Stark and sobering lessons were shared at a recent candlelight commemorative service to mark the 97th anniversary of Vimy Ridge, where more than 15,000 Canadian troops fought and nearly 3,600 were killed.
The service, held April 8 at Royal Canadian Legion, Prince Edward Branch #91 in Langford, included members of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps and a presentation by Randy Stewart, father of Cadet Kathleen Stewart and owner of Stewart College in Victoria.
Stewart presented his collected memorabilia from the Battle of Arras and the Battle at Vimy Ridge for cadets and supporters.
Robert Russell, Vancouver Island South Zone Chair of the Army Cadet League of Canada (BC Branch), also gave an impressive presentation on the battle with accompanying pictures and artifacts.
The Battle at Vimy Ridge took place April 9 to 12, 1917, and was a turning point in the First World War. Canadian troops spent weeks planning the assault before overtaking the Axis stronghold on the northern France coastline.