A chronological deep dive into how the First World War changed Canada forever. This isn't just a look at battles, but what was going on at home, from the politicians leading the country to the people left behind at home, worrying about their loved ones overseas. It will follow the war and how it changed Canada, digging deep into a fascinating period of our history.
A Member of Parliament, Lt. Col. Samuel Sharpe raised a battalion in his hometown and went overseas. He fought in some of the biggest battles of the war including Passchendaele, Hill 70 and Vimy Ridge. He returned home dealing with severe PTSD and ended his life in Montreal. He was mostly forgotten for a century until the 21st century when he was finally honoured for his sacrifice. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Want to send me something? Craig Baird PO Box 2384 Stony Plain PO Main, Alberta T7Z1X8 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Fought by Newfoundland troops, it was a muddy mess but it resulted in a victory for the Allies, but at the cost of many lives. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Want to send me something? Craig Baird PO Box 2384 Stony Plain PO Main, Alberta T7Z1X8 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
With casualty numbers mounting and recruit numbers declining, the government of Sir Robert Borden began to implement conscription. To do so, his government weighted the 1917 election in their favour, and nearly broke Canada into two over the Conscription Issue. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Want to send me something? Craig Baird PO Box 2384 Stony Plain PO Main, Alberta T7Z1X8 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It was one of the most important battle victories for the Canadians during the First World War, but it is often lost in the shadow of Vimy Ridge. The battle saw thousands of casualties, but was the first time the Canadian Corps were led by a Canadian general. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Want to send me something? Craig Baird PO Box 2384 Stony Plain PO Main, Alberta T7Z1X8 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
He rose from the lowest ranks of the militia to become one of the most famous, and greatest, Canadian general in history. While some called him a butcher, others called him a hero. This is the story of Sir Arthur Currie. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Want to send me something? Craig Baird PO Box 2384 Stony Plain PO Main, Alberta T7Z1X8 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
About one-third of all Indigenous men aged 18 to 45 enlisted, or tried to enlist, in the Canadian Expeditionary Force to fight in the First World War. They fought bravely and became known throughout the front lines for their kills with rifles. Despite this, when they returned home they had their land taken away and given to other soldiers, and they were denied many of the benefits white soldiers received. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Want to send me something? Craig Baird PO Box 2384 Stony Plain PO Main, Alberta T7Z1X8 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This battle is not remembered well today due to its close proximity in time to the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Nonetheless, Canada still suffered over 1,200 deaths but achieved their objective and held the village of Arleux. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Want to send me something? Craig Baird PO Box 2384 Stony Plain PO Main, Alberta T7Z1X8 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We are back for season 3! Kicking everything off is the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Rather than rehash the battle itself, which has been done a thousand times, I am looking at the lives of 20 Vimy Ridge soldiers. I will explore their lives before, during and after the momentous battle. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Want to send me something? Craig Baird PO Box 2384 Stony Plain PO Main, Alberta T7Z1X8 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
I've launched a new podcast called Canada: A Yearly Journey, which will look at every year in Canada's history, beginning with 1867.The first episode dropped last week, with 1868 coming Thursday.Episodes release every Thursday. Find it on all your podcast platforms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For the season finale of season 2, I am relating letters sent by Canadian soldiers back home, which were printed in newspapers in 1915 and 1916. Season 3 will debut after season 3 of Pucks and Cups finishes. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This battle, part of the larger Battle of the Somme, would see thousands of Canadian casualties as the troops attempted to take the important Regina Trench. It would also result in an amazing story of a Canadian soldier, the Victoria Cross and the 90 year search for his bagpipes. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Clandestine deals in international waters for submarines, ships that couldn't go into coastal waters, and millionaire yachts are all part of the story of the Royal Canadian Navy in the First World War. While the Royal Canadian Navy had a small impact on the First World War, it would go on to have a massive impact on the Second World War and beyond. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Back from hiatus due to life events, I'm looking at the Soldiers of the Soil program. With farms in desperate need of workers, and crops needed for the war effort, the Soldiers of the Soil program was created. Over 22,000 teenage boys would sign up. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This battle, fought in September 1916, would decimate several battalions as the Canadians fought to take a critical ridge with the British. As with many other battles for Canada, it came at a great cost. Thank you to Diane for sponsoring this episode with her donation. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
From 1914-1920, 8,579 Canadians, deemed "enemy aliens" were kept in internment camps where they worked hard labour. Harsh conditions, escapes and suicides were common. It would take almost 100 years for recognition of the intrenment to happen in Canada. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Canada had some of the greatest pilots of the First World War. They took to the skies and became icons, heroes and celebrities. These Flying Aces, or Knights of the Sky, have names still remembered today, including Billy Bishop and Wop May. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We are back for Season 2! Fought for three days in September, Canada would have its first major battle during The Battle of the Somme. The battle would see heavy casualties, the first use of tanks and the creeping barrage. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In the space of 30 minutes on July 1, 1916, the Royal Newfoundland Regiment would go over the top of the trench & suffer 85 per cent casualties. Of the 721 who went over on July 1, 68 answered roll call the next day. It remains today, a defining moment in Newfoundland's history. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today, I am looking at the Battle of Mont Sorrel, fought between June 1 and June 15, 1916. After losing a large stretch of land on June 1 & 2, 1916, the Canadians would reclaim the land over the next two weeks. While they got the land back, it came at the cost of over 8,000 killed, wounded or missing Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
I have been awarded a grant from the government to spend August travelling around Alberta visiting rural historical sites. I will be making podcast episodes and YouTube videos about the sites. As a result, with being on the road all month, I can't make new episodes of the show. So, instead I am going to release best of episodes of Canadian History Ehx. New episodes will be back at the end of August! Support: www.patreon.com/canadaehx Donate: www.canadaehx.com E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/craigbaird Instagram: @Bairdo37 YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
I have been awarded a grant from the government to spend August travelling around Alberta visiting rural historical sites. I will be making podcast episodes and YouTube videos about the sites. As a result, with being on the road all month, I can't make new episodes of the show. So, instead I am going to release best of episodes of Canadian History Ehx. New episodes will be back at the end of August! Support: www.patreon.com/canadaehx Donate: www.canadaehx.com E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/craigbaird Instagram: @Bairdo37 YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
I have been awarded a grant from the government to spend August travelling around Alberta visiting rural historical sites. I will be making podcast episodes and YouTube videos about the sites. As a result, with being on the road all month, I can't make new episodes of the show. So, instead I am going to release best of episodes of Canadian History Ehx. New episodes will be back at the end of August! Support: www.patreon.com/canadaehx Donate: www.canadaehx.com E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/craigbaird Instagram: @Bairdo37 YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
I have been awarded a grant from the government to spend August travelling around Alberta visiting rural historical sites. I will be making podcast episodes and YouTube videos about the sites. As a result, with being on the road all month, I can't make new episodes of the show. So, instead I am going to release best of episodes of Canadian History Ehx. New episodes will be back at the end of August! Support: www.patreon.com/canadaehx Donate: www.canadaehx.com E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/craigbaird Instagram: @Bairdo37 YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For two weeks in March/April 1916, Canadian troops held the line on several massive craters against the Germans. In the end, they would be forced to fall back after suffering 1,300 casualties. This battle would bring major changes that would change the course of the war for Canadians going forward. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
From knitting socks, to sending chocolate, to canvassing for the Red Cross and the Victory Bond Program, Canadians of all ages came together to aid the war effort through volunteerism, money and simple homemade goods for the soldiers overseas. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Boastful, egotistical, a bit of a bully, obsessed with glory, that was Sir Sam Hughes, the Minister of Defence and Militia during the first two years of the First World War in Canada. While he ensured Canadians fought as one unit, he made many mistakes along the way that would lead to his downfall. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
During the First World War, 1,200 Black Canadians enlisted to fight overseas, but the number would have been much higher if not for the rampant racism that kept them from enlisting. Even if they were accepted, they often dealt with severe racism in their own battalions on the front lines. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In late-May 1915, Canadian troops were tasked with the British to take the Village of Festubert. While the attack would be poorly-planned and executed, it would succeed. That success came at the expense of over 2,000 casualties for the Canadians. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mud, lice, rats, snipers, boredom and hard labour were part of the daily life of Canadian troops in the trenches of the First World War. Today, I am looking at what those troops dealt with, with some audio from the soldiers who actually served. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Battle of St. Julien would see terrible casualties unlike anything Canadians had seen so far in the war. It was also the first time Canadians dealt with a gas attack, and the first three Canadian WW1 Victoria Crosses be be awarded during this battle. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It was the first counter-offensive of the war for the Canadians, but while the Battle of Kitcheners' Wood was a victory for the troops, it came at a great cost to the 10th and 16th Battalions, who would suffer 75 per cent casualties. Today, I look at the battle that was a sign of things to come. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It was the first major battle of the Canadian Expeditionary Force and while they had only a diversionary role, 200 Canadians would be wounded and another 100 would die. Today, I'm looking at this battle that started the war for many Canadian soldiers. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As soon as war was declared against Germany, many Canadians and the government quickly turned against German Canadians, deeming them as enemy aliens. For the next four years, thousands of German Canadians would deal with arrests, internments and harassment. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The PPCLI was the last privately organized regiment in Canadian history, and throughout the First World War it would have two Victoria Cross winners and 19 Battle Honours. It all started because one man named Capt. Gault was inspired by Lord Strathcona to create his own regiment. That regiment would become the first Canadian infantry to reach France. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When Britain declared war on Germany, Canada was at war automatically. No one in Canada was complaining, as governments, businesses and citizens mobilized for the war they thought would be over by Christmas. Today, I look at that initial mobilization effort by the country. Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Launching May 2, I take a deep dive into Canada during the First World War. This isn't just a look at the battles that raged in France, but how the war impacted at home as well. From the politicians who oversaw the war effort, to the soldiers going overseas, to the loved ones in small towns waiting for their return, I will take a chronological look at the war that changed Canada forever. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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