canadian corps

1917When did Vimy Ridge become a National Historic Site of Canada?

Vimy Ridge, located fourteen kilometres north of Arras in northern France, became a National Historic Site of Canada in 1996. This designation honors Canada’s significant accomplishment, sacrifice, and contribution during the First World War, particularly at the site of the pivotal 1917 Battle of Vimy Ridge. The 117-hectare memorial park—granted to Canada by France in 1922—features the iconic monument by sculptor Walter S. Allward and preserves original battlefield trenches, where even today, sheep graze the dangerous ground littered with unexploded munitions. As we mark the 109th anniversary of the battle in 2026, Vimy Ridge stands as a lasting symbol of remembrance for over 11,000 missing Canadian soldiers with no known grave.

1918What is the significance of the Dury Canadian Memorial in France?

The Dury Canadian Memorial, located just south of Dury in France, stands as a testament to the Canadian Corps’ critical role in breaching the formidable Drocourt-Quéant Line during the Second Battle of Arras in 1918. This strategically vital victory helped turn the tide on the Western Front, marking a decisive moment in the final Hundred Days Offensive of the First World War. Remarkably, on September 2, 1918, seven Canadians were awarded the Victoria Cross for their bravery during these intense assaults, a day that also saw nearly 6,000 Canadian casualties. Today, the memorial’s striking 15-tonne granite block not only honors these sacrifices but also anchors the site as one of just eight Great War Canadian monuments of permanent remembrance in France.