…was a great experience. Using the 44th Battalion War Diary, unit history and 1917 trench maps, we were able to follow the path of our soldiers very closely. Finding the remaining signs of the battlefields of the 44th Battalion in Vimy National Memorial Park and on the Pimple was very rewarding. It was powerful to know that we were standing exactly on the fields that Hank, Gordon and Cliff had fought over. As we went along it was fantastic to find signs that we were on the right path. In Bouvigny we found graffiti by another soldier of the 44th Battalion, so we knew we were in the right place: a billet the Battalion history referred to as the “white chateau”. The French people we asked for help were always so gracious and went out of their way to assist us. The kindness of the owners of Chateau de la Haie in allowing us access to their property was so appreciated. They did not realize that the Canadians had used their Chateau, they thought it had been English troops. They shared their stories that have been handed down through the four generations since the Great War. It was a stunning moment to be shown the “English” Sergeants’ Mess painted sign, which I recognised as having been placed there by the 4th Canadian Division. I realized that we were the first Canadians to see it since the Great War, which is why none of the family knew its origins. It was good to tell them how their Chateau had played such an important role in the Canadian victory at Vimy; a role they had never heard about before. As we left I thanked them profusely for hosting us and told them the documentary would be much better because of their participation. The owner looked at me very seriously and said “You do not need to thank us. It is our obligation. It is the least we can do for these soldiers. Thank you.” I have rarely felt so proud to be Canadian as I did at that moment.
Visiting the graves of Hank and Gordon at Canadian Cemetery Number 2 was very moving. At one point, a British woman who was part of a bus tour walked over to us, absolutely overcome and in tears. She managed to ask if we were Canadian. We nodded and she said that we should be so proud of what had been done here, so proud of this beautiful park, of the stunning memorial and of how well the cemeteries are kept. Then she walked away, still crying , to rejoin her tour. I couldn’t trust myself to speak for several minutes. In a way, I was glad to discover that Gordon’s tombstone lists his middle name and date of death incorrectly, because it allowed us to take the necessary steps to correct it. I left a complete copy of his military records from the Library and Archives of Canada with the Manager of the Vimy National Memorial Park. He assured me he would pass the record to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC)and he felt certain they would fix the errors as soon as possible. Such errors are actually fairly common, and he noted that the CWGC are excellent about fixing such mistakes. Everywhere I have been, the standard of care that the CWGC gives to all cemeteries is second to none. Their work in honouring the graves of our Fallen is magnificent.
The Canadian staff at Vimy were outstanding and did everything they could to facilitate us getting the footage we needed. They are very focussed on sharing the park with all Canadians via film and television. They were great to work with. I wish every Canadian could have the opportunity to experience the power of Vimy Ridge. I hope that our documentary will, in some small way, help Canadians connect with Vimy even if they never have the opportunity to visit it. It is Canadian territory, given to us by France in gratitude for what Canada did in the Great War. That feels absolutely right when you are there, surrounded by so many Canadians who fell to take the Ridge. It is a hushed, reflective, green space now; though still scarred by craters and trenches. It truly has a terrible beauty, somehow like the War is still lurking just below the surface, holding its breath. I cannot imagine any Canadian visiting it without shedding a tear. I have yet to manage it even with repeat visits.
Cheers;
Marc
