By John Stoesser - Communications Officer - Waterton Lakes Field Unit

Commemorating Vimy Ridge in Waterton Lakes National Park

Apr 9, 2017 | 9:46 AM

WATERTON LAKES NP –  April 9, 2017 marks the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. A small team of participants from Parks Canada, Canadian Armed Forces (Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry), British Army Training Unit Suffield, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Alpine Club of Canada embarked on a memorial hike up Vimy Ridge in Waterton Lakes National Park on April 6, 2017 to commemorate this historic battle.

The Battle of Vimy Ridge (April 9-12, 1917) was the First World War conflict in which all four Canadian divisions fought together and successfully took and held an objective which had eluded other Allied forces since 1914. Over 40,000 Canadian men fought in this battle, which was won at a tremendous cost with 10,602 Canadian casualties

The commemorative team was led by Parks Canada. The team carried and raised a Canadian flag that has flown over both the Peace Tower in Ottawa and the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France, the Red Ensign, and flags of the participating regiments and agencies. Participants also took this opportunity to share how the Battle of Vimy Ridge touched their personal lives and the organization they represent.

Canada’s participation in the First World War touched every community in this country. Parks Canada invites you to join us in commemorating individuals from all walks of life who made unique contributions to the war effort by sharing this story. During these global conflicts, civilians and those in the armed forces played a crucial role in protecting and building their communities and the Canada we are proud to call home.

The individuals who participated in the hike to Waterton’s Vimy Ridge include the following:

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Dennis Madsen, Parks Canada –WLNP; Meg Stanley, Parks Canada historian; Barb Johnston; Parks Canada – Resource Conservation WLNP; Cst Kaeli RITCHIE, RCMP Airdrie; Jonas Hoke, Parks Canada Visitor Safety specialist WLNP; Mike Taylor, Parks Canada – Warden Service; Cst Wayne WONG, RCMP Airdrie; Edwin Knox, Parks Canada – Resource Conservation Cultural Resource Management; Sarah Barnes, ACC Southern Alberta; WO2 Terry O’Neill, British Army Training Unit Suffield; Rob Hunter, BATUS; MCpl Kyle Merrell, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry; Major John Cartwright-Terry, British Army Training Unit Suffield; Cst Casondra GREENE, RCMP Airdire; Cpl Jordan Thompson, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry; Major Kristian Udeson, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry; Cpl Rory Hawman, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry; MCpl Eric Hoff, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry; Ryan Leavitt, ACC Southern Alberta

Veterans Affairs Canada has produced a series of videos and education material on the battle for Vimy Ridge which can be accesses on the department’s website.