Atlantic Canada and the Battle for Vimy Ridge
April 9, 2017 marks the 100th anniversary of the Canadian battle to capture Vimy Ridge.
Thousands of Atlantic Canadians participated in the attack on Vimy Ridge and the wider battle for Arras between April 9-14, 1917. The Atlantic provinces were represented by the following units of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) and the British Expeditionary Force (BEF):
- The Fighting New Brunswick 26th Battalion
- The Nova Scotia Rifles, 25th Battalion
- The Nova Scotia Highlanders, 85th Battalion
- 2nd and 8th Siege Batteries, Prince Edward Island
- 4th and 6th Siege Batteries, New Brunswick
- 9th Siege Battery (Nova Scotia)
- The Newfoundland Regiment
In addition to the Atlantic Canadian units, thousands of men from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland served with infantry, air, artillery, engineer and various support units in the Canadian Expeditionary Force between 1915-1918.
The Diverse Atlantic Canadian Contribution
The story of Atlantic Canada’s contribution to the First World War would not be complete without a mention of the voices and peoples often left out.
Little research has been done on individual African Canadians who served in a variety of Canadian units. The best-known concentration of serving African Canadians is No. 2 Construction Battalion formed at Pictou, Nova Scotia.
Acadians also signed up in support of the war effort. In New Brunswick, the 165th (Acadian battalion) was formed in Moncton, NB. Once overseas, it was broken up to reinforce other battalions, like many other battalions raised after the initial contingents. Other Acadians were transferred to the Canadian Forestry Corps.
Many Aboriginal Canadians also served with the Canadian forces. Close to 4,000 members of the Canadian Expeditionary Force were of Aboriginal descent.
Meet some of the Atlantic Canadians who lost their lives during the Battle for Vimy Ridge in April 1917.
