years ago or more recently?

Possible extension activity [variable]

Students can modify this activity by researching a relative or someone from their community or region who served with the Canadian Armed Forces. If that person is a Veteran, and if the Veteran is available and interested, he or she could even be invited to come to the class and share his or her military experiences and the role they played/play in the military.

You may want to consult Veterans Affairs Canada’s The Last Hundred Days web feature for more information.