Enlisting with his brother Ernest, Herman James Good joined with the Canadian Expeditionary Force in the summer of 1915. Initially serving with the 2nd Pioneer Battalion, the two brothers found themselves transferred to the 13th “Black Watch” after arriving in France. After spending a year together on the front lines, Ernest Good was killed in action near Pozieres Wood, leaving his brother to continue alone on the Western Front.

The Canadian Corps, alongside the Australian and New Zealand contingents serving in the British Army, were subject to certain stereotypes associated with “colonials”. The picture of a wild, unrestrained soldier was manifest in Private John Croak, who served with both the 55th and 13th Battalions during the First World War.

Tensions between Anglo and French-Canadians flared during the First World War. While both French and English were used interchangeably in both Quebec and the Canadian Parliament, a lack of Francophone regiments in the Canadian Expeditionary Force discouraged many Quebecers from enlisting. No matter the situation at home, the prowess of French-Canadian units in the C.E.F was legendary.

The Canadian Expeditionary Force is regarded for its military prowess, often seen and spoke of as the “shock troops” of the greater B.E.F during the First World War. Though a brutally efficient military machine, it was comprised mostly of young men from service backgrounds. Such is the case of Wallace Lloyd Algie, VC, who listed his pre-war occupation as a banker. Schooled at the Royal Military College of Canada, Algie leaned on his schooling after enlisting with the C.E.F on April 19th, 1916 as an officer.

Born in Oak River, Manitoba, Alexander Picton Brereton had spent his life both working Canadian soil and cutting Canadian hair before enlisting in the 8th Battalion, CEF and embarking for England in late 1916. Joining up with the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, he soon found himself in France, seeing action with the 8th Battalion all the way up until the start of the 100 Days Campaign.

Born in Ashington, England, and emigrating with his family to Saskatoon in 1911, Hugh Cairns enlisted in the C.E.F at only 19 years old. Despite the horror stories of the Western Front, Hugh was but one of thousands of young men who left their lives behind to serve their country during the First World War.