BATTLE OF VIMY ‘A DEFINING MOMENT’
Legion honours veterans, continues advocacy work
As Canada marks the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy, we asked Mark Barham, chairman of the Royal Canadian Legion Kensington board of trustees, to reflect on the past as they plan for the future.
Q What is the significance of Vimy in Canada?
A The Vimy battle and the victory by Canadians was not only significant just to Calgary but it defined the country. Subsequent to that battle, there was a rallying cry. It was the first time that you had all four divisions basically fight all together under basically a Canadian generalship. And they were successful when 135,000 men from France and Britain were unsuccessful. Canadians did it with 30,000 men. Unfortunately 3,598 men lost their lives in the battle but they did something that no one else had been able to do. It was a defining moment that formed a nation.
Q What role did Calgary play in it?
A As a city, Calgary was in an expansion mode at that time because it was a fledgling city at that time. It was growing. There was a rallying around at that time. It was a volunteer army and Canadians volunteered from across the country, including here. At the time, we were a young country and we put a million people into the field. It was an insane number.
Q Why is it important to keep remembering these conflicts and sacrifices?
A Remembering is something important to the Legion but it’s important to Canadians as well. When you have defining moments when men lose their lives in defence of liberty, in defence of the country ... we have to remember that. The history making and acts of history defines our future, defines who we are as a people, defines where we go as a people. Unfortunately it takes a reflecting moment like Vimy’s 100th anniversary to think about it. But did we think about it last year or the year before? ... It’s so important because they built our future.
Q As the population of Second World War and Korean War veterans diminishes, what is the future of the Legion? A The future is to continue on in
the service of veterans, advocating for them, ensuring that acts of remembrance continue and we encourage people to join. Anyone can become a member.
Q What is happening with the Kensington branch?
A The new branch being built will ... allow us to give back to the community and be more of a participating force within the community. We’ll have a main floor restaurant, called the 1918 Tap and Table. Coincidentally that’s the address of the building but it’s also the end of the First World War. That restaurant will operate as a non-profit and any money we make there is going to go back into the community.
Q How is the Legion viewed today?
A The stigma of it continues. People view it as an establishment where a bunch of old fogeys get together. It’s changing and our new facility will be a fair indicator of how much it has changed. We’ve redefined what a Legion is going to look like in the future. This will be a pattern of redevelopment that will, in all likelihood, take place across the country. A lot of people are watching this.