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Category: Soldiers

Between 1914 and 1919, over 650,000 Canadians served at home and overseas during the Great War. On the Western Front in Belgium and France, Canadian soldiers of the Great War distinguished themselves in numerous battles, including Second Battle of Ypres, Battle of Vimy Ridge, and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In Canada’s Last Hundred Days of the Great War, Canadian soldiers at the sharp end of the spear breaking through the enemy’s formidable trench defences, the Hindenburg Line. Their efforts have inspired these soldier stories.

Collections

Many collections used to bring the soldier stories to life. First, and foremost, the Personnel Records of the soldiers serving in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). This collection, like the others to follow, digitized and made available by Library and Archives Canada (LAC). Secondly, the War Diaries of the CEF often provide vital information about a soldier’s life not contained in their service file. Finally, Circumstances of Death (CoD), War Graves Registers (GRRF), and Veterans Death Cards provide further information on The Fallen. These three collections in conjunction with records of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) vital to cases of identification and recovery of The Missing.

Courts Martial Records (FGCM)

Additional collections used to present the soldier stories include Courts Martial Records. Courts martial had the authority to try a wide range of military offences that resembled civilian crimes like fraud, theft or perjury. Others, like desertion and cowardice – purely military crimes. Records of individual courts martial consist of an average of 20 to 25 documents, mainly standardized forms. These document the trial and the charges under the Army Act.

MIKAN photo collection

Finally, the most powerful way of bringing soldier stories of the Great War to life, the images of the MIKAN collection digitized by LAC.  Often complementing these photos – images held by the Imperial War Museum (IWM), some of which also contain images captured by the Official Canadian War Photographers (CWRO) during the Great War. Both LAC and IWM have film collections which further bring the reality of the soldier stories of the Great War to life.

  • Private Joseph Malouin, The Van Doos, in the Great War

    CEFRG presents the story of Private Joseph Malouin of “The Van Doos” – 22nd (French Canadian) Infantry Battalion, 5th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Division. Joseph entered the war in September of 1915. Soon, he found himself on the sidelines, and invalided back to England to recover from a rare disorder. While convalescing, Joseph had the opportunity to train on a secret weapon. He used this new skill while participating in the very successful opening day of the Battle of Amiens, 8 August 1918.

    Joseph Malouin

    The Van Doos

    Private Joseph A. Malouin 61153 was born 12 Ocober 1893 in Montréal, Québec. He was a Labourer, son of Georges Malouin, of 247, Joliette St., Montreal. Joseph had 3 years prior service with C.A.M.C. Joseph Malouin enlisted with the The Van Doos on 21 October 1914 at Valcartier. He stood 5′ 6″ tall, with dark complexion, brown eyes, and brown hair. Joseph was Roman Catholic. While at Valcartier, in January of 1915, Joseph forfeits 4 days pay, and the following month he forfeited 9 days pay. He sailed for England on 20 May 1915.

    Following a summer of training in England, Joseph proceeded overseas with his unit, disembarking at Boulogne-sur-Mer, 15 September 1915. After serving in Belgium for several months, medical issues will keep Joseph from the front lines until mid-1918. Granted 8 days leave, 10 May 1916. Admitted No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance, Laryngitis, 1 July 1916. Admitted No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance, Laryngitis, 3 July 1916. To Mont des Cats, (rehabilitation) Laryngitis, 7 July 1916. Admitted to No. 30 General Hospital, Calais, 18 July 1916. Admitted to 1st Eastern General Hospital, Cambridge, 24 July 1916.

    Aphonia

    Admitted 8 August 1916, and diagnosed with Aphonia. Joseph has no voice at all! Discharged to Woodcote Pack, Epsom, 12 September 1916. Later, examined at Epson, 1 November 1916. Dizzy, headache, pains left chest, discharged 6 November 1916. Finally, admitted to Canadian Divisional Convalescent Hospital, Epsom, 6 November 1916, discharged 6 December 1916.

    On 20 April 1917, Joseph completes his Last Will, leaving everything to his father. Soon, Joseph probably had his first exposure to tank development. On 5 December 1917, another medical exam at No. 12 Canadian General Hospital. Joseph is with the 10th Reserve Battalion at this time, and is discharged 17 December 1917. Admitted 2nd Eastern General Hospital, Brighton, V.D.G., 2 February 1917, discharged 24 February 1917. Finally, admitted to Bramshott Hospital, Incontinence, 5 December 1917, discharged 18 December 1917. In early 1918, Joseph returns to training on tanks.

    Posted back to 22nd Battalion, 29 March 1918. Arrived with unit in the field, 5 June 1918. During Joseph’s time spent back in England, he must have been a quick learner in tank development, for he is attached to 5th C.I.B. HQ as a Tank Instructor, at Lignereuil Chateau on 10 July 1918. Over the next few days, Joseph participates in several manoeuvres for the benefit of Higher Command.

    The Battle of Amiens

    A Tank passing 8th Field Ambulance, Hangard. Battle of Amiens. 12 August 1918. The tank appears to be a Mk. IV male. MIKAN No. 3395386
    A Tank passing 8th Field Ambulance, Hangard. Battle of Amiens. 12 August 1918. The tank appears to be a Mk. IV male. MIKAN No. 3395386
    Canadian Stretcher bearers going forward. Battle of Amiens. 12 August 1918. Stretcher-bearers are shown advancing with a tank. MIKAN No. 3395385
    Canadian Stretcher bearers going forward. Battle of Amiens. 12 August 1918. Stretcher-bearers are shown advancing with a tank. MIKAN No. 3395385
    Cheery Canadian being brought in by the enemy, waves to the camera. Battle of Amiens. 12 August 1918. Wounded soldier and captured Germans serving as stretcher-bearers are near a tank. MIKAN No. 3404920
    Cheery Canadian being brought in by the enemy, waves to the camera. Battle of Amiens. 12 August 1918. Wounded soldier and captured Germans serving as stretcher-bearers are near a tank. MIKAN No. 3404920
    Tank Officer and Men interested in an anti-tank rifle captured by Canadians. Battle of Amiens. 12 August 1918. Canadian soldiers and a tank officer are examining a captured German T-Gewehr 13 mm anti-tank rifle, with a Mk IV male tank in the background. MIKAN No. 3395388
    Tank Officer and Men interested in an anti-tank rifle captured by Canadians. Battle of Amiens. 12 August 1918. Canadian soldiers and a tank officer are examining a captured German T-Gewehr 13 mm anti-tank rifle, with a Mk IV male tank in the background. MIKAN No. 3395388

    Killed in action

    On the first day of the Battle of Amiens, casualties in the 22nd Battalion are light, with only five men killed in action. The light casualties must have had much to do with Joseph’s efforts, for he is with a tank crew leading the very successful advance of the 5th Canadian Infantry Brigade. Unfortunately for Joseph, he is one of those five casualties. Joseph is killed during the advance made from the vicinity of Villers-Bretonneux to Wiencourt-l’Équipée, on the afternoon of 8 August 1918.

    Tanks advancing down Amiens-Roye Road. Battle of Amiens. 12 August 1918. MIKAN No. 3395390
    Tanks advancing down Amiens-Roye Road. Battle of Amiens. 12 August 1918. MIKAN No. 3395390
    Tanks advancing. Prisoners bring in wounded wearing gas masks. Battle of Amiens. MIKAN No. 3194443
    Tanks advancing. Prisoners bring in wounded wearing gas masks. Battle of Amiens. MIKAN No. 3194443

    Vrely Communal Cemetery Extension

    Joseph is buried in Vrely Communal Cemetery Extension, Row A, Grave 6. Vrely is a village 32 kilometres East of Amiens, immediately South of Rosieres-en-Santerre. The Extension adjoins the rear of the Communal Cemetery which is West of the village on the road to Caix.

    Vrely Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, 29 April 2019.
    Vrely Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, 29 April 2019.

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