The Lines were Drawn

August 1914

August 4, War is declared by the British Parliament, Canada is automatically at War. On August 6, the Canadian Militia is mobilized and recruiting begins for active service overseas and home defense.

The Lines were Drawn

September 1914

Over 32,000 men and women from across Canada are recruited for the First Canadian Contingent. The place of this mobilization takes place at Val Cartier, Quebec.

The Lines were Drawn

October 1914

The First Canadian Contingent 30, 261 strong sails from Gaspe Bay in 33 ships for England. They arrive ten days later at Plymouth England. They take up quarters on the Salisbury Plain.

The Lines were Drawn

November 1914

Four Canadian Midshipmen of the Royal Canadian Navy on loan to the Royal Navy are killed at the Battle of Coronel. A call for 30,000 more soldiers to be raised in Canada for overseas service. The first Canadian unit; the #2 Canadian Stationary Hospital arrives in France.

The Lines were Drawn

December 1914

The Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry as part of the British 27th Division arrives in France.

August 1914
September 1914
October 1914
November 1914
December 1914
January 1915
February 1915
March 1915
April 1915
May 1915
June 1915
July 1915
August 1915
September 1915
October 1915
November 1915
December 1915
January 1916
February 1916
March 1916
April 1916
May 1916
June 1916
July 1916
August 1916
September 1916
October 1916
November 1916
December 1916
January 1917
February 1917
March 1917
April 1917
May 1917
June 1917
July 1917
August 1917
September 1917
October 1917
November 1917
December 1917
January 1918
February 1918
March 1918
April 1918
May 1918
June 1918
July 1918
August 1918
September 1918
October 1918
November 1918

The Great War 1914-1918

Thousands of Canadian men and women were called upon to contribute to the effort required for the First World War, an event that transformed our nation, culture, economy, and identity.

619,636 enlisted with the Canadian Expeditionary Force, with approximately 424,000 of those serving overseas. 59,544 died during the war - 51,748 of them as a result of enemy action.

This web site will be a memorial to those Canadians that gave their lives during World War I.