Final Comments
When I first started planning this program I intended to do what I had done with my WWII simulation, "Duty, Valour, and Sacrifice" - create a composite story of a Canadian soldier going through all the major events of World War One. While doing research, however, I decided to go in a different direction. There were simply so many powerful, moving letters home from soldiers that I wanted them to speak in their own words, rather than have a made-up soldier as the speaker. These letters are especially moving when you think of the soldiers writing home on quiet days at the front, or from reserve billets, never knowing what could happen tomorrow. I'm always taken aback when I read a series of letters home, as often with details of baseball and soccer games as of battles, and then the series suddenly ends. A day after hitting the winning run the writer was killed - often randomly or unexpectedly - by a sniper's bullet or in an artillery bombardment.
The real authors of this program are those wartime writers and I'd like to thank them and the people and organizations who have preserved their letters.
Thank you to:George Adkins - He enlisted in March, 1915 in Edmonton, Alberta. Went overseas in 1916 and survived the war
Alfred Herbert Andrews - Enlisted in 1914. Overseas from 1915 until the end of the war. Twice wounded. Married Allie Dixon, the girl he met "Over 'Ome" in 1918.
Harry Baird - He enlisted in July, 1915 and served overseas with the 73rd Battalion. He was killed February 4, 1917
James Stevenson Balfour - He enlisted in April, 1915 and found himself in France in July, 1915, where he served until wounded in June, 1916. He recovered, returned to duty, and in 1917 joined the Royal Flying Corps as an observer. He later trained as a pilot and had qualified as a flying instructor when the war ended.
Herbert Franklin Ball - Herbert enlisted in Edmonton, Alberta in January, 1915 with the 51st Battalion, and later served overseas with the 38th Battalion. Ball was killed November 18, 1916.
Roy Stevenson Blackstock - Fought at Vimy Ridge and survived the war.
Maurice Wilfred Bracewell - He enlisted in December, 1915. Bracewell fought at Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele, where he was wounded. He survived the war.
Bertram (Bertie) Howard Cox - Cox enlisted in Winnipeg in March, 1916, served in the Canadian Field Artillery and survived the war.
Joseph H. Gilchrist, 76 Battalion - Enlisted August, 1915, fought at Vimy Ridge.
Dr. Bellenden S. Hutcheson, VC - Enlisted in the Canadian Medical Corps in 1915, received the Victoria Cross in 1918 for his actions at the Drocourt-Quéant Line. He survived the war.
Leo Kelly - Enlisted in the 70th Battalion in 1916. Fought at Vimy Ridge. He survived the war.
Percy Leland Kingsley - Percy enlisted in August, 1914. He was gassed at the 2nd Battle of Ypres and spent the rest of the war in hospitals or on reserve roles. He survived the war, but with health problems for the rest of his life.
Stuart Cameron Kirkland - Stuart enlisted in the 18th Battalion in April ,1916. He served in France and was seriously wounded at Vimy Ridge in 1917. He survived the war.
Thomas Mayes - Enlisted in the 49th Battalion. He fought at Vimy Ridge.
Wallace Pattenden - Enlisted in the 19th Battalion in November 1914. He fought at Vimy Ridge.
Ernest Wakelyn - Enlisted in the 31 Battalion in May 1915. He fought at the Somme, Vimy, Passchendaele and during the 100 Days. He survived the war.
